City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Ephrata, WA

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

8,493
Residents
$70,321
Median income
$240,000
Median home
$1,232
Median rent (state)

Ephrata - the verdict

Ephrata ranks in the 50th percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
53rd
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
15th
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: Ephrata, WA

8,493 people live in Ephrata, Washington - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Ephrata households earn a median of $70,321 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.9%. Home values in Ephrata run a median of $240,000, and the median resident age is 31.7 years. 15.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 58.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 89 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 107% from five years earlier. Ephrata's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3107.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, above 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,232 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $188 across Washington, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 76.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

8,493 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$70,321 /yr

Poverty 14.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Ephrata compare to other US cities?

Ephrata measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 53% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Washington, Ephrata ranks #115 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Ephrata'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.

50thIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ephrata's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ephrata'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Ephrata'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 Ephrata's home value compares nationally

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

$240,000 47th percentile more affordable than 47% 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. Ephrata $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 - Ephrata, WA Ephrata, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA median $70,321/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%
Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.1%

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

Population
8,493
Median Income
$70,321
Median Home Value
$240,000
Median Age
31.7
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Labor force participation
58.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3107.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
183.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2923.6
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
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,400 residents8,600 residents8,800 residents9,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,490 residents 8,834 residents ▲ +4.1%
Ephrata's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
89
housing units authorized
Single-Family
42
detached homes
Multifamily
47
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 43
2020 20
2021 34
2022 94
2023 28
2024 89

Permit volume increased 107% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.8%
Carpool
7.0%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
0.6%
Work from Home
4.2%
Other
2.1%

Based on 3,321 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 Ephrata sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,232/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
76.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Stanwood
8,351 people
Midland
8,676 people
Selah
8,301 people
Othello
8,699 people
Duvall
8,279 people
Toppenish
8,746 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ephrata's 8,493 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fort Lupton, CO
8,494 people
Hampton, GA
8,491 people
Temperance, MI
8,495 people
Conover, NC
8,491 people
Liberty, TX
8,491 people
Pukalani, HI
8,490 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ephrata's $70,321 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wawona, CA
$70,320 median income
Park City, KS
$70,317 median income
Bryceland, LA
$70,313 median income
Venango, NE
$70,313 median income
Old Forge, NY
$70,313 median income
Mackeyville, PA
$70,313 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.3% 8.5% 14.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 28.3% White 76.3% Black or African American 0.8% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.5% Two or more races 14.0% 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 Ephrata 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
Ephrata (this city) 8,493 $70,321
Stanwood 8,351 $87,477
Midland 8,676 $77,619
Selah 8,301 $74,757
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ephrata, WA?

What is the population of Ephrata, WA? +

Ephrata, WA counts 8,493 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Ephrata households earn a median of $70,321 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ephrata? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ephrata; 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 Ephrata, WA safe? +

Ephrata has a total crime rate of 3107.0 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Ephrata, WA? +

Homes in Ephrata carry a median value of $240,000, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.