City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

College Place, WA

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

9,828
Residents
$59,768
Median income
$335,000
Median home
$1,550
Median rent (state)

College Place - the verdict

College Place ranks in the 35th percentile for household income and the 34th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
70th
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
34th
percentile, safety
📝 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: College Place, WA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 9,828 residents in College Place, a small town within Washington. College Place households earn a median of $59,768 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.3%. College Place's housing stock carries a median value of $335,000, and the median resident age is 29.9 years. 35.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 58.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 3 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 96% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1906.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,550 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $188 across Washington, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 11.8 minutes, with 65.4% driving alone and 10.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 60.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

9,828 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$59,768 /yr

Poverty 10.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does College Place compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 70% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 34% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Washington alone, College Place ranks #74 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below College Place's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Washington, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

35thIncome percentile
34thSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 34th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

College Place's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

College Place's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
College Place's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How College Place's home value compares nationally

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

$335,000 30th percentile more affordable than 30% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. College Place $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 - College Place, WA College Place, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not College Place, 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 College Place, WA median $59,768/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%
College Place, 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 College Place, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.8%

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

Population
9,828
Median Income
$59,768
Median Home Value
$335,000
Median Age
29.9
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Labor force participation
58.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1906.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
92.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1813.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,700 residents9,800 residents9,900 residents10,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,958 residents 9,923 residents ▼ -0.4%
College Place's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 72
2020 28
2021 46
2022 5
2023 85
2024 3

Permit volume decreased 96% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
11.8 minutes
Drive Alone
65.4%
Carpool
10.2%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
11.3%
Work from Home
10.5%
Other
1.2%

Based on 4,431 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 College Place sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,550/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Picnic Point
9,833 people
DuPont
9,952 people
Burlington
9,637 people
Alderwood Manor
10,168 people
Terrace Heights
9,480 people
Snohomish
10,177 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to College Place's 9,828 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Marathon, FL
9,831 people
Uniontown, PA
9,819 people
Capitola, CA
9,813 people
DeRidder, LA
9,812 people
Wakefield-Peace Dale, RI
9,812 people
Fairfield, AL
9,846 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to College Place's $59,768 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bon Air, TN
$59,773 median income
Pittsville, WI
$59,773 median income
Hector, MN
$59,762 median income
Williston, FL
$59,776 median income
Benton, MS
$59,759 median income
Royalton, PA
$59,757 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - College Place, 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 College Place, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.3% 9.1% 7.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.9% White 79.3% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 2.9% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 9.1% Two or more races 7.8% 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 College Place 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
College Place (this city) 9,828 $59,768
Picnic Point 9,833 $128,295
DuPont 9,952 $114,423
Burlington 9,637 $74,028
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about College Place, WA?

What is the population of College Place, WA? +

9,828 people live in College Place, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in College Place, WA? +

In College Place, the typical household earns $59,768 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in College Place? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for College Place; 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.

Is College Place, WA safe? +

College Place has a total crime rate of 1906.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in College Place, WA? +

College Place's median home value sits at $335,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 Editorial

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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.