Soap Lake, WA

Washington

Soap Lake is a small town in Washington with a population of 1,286.

1.9 /5.0
D Poor
1,286 Population 835/sq mi density
N/A Median Income $54,291 per capita
$156,300 Home Value $295,987 Zillow
$605 Median Rent 30.4% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
D
Overall
1.9 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Home Value $156,300
45% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.6%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $605
48% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.3%
47% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.1%
62% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,286
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density835/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 62%
Veterans10.7%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A
Per Capita$54,291
Unemployment5.3%
Poverty20.1%
County GDP$8,583M
Commute23 min

Housing

Home Value$156,300
Rent$605
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$295,987
Rent Burden30.4%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.3%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain7.8 in/yr
Elevation1,083 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.6%
High School+78.7%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 30%
Commute23 min
Broadband88.1%
EV Stations1
Libraries10

Is Soap Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Soap Lake receives an overall livability score of 1.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Soap Lake faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The unemployment rate of 5.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 20.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Soap Lake is $156,300, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $605 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability.

Education

11.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Soap Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 7.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Soap Lake has a population of 1,286 with a density of 835 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (61.7%), with 10.3% Hispanic.

Population

1,286
Total Population
835
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Soap Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only70.9%
10% below US avg
Spanish29.1%
117% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Soap Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Soap Lake is N/A. The unemployment rate is 5.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 20.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Soap Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$54,291
Avg Weekly Wage$1,222
IRS Avg AGI$63,521

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.3%
47% above US avg
Poverty Rate20.1%
62% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,694
County GDP$8,583M

Business (County)

Restaurants233
Healthcare186
Retail290
Manufacturing77

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.3 min
Drive Alone84.2%
Public Transit0.2%
Work from Home8.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Soap Lake is $156,300, 45% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $605 (48% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $295,987.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$156,300
45% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$295,987

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$605
48% below US avg
Rent Burden30.4%

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-Occupied63.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Rate3.06%
In Soap Lake, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.3% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Soap Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma12.1%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression27.3%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.0%
Checkup Rate68.5%
Premature Death8,460/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access68.5%
Healthcare Facilities186

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)28
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Soap Lake has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 7.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall7.8 inches
79% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,083 ft (330 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density835/sq mi
Coordinates47.3911°N, 119.4846°W
County FIPS53025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 11.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.5-point margin. 88.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.4%
D 30%

Winner: Republican by 37.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.6%
66% below US avg
High School+78.7%
School Test Score5.36
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density835/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.1%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities186
Restaurants233
Retail Stores290

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)28
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.3 min
Drive Alone84.2%
Public Transit0.2%
Work from Home8.6%

Nearby Cities

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