Rainier, WA

Washington · Metropolitan Area

Rainier is a small town in Washington with a population of 2,499. Residents earn $101,644 per year, which is 35% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
2,499 Population 1,436/sq mi density
$101,644 Median Income $33,934 per capita
$388,900 Home Value $509,400 Zillow
$1,128 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$101,644 median income, 4.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$388,900 home value, $1,128/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $101,644
35% higher than US avg
Home Value $388,900
38% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.8%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,128
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.2%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
33% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,499
Median Age38.5 yrs
Density1,436/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

A
Median Income$101,644
Per Capita$33,934
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$21,563M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$388,900
Rent$1,128
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$509,400

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.9%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain50.6 in/yr
Elevation443 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.8%
High School+90.4%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 58%
Commute35 min
Libraries7

Is Rainier a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rainier receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Rainier offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rainier is $101,644, which is significantly higher than the national average — 35% above $75,149. This places Rainier among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rainier is $388,900, 38% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,128 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Rainier experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Rainier has a population of 2,499 with a density of 1,436 people per square mile. The median age is 38.5 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.8%), with 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

2,499
Total Population
1,436
People / sq mi
38.5yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Rainier vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rainier vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rainier is $101,644, which is 35% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Rainier vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$101,644
35% above US avg
Per Capita Income$33,934
Avg Weekly Wage$1,385
IRS Avg AGI$86,381

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
33% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,476
County GDP$21,563M

Business (County)

Restaurants620
Healthcare986
Retail761
Manufacturing166

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,518
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.68%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.2 min
Work from Home20.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Rainier is $388,900, 38% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,128 (3% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $509,400.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$388,900
38% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$509,400
Median List Price$205,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$205,000
$/Sq Ft$283
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio101.0%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,128
3% 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-Occupied90.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,518
86% above US avg
Effective Rate1.68%
In Rainier, 32.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 29.9% report depression. 17.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.2%
0% below US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma11.8%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity17.8%
Depression29.9%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.0%
Checkup Rate65.5%
Premature Death7,249/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access75.7%
Healthcare Facilities986

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Rainier has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.6 inches
33% above US avg
Snowfall3.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation443 ft (135 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.5 km²)
Population Density1,436/sq mi
Coordinates46.8917°N, 122.6865°W
County FIPS53067
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.1%
D 58.5%

Winner: Democrat by 20.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.8%
41% below US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score5.36
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,436/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities986
Restaurants620
Retail Stores761

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.2 min
Work from Home20.3%

Nearby Cities

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