The population of Shaniko peaked at 495 people in 1910 but it never reached 500. During the ten years of the 1920 census, the town was heavily involved in trade. However, the city faced an early recession in 1911, when the Columbia Southern Railroad Line was terminated. As a result, many of Shaniko's industries including wool and lumber ceased operations. As a result, the population dropped rapidly, dropping to 124 people in 1920, a 74.9 percent decrease over the decade.
The town of Shaniko is located in Wasco County, Oregon. As of 2010, the population was 36. It is located 8 miles north of Antelope, Oregon, on Highway 97. In 2010, the population of the city was 36. At the time of the 2010 census, the town had an estimated population of 36. The time zone of Shaniko is Pacific Daylight Time, which is eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time.
In the early twentieth century, Shaniko became known as the "Wool Capital of the World." Sheepmen who were able to find a market for their products in Shaniko's wool sales brought in a total sale of five million dollars. By the 1910 census, the town claimed a population of 600. The railroad, however, drew businesses from the town. A fire destroyed much of the downtown business district in 1911, and the city lost the funds to rebuild the damaged buildings. After this, Shaniko began to fade.