City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Union Gap, WA

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

6,511
Residents
$58,958
Median income
$186,200
Median home
$1,374
Median rent (state)

Union Gap - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Union Gap lands in the 34th percentile for household income and the 1st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
39th
percentile, home value
53rd
percentile, median rent
1st
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: Union Gap, WA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 6,511 residents in Union Gap, a small town within Washington. Union Gap households earn a median of $58,958 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.8%. Home values in Union Gap run a median of $186,200, and the median resident age is 32.7 years. Educational attainment runs 4.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 11 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 267% from five years earlier. Union Gap's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 8652.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,374 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Washington run around $188, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 94.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

6,511 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$58,958 /yr

Poverty 9.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Union Gap compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 39% pricier than other cities
Median rent 53% pricier than other cities
Safety 1% 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, Union Gap ranks #155 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 Union Gap'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.

34thIncome percentile
1stSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 1st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Union Gap's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Union Gap'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
Union Gap'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 Union Gap's home value compares nationally

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

$186,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 61% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Union Gap $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 - Union Gap, WA Union Gap, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Union Gap, 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 Union Gap, WA median $58,958/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%
Union Gap, 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 Union Gap, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 4.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.5%

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

Population
6,511
Median Income
$58,958
Median Home Value
$186,200
Median Age
32.7
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Labor force participation
57.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
4.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
8652.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
234.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
8417.9
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 →
6,580 residents6,600 residents6,620 residents6,640 residents6,660 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,588 residents 6,617 residents ▲ +0.4%
Union Gap's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
5
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 12
2021 4
2022 6
2023 3
2024 11

Permit volume increased 267% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.9%
Carpool
17.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
5.3%
Other
1.5%

Based on 2,906 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 Union Gap sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,374/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Woodland
6,513 people
Brier
6,507 people
Lake Shore
6,601 people
Normandy Park
6,659 people
Steilacoom
6,683 people
Tehaleh
6,769 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Union Gap's 6,511 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Byron, MN
6,510 people
West Hattiesburg, MS
6,509 people
San Antonio comunidad (Dorado Municipio), PR
6,514 people
Gulf Park Estates, MS
6,517 people
Schuyler, NE
6,517 people
North Sea, NY
6,517 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Union Gap's $58,958 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Salamonia, IN
$58,958 median income
Courtland, KS
$58,958 median income
Waverly, KS
$58,958 median income
Augusta, MI
$58,958 median income
Liverpool, TX
$58,958 median income
Castlewood, VA
$58,958 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Union Gap, 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 Union Gap, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 43.5% 22.2% 24.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 56.2% White 43.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 4.1% American Indian 5.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 22.2% Two or more races 24.8% 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 Union Gap 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
Union Gap (this city) 6,511 $58,958
Woodland 6,513 $83,193
Brier 6,507 $138,256
Lake Shore 6,601 $132,102
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Union Gap, WA?

What is the population of Union Gap, WA? +

6,511 people live in Union Gap, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Union Gap, WA? +

The median household income in Union Gap is $58,958 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Union Gap? +

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

Union Gap has a total crime rate of 8652.2 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 Union Gap, WA? +

The median home value in Union Gap is $186,200, 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 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.