What are the schools like in Nehalem, OR?

Nehalem is served primarily by Neah-Kah-Nie SD 56. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.0:1.

What is the median household income in Nehalem?

The median household income in Nehalem, OR is $66,964 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 15.8%.

What is the weather like in Nehalem, OR?

Nehalem has an average high temperature of 51.9°F in January and 67.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 112.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 1.4 inches.

Nehalem, OR Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Nehalem, OR affordable or expensive?

Nehalem's cost of living index is 101, where 100 represents the national average. This means Nehalem is 1% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $345,800 and the median rent is $950 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Nehalem, OR?

Nehalem has a violent crime rate of 203.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1361.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Nehalem, OR a Good Place to Live?

Nehalem is a small town of 269 in Oregon, with a median household income of $66,964 and a 15.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 101 (US average = 100), which is 1% above the national average.

Strengths: Nehalem stands out for solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Nehalem is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Nehalem city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 100.7

Nehalem's overall cost of living index is 100.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Nehalem costs roughly 1% more than the average American city.

Metric	Nehalem, OR	National Avg
Median Home Value	$345,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$950	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	76.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$66,964	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Nehalem's violent crime rate is 203.4 per 100,000 residents — 46% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

203.4 /100k

Property Crime

1361.1 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Nehalem is served primarily by Neah-Kah-Nie SD 56. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Nehalem, OR	National Avg
School District	Neah-Kah-Nie SD 56	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	22.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Nehalem sees average highs of 51.9°F in January and 67.7°F in July, with 112.1 inches of annual precipitation and 1.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Nehalem, OR
Average High — January	51.9°F
Average High — July	67.7°F
Annual Precipitation	112.1"
Annual Snowfall	1.4"

Demographics

Metric	Nehalem, OR	National Avg
Population	269	—
Median Age	52.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	15.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	88.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	16.0%	22.2%
65 and over	29.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Bayside Gardens, OR 1 mi Manzanita, OR 2 mi Wheeler, OR 2 mi Neahkahnie, OR 2 mi Barnesdale, OR 5 mi

Nehalem vs Other Cities

Nehalem, OR vs Bayside Gardens, OR Nehalem, OR vs Manzanita, OR Nehalem, OR vs Wheeler, OR Nehalem, OR vs Neahkahnie, OR Nehalem, OR vs Barnesdale, OR

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nehalem, OR affordable or expensive?

Nehalem's cost of living index is 101, where 100 is the national average. That puts Nehalem roughly 1% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $345,800 and median rent is $950/month.

What is the crime rate in Nehalem, OR?

Nehalem's violent crime rate is 203.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1361.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Nehalem?

Public schools in Nehalem are operated by Neah-Kah-Nie SD 56. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.0:1. 22.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Nehalem, OR a good place to live?

Nehalem, OR has a population of 269, a median household income of $66,964, and an unemployment rate of 15.8%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Nehalem?

Nehalem averages 51.9°F in January and 67.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 112.1 inches with about 1.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Nehalem?

The population of Nehalem, Oregon is 269 with a median age of 52.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Nehalem?

Key numbers for living in Nehalem: cost of living index 101 (100 = US average), median home $345,800, median household income $66,964, crime index 58 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Nehalem side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.