Dayton, WA

Full City Profile · Washington · Columbia County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
2,695 Population 1,872/sq mi density
$71,687 Median Income $43,058 per capita
$223,900 Home Value $246,525 Zillow
$926 Median Rent 25.7% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$71,687 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$223,900 home value, $926/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Dayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 18.8 inches. The area receives 15.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,617 ft (493 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density1,872/sq mi
Coordinates46.3168°N, 117.9768°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyColumbia County County
Nearest AirportWalla Walla Regional (ALW)
21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.8"
51% below US avg
Snowfall 15.8"
Wettest Month (Nov) 2.43"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood
Good Days %90.4%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0447 ppm

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score8.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability51.9 / 100
Community Resilience43.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

117 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.3. Most recent: M2.9 on Sep 23, 2024.

Nov 28, 1991 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.3 45 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 44 km
Aug 7, 1992 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon M3.9 134 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 86 km
May 18, 2008 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington M3.7 122 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 99 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 81 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 84 km
Oct 15, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.4 99 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 44 km
Nov 6, 1997 22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.4 135 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 45 km
May 11, 2001 4 km NNW of Moses Lake North, Washington M3.3 146 km
May 27, 1997 15 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 121 km
Jun 19, 1990 11 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 118 km
May 1, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 99 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 86 km
Apr 22, 1990 20 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.3 137 km
Jun 12, 1995 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 99 km
Jun 16, 2019 11 km SW of Royal City, Washington M3.3 146 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

27 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971 EF2 82 km 0
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 74 km 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 25 km 0
May 8, 1962 EF2 91 km 0
Jun 26, 1958 EF2 78 km 0
May 6, 2022 EF1 64 km 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 78 km 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 2 km 0
Apr 23, 1983 EF1 82 km 0
Jul 1, 1978 EF1 79 km 0
May 2, 1973 EF1 88 km 0
Jun 20, 1969 EF1 93 km 0
Mar 5, 2024 EF0 60 km 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 44 km 0
May 22, 2016 EF0 93 km 0
May 6, 2009 EF0 89 km 0
Jul 13, 2002 EF0 95 km 0
May 31, 1997 EF0 78 km 0
Jun 1, 1991 EF0 86 km 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 85 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: MALONEY CREEK (131,397 ac, 2000).

Year Name Acres Distance
2000 MALONEY CREEK 131,397 99 km
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 21 km
2021 SHOVEL CREEK 109,829 95 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 44 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 44 km
2012 CACHE CREEK 75,521 95 km
2014 BIG COUGAR 65,397 94 km
1988 TEEPEE BUTTE 59,565 97 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 28 km
2007 CHIMNEY COMPLEX 50,646 90 km
2017 POWERLINE 45,449 98 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 32 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 80 km
2021 ELBOW CREEK 23,103 58 km
1996 UNNAMED 21,130 73 km
2005 WALKER CANYON 20,764 47 km
2010 EUREKA 19,811 46 km
2023 HAT ROCK 17,264 90 km
2020 KAHLOTUS 16,738 55 km
2010 UNNAMED 16,737 47 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 34°F (1°C) 2.1 in
February 37°F (3°C) 1.7 in
March 43°F (6°C) 2.2 in
April 49°F (10°C) 1.9 in
May 57°F (14°C) 1.8 in
June 63°F (17°C) 1.2 in
July 71°F (22°C) 0.4 in Warmest, Driest
August 71°F (21°C) 0.5 in
September 62°F (17°C) 0.7 in
October 50°F (10°C) 1.5 in
November 40°F (5°C) 2.4 in Wettest
December 34°F (1°C) 2.3 in Coldest

Dayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 34°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.8 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.4") and July the driest (0.4").

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