City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Richland, WA

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

61,912
Residents
$92,550
Median income
$401,800
Median home
$1,538
Median rent (state)

Richland - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Richland lands in the 73rd percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

73rd
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
61st
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: Richland, WA

Washington's Richland is a small city, with 61,912 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Richland brings in $92,550 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.0%. Home values in Richland run a median of $401,800, and the median resident age is 36.4 years. 46.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 449 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 41% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2190.4 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 53.6°F with 7.3 inches of precipitation per year.

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. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Washington's average monthly utility costs around $188 (state average). Workers in Richland report an average commute of 17.4 minutes, with 75.4% driving alone and 14.3% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 87.1 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

61,912 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$92,550 /yr

Poverty 7.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Richland compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 73% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% 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.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Washington, Richland ranks #86 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Richland against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Washington only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Washington-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Richland toward the top of Washington's cities

Among the 599 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Richland ranks #97 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Richland only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#229 of 565
59th percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#338 of 599
40th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#302 of 565
47th percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#253 of 598
57th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#97 of 599
84th 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.

73rdIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

73rd percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Richland's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Richland'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Richland'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 Richland's home value compares nationally

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

$401,800 22nd percentile more affordable than 22% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Richland $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 - Richland, WA Richland, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Richland, 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 Richland, WA median $92,550/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%
Richland, 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 Richland, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 46.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.6%

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

Population
61,912
Median Income
$92,550
Median Home Value
$401,800
Median Age
36.4
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor force participation
59.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
46.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2190.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
250.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1940.2
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
53.6°F
Annual Precipitation
7.3"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
16
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
60,000 residents62,000 residents64,000 residents66,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 60,892 residents 65,258 residents ▲ +7.2%
Richland's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
449
housing units authorized
Single-Family
279
detached homes
Multifamily
170
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 760
2020 572
2021 518
2022 490
2023 436
2024 449

Permit volume decreased 41% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.4 minutes
Drive Alone
75.4%
Carpool
7.2%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
14.3%
Other
1.0%

Based on 28,708 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 Richland 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
87.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Lakewood
63,034 people
Shoreline
59,280 people
Sammamish
66,375 people
Lacey
57,088 people
South Hill
68,161 people
Olympia
55,583 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Richland's 61,912 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pontiac, MI
61,914 people
St. Cloud, FL
61,963 people
Marietta, GA
61,773 people
Dearborn Heights, MI
62,099 people
Florence-Graham, CA
61,723 people
Horizon West, FL
62,152 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Richland's $92,550 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ora, IN
$92,550 median income
Wharton, NJ
$92,548 median income
Morro Bay, CA
$92,553 median income
Sierra, CA
$92,543 median income
Grand Point, LA
$92,560 median income
New Castle, DE
$92,565 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Richland, 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 Richland, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 78.8% 10.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.1% White 78.8% Black or African American 1.4% Asian 6.0% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.5% Some other race 2.5% Two or more races 10.0% 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 Richland 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
Richland (this city) 61,912 $92,550
Lakewood 63,034 $70,524
Shoreline 59,280 $113,336
Sammamish 66,375 $227,273
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Richland, WA?

What is the population of Richland, WA? +

The population of Richland, WA stands at 61,912 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Richland households earn a median of $92,550 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Richland? +

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

Richland has a total crime rate of 2190.4 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 Richland, WA? +

A typical home in Richland is worth $401,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Richland? +

The average annual temperature in Richland runs 53.6°F, 7.3 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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

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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.