City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

La Center, WA

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

3,885
Residents
$118,629
Median income
$549,900
Median home
$1,922
Median rent (state)

La Center - the verdict

Nationally, La Center sits in the 87th percentile for household income and the 80th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

87th
percentile, household income
87th
percentile, home value
80th
percentile, median rent
80th
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: La Center, WA

La Center is a small town in Washington, home to 3,885 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $118,629 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.8%. Typical homes in La Center are valued around $549,900, and the median resident age is 38.3 years. About 30.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 79 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Stable), down 1% from five years earlier. La Center reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 616.1 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: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Washington at 107.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,922 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $188 across Washington, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 92.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

3,885 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$118,629 /yr

Poverty 2.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does La Center compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 87% higher than other cities
Home value 87% pricier than other cities
Median rent 80% pricier than other cities
Safety 80% 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: La Center ranks #12 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 La Center against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Washington only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Washington-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of Washington's city distribution

Among the 565 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, La Center ranks #165 - the 71st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares La Center only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#110 of 565
81st percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#235 of 599
55th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#165 of 565
71st percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#411 of 598
31st percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#235 of 599
61st 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.

87thIncome percentile
80thSafety percentile

87th percentile nationally for median household income · 80th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

La Center's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

La Center'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 61 Avg. percentile National median
La Center'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 La Center's home value compares nationally

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

$549,900 13th percentile more affordable than 13% 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%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $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. La Center $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 - La Center, WA La Center, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not La Center, 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 La Center, WA median $118,629/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%
La Center, 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 La Center, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.5%

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

Population
3,885
Median Income
$118,629
Median Home Value
$549,900
Median Age
38.3
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Labor force participation
63.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
616.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
63.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
552.4
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
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 →
3,000 residents3,500 residents4,000 residents4,500 residents5,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,473 residents 4,433 residents ▲ +27.6%
La Center's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
79
housing units authorized
Single-Family
79
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
20.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 80
2020 136
2021 242
2022 17
2023 122
2024 79

Permit volume decreased 1% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.7%
Carpool
3.3%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
0.6%
Work from Home
17.2%

Based on 1,975 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 La Center sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,922/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Cascade Valley
3,824 people
Esperance
3,988 people
Larch Way
4,046 people
Bunk Foss
3,718 people
Grand Mound
3,711 people
Port Hadlock-Irondale
3,695 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to La Center's 3,885 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Woodlawn, OH
3,885 people
Weston, WV
3,884 people
Loyola, CA
3,883 people
Swansboro, NC
3,887 people
Springfield, VT
3,882 people
Raymond, NH
3,881 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to La Center's $118,629 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Copake Lake, NY
$118,632 median income
Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, MA
$118,625 median income
Antioch, IL
$118,635 median income
Summerville, OR
$118,611 median income
Lathrop, CA
$118,605 median income
Brodheadsville, PA
$118,602 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - La Center, 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 La Center, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.9% 11.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.7% White 81.9% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 11.9% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.3% Two or more races 3.4% 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 La Center 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
La Center (this city) 3,885 $118,629
Cascade Valley 3,824 $48,862
Esperance 3,988 $134,866
Larch Way 4,046 $141,429
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about La Center, WA?

What is the population of La Center, WA? +

3,885 people live in La Center, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in La Center, WA? +

In La Center, the typical household earns $118,629 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in La Center? +

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

La Center has a total crime rate of 616.1 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 La Center, WA? +

Homes in La Center carry a median value of $549,900, 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.