City · Washington
Cheney, Washington
Cheney, city, in Spokane County, Washington. Cheney had 12,650 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 13,255 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 12,804 (±28). GEOID 5311825.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,650
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,255 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,804 ±28
Median household income
$54,503
±$9,297 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$395,900
±$29,162 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,156
±$65 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
Where is Cheney and what county is it in?
Cheney is a city in Spokane County, Washington. It covers 4.3 square miles of land, 3,053 residents per square mile in 2020.
Cheney is in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Cheney, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,650 people lived in Cheney on July 1, 2025, down 4.7% since 2020, while Washington grew 3.8%. The 2020 Census counted 13,255 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 12,804 (±28).
| Measure | Cheney | Spokane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,804 ±28 | 549,056 | +639 |
| Households | 4,772 ±254 | 218,395 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38 ±0.13 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,079 ±283 | 231,205 | no clear change |
Cheney's population since 2000
From 8,832 in 2000 to 12,650 in 2025: up 43.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Cheney as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cheney?
The median resident of Cheney is 24.4 years old; 14.3% are under 18 and 11.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 74.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.7%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cheney | Spokane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 24.4 ±0.7 | 38.5 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 14.3% ±2.2 pts | 21.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.7% ±2.2 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Male | 46.6% ±3.0 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.7% ±2.3 pts | 7.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 74.4% ±4.2 pts | 80.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.5% ±1.8 pts | 2.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±1.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.1% ±2.8 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5% ±2.6 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.2% ±2.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2% ±2.0 pts | 9.5% | – |
| With a disability | 12.0% ±2.4 pts | 16.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.0% ±3.0 pts | 5.1% | +4.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.0% ±2.1 pts | 94.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.0% ±5.8 pts | 33.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.9% ±4.9 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 69.0% ±4.5 pts | 85.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.2% ±2.4 pts | 2.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cheney earn?
Half of Cheney's 4,772 households earn less than $54,503 a year (±$9,297), against $78,582 in Spokane County and $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 it was $49,933 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 31.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cheney | Spokane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,503 ±$9,297 | $78,582 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,618 ±$8,824 | $103,315 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,586 ±$3,028 | $41,897 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 31.3% ±5.0 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.6% ±11.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.9% ±3.9 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.6% ±1.8 pts | 96.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.2% ±2.9 pts | 92.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cheney?
Owners occupy 34.7% of Cheney's occupied homes and renters 65.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $395,900 by its owner (±$29,162). The median renter pays $1,156 a month including utilities, and 51.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cheney | Spokane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $395,900 ±$29,162 | $410,700 | +$145,454 |
| Median gross rent | $1,156 ±$65 | $1,283 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.2% ±9.5 pts | 42.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,706 ±$113 | $1,875 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 34.7% ±5.5 pts | 64.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 65.3% ±5.5 pts | 35.5% | – |
| Housing units | 5,079 ±283 | 231,205 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8% ±3.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 34.7% ±5.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.3% ±2.3 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9% ±1.8 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 17.1% ±4.4 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.5% ±1.4 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.5% ±3.1 pts | 6.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cheney building?
Builders took permits for 20 new housing units in Cheney in 2025 (20 in single-family houses), 1.6 per 1,000 residents against 4.4 across Washington.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cheney work and get to work?
71.8% of Cheney's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 13.1%.
| Measure | Cheney | Spokane County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.4% ±3.8 pts | 62.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 13.1% ±4.1 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.8% ±7.0 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8% ±4.4 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.2% ±1.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 9.4% ±3.0 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3% ±3.7 pts | 15.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.4 min ±2.3 | 22.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Cheney?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Cheney, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $43,235 (Tract 140.01) to $59,848 (Tract 140.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 140.02Spokane County | 6,476 | $59,848 |
| Tract 140.01Spokane County | 5,402 | $43,235 |
| Tract 142Spokane County | 4,063 | $60,776 |
| Tract 141Spokane County | 7,481 | $97,688 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Cheney) · Census block assignment files
How does Cheney compare with other places in Washington?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Cheney is the 2,723rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 81st-most populous of 281 in Washington.
Cheney ranks 360th of 387 places in Washington with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 81st | 281 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 202nd | 203 |
| Residents per square mile | 85th | 394 |
| Median household income | 360th | 387 |
| Per capita income | 356th | 393 |
| Median home value | 279th | 384 |
| Median gross rent | 275th | 351 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd | 281 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 119th | 382 |
| Median age | 382nd | 394 |
| Owner-occupied share | 384th | 388 |
| Work from home | 268th | 307 |
| Travel time to work | 299th | 394 |
Cheney's figures with every place in Washington (CSV)
Every place in Washington, sortable · Compare Cheney with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Cheney?
7 of the 57 figures for Cheney on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cheney are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Cheney.