White Center, WA

Washington · Metropolitan Area

White Center is a small city in Washington with a population of 15,017. Residents earn $82,500 per year, which is 10% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
15,017 Population 6,586/sq mi density
$82,500 Median Income $42,591 per capita
$591,500 Home Value
$1,556 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$82,500 median income, 3.1% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$591,500 home value, $1,556/mo rent
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
34.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $82,500
10% higher than US avg
Home Value $591,500
110% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 34.2%
1% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,556
34% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.2%
18% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.1%
6% higher than US avg

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

People

Population15,017
Median Age37.3 yrs
Density6,586/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 39%

Economy

A
Median Income$82,500
Per Capita$42,591
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty13.1%
County GDP$18,349M
Commute30 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$591,500
Rent$1,556
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity26.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.8%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain36.5 in/yr
Elevation383 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+34.2%
High School+84.5%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 59%
Commute30 min
Libraries9

Is White Center a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, White Center receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. White Center offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in White Center is $82,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 13.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in White Center is $591,500, making it a premium housing market at 110% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,556 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.2x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 34.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 84.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

White Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

White Center has a population of 15,017 with a density of 6,586 people per square mile. The median age is 37.3 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (38.9%), with 3.2% Hispanic, 14.4% Black.

Population

15,017
Total Population
6,586
People / sq mi
37.3yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

White Center vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only59.7%
24% below US avg
Spanish40.3%
201% above US avg

Social Characteristics

White Center vs U.S. Average

The median household income in White Center is $82,500, which is 10% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: White Center vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,500
10% above US avg
Per Capita Income$42,591
Avg Weekly Wage$1,377
IRS Avg AGI$99,803

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.1%
6% above US avg
Establishments (County)6,739
County GDP$18,349M

Business (County)

Restaurants580
Healthcare720
Retail705
Manufacturing158

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,028
101% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.19%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.7 min
Work from Home17.2%

Walkability

The median home value in White Center is $591,500, 110% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,556 (34% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$591,500
110% above US avg
Median List Price$654,975

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$654,975
$/Sq Ft$406
Homes Sold11
Sale-to-List Ratio99.4%
Price Drops18.2%
Inventory22

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,556
34% above 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-Occupied56.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,028
101% above US avg
Effective Rate1.19%
In White Center, 26.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.8% report depression. 20.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: White Center vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.2%
18% below US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma10.4%
COPD4.7%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.5%
Physical Inactivity20.4%
Depression23.8%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.1%
Checkup Rate69.2%
Premature Death6,099/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access82.8%
Healthcare Facilities720

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

White Center has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average53.8°F
0% below US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.5 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation383 ft (117 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density6,586/sq mi
Coordinates47.5092°N, 122.3481°W
County FIPS53035
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 34.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (1% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37.9%
D 58.8%

Winner: Democrat by 20.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+34.2%
1% above US avg
High School+84.5%
School Test Score5.36
B+ Education Grade (3.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density6,586/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities720
Restaurants580
Retail Stores705

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.7 min
Work from Home17.2%

Nearby Cities

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