Port Townsend, WA

Washington

Port Townsend is a small city in Washington with a population of 10,290. Residents earn $60,015 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
10,290 Population 1,483/sq mi density
$60,015 Median Income $43,518 per capita
$502,500 Home Value $627,866 Zillow
$1,151 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
628 Violent Crime/100K 3,759 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$60,015 median income, 5.5% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.9 / 5.0
$502,500 home value, $1,151/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
628 violent crimes/100K (65% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
52.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,015
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $502,500
78% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 628/100K
65% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 52.2%
55% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,151
1% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.0%
10% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.5%
53% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.4%
32% lower than US avg

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

People

Population10,290
Median Age59.4 yrs
Density1,483/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,015
Per Capita$43,518
Unemployment5.5%
Poverty8.4%
County GDP$4,664M
Commute19 min

Housing

D
Home Value$502,500
Rent$1,151
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$627,866

Crime

F
Violent628/100K
Property3,759/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault487/100K
Burglary1,029/100K

Health

Obesity29.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.1%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain19.1 in/yr
Elevation186 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+52.2%
High School+97.9%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 57%
Commute19 min
EV Stations11
Libraries6

Is Port Townsend a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Port Townsend receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Port Townsend has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Port Townsend is $60,015, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 8.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Port Townsend is $502,500, making it a premium housing market at 78% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,151 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

With 628 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,759 per 100,000, 92% above the national average.

Education

Port Townsend is a highly educated community — 52.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Port Townsend experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Port Townsend has a population of 10,290 with a density of 1,483 people per square mile. The median age is 59.4 years, 53% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.9%), with 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

10,290
Total Population
1,483
People / sq mi
59.4yrs
Median Age
53% above US avg
6.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Port Townsend vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.5%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.5%
44% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Port Townsend vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Port Townsend is $60,015, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Port Townsend vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,015
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$43,518
Avg Weekly Wage$1,133
IRS Avg AGI$92,592

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.5%
53% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.4%
32% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,142
County GDP$4,664M

Business (County)

Restaurants163
Healthcare188
Retail230
Manufacturing71

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,447
84% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.28%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.5 min
Work from Home28.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Port Townsend is $502,500, 78% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,151 (1% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $627,866.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$502,500
78% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$627,866

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,151
1% below 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-Occupied70.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,447
84% above US avg
Effective Rate1.28%
In Port Townsend, 29.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 28.1% report depression. 14.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Port Townsend vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.0%
10% below US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure27.2%
Asthma11.3%
COPD4.5%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity14.2%
Depression28.1%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress12.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.2%
Checkup Rate70.0%
Premature Death5,965/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access82.7%
Healthcare Facilities188
Port Townsend has a violent crime rate of 628 per 100,000 residents, 65% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,759 per 100,000 (92% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent628.3/100K
65% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape97.5/100K
Robbery43.3/100K
Assault487.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,759.1/100K
92% above US avg
Burglary1,029.1/100K
Theft2,610.8/100K
Vehicle Theft119.2/100K
Arson32.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Port Townsend has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. Annual precipitation is 19.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average63°F (17°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall19.1 inches
50% below US avg
Snowfall0.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation186 ft (57 m)
Area6.9 sq mi (18.0 km²)
Population Density1,483/sq mi
Coordinates48.1218°N, 122.7879°W
County FIPS53029
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 52.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 16.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.3%
D 56.8%

Winner: Democrat by 16.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+52.2%
55% above US avg
High School+97.9%
School Test Score5.36
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,483/sq mi
Total Area6.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations11
Alt Fuel Stations11
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities188
Restaurants163
Retail Stores230

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.5 min
Work from Home28.5%

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