City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Sumas, WA

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

1,384
Residents
$86,500
Median income
$362,000
Median home
$1,794
Median rent (state)

Sumas - the verdict

Sumas ranks in the 68th percentile for household income and the 73rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

68th
percentile, household income
73rd
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
73rd
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: Sumas, WA

1,384 people live in Sumas, Washington - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $86,500 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.3%. Typical homes in Sumas are valued around $362,000, and the median resident age is 32.1 years. About 12.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 65.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 3 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 93% from five years earlier. Sumas reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 771.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below 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 $1,794 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $188 across Washington, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 91.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

1,384 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$86,500 /yr

Poverty 8.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Sumas compare to other US cities?

Here's how Sumas stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 68% higher than other cities
Home value 73% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities
Safety 73% 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, Sumas ranks #21 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 Sumas 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 Sumas toward the bottom of Washington's cities

Among the 599 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Sumas ranks #507 - the 15th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Sumas only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#266 of 565
53rd percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#268 of 599
53rd percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#338 of 565
40th percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#207 of 598
65th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#507 of 599
15th 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.

68thIncome percentile
73rdSafety percentile

68th percentile nationally for median household income · 73rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sumas's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sumas'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 56 Avg. percentile National median
Sumas'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 Sumas's home value compares nationally

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

$362,000 27th percentile more affordable than 27% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sumas $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 - Sumas, WA Sumas, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sumas, 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 Sumas, WA median $86,500/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%
Sumas, 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 Sumas, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.8%

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

Population
1,384
Median Income
$86,500
Median Home Value
$362,000
Median Age
32.1
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Labor force participation
65.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
771.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
771.5
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
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 →
1,600 residents1,650 residents1,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,611 residents 1,672 residents ▲ +3.8%
Sumas's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 43
2020 11
2021 14
2022 14
2023 7
2024 3

Permit volume decreased 93% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
9.5%

Based on 665 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 Sumas sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,794/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
91.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Darrington
1,397 people
Clinton
1,367 people
North Puyallup
1,363 people
Waterville
1,353 people
Ilwaco
1,418 people
Pomeroy
1,423 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sumas's 1,384 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Weweantic, MA
1,384 people
Pinconning, MI
1,384 people
Pleasant Grove, OH
1,384 people
Great Falls Crossing, VA
1,384 people
Monette, AR
1,385 people
Sun Valley, ID
1,383 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sumas's $86,500 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Orange Blossom, CA
$86,500 median income
Fruitville, FL
$86,500 median income
Montgomery, GA
$86,500 median income
South Dennis, MA
$86,500 median income
Rollingstone, MN
$86,500 median income
Lesslie, SC
$86,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sumas, 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 Sumas, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.8% 12.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.9% White 79.8% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 2.1% American Indian 2.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.8% Two or more races 12.9% 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 Sumas 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
Sumas (this city) 1,384 $86,500
Darrington 1,397 $64,438
Clinton 1,367 $72,135
North Puyallup 1,363 $81,063
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sumas, WA?

What is the population of Sumas, WA? +

1,384 people live in Sumas, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Sumas households earn a median of $86,500 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sumas? +

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

Sumas has a total crime rate of 771.5 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 Sumas, WA? +

A typical home in Sumas is worth $362,000, 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.