ZIP Code · OR

ZIP 97051

Part of Saint Helens, OR

Pop. 17,347·Columbia County·80th most expensive ZIP in Oregon

Median rent (all units)

$1,660/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.9%

Month-over-Month

-1.1%

vs US Median

-$272

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 97051 · $1,660

More affordable than 61% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,470

1 BR

$1,580

2 BR

$1,800

3 BR

$2,470

4 BR+

$2,900

Research median

$1,800/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Oregon

Rent in ZIP 97051 changed +2.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 106 Oregon ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.6%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($85,869) is $2,147 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,800); a 3-bedroom is $2,470.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 97051. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,920/yr

At $1,660/mo median

Location

CitySaint Helens

StateOR

CountyColumbia County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.9% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 97051 (Saint Helens, OR) is majority owner-occupied, 18.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

17,347

Median income

$85,869

Median age

41.8

Renters

35.5%

Age distribution

21%

21.3%

25.6%

14.4%

17.7%

Under 1821%

18–3421.3%

35–5425.6%

55–6414.4%

65+17.7%

Gender

51.6%

48.4%

Male51.6%

Female48.4%

Race & ethnicity

83.1%

White83.1%

Black0.5%

Hispanic8.2%

Asian0.7%

Other7.5%

Education (25+)

38.6%

34.3%

18.5%

No HS diploma8.6%

HS diploma38.6%

Some college34.3%

Bachelor's+18.5%

Housing tenure

64.5%

35.5%

Owner64.5%

Renter35.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 97051 in Saint Helens, OR has changed in 5 years

Income

$72,934 → $85,869

up 17.7%

Population

17,107 → 17,347

up 1.4%

Renter share

33.5% → 35.5%

+2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

14.9% → 18.5%

+3.6 pts

Median age

38.4 → 41.8

+3.4 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 97051 in Saint Helens, OR now reports about $85,869, up from $72,934 in 2021. The population has grown by 1.4% since 2021, moving from about 17,107 residents to roughly 17,347. Renters now make up 35.5% of households, compared with 33.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 18.5% of adults here, versus 14.9% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 97051

About renting in ZIP 97051

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 97051 covers Saint Helens, OR. The median rent here is $1,660/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,580/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,800/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($85,869/yr), ZIP 97051 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 97051?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,660/mo in ZIP 97051. The local median household income is $85,869/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 97051?

Rent in ZIP 97051 has risen 2.9% over the past year.

How does ZIP 97051 compare to other ZIPs in Oregon?

ZIP 97051 is one of the more affordable among Oregon ZIP codes for rent, ranking #80 of 114 at $1,660/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 97051 changed +2.9%, against a typical +1.6% across the 106 Oregon ZIP codes Zillow tracks.