City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Nespelem, WA

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

155
Residents
$50,938
Median income
$89,000
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Nespelem - the verdict

Nationally, Nespelem sits in the 21st percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

21st
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
12th
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: Nespelem, WA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 155 residents in Nespelem, a small town within Washington. Nespelem households earn a median of $50,938 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 27.0%. Nespelem's housing stock carries a median value of $89,000, and the median resident age is 33.3 years. About 8.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 46.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 90 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 543% from five years earlier.

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $188 across Washington, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 51.7 out of 100 (Low).

Population

155 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$50,938 /yr

Poverty 27.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Nespelem compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% 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 Nespelem'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.

21stIncome percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Nespelem's home value compares nationally

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

$89,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $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. Nespelem $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 - Nespelem, WA Nespelem, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Nespelem, 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 Nespelem, WA median $50,938/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%
Nespelem, 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 Nespelem, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 8.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 27.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.4%

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

Population
155
Median Income
$50,938
Median Home Value
$89,000
Median Age
33.3
Poverty Rate
27.0%
Labor force participation
46.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
8.6%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
180 residents185 residents190 residents195 residents200 residents 202020212022202320242025 187 residents 198 residents ▲ +5.9%
Nespelem's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
90
housing units authorized
Single-Family
80
detached homes
Multifamily
10
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
580.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 14
2020 16
2021 91
2022 99
2023 87
2024 90

Permit volume increased 543% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.4%
Carpool
14.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.5%
Work from Home
7.0%

Based on 57 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 Nespelem sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
51.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Steptoe
152 people
Lamont
150 people
Moclips
150 people
Waverly
163 people
Index
164 people
Roosevelt
164 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Nespelem's 155 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fairford, AL
155 people
Vaiva Vo, AZ
155 people
Fulton, AR
155 people
Sedgwick, AR
155 people
Otter Creek, FL
155 people
Campus, IL
155 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Nespelem's $50,938 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Carey, ID
$50,938 median income
Spearsville, LA
$50,938 median income
Montrose, MO
$50,938 median income
Callaway, NE
$50,938 median income
Edgar, NE
$50,938 median income
Palo Pinto, TX
$50,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Nespelem, 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 Nespelem, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 6.5% 83.9% 6.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.2% White 6.5% Black or African American 1.9% Asian 0.0% American Indian 83.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.3% Two or more races 6.5% 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 Nespelem 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
Nespelem (this city) 155 $50,938
Steptoe 152 $48,929
Lamont 150 N/A
Moclips 150 N/A
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Nespelem, WA?

What is the population of Nespelem, WA? +

155 people live in Nespelem, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Nespelem, the typical household earns $50,938 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Nespelem? +

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

A typical home in Nespelem is worth $89,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

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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.