City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Othello, WA

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

8,699
Residents
$65,757
Median income
$278,600
Median home
$1,538
Median rent (state)

Othello - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Othello lands in the 44th percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
61st
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
21st
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: Othello, WA

Washington's Othello is a small town, with 8,699 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $65,757 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 19.4%. Othello's housing stock carries a median value of $278,600, and the median resident age is 24.6 years. Educational attainment runs 14.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 84 residential building permits were authorized in Othello (Building Boom), up 79% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2592.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,538 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Washington run around $188, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Othello workers runs 17.5 minutes, with 72.8% driving alone and 5.3% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 72.5 out of 100 (High).

Population

8,699 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$65,757 /yr

Poverty 19.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Othello compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 61% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% 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: Othello ranks #102 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 Othello 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 is Othello's strongest outlier among Washington cities

Among the 598 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Othello ranks #47 - the 92nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Othello only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#412 of 565
27th percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#338 of 599
40th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#421 of 565
25th percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#47 of 598
92nd percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#492 of 599
18th 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.

44thIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Othello's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Othello'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 35 Avg. percentile National median
Othello'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 Othello's home value compares nationally

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

$278,600 39th percentile more affordable than 39% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Othello $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 - Othello, WA Othello, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Othello, 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 Othello, WA median $65,757/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%
Othello, 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 Othello, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.8%

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

Population
8,699
Median Income
$65,757
Median Home Value
$278,600
Median Age
24.6
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Labor force participation
59.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2592.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
378.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2213.8
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
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,000 residents8,500 residents9,000 residents9,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,551 residents 9,237 residents ▲ +8.0%
Othello's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
84
housing units authorized
Single-Family
32
detached homes
Multifamily
52
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 47
2020 85
2021 64
2022 37
2023 49
2024 84

Permit volume increased 79% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.5 minutes
Drive Alone
72.8%
Carpool
16.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.4%
Work from Home
5.3%
Other
1.8%

Based on 3,215 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 Othello sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,538/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
72.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Midland
8,676 people
Toppenish
8,746 people
Milton
8,747 people
Hoquiam
8,792 people
Summit
8,885 people
Ephrata
8,493 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Othello's 8,699 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Audubon, NJ
8,699 people
Anthony, NM
8,701 people
York, SC
8,697 people
Milliken, CO
8,695 people
Leisure World, MD
8,693 people
Stevensville, MD
8,693 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Othello's $65,757 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Temple Terrace, FL
$65,756 median income
Ignacio, CO
$65,759 median income
Carrollton, OH
$65,755 median income
Tangelo Park, FL
$65,761 median income
Tyner, IN
$65,761 median income
Sauk Centre, MN
$65,763 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Othello, 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 Othello, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 41.4% 28.6% 28.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 77.9% White 41.4% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.9% American Indian 1.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 28.6% Two or more races 28.1% 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 Othello 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
Othello (this city) 8,699 $65,757
Midland 8,676 $77,619
Toppenish 8,746 $67,766
Milton 8,747 $89,804
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Othello, WA?

What is the population of Othello, WA? +

8,699 people live in Othello, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Othello runs $65,757, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Othello? +

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

Othello has a total crime rate of 2592.0 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 Othello, WA? +

Othello's median home value sits at $278,600, 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.