Ephrata, WA

Washington

Ephrata is a small city in Washington with a population of 8,493. Residents earn $70,321 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
8,493 Population 810/sq mi density
$70,321 Median Income $27,192 per capita
$240,000 Home Value $318,194 Zillow
$993 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
162 Violent Crime/100K 4,536 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$70,321 median income, 3.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$240,000 home value, $993/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
162 violent crimes/100K (57% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,321
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $240,000
15% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 162/100K
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.5%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $993
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.9%
20% higher than US avg

How Ephrata Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,493
Median Age31.7 yrs
Density810/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

B+
Median Income$70,321
Per Capita$27,192
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty14.9%
County GDP$8,583M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$240,000
Rent$993
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$318,194

Crime

F
Violent162/100K
Property4,536/100K
Murder12.5/100K
Assault37/100K
Burglary611/100K

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain7.6 in/yr
Elevation1,315 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.5%
High School+93.0%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 30%
Commute21 min
Libraries10

Is Ephrata a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ephrata receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Ephrata offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ephrata is $70,321, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ephrata is $240,000, 15% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $993 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ephrata is below the national average at 162 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,536 per 100,000, 131% above the national average.

Education

15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Ephrata experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 7.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Ephrata has a population of 8,493 with a density of 810 people per square mile. The median age is 31.7 years, 19% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76.3%), with 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

8,493
Total Population
810
People / sq mi
31.7yrs
Median Age
19% below US avg
10.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54%
Female 46%

Race & Ethnicity

Ephrata vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only79.9%
2% above US avg
Spanish20.1%
50% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Ephrata vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ephrata is $70,321, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Ephrata vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,321
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,192
Avg Weekly Wage$1,222
IRS Avg AGI$63,521

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.9%
20% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,694
County GDP$8,583M

Business (County)

Restaurants233
Healthcare186
Retail290
Manufacturing77

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.99%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.9 min
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Ephrata is $240,000, 15% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $993 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $318,194.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$240,000
15% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$318,194
Median List Price$358,750

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$358,750
$/Sq Ft$207
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio98.3%
Price Drops26.2%
Inventory42

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$993
15% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,588

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Rate1.99%
In Ephrata, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 23.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ephrata vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.7%
Asthma11.6%
COPD6.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.0%
Physical Inactivity23.3%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.6%
Checkup Rate69.2%
Premature Death8,460/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access68.5%
Healthcare Facilities186
Ephrata has a violent crime rate of 162 per 100,000 residents, 57% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,536 per 100,000 (131% above US avg). The murder rate is 12.5 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ephrata vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent162.0/100K
57% below US avg
Murder12.5/100K
98% above US avg
Rape37.4/100K
Robbery74.8/100K
Assault37.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,536.4/100K
131% above US avg
Burglary610.7/100K
Theft3,639.1/100K
Vehicle Theft286.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)28
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ephrata has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 7.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.5°F
5% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall7.6 inches
80% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,315 ft (401 m)
Area10.5 sq mi (27.1 km²)
Population Density810/sq mi
Coordinates47.3123°N, 119.5343°W
County FIPS53025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.4%
D 30%

Winner: Republican by 37.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.5%
54% below US avg
High School+93.0%
School Test Score5.36
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density810/sq mi
Total Area10.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities186
Restaurants233
Retail Stores290

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)28
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.9 min
Work from Home4.2%

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