McChord AFB, WA

Washington · Metropolitan Area

McChord AFB is a small town in Washington with a population of 2,895. Residents earn $55,662 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,895 Population 492/sq mi density
$55,662 Median Income $23,941 per capita
N/A Home Value
$2,315 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$55,662 median income, 0.4% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$2,315/mo rent
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
32.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,662
26% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 32.4%
4% lower than US avg
Median Rent $2,315
99% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.9%
28% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,895
Median Age23.4 yrs
Density492/mi²
Male / Female63% / 38%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,662
Per Capita$23,941
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty8.9%
County GDP$64,941M
Commute14 min

Housing

F
Home ValueN/A
Rent$2,315
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain40.8 in/yr
Elevation308 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+32.4%
High School+99.0%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 54%
Commute14 min
Libraries29

Is McChord AFB a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, McChord AFB receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. McChord AFB has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in McChord AFB is $55,662, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. 8.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

Renters pay a median of $2,315 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163.

Education

32.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 99.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

McChord AFB experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

McChord AFB has a population of 2,895 with a density of 492 people per square mile. The median age is 23.4 years, 40% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.8%), with 3% Hispanic, 7.7% Black.

Population

2,895
Total Population
492
People / sq mi
23.4yrs
Median Age
40% below US avg
5.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62.5%
Female 37.5%

Race & Ethnicity

McChord AFB vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.6%
3% above US avg
Spanish19.4%
45% above US avg

Social Characteristics

McChord AFB vs U.S. Average

The median household income in McChord AFB is $55,662, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: McChord AFB vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,662
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,941
Avg Weekly Wage$1,354
IRS Avg AGI$90,111

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.9%
28% below US avg
Establishments (County)20,820
County GDP$64,941M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,771
Healthcare2,355
Retail2,124
Manufacturing537

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,011
100% above US avg

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.3 min
Work from Home2.7%

Walkability

Monthly rent averages $2,315 (99% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,315
99% above US avg

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-Occupied0.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,011
100% above US avg
In McChord AFB, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 19.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: McChord AFB vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure30.8%
Asthma11.0%
COPD5.0%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity19.4%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.3%
Checkup Rate66.4%
Premature Death7,855/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access81.6%
Healthcare Facilities2,355

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)86
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

McChord AFB has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.8 inches
7% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation308 ft (94 m)
Area5.9 sq mi (15.2 km²)
Population Density492/sq mi
Coordinates47.1327°N, 122.4919°W
County FIPS53053
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 32.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (4% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.1%
D 53.9%

Winner: Democrat by 10.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+32.4%
4% below US avg
High School+99.0%
School Test Score5.36
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density492/sq mi
Total Area5.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries29
Healthcare Facilities2,355
Restaurants1,771
Retail Stores2,124

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)86
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.3 min
Work from Home2.7%

Nearby Cities

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