While the U.S. is one of the most educated countries in the world, it doesn’t provide the same quality elementary school or secondary school education to all students. In many states, more affluent school districts receive a greater amount of funding per student than poorer districts.
Discrepancies between the rich and poor have been exacerbated even more this year by the COVID-19 pandemic. As states decide whether their school districts will have in-person learning this fall, studies show that low-income students will suffer the greatest “learning loss” due to partial or total remote learning. One contributing factor is that people in low-income districts are less likely to have the technological resources they need.
States that provide equitable funding to all school districts can help prevent poor students from having lower graduation rates, lower rates of pursuing higher education and smaller future incomes than their wealthy peers. The difference is dramatic: College graduates have $460 - $1,154 higher median weekly earnings than people with a high school diploma and no college experience, depending on the degree.
Oregon has the 3rd least equitable school districts in the U.S. overall, but some districts within the state are fairer than others. To find out where school funding is distributed most equitably, WalletHub scored 192 districts in Oregon based on two metrics: average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil. Read on for the district ranking and a complete description of our methodology.
Main Findings
Note: For visual purposes, we included only the top 7 school districts by enrollment from each category. Rank 1 on the “Expenditures Ranking” means highest expenditures and Rank 1 on “Income Ranking” means lowest income.
Most & Least Equitable School Districts in Oregon
| Rank* | School District | Score | Expeditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Schools per Pupil | Income by School District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gervais School District 1 | 0.11 | $11,281 | $68,074 |
| 2 | Knappa School District 4 | 0.34 | $11,986 | $65,761 |
| 3 | Yamhill-Carlton School District #1 | 0.74 | $10,438 | $71,601 |
| 4 | Dayton School District 8 | 0.82 | $11,392 | $68,179 |
| 5 | Hood River County School District | 1.12 | $12,544 | $62,935 |
| 6 | Oregon City School District 62 | 1.36 | $9,907 | $73,867 |
| 7 | Condon School District 25 | 1.40 | $18,656 | $40,574 |
| 8 | Newberg School District 29 J | 1.51 | $11,118 | $67,903 |
| 9 | Scappoose School District 1J | 2.17 | $9,633 | $72,937 |
| 10 | Sisters School District 6 | 2.26 | $12,210 | $65,991 |
| 11 | North Clackamas School District 12 | 2.37 | $10,687 | $71,588 |
| 12 | Pine Eagle School District 61 | 2.42 | $17,846 | $42,961 |
| 13 | Joseph School District 6 | 3.20 | $14,932 | $56,615 |
| 14 | South Wasco County Schl District 1 | 3.46 | $16,568 | $47,035 |
| 15 | Dufur School District 29 | 4.07 | $14,549 | $58,482 |
| 16 | Mapleton School District 32 | 4.93 | $20,241 | $38,269 |
| 17 | Days Creek School District 15 | 5.19 | $17,192 | $43,828 |
| 18 | Philomath School District 17J | 5.71 | $10,244 | $68,786 |
| 19 | Elkton School District 34 | 6.24 | $16,789 | $51,528 |
| 20 | Corbett School District 39 | 6.57 | $9,971 | $69,309 |
| 21 | Canby School District 86 | 7.09 | $11,556 | $71,005 |
| 22 | Forest Grove School District 15 | 7.15 | $11,993 | $61,647 |
| 23 | Jefferson School District 14J | 7.26 | $12,077 | $69,202 |
| 24 | Paisley School District 11 | 7.62 | $16,676 | $44,375 |
| 25 | Vernonia School District 47 J | 7.82 | $13,980 | $54,063 |
| 26 | Huntington School District 16J | 7.99 | $18,848 | $45,000 |
| 27 | Pinehurst School District 94 | 8.26 | $14,875 | $59,583 |
| 28 | Central Linn School District 552 | 8.37 | $12,198 | $60,238 |
| 29 | Wallowa School District 12 | 8.55 | $17,792 | $39,811 |
| 30 | Neah Kah Nie School District 56 | 8.65 | $17,109 | $51,676 |
| 31 | Tigard School District 23J | 9.46 | $11,704 | $71,757 |
| 32 | Scio School District 95 | 9.83 | $9,980 | $67,500 |
| 33 | Amity School District 4J | 10.36 | $9,857 | $67,656 |
| 34 | Pt Orford Langlois School District 2J | 10.40 | $17,634 | $39,375 |
| 35 | Monroe School District 1 J | 10.49 | $12,811 | $56,852 |
| 36 | Parkrose School District 3 | 10.76 | $12,152 | $59,101 |
| 37 | Cascade School District 5 | 10.81 | $11,786 | $72,200 |
| 38 | North Santiam Sd 29 J | 10.85 | $10,491 | $65,086 |
| 39 | Suntex School District 10 | 11.04 | $22,308 | $22,045 |
| 40 | Athena Weston School District 29J | 11.35 | $10,934 | $63,205 |
| 41 | Frenchglen School District 16 | 12.96 | $7,846 | $73,542 |
| 42 | Stanfield School District 61 | 13.45 | $12,000 | $58,185 |
| 43 | Culver School District 4 | 13.55 | $12,119 | $57,699 |
| 44 | Pleasant Hill School District 1 | 14.02 | $10,872 | $61,970 |
| 45 | North Marion School District 15 | 14.29 | $11,675 | $58,906 |
| 46 | Falls City School District 57 | 14.42 | $15,942 | $43,333 |
| 47 | Bend-La Pine Admin School District 1 | 15.38 | $10,020 | $64,323 |
| 48 | Camas Valley School District 21 | 15.53 | $14,055 | $49,583 |
| 49 | Morrow County School District 1 | 15.60 | $12,717 | $54,406 |
| 50 | Perrydale School District 21 | 15.68 | $12,228 | $73,250 |
| 51 | Dallas School District 2 | 15.69 | $10,778 | $61,403 |
| 52 | Butte Falls School District 91 | 15.87 | $13,923 | $49,875 |
| 53 | Cove School District 15 | 16.10 | $12,736 | $54,063 |
| 54 | Nestucca Valley School District 101 | 16.47 | $15,584 | $43,513 |
| 55 | Creswell School District 40 | 16.74 | $10,949 | $60,208 |
| 56 | Sherman County School District | 16.81 | $14,283 | $48,056 |
| 57 | Molalla River School District 35 | 17.00 | $9,534 | $65,204 |
| 58 | Prairie City School District 4 | 17.56 | $19,526 | $47,760 |
| 59 | Warrenton-Hammond School District 30 | 17.57 | $12,311 | $54,807 |
| 60 | Estacada School District 108 | 18.15 | $7,298 | $72,703 |
| 61 | Harney County School District 4 | 18.47 | $12,466 | $53,750 |
| 62 | Gaston School District 511 J | 19.52 | $11,228 | $78,977 |
| 63 | Greater Albany School District 8 J | 20.09 | $10,922 | $58,477 |
| 64 | Salem Keizer School District 24J | 20.09 | $11,678 | $55,730 |
| 65 | Gresham-Barlow School District 10J | 20.18 | $10,112 | $61,374 |
| 66 | Mckenzie School District 68 | 20.21 | $18,191 | $54,053 |
| 67 | Portland School District 1J | 20.65 | $13,540 | $71,192 |
| 68 | Gladstone School District 115 | 21.30 | $10,378 | $59,796 |
| 69 | Pilot Rock School District 2 | 21.53 | $12,015 | $53,720 |
| 70 | Black Butte School District 41 | 21.59 | $12,462 | $75,625 |
| 71 | David Douglas School District 40 | 21.60 | $13,840 | $47,051 |
| 72 | Spray School District 1 | 21.96 | $24,902 | $30,625 |
| 73 | Mt Angel School District 91 | 22.01 | $12,073 | $53,250 |
| 74 | Clatskanie School District 6J | 22.31 | $12,816 | $50,385 |
| 75 | Rainier School District 13 | 22.92 | $11,476 | $54,923 |
| 76 | Union School District 5 | 23.22 | $11,645 | $54,145 |
| 77 | Beaverton School District 48J | 23.52 | $11,839 | $78,940 |
| 78 | St Helens School District 502 | 23.58 | $10,157 | $59,355 |
| 79 | Imbler School District 11 | 24.00 | $13,842 | $71,923 |
| 80 | Riddle School District 70 | 24.52 | $13,142 | $47,993 |
| 81 | Seaside School District 10 | 24.66 | $12,317 | $50,915 |
| 82 | Redmond School District 2J | 24.67 | $9,598 | $60,788 |
| 83 | Blachly School District 90 | 25.16 | $15,991 | $37,292 |
| 84 | Hillsboro School District 1J | 25.68 | $11,652 | $80,799 |
| 85 | Colton School District 53 | 26.02 | $11,391 | $81,932 |
| 86 | Ashland School District 5 | 26.33 | $11,451 | $53,148 |
| 87 | Junction City School District 69 | 26.42 | $10,817 | $55,405 |
| 88 | Centennial School District 28 Joint | 26.46 | $11,631 | $52,428 |
| 89 | Mcminnville School District 40 | 26.51 | $11,181 | $54,034 |
| 90 | Helix School District 1 | 27.03 | $13,451 | $75,000 |
| 91 | Central Point School District 6 | 27.46 | $10,568 | $55,744 |
| 92 | Jefferson School District 509 J | 27.97 | $13,194 | $45,921 |
| 93 | Monument School District 8 | 28.19 | $25,872 | $30,500 |
| 94 | Central Curry School District #1 | 28.28 | $12,511 | $48,234 |
| 95 | Corvallis School District 509-J | 28.60 | $11,071 | $53,291 |
| 96 | Arlington School District 3 | 28.72 | $17,776 | $60,208 |
| 97 | Harper School District 66 | 29.00 | $18,110 | $27,500 |
| 98 | Harrisburg School District 7J | 29.74 | $11,304 | $51,823 |
| 99 | Hermiston School District 8 | 30.00 | $10,361 | $55,106 |
| 100 | Adrian School District 61 | 30.24 | $13,718 | $42,778 |
| 101 | Glide School District 12 | 31.03 | $11,159 | $51,645 |
| 102 | Bethel School District 52 | 31.10 | $10,742 | $53,126 |
| 103 | North Wasco County School District 21 | 31.21 | $11,276 | $51,125 |
| 104 | Yoncalla School District 32 | 31.40 | $23,144 | $42,164 |
| 105 | Echo School District 5 | 32.39 | $12,669 | $45,417 |
| 106 | Eugene School District 4J | 32.71 | $11,296 | $50,232 |
| 107 | Willamina School District 30J | 32.71 | $11,397 | $49,864 |
| 108 | Rogue River School District 35 | 32.91 | $11,014 | $51,147 |
| 109 | Milton Freewater Unified Sd 7 | 33.31 | $11,384 | $49,587 |
| 110 | Eagle Point School District 9 | 33.47 | $9,832 | $55,138 |
| 111 | North Douglas School District 22 | 33.52 | $12,991 | $43,631 |
| 112 | Fern Ridge School District 28 J | 33.53 | $10,098 | $54,137 |
| 113 | North Lake School District 14 | 33.53 | $16,759 | $29,934 |
| 114 | Woodburn School District 103 | 33.55 | $12,000 | $47,219 |
| 115 | Annex School District 29 | 33.78 | $12,728 | $44,444 |
| 116 | West Linn-Wilsonville School District 3J | 34.51 | $10,789 | $88,750 |
| 117 | Reynolds School District 7 | 34.55 | $10,903 | $50,655 |
| 118 | Klamath County School District | 34.78 | $11,788 | $47,318 |
| 119 | Vale School District 84 | 34.80 | $11,995 | $46,550 |
| 120 | Nyssa School District 26 | 34.94 | $12,428 | $44,904 |
| 121 | Astoria School District Ic | 35.57 | $10,700 | $50,836 |
| 122 | Pendleton School District 16 | 35.79 | $10,569 | $51,194 |
| 123 | Grant Admin School District 3 | 36.76 | $12,535 | $43,523 |
| 124 | Umatilla School District 6 | 36.80 | $12,442 | $43,839 |
| 125 | Powers School District 31 | 37.73 | $16,512 | $28,542 |
| 126 | Oakridge School District 76 | 37.75 | $13,788 | $38,431 |
| 127 | Tillamook School District 9 | 38.00 | $11,384 | $47,025 |
| 128 | North Powder School District 8J | 38.06 | $14,379 | $36,111 |
| 129 | Three Rivers/Josephine County School District | 38.42 | $12,420 | $43,036 |
| 130 | Alsea School District 7J | 38.65 | $19,667 | $58,750 |
| 131 | Elgin School District 23 | 38.71 | $12,632 | $42,107 |
| 132 | Enterprise School District 21 | 39.34 | $11,894 | $44,444 |
| 133 | Sutherlin School District 130 | 39.93 | $11,205 | $46,626 |
| 134 | Marcola School District 79 J | 40.63 | $15,032 | $76,676 |
| 135 | South Lane School District 45J3 | 40.76 | $11,438 | $45,327 |
| 136 | Prospect School District 59 | 41.31 | $14,557 | $33,690 |
| 137 | Brookings-Harbor School District 17C | 41.57 | $10,826 | $47,105 |
| 138 | Siuslaw School District 97J | 41.57 | $11,935 | $43,075 |
| 139 | Springfield School District 19 | 41.67 | $10,832 | $47,032 |
| 140 | Coos Bay School District 9 | 42.44 | $10,988 | $46,045 |
| 141 | Lincoln County School District | 42.66 | $10,974 | $45,973 |
| 142 | Lebanon Community School District 9 | 42.72 | $10,004 | $49,464 |
| 143 | Medford School District 549C | 43.84 | $9,715 | $49,905 |
| 144 | Central School District 13J | 43.91 | $11,249 | $44,292 |
| 145 | Ontario School District 8C | 43.96 | $12,144 | $41,014 |
| 146 | Myrtle Point School District 41 | 44.90 | $13,794 | $34,505 |
| 147 | Oakland School District 1 | 44.97 | $10,460 | $46,582 |
| 148 | Lake County School District 7 | 45.41 | $12,144 | $40,225 |
| 149 | Douglas County School District 4 | 45.42 | $10,018 | $47,939 |
| 150 | Sheridan School District 48J | 46.51 | $9,721 | $48,426 |
| 151 | Sweet Home School District 55 | 47.01 | $10,197 | $46,425 |
| 152 | Grants Pass School District 7 | 47.07 | $11,049 | $43,295 |
| 153 | La Grande School District 1 | 47.79 | $9,993 | $46,740 |
| 154 | Crook County Unit School District | 49.02 | $10,381 | $44,656 |
| 155 | Bandon School District 54 | 49.39 | $12,624 | $36,305 |
| 156 | South Umpqua School District 19 | 49.55 | $10,542 | $43,786 |
| 157 | Harney County School District 3 | 50.00 | $11,350 | $40,605 |
| 158 | Lowell School District 71 | 50.71 | $6,179 | $59,006 |
| 159 | Banks School District 13 | 50.79 | $10,253 | $99,583 |
| 160 | Ione School District 2J | 50.80 | $19,744 | $65,104 |
| 161 | Klamath Falls City Schools | 51.00 | $11,880 | $38,134 |
| 162 | Glendale School District 77 | 51.78 | $11,141 | $40,391 |
| 163 | Adel School District 21 | 53.24 | $25,700 | $44,792 |
| 164 | Arock School District 81 | 54.92 | $26,067 | $44,375 |
| 165 | Jordan Valley School District 3 | 55.02 | $24,190 | $51,250 |
| 166 | Phoenix Talent School District 4 | 55.15 | $10,208 | $41,941 |
| 167 | Winston Dillard School District 116 | 56.92 | $9,889 | $42,135 |
| 168 | Coquille School District 8 | 57.42 | $11,233 | $36,978 |
| 169 | Drewsey School District 13 | 58.64 | $25,250 | $49,375 |
| 170 | Plush School District 18 | 61.47 | $29,000 | $37,292 |
| 171 | Sherwood School District 88J | 62.09 | $10,040 | $106,519 |
| 172 | Lake Oswego School District 7 J | 63.68 | $11,298 | $102,819 |
| 173 | Crow-Apple Gate-Lorane School District 66 | 65.22 | $19,332 | $74,464 |
| 174 | Reedsport School District 105 | 66.15 | $9,458 | $38,668 |
| 175 | North Bend School District 13 | 71.31 | $5,947 | $48,609 |
| 176 | Harney County Union High School District 1J | 73.45 | $26,407 | $53,250 |
| 177 | Dayville School District 16J | 76.14 | $27,447 | $50,938 |
| 178 | Baker School District 5J | 77.55 | $6,255 | $44,083 |
| 179 | Fossil School District 21J | 78.68 | $8,992 | $33,523 |
| 180 | South Harney School District 33 | 86.00 | $24,714 | $66,250 |
| 181 | St Paul School District 45 | 86.15 | $18,222 | $89,917 |
| 182 | Jewell School District 8 | 95.52 | $32,523 | $43,068 |
| 183 | Ukiah School District 80 | 96.51 | $31,452 | $47,500 |
| 184 | Ashwood School District 8 | 97.53 | $30,143 | $52,813 |
| 185 | Santiam Canyon School District 129J | 101.63 | $1,859 | $46,917 |
| 186 | Mitchell School District 55 | 103.24 | $4,037 | $38,125 |
| 187 | Burnt River School District 30J | 124.33 | $36,395 | $44,722 |
| 188 | Long Creek School District 17 | 130.63 | $34,375 | $55,500 |
| 189 | Diamond School District 7 | 189.84 | $43,167 | $55,859 |
| 190 | Troy School District 54 | 268.64 | $58,333 | $43,750 |
| 191 | Riverdale School District 51J | 332.56 | $15,524 | $234,167 |
| 192 | Juntura School District 12 | 1248.23 | $204,000 | $48,958 |
*1=Most Equitable
Methodology
In order to rank the states with the most and least equitable school districts, WalletHub first scored 12,919 school districts throughout the U.S. based on two metrics: average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil.
For expenditures, for each 1 percent above the state's average we removed 1 point from a base score of 50 points for each district. For household income, for each 1 percent above the state's average we added 1 point to a base score of 50 points for each district. The inverse was true for each 1 percent below the state's average.
The final score for each district was calculated by taking the absolute difference between the score for expenditures and the score for household income. We then ranked the districts based on the total score, with the lowest value, representing the most equitable, being ranked 1.
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from of the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics.