Goldendale, WA

Washington

Goldendale is a small town in Washington with a population of 3,458. Residents earn $41,621 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
3,458 Population 1,168/sq mi density
$41,621 Median Income $35,691 per capita
$194,100 Home Value $306,185 Zillow
$892 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
173 Violent Crime/100K 3,985 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$41,621 median income, 7.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$194,100 home value, $892/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
173 violent crimes/100K (54% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,621
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $194,100
31% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 173/100K
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.9%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $892
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.1%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.6%
111% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.7%
51% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,458
Median Age42.1 yrs
Density1,168/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

C
Median Income$41,621
Per Capita$35,691
Unemployment7.6%
Poverty18.7%
County GDP$2,329M
Commute20 min

Housing

A
Home Value$194,100
Rent$892
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$306,185

Crime

F
Violent173/100K
Property3,985/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault173/100K
Burglary982/100K

Health

Obesity34.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.3%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain16.5 in/yr
Elevation1,639 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.9%
High School+91.2%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 44%
Commute20 min
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Is Goldendale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Goldendale receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Goldendale has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Goldendale is $41,621, 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 18.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Goldendale is $194,100, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $892 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Goldendale is below the national average at 173 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,985 per 100,000, 103% above the national average.

Education

14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Goldendale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.5 inches, including 26.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Goldendale has a population of 3,458 with a density of 1,168 people per square mile. The median age is 42.1 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91%), with 6.8% Hispanic.

Population

3,458
Total Population
1,168
People / sq mi
42.1yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
3.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Goldendale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Goldendale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Goldendale is $41,621, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Goldendale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,621
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,691
Avg Weekly Wage$1,250
IRS Avg AGI$84,239

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.6%
111% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.7%
51% above US avg
Establishments (County)819
County GDP$2,329M

Business (County)

Restaurants56
Healthcare40
Retail52
Manufacturing37

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,320
52% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.74%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Work from Home1.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Goldendale is $194,100, 31% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $892 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $306,185.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$194,100
31% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$306,185

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$892
23% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,663

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-Occupied54.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,320
52% above US avg
Effective Rate2.74%
In Goldendale, 34.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.3% report depression. 20.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.1%
6% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure28.1%
Asthma12.2%
COPD6.5%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity20.9%
Depression27.3%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.3%
Checkup Rate66.0%
Premature Death7,486/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access59.8%
Healthcare Facilities40
Goldendale has a violent crime rate of 173 per 100,000 residents, 54% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,985 per 100,000 (103% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent173.3/100K
54% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault173.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,985.0/100K
103% above US avg
Burglary981.8/100K
Theft2,801.0/100K
Vehicle Theft202.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Goldendale has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average48.0°F
11% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.5 inches
57% below US avg
Snowfall26.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,639 ft (500 m)
Area3.0 sq mi (7.7 km²)
Population Density1,168/sq mi
Coordinates45.8191°N, 120.8234°W
County FIPS53039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.1%
D 43.7%

Winner: Republican by 9.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.9%
56% below US avg
High School+91.2%
School Test Score5.36
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,168/sq mi
Total Area3.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants56
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
FEMA Disaster Declarations455
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Work from Home1.3%

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