Selah, WA

Washington · Metropolitan Area

Selah is a small city in Washington with a population of 8,301. Residents earn $74,757 per year, which is 1% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
8,301 Population 1,809/sq mi density
$74,757 Median Income $37,741 per capita
$366,100 Home Value $431,456 Zillow
$1,465 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
27 Violent Crime/100K 1,222 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$74,757 median income, 3.1% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$366,100 home value, $1,465/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
27 violent crimes/100K (93% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $74,757
1% lower than US avg
Home Value $366,100
30% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 27/100K
93% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,465
26% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.2%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.4%
32% lower than US avg

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

People

Population8,301
Median Age34.2 yrs
Density1,809/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

A
Median Income$74,757
Per Capita$37,741
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty8.4%
County GDP$13,348M
Commute16 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$366,100
Rent$1,465
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$431,456

Crime

F
Violent27/100K
Property1,222/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary242/100K

Health

Obesity37.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.2%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain8.6 in/yr
Elevation1,306 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+85.2%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 42%
Commute16 min
EV Stations1
Libraries17

Is Selah a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Selah receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Selah offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Selah is $74,757, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Selah is $366,100, 30% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,465 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Selah is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 27 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,222 per 100,000, 38% below the national average.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Selah experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 8.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Selah has a population of 8,301 with a density of 1,809 people per square mile. The median age is 34.2 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64%), with 4.1% Hispanic.

Population

8,301
Total Population
1,809
People / sq mi
34.2yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
4.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Selah vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only72.2%
8% below US avg
Spanish27.8%
107% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Selah vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Selah is $74,757, which is 1% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Selah vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$74,757
1% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,741
Avg Weekly Wage$1,002
IRS Avg AGI$62,706

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.4%
32% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,385
County GDP$13,348M

Business (County)

Restaurants526
Healthcare599
Retail708
Manufacturing248

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,109
46% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.9 min
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Selah is $366,100, 30% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,465 (26% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $431,456.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$366,100
30% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$431,456
Median List Price$435,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$435,000
$/Sq Ft$259
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio112.7%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory24

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,465
26% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,652

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-Occupied56.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,109
46% above US avg
Effective Rate1.40%
In Selah, 37.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.2% report depression. 21.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.2%
16% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma11.3%
COPD5.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.9%
Physical Inactivity21.9%
Depression25.2%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress13.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.5%
Checkup Rate68.1%
Premature Death10,201/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access77.1%
Healthcare Facilities599
Selah has a violent crime rate of 27 per 100,000 residents, 93% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,222 per 100,000 (38% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent26.9/100K
93% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape13.4/100K
Robbery13.4/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,222.0/100K
38% below US avg
Burglary241.7/100K
Theft913.1/100K
Vehicle Theft67.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)45
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Selah has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 8.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.9°F
2% below US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall8.6 inches
77% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,306 ft (398 m)
Area4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²)
Population Density1,809/sq mi
Coordinates46.6459°N, 120.5383°W
County FIPS53077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.9%
D 41.6%

Winner: Republican by 14.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+85.2%
School Test Score5.36
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,809/sq mi
Total Area4.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries17
Healthcare Facilities599
Restaurants526
Retail Stores708

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)45
FEMA Disaster Declarations455
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.9 min
Work from Home5.1%

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