1st Advantage MortgageAbout 74% of Clallam County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $70,370. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Clallam County
- The Clallam County job picture
- Paychecks and income spread in Clallam County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Clallam County
- Counties near Clallam County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Clallam County
- A Clallam County household budget, worked through
- Clallam County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Clallam County
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Clallam County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Clallam County
Clallam County is home to about 77,813 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 18th most populous of 39 county-level areas in Washington. Spread over 1,739 square miles, that works out to roughly 44.8 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Clallam County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (3 incorporated, 9 census-designated); the largest is Port Angeles, with about 20,118 residents, or 26% of the county.
The Clallam County job picture
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Clallam County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. Public administration stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 70% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 5.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Clallam County share | +/- vs Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.2% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.5% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.7% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | -5.5 pts |
| Public administration | 8.7% | +3.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +1.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Clallam County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Clallam County
Half of Clallam County households take in less than $70,370 a year and half take in more, 28% below the Washington median of $98,141. Only 28 Washington counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Clallam County | Gap to Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.3% | +7.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.4% | +8.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.0% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.2% | -10.3 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 10.6%, 1 point higher than the state's 9.9%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.451 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Clallam County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Clallam County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,152 in Clallam County versus $1,760 statewide. 52% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. With a median value of $421,800, a typical Clallam County house costs 6.0 times what the median household earns in a year. 74% of Clallam County households own their home and 26% rent. The median year built is 1982.
| Housing | Clallam County | Washington statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,152/mo | $1,760/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $421,800 | $564,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 64% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 30% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 7% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Counties near Clallam County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (27 to 69 miles). Income ranges from $64,414 in Grays Harbor County to $104,158 in Kitsap County; 5 of these neighbors top Clallam County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clallam County | - | $70,370 | $1,152/mo | 74% |
| Jefferson County, WA | 27 mi | $74,048 | $1,522/mo | 79% |
| San Juan County, WA | 45 mi | $84,800 | $1,512/mo | 78% |
| Island County, WA | 56 mi | $90,551 | $1,662/mo | 75% |
| Mason County, WA | 62 mi | $83,270 | $1,285/mo | 82% |
| Kitsap County, WA | 66 mi | $104,158 | $1,822/mo | 70% |
| Grays Harbor County, WA | 69 mi | $64,414 | $1,062/mo | 73% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Clallam County
The table lists the 12 largest of 12 Census places in Clallam County, by population. Together all 12 hold about 39,925 people, so roughly 49% of residents live outside any named place. River Road has the highest median household income on the list ($132,841) and Neah Bay the lowest ($44,276), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $333 in Neah Bay to $1,295 in Carlsborg. None of the 12 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Angeles | city | 20,118 | $62,606 | $1,170 | 20 mi |
| Sequim | city | 8,161 | $59,707 | $1,195 | 37 mi |
| Forks | city | 3,400 | $60,481 | $921 | 26 mi |
| Port Angeles East | CDP | 3,137 | $68,241 | $1,081 | 24 mi |
| Carlsborg | CDP | 1,231 | $50,787 | $1,295 | 33 mi |
| Bell Hill | CDP | 1,041 | $79,084 | n/a | 37 mi |
| Neah Bay | CDP | 955 | $44,276 | $333 | 37 mi |
| River Road | CDP | 756 | $132,841 | n/a | 35 mi |
| Clallam Bay | CDP | 602 | $48,260 | $852 | 20 mi |
| Jamestown | CDP | 390 | $80,833 | n/a | 37 mi |
| Blyn | CDP | 134 | $103,036 | n/a | 43 mi |
| Sekiu | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 22 mi |
A Clallam County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Clallam County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $70,370 a year is $5,864 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,152, takes 20% of that
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,370 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Clallam County's.
Clallam County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 32% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Clallam County | Washington statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.1 | 38.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.6% | 39.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.2% | 7.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.5% | 19.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 48.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.9% |
Before borrowing in Clallam County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Clallam County borrowers.
- Retirees. At a median age of 52.1, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Renters under pressure. When 52% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Clallam County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Clallam County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Lender oversight for Clallam County
Consumer lenders serving Clallam County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Washington that is the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Washington guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Washington guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Clallam County household make?
About $70,370 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 28% below the Washington median.
Is Clallam County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,152 against $1,760 statewide, and 52% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Clallam County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Clallam County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Clallam County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks, Port Angeles East, Carlsborg.
Can Clallam County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Washington county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.