City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Spokane, WA

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

229,228
Residents
$65,745
Median income
$326,200
Median home
$1,531
Median rent (state)

Spokane - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Spokane places in the 44th percentile for household income and the 3rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
69th
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
3rd
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: Spokane, WA

Washington's Spokane is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 229,228 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Spokane households earn a median of $65,745 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.4%. Typical homes in Spokane are valued around $326,200, and the median resident age is 37.2 years. About 32.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 1,321 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 214% from five years earlier. Spokane's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 5515.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Spokane's yearly average temperature at 48.6°F with 16.4 inches of precipitation per year and 45.4 inches of snowfall.

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 $1,531 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Washington run around $188, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 90.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

229,228 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$65,745 /yr

Poverty 8.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Spokane compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 69% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 3% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Washington alone, Spokane ranks #148 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Spokane'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.

44thIncome percentile
3rdSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 3rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Spokane's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Spokane'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 27 Avg. percentile National median
Spokane'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 Spokane's home value compares nationally

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

$326,200 31st percentile more affordable than 31% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Spokane $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 - Spokane, WA Spokane, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Spokane, 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 Spokane, WA median $65,745/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%
Spokane, 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 Spokane, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.2%

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

Population
229,228
Median Income
$65,745
Median Home Value
$326,200
Median Age
37.2
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Labor force participation
58.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5515.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
674.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4840.8
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
48.6°F
Annual Precipitation
16.4"
Annual Snowfall
45.4"

Schools

Total Schools
94
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
229,000 residents229,500 residents230,000 residents230,500 residents231,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 229,175 residents 230,783 residents ▲ +0.7%
Spokane's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,321
housing units authorized
Single-Family
320
detached homes
Multifamily
1,001
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 421
2020 539
2021 596
2022 578
2023 1,295
2024 1,321

Permit volume increased 214% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
68.3%
Carpool
9.5%
Public Transit
2.9%
Walk
3.7%
Work from Home
13.8%
Other
1.8%

Based on 107,418 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 Spokane sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,531/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Tacoma
220,482 people
Vancouver
192,696 people
Bellevue
151,199 people
Kent
135,015 people
Everett
111,083 people
Spokane Valley
105,460 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Spokane's 229,228 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Santa Clarita, CA
229,021 people
Fremont, CA
228,518 people
Richmond, VA
227,595 people
Enterprise, NV
232,043 people
Baton Rouge, LA
223,699 people
Norfolk, VA
235,037 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Spokane's $65,745 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Greenwood, AR
$65,745 median income
Leakesville, MS
$65,745 median income
Wellton Hills, AZ
$65,750 median income
Paauilo, HI
$65,750 median income
East Galesburg, IL
$65,750 median income
White Shield, ND
$65,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Spokane, 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 Spokane, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.0% 9.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.8% White 81.0% Black or African American 2.7% Asian 2.9% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.8% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 9.3% 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 Spokane 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
Spokane (this city) 229,228 $65,745
Tacoma 220,482 $83,857
Vancouver 192,696 $78,156
Bellevue 151,199 $161,300
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Spokane, WA?

What is the population of Spokane, WA? +

The population of Spokane, WA stands at 229,228 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Spokane, the typical household earns $65,745 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Spokane? +

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

Spokane has a total crime rate of 5515.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Spokane, WA? +

The median home value in Spokane is $326,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Spokane? +

Spokane has an average annual temperature of 48.6°F, 16.4 inches of precipitation, and 45.4 inches of snowfall per year. 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 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.