South Bend, WA

Washington

South Bend is a small town in Washington with a population of 1,856. Residents earn $43,333 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,856 Population 1,132/sq mi density
$43,333 Median Income $26,132 per capita
$235,500 Home Value $309,309 Zillow
$912 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$43,333 median income, 3.3% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.6 / 5.0
$235,500 home value, $912/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,333
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $235,500
16% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.1%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $912
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.5%
90% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,856
Median Age45.5 yrs
Density1,132/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

C+
Median Income$43,333
Per Capita$26,132
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty23.5%
County GDP$1,033M
Commute26 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$235,500
Rent$912
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$309,309

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property378/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary189/100K

Health

Obesity38.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain83.7 in/yr
Elevation9 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.1%
High School+81.6%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 48%
Commute26 min
Libraries5

Is South Bend a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Bend is $43,333, 42% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 23.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Bend is $235,500, 16% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $912 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.4x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

South Bend is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 378 per 100,000, 81% below the national average.

Education

22.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

South Bend experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 83.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

South Bend has a population of 1,856 with a density of 1,132 people per square mile. The median age is 45.5 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (59.1%), with 9.9% Hispanic, 3.3% Black.

Population

1,856
Total Population
1,132
People / sq mi
45.5yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.8%
Female 44.2%

Race & Ethnicity

South Bend vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only77.6%
1% below US avg
Spanish22.4%
67% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South Bend vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Bend is $43,333, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 23.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: South Bend vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,333
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,132
Avg Weekly Wage$968
IRS Avg AGI$66,782

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate23.5%
90% above US avg
Establishments (County)691
County GDP$1,033M

Business (County)

Restaurants102
Healthcare38
Retail78
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,187
48% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.0 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in South Bend is $235,500, 16% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $912 (22% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $309,309.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$235,500
16% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$309,309

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$912
22% 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-Occupied59.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,187
48% above US avg
Effective Rate2.20%
In South Bend, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South Bend vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.2%
Asthma11.3%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress20.0%
Physical Distress15.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate66.3%
Premature Death10,076/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access55.0%
Healthcare Facilities38
South Bend has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 378 per 100,000 (81% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property378.3/100K
81% below US avg
Burglary189.2/100K
Theft63.1/100K
Vehicle Theft126.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
South Bend has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation is 83.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 61°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average49.8°F
8% below US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average61°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall83.7 inches
120% above US avg
Snowfall1.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation9 ft (3 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density1,132/sq mi
Coordinates46.6699°N, 123.8018°W
County FIPS53049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 22.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.4%
D 48.1%

Winner: Republican by 1.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.1%
34% below US avg
High School+81.6%
School Test Score5.36
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,132/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities38
Restaurants102
Retail Stores78

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.0 min
Work from Home10.1%

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