City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Kelso, WA

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

12,697
Residents
$59,462
Median income
$302,300
Median home
$1,451
Median rent (state)

Kelso - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Kelso places in the 34th percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
65th
percentile, home value
57th
percentile, median rent
28th
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: Kelso, WA

Washington's Kelso is a small town, with 12,697 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Kelso households earn a median of $59,462 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.1%. Typical homes in Kelso are valued around $302,300, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. Educational attainment runs 11.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 34 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 143% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2163.2 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as 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 $1,451 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Washington run around $188, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 90.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

12,697 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$59,462 /yr

Poverty 15.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Kelso compare to other US cities?

Where Kelso sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 65% pricier than other cities
Median rent 57% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Washington and the picture shifts: Kelso ranks #84 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Kelso 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 places Kelso toward the top of Washington's cities

Among the 598 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Kelso ranks #79 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Kelso only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#454 of 565
20th percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#415 of 599
29th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#395 of 565
30th percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#79 of 598
87th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#521 of 599
13th 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.

34thIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kelso's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kelso'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 34 Avg. percentile National median
Kelso'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 Kelso's home value compares nationally

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

$302,300 35th percentile more affordable than 35% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Kelso $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 - Kelso, WA Kelso, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kelso, 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 Kelso, WA median $59,462/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%
Kelso, 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 Kelso, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.8%

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

Population
12,697
Median Income
$59,462
Median Home Value
$302,300
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Labor force participation
53.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2163.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
229.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1933.4
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
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,600 residents12,700 residents12,800 residents12,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,726 residents 12,801 residents ▲ +0.6%
Kelso's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
34
housing units authorized
Single-Family
30
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 14
2020 15
2021 7
2022 6
2023 25
2024 34

Permit volume increased 143% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.1%
Carpool
4.6%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
6.1%
Other
0.8%

Based on 5,340 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 Kelso sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,451/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Edgewood
12,683 people
Enumclaw
12,663 people
Sedro-Woolley
12,633 people
Ridgefield
12,576 people
Cheney
12,830 people
Lakeland South
12,869 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kelso's 12,697 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oakland, NJ
12,700 people
Stony Point, NY
12,694 people
Marysville, CA
12,703 people
Jerome, ID
12,689 people
Tucson Estates, AZ
12,687 people
Grover Beach, CA
12,687 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kelso's $59,462 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

French Island, WI
$59,462 median income
Pellston, MI
$59,464 median income
North Hyde Park, VT
$59,458 median income
Bartlesville, OK
$59,457 median income
Breda, IA
$59,469 median income
Akron, CO
$59,470 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kelso, 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 Kelso, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.3% 9.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.7% White 86.3% Black or African American 1.6% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 9.7% 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 Kelso 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
Kelso (this city) 12,697 $59,462
Edgewood 12,683 $114,342
Enumclaw 12,663 $116,563
Sedro-Woolley 12,633 $72,140
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kelso, WA?

What is the population of Kelso, WA? +

Kelso, WA has a population of 12,697 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Kelso is $59,462 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kelso? +

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

Kelso has a total crime rate of 2163.2 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 Kelso, WA? +

Homes in Kelso carry a median value of $302,300, 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.