City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Colfax, WA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Colfax - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,785
Residents
$56,929
Median income
$246,300
Median home
$1,169
Median rent (state)

Colfax - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Colfax places in the 30th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

30th
percentile, household income
55th
percentile, home value
34th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Colfax, WA

Washington's Colfax is a small town, with 2,785 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Colfax brings in $56,929 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.0%. Colfax's housing stock carries a median value of $246,300, and the median resident age is 39.7 years. 31.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier.

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 107.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,169 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Washington run around $188, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 39.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

2,785 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$56,929 /yr

Poverty 9.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Colfax compare to other US cities?

Here's how Colfax stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 55% pricier than other cities
Median rent 34% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Colfax against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Washington only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Washington-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Colfax toward the bottom of Washington's cities

Among the 599 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Colfax ranks #514 - the 12th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Colfax only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#464 of 565
18th percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#514 of 599
12th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#454 of 565
20th percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#185 of 598
69th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#214 of 599
64th percentile in Washington

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Washington only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

30thIncome percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Colfax's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$246,300 45th percentile more affordable than 45% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Colfax $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Colfax, WA Colfax, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Colfax, WA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Colfax, WA median $56,929/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Colfax, WA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Colfax, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 31.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,785
Median Income
$56,929
Median Home Value
$246,300
Median Age
39.7
Poverty Rate
9.0%
Labor force participation
50.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
31.7%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,600 residents2,650 residents2,700 residents2,750 residents2,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,769 residents 2,667 residents ▼ -3.7%
Colfax's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 8
2021 4
2022 3
2023 6
2024 2

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.7%
Carpool
7.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
2.9%
Other
3.5%

Based on 1,134 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Washington - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Washington state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Colfax sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,169/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
39.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Eatonville
2,843 people
Alderton
2,857 people
Dayton
2,695 people
Friday Harbor
2,685 people
Fobes Hill
2,683 people
Medina
2,889 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Colfax's 2,785 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Inverness Highlands North, FL
2,785 people
Ester, AK
2,784 people
De Leon Springs, FL
2,784 people
Clinton, NJ
2,784 people
Walworth, WI
2,786 people
Postville, IA
2,787 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Colfax's $56,929 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Highland Springs, VA
$56,931 median income
Jeffersonville, KY
$56,932 median income
Madison, NE
$56,932 median income
Farwell, TX
$56,932 median income
Atwater, OH
$56,923 median income
Seeley, CA
$56,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Colfax, WA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Colfax, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.1% 11.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.5% White 83.1% Black or African American 1.0% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.3% Two or more races 11.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Colfax compares to nearby Washington cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Colfax (this city) 2,785 $56,929
Eatonville 2,843 $93,603
Alderton 2,857 $95,802
Dayton 2,695 $71,687
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Colfax, WA?

What is the population of Colfax, WA? +

Colfax, WA has a population of 2,785 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Colfax, WA? +

Median annual household income in Colfax runs $56,929, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Colfax? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Colfax; the closest available measure is the Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Colfax, WA? +

The median home value in Colfax is $246,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.