Washington · Metropolitan Area
La Center is a small town in Washington with a population of 3,885. Residents earn $118,629 per year, which is 58% above the national average.
Based on current data, La Center receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. La Center offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in La Center is $118,629, which is significantly higher than the national average — 58% above $75,149. This places La Center among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.
The median home value in La Center is $549,900, making it a premium housing market at 95% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,947 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
La Center is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,002 per 100,000, 49% below the national average.
30.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.
La Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.
| English Only | 91.0% |
| 16% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 9.0% |
| 33% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $118,629 |
| 58% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,581 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,398 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $98,017 |
| Unemployment | 3.0% |
| 17% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 2.8% |
| 77% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 15,322 |
| County GDP | $33,425M |
| Restaurants | 903 |
| Healthcare | 1,402 |
| Retail | 1,062 |
| Manufacturing | 427 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $6,201 |
| 77% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.13% |
| Commute Time | 34.3 min |
| Work from Home | 17.2% |
| Census Median | $549,900 |
| 95% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $657,560 |
| Median List Price | $619,900 |
| Median List Price | $619,900 |
| $/Sq Ft | $301 |
| Homes Sold | 11 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 99.1% |
| Price Drops | 33.3% |
| Inventory | 24 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,947 |
| 67% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,748 |
| Studio | $1,082 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,180 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,472 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,003 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,351 |
| Owner-Occupied | 84.0% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $6,201 |
| 77% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.13% |
| Obesity | 34.5% |
| 7% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.7% |
| Heart Disease | 4.7% |
| High Blood Pressure | 27.3% |
| Asthma | 12.0% |
| COPD | 4.9% |
| Stroke | 2.6% |
| Binge Drinking | 18.6% |
| Physical Inactivity | 17.9% |
| Depression | 29.0% |
| Mental Distress | 19.8% |
| Physical Distress | 12.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 97.0% |
| Checkup Rate | 66.4% |
| Premature Death | 6,422/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 90.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,402 |
| Total Violent | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 0.0/100K |
| Total Property | 1,002.3/100K |
| 49% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 64.7/100K |
| Theft | 872.9/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 64.7/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 38 |
| FEMA Disasters | 182 |
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 52.4 inches |
| 38% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 1.4 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,477/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8605°N, 122.6757°W |
| County FIPS | 53011 |
Winner: Democrat by 7 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% |
| 10% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 96.0% |
| School Test Score | 5.36 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 1,477/sq mi |
| Total Area | 2.6 sq mi |
| Public Libraries | 10 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,402 |
| Restaurants | 903 |
| Retail Stores | 1,062 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 38 |
| FEMA Disaster Declarations | 182 |
| Avg Commute | 34.3 min |
| Work from Home | 17.2% |