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Early cattlemen found an abundance of rye grass along the creek bottoms of the region and drove their herds into the area to forage on these natural pastures. Ranching was the primary economic force in the county for many years. Increased settlement, the enclosure of the free grazing lands and diminished pastures due to overgrazing, resulted in the decline of ranching during the 19th century, and farming became predominant. The completion of rail lines into the county in 1883 increased access to markets and encouraged wheat production in the area. The advent of center pivot irrigation technology has been a further stimulus to the local economy.
The Morrow Port District[?], situated on the Columbia River near the town of Boardman, was established in 1958.
There are 3,776 households out of which 38.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% are married couples living together, 8.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 22.70% are non-families. 18.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.90 and the average family size is 3.28.
In the county, the population is spread out with 30.80% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 106.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 106.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $37,521, and the median income for a family is $40,731. Males have a median income of $32,328 versus $22,889 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,802. 14.80% of the population and 11.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 21.60% are under the age of 18 and 10.10% are 65 or older.
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