Population26,310 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
A River Crossroads With A Vast Past
Wasco County, OregonThe Dalles anchors Wasco County, where the Columbia and Deschutes rivers connect community history with a dramatic regional landscape. Fort Dalles Museum, the original courthouse and the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center provide different ways to explore the area’s layered past. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 26,310 residents in Wasco County, Oregon, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 2,381 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Wasco County at a Glance
Population26,310 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatThe Dalles
Largest MunicipalityThe Dalles • Mosier • Dufur
Established1854 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesColumbia Gorge & North Central Oregon
Total Area, Including Water2,394.929 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-84 • US 197 • US 97
Area Codes541 / 458
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Wasco County
Wasco County
Wasco County was created in 1854 from parts of several Oregon counties. Its original territory extended far beyond today's boundaries, covering eastern Oregon and land now in neighboring states. The Dalles became its civic center, while later divisions reduced that enormous administrative area to a much more localized county. Those changing boundaries are important when interpreting older records: an early Wasco reference may describe a place outside the modern county. Museums help bring that unusually large historical geography into focus.
Begin in The Dalles with a museum or courthouse-history theme, then consider Dufur, Maupin or Mosier for another county perspective. The Columbia and Deschutes offer separate geographic threads, each best explored through a specific public destination rather than a general river itinerary. Compare the selected town's local story with interpretation in The Dalles. This keeps the original county's enormous reach distinct from the smaller area being explored on a present-day route.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Fort Dalles Museum, the original courthouse and the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center provide different ways to explore the area's layered past.
Community History
Wasco County was created in 1854 from parts of several Oregon counties. Its original territory extended far beyond today's boundaries, covering eastern Oregon and land now in neighboring states.
Explore Locally
Begin in The Dalles with a museum or courthouse-history theme, then consider Dufur, Maupin or Mosier for another county perspective.
Follow the river crossroads into a county's wider story.
A Closer Look
Wasco County
Places and perspectives from Wasco County
OPB — Oregon & Regional News
In the first full day of loss, Bend learns more about Silver Rail shooting, mourns the victims
As Bend residents come together to mourn and ask what comes next, OPB journalists are in Central Oregon.…
Read the Story Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Wasco County
Stories from every corner of Wasco County.
In the first full day of loss, Bend learns more about Silver Rail shooting, mourns the victims
As Bend residents come together to mourn and ask what comes next, OPB journalists are in Central Oregon.…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
OPB’s First Look: New details emerge in Bend school shooting
Multiple people tried to stop the shooter, police said. Here’s your First Look at Saturday’s news.
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Zelenskyy described the move as unfortunate, adding it would encourage Russia to continue its assault. Trump told Congress…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Scuffles and fires break out as protesters rally across France, joining students
Demonstrators across France converged with students Saturday to protest rising living costs, as the country's fiscal crisis deepens.
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Decades after apartheid, South Africans seek justice for crimes of the past
More than three decades after the end of apartheid, families of victims of some of the worst crimes…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Wasco County Government
County departments, public meetings, records, and services: wascocountyor.gov
County profile and official reference links: Oregon Blue Book
Population source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census. tigerweb.geo.census.gov
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Dufur School – Other; grades KG-12. 802 NE 5th St, Dufur, OR 97021. 541-467-2509.
Big Muddy Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-08. 1 Muddy Road, Antelope, OR 97001. 541-475-6192.
Mosier Community School – Elementary; grades KG-08. 1204 1st Ave, Mosier, OR 97040. 541-478-3321.
South Wasco County Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 308 Deschutes Ave, Maupin, OR 97037. 541-395-2665.
Chenowith Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 922 Chenowith Lp W, The Dalles, OR 97058. 541-506-3350.
The Dalles High School – High; grades 09-12. 220 E 10th St, The Dalles, OR 97058. 541-506-3400.
The Dalles Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 1100 E 12th St, The Dalles, OR 97058. 541-506-3380.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Mid-Columbia Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 1700 E 19Th Street, The Dalles, OR 97058. 541-296-1111.
Public Safety
Visit Oregon State Police at Oregon government resources. Your county sheriff and local police provide local non-emergency information.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. Find preparedness resources and official updates through Oregon government resources.
State Parks
Explore Oregon State Parks, park notices, and reservation information at stateparks.oregon.gov. Check the individual park before traveling.
Trails
Find walking and hiking destinations through stateparks.oregon.gov and fs.usda.gov. Check the managing agency for current trail access.
Utilities
Identify the provider serving your address before arranging service. Oregon utility consumer information is available at Oregon government resources.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Dufur School/Community Library – 802 Ne Fifth St, Dufur, OR 97021. 541-467-2588.
Southern Wasco County Library – 507 Grant Ave, Maupin, OR 97037. 541-395-2208.
The Dalles-Wasco County Library – 722 Court St, The Dalles, OR 97058. 541-296-2815.
Courts
Find Oregon circuit courts, court locations, and public information at courts.oregon.gov.
DMV
Oregon — Schedule, Cancel or Change an Appointment
Oregon — Driver license applications for adults
Transportation
Find road conditions and travel alerts at Oregon road conditions. Oregon transportation information is available at Oregon government resources.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Wasco County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Wasco County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
26,310 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,394.929 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Oregon resources: Schedule, Cancel or Change an Appointment; Driver license applications for adults; Offices. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Wasco County was created in 1854 from parts of several Oregon counties. Its original territory extended far beyond today’s boundaries, covering eastern Oregon and land now in neighboring states. The Dalles became its civic center, while later divisions reduced that enormous administrative area to a much more localized county. Those changing boundaries are important when interpreting older records: an early Wasco reference may describe a place outside the modern county. Museums help bring that unusually large historical geography into focus.
Begin in The Dalles with a museum or courthouse-history theme, then consider Dufur, Maupin or Mosier for another county perspective. The Columbia and Deschutes offer separate geographic threads, each best explored through a specific public destination rather than a general river itinerary. Compare the selected town’s local story with interpretation in The Dalles. This keeps the original county’s enormous reach distinct from the smaller area being explored on a present-day route.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 2,381.136 square miles of land and 13.793 square miles of water in Wasco County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Wasco County had an estimated 26,613 residents on July 1, 2020, and 26,310 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population decreased by 303 residents, or about 1.1%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
The Dalles is the county seat listed for Wasco County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Explore Wasco County
Places to visitStart with these local landmarks, outdoor destinations and community places in Wasco County.
- Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
- Fort Dalles Museum
- Rowena Crest
- Deschutes River near Maupin
- Shaniko
- Sorosis Park
Explore the Wasco County profile in the Oregon Blue Book
County photograph: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives. County profile and map: Oregon Secretary of State.
Plan your visitCheck current access and hours before heading out.