City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Sunnyside, WA

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

16,329
Residents
$53,350
Median income
$207,200
Median home
$1,538
Median rent (state)

Sunnyside - the verdict

Nationally, Sunnyside sits in the 25th percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
45th
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
17th
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: Sunnyside, WA

16,329 people live in Sunnyside, Washington - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $53,350 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.2%. Typical homes in Sunnyside are valued around $207,200, and the median resident age is 27.2 years. Educational attainment runs 9.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 29 residential building permits were authorized in Sunnyside (Construction Slowdown), down 57% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Sunnyside's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2866.8 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 49.9°F with 7.7 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $1,538 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $188 across Washington, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 87.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

16,329 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$53,350 /yr

Poverty 15.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Sunnyside compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 45% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% 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, Sunnyside ranks #107 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

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 Sunnyside'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.

25thIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sunnyside's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sunnyside'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 30 Avg. percentile National median
Sunnyside'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 Sunnyside's home value compares nationally

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

$207,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 55% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sunnyside $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 - Sunnyside, WA Sunnyside, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sunnyside, 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 Sunnyside, WA median $53,350/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%
Sunnyside, 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 Sunnyside, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.7%

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

Population
16,329
Median Income
$53,350
Median Home Value
$207,200
Median Age
27.2
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor force participation
55.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2866.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
277.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2589.4
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
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
7.7"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,100 residents16,200 residents16,300 residents16,400 residents16,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 16,400 residents 16,430 residents ▲ +0.2%
Sunnyside's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
29
housing units authorized
Single-Family
15
detached homes
Multifamily
14
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 68
2020 25
2021 26
2022 40
2023 44
2024 29

Permit volume decreased 57% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.4%
Carpool
17.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
2.4%
Other
0.6%

Based on 5,493 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 Sunnyside 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

Port Orchard
16,398 people
Lynden
16,025 people
Washougal
16,945 people
Aberdeen
17,040 people
West Richland
17,126 people
Lake Stickney
15,514 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sunnyside's 16,329 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mattoon, IL
16,334 people
Lady Lake, FL
16,337 people
Stone Ridge, VA
16,340 people
Chickasha, OK
16,349 people
River Falls, WI
16,349 people
Saraland, AL
16,304 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sunnyside's $53,350 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Au Sable Forks, NY
$53,352 median income
Vinita Park, MO
$53,355 median income
Watsontown, PA
$53,355 median income
Shelby, MT
$53,357 median income
Stonefort, IL
$53,365 median income
Dewart, PA
$53,365 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sunnyside, 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 Sunnyside, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 41.0% 20.5% 35.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 86.5% White 41.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.7% American Indian 1.7% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 20.5% Two or more races 35.8% 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 Sunnyside 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
Sunnyside (this city) 16,329 $53,350
Port Orchard 16,398 $81,472
Lynden 16,025 $94,869
Washougal 16,945 $100,916
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sunnyside, WA?

What is the population of Sunnyside, WA? +

Sunnyside, WA has a population of 16,329 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Sunnyside households earn a median of $53,350 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sunnyside? +

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

Sunnyside has a total crime rate of 2866.8 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 Sunnyside, WA? +

The median home value in Sunnyside is $207,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sunnyside? +

Sunnyside has an average annual temperature of 49.9°F, 7.7 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 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.