City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Friday Harbor, WA

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

2,685
Residents
$69,954
Median income
$515,000
Median home
$1,762
Median rent (state)

Friday Harbor - the verdict

Friday Harbor ranks in the 49th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

49th
percentile, household income
86th
percentile, home value
72nd
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: Friday Harbor, WA

Washington's Friday Harbor is a small town, with 2,685 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Friday Harbor brings in $69,954 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.5%. Home values in Friday Harbor run a median of $515,000, and the median resident age is 44.5 years. Educational attainment runs 36.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 66.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 10 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 78% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 50.9°F with 18.5 inches of precipitation per year.

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Washington at 107.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,762 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Washington run around $188, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 35.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

2,685 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$69,954 /yr

Poverty 9.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Friday Harbor compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 49% higher than other cities
Home value 86% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% 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

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 Friday Harbor'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.

49thIncome percentile

49th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Friday Harbor's home value compares nationally

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

$515,000 14th percentile more affordable than 14% 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%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Friday Harbor $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 - Friday Harbor, WA Friday Harbor, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Friday Harbor, 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 Friday Harbor, WA median $69,954/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%
Friday Harbor, 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 Friday Harbor, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 36.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.0%

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

Population
2,685
Median Income
$69,954
Median Home Value
$515,000
Median Age
44.5
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor force participation
66.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
36.4%

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.9°F
Annual Precipitation
18.5"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
5
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 2,632 residents 2,729 residents ▲ +3.7%
Friday Harbor's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 46
2020 13
2021 15
2022 11
2023 10
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 78% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
61.6%
Carpool
13.5%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
9.2%
Work from Home
13.0%
Other
2.3%

Based on 1,425 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 Friday Harbor 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

Fobes Hill
2,683 people
Leavenworth
2,676 people
Dayton
2,695 people
Peaceful Valley
2,661 people
Allyn
2,656 people
Big Lake
2,648 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Friday Harbor's 2,685 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Missouri Valley, IA
2,685 people
Foley, MN
2,685 people
Oronogo, MO
2,685 people
East Tawas, MI
2,686 people
Summit, MS
2,684 people
Baiting Hollow, NY
2,686 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Friday Harbor's $69,954 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sloan, NY
$69,954 median income
Atoka, NM
$69,959 median income
Yorktown, TX
$69,948 median income
Taylor, AZ
$69,945 median income
Swartz, LA
$69,968 median income
Clifton Heights, PA
$69,940 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Friday Harbor, 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 Friday Harbor, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.1% 9.2% 7.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.7% White 81.1% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.9% Some other race 9.2% Two or more races 7.3% 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 Friday Harbor 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
Friday Harbor (this city) 2,685 $69,954
Fobes Hill 2,683 $132,250
Leavenworth 2,676 $74,653
Dayton 2,695 $71,687
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Friday Harbor, WA?

What is the population of Friday Harbor, WA? +

Friday Harbor, WA has a population of 2,685 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Friday Harbor, WA? +

The median household income in Friday Harbor is $69,954 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Friday Harbor? +

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

Homes in Friday Harbor carry a median value of $515,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Friday Harbor? +

Friday Harbor has an average annual temperature of 50.9°F, 18.5 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.