City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

West Richland, WA

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

17,126
Residents
$118,056
Median income
$404,300
Median home
$1,538
Median rent (state)

West Richland - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, West Richland lands in the 86th percentile for household income and the 77th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

86th
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
77th
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: West Richland, WA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 17,126 residents in West Richland, a small town within Washington. West Richland households earn a median of $118,056 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.9%. West Richland's housing stock carries a median value of $404,300, and the median resident age is 35.5 years. 39.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 280 residential building permits were authorized in West Richland (Building Boom), up 63% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. West Richland reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 687.4 crimes per 100,000 residents, below 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,538 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Washington run around $188, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 20.8 minutes, with 71.7% driving alone and 16.1% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 87.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

17,126 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$118,056 /yr

Poverty 4.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does West Richland compare to other US cities?

West 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 86% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 77% 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, West Richland ranks #14 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 West Richland'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.

86thIncome percentile
77thSafety percentile

86th percentile nationally for median household income · 77th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Richland's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West 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 65 Avg. percentile National median
West 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 West Richland's home value compares nationally

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

$404,300 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. West 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 - West Richland, WA West Richland, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West 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 West Richland, WA median $118,056/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%
West 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 West Richland, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 39.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.8%

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

Population
17,126
Median Income
$118,056
Median Home Value
$404,300
Median Age
35.5
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor force participation
62.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
39.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
687.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
145.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
541.6
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
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,000 residents17,000 residents18,000 residents19,000 residents20,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 16,364 residents 19,257 residents ▲ +17.7%
West Richland's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
280
housing units authorized
Single-Family
249
detached homes
Multifamily
31
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
16.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 172
2020 228
2021 333
2022 260
2023 143
2024 280

Permit volume increased 63% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.8 minutes
Drive Alone
71.7%
Carpool
9.1%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.6%
Work from Home
16.1%
Other
1.9%

Based on 7,641 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 West 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

Aberdeen
17,040 people
Washougal
16,945 people
Camano
17,535 people
Bryn Mawr-Skyway
17,577 people
Anacortes
17,837 people
Port Orchard
16,398 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Richland's 17,126 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wixom, MI
17,126 people
Addison, TX
17,128 people
Laurel, MS
17,129 people
Bellaire, TX
17,116 people
Hampton Bays, NY
17,138 people
Tifton, GA
17,140 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Richland's $118,056 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Harrison, WI
$118,047 median income
Goleta, CA
$118,039 median income
Eagle, ID
$118,037 median income
Bolton Valley, VT
$118,036 median income
Romancoke, MD
$118,077 median income
Medford, MA
$118,089 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West 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 West Richland, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.7% 15.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15.1% White 75.7% Black or African American 0.8% Asian 2.3% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 5.1% Two or more races 15.6% 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 West 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
West Richland (this city) 17,126 $118,056
Aberdeen 17,040 $52,181
Washougal 16,945 $100,916
Camano 17,535 $100,124
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Richland, WA?

What is the population of West Richland, WA? +

17,126 people live in West Richland, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In West Richland, the typical household earns $118,056 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Richland? +

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

West Richland has a total crime rate of 687.4 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 West Richland, WA? +

The median home value in West Richland is $404,300, 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.