City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Ferndale, WA

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

15,447
Residents
$83,839
Median income
$492,400
Median home
$1,762
Median rent (state)

Ferndale - the verdict

Ferndale ranks in the 65th percentile for household income and the 39th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

65th
percentile, household income
84th
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
39th
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: Ferndale, WA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 15,447 residents in Ferndale, a small town within Washington. Ferndale households earn a median of $83,839 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.9%. Home values in Ferndale run a median of $492,400, and the median resident age is 33.6 years. Educational attainment runs 32.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 83 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 38% from five years earlier. Ferndale reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1706.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Washington scores 107.0 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,762 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $188 across Washington, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Ferndale workers runs 20.0 minutes, with 80.8% driving alone and 11.2% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 35.4 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

15,447 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$83,839 /yr

Poverty 8.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Ferndale compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 65% higher than other cities
Home value 84% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 39% 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, Ferndale ranks #63 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

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

Washington-relative analysis

Poverty Rate sits close to the middle of Washington's city distribution

Among the 598 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Ferndale ranks #188 - the 68th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Ferndale only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#289 of 565
49th percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#280 of 599
52nd percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#203 of 565
64th percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#188 of 598
68th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#196 of 599
67th 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.

65thIncome percentile
39thSafety percentile

65th percentile nationally for median household income · 39th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ferndale's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ferndale'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 42 Avg. percentile National median
Ferndale'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 Ferndale's home value compares nationally

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

$492,400 16th percentile more affordable than 16% 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%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Ferndale $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 - Ferndale, WA Ferndale, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, WA median $83,839/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%
Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.3%

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

Population
15,447
Median Income
$83,839
Median Home Value
$492,400
Median Age
33.6
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Labor force participation
63.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1706.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
104.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1601.9
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
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,000 residents15,000 residents16,000 residents17,000 residents18,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 15,139 residents 17,559 residents ▲ +16.0%
Ferndale's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
83
housing units authorized
Single-Family
81
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 134
2020 166
2021 209
2022 116
2023 49
2024 83

Permit volume decreased 38% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.0 minutes
Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
4.7%
Public Transit
1.5%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
11.2%
Other
0.9%

Based on 7,462 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 Ferndale sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,762/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
35.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Lake Stickney
15,514 people
White Center
15,017 people
Lynden
16,025 people
Lakeland North
14,664 people
Sunnyside
16,329 people
Port Orchard
16,398 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ferndale's 15,447 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Walnut Park, CA
15,446 people
Aldine, TX
15,434 people
Homosassa Springs, FL
15,465 people
Alpine, CA
15,470 people
Eggertsville, NY
15,416 people
Greenwood, CO
15,485 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ferndale's $83,839 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lake Seneca, OH
$83,839 median income
Borrego Springs, CA
$83,836 median income
Barton, NM
$83,849 median income
New Berlinville, PA
$83,827 median income
South Lyon, MI
$83,822 median income
Twin Creeks, MT
$83,821 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 74.7% 7.9% 6.1% 8.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15.9% White 74.7% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 7.9% American Indian 2.0% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 6.1% Two or more races 8.9% 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 Ferndale 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
Ferndale (this city) 15,447 $83,839
Lake Stickney 15,514 $85,762
White Center 15,017 $82,500
Lynden 16,025 $94,869
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ferndale, WA?

What is the population of Ferndale, WA? +

Ferndale, WA counts 15,447 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Ferndale runs $83,839, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ferndale? +

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

Ferndale has a total crime rate of 1706.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Ferndale, WA? +

Homes in Ferndale carry a median value of $492,400, 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

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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.