1st Advantage MortgageIn Klickitat County, Washington, the typical household earns $71,042 a year and the typical rent is $1,105. 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
- Klickitat County, WA: the basics
- Jobs and commutes in Klickitat County
- Household income in Klickitat County
- Renting and owning in Klickitat County
- The counties around Klickitat County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Klickitat County
- People and households in Klickitat County
- Reading the Klickitat County data as a borrower
- What a median Klickitat County budget can carry
- A Klickitat County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Klickitat County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Klickitat County, WA: the basics
Roughly 23,411 residents live in Klickitat County, Washington, 29th by population among the state's 39 counties and county equivalents. It covers 1,872 square miles of land, or about 13 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Klickitat County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 13 places in the county (3 incorporated, 10 census-designated); the largest is Goldendale, with about 3,483 residents, or 15% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Klickitat County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Klickitat County residents work in education and health care and 11% in professional and administrative services. Compared with Washington, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (10% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Klickitat County averages 5.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). Long commutes are common here: 23% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Klickitat County workers | vs Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.3% | -1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.0% | -3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.5% | +7.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.8% | -2.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Klickitat County
The median household income in Klickitat County is $71,042; statewide it is $98,141, so Klickitat County runs 28% below Washington as a whole. Only 26 Washington counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Klickitat County | Difference from Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.5% | +5.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.9% | +10.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.1% | -8.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.5% | -7.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 34% of Klickitat County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.9%, 3 points higher than the state's 9.9%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.453 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 Klickitat County median.
Renting and owning in Klickitat County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,105 in Klickitat County versus $1,760 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 56% of renter households here. Home values center on $425,300, or 6.0 years of median income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1986.
| Measure | Klickitat County | Washington | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,105/mo | $1,760/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $425,300 | $564,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 64% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 30% | 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.
The counties around Klickitat County
Sherman County is closest, 33 miles from center to center; the sixth, Skamania County, is 57 miles off. Skamania County leads the group on income ($93,265), Sherman County trails ($60,161), and Klickitat County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in Oregon. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Klickitat County resident follows Washington rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klickitat County | - | $71,042 | $1,105/mo | 77% |
| Sherman County, OR | 33 mi | $60,161 | $1,032/mo | 66% |
| Yakima County, WA | 41 mi | $70,656 | $1,109/mo | 62% |
| Gilliam County, OR | 42 mi | $66,917 | $1,125/mo | 74% |
| Hood River County, OR | 49 mi | $88,947 | $1,417/mo | 69% |
| Wasco County, OR | 52 mi | $64,175 | $1,008/mo | 68% |
| Skamania County, WA | 57 mi | $93,265 | $1,068/mo | 80% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Klickitat County
13 Census places fall mainly inside Klickitat County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 10,696 residents, leaving about 54% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Trout Lake has the highest median household income on the list ($85,000) and Goldendale the lowest ($39,783), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Goldendale ($890) and steepest in Dallesport ($1,350). This guide covers each of the 13 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldendale | city | 3,483 | $39,783 | $890 | 4 mi |
| White Salmon | city | 2,548 | $72,923 | $1,311 | 35 mi |
| Dallesport | CDP | 1,603 | $71,707 | $1,350 | 25 mi |
| Trout Lake | CDP | 720 | $85,000 | $1,171 | 37 mi |
| Bingen | city | 652 | $73,833 | n/a | 35 mi |
| Klickitat | CDP | 501 | $63,646 | $960 | 19 mi |
| Wishram | CDP | 411 | $42,188 | $817 | 17 mi |
| Lyle | CDP | 218 | n/a | n/a | 27 mi |
| Roosevelt | CDP | 200 | $52,188 | $1,144 | 28 mi |
| Glenwood | CDP | 190 | $69,000 | $850 | 27 mi |
| Centerville | CDP | 75 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Bickleton | CDP | 72 | $85,625 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Maryhill | CDP | 23 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
People and households in Klickitat County
College graduates make up 31% of the adult population. 6.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Klickitat County | Washington statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.8 | 38.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.2% | 39.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | 7.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.7% | 19.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Klickitat County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.7% |
| 60+ min | 12.1% |
Reading the Klickitat County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Klickitat County borrowers.
- Vehicle repairs. 23% of Klickitat County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 17% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.8, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Renters under pressure. When 56% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
What a median Klickitat County budget can carry
Klickitat County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,920 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,105, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,441: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $1,105, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
A Klickitat County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Klickitat County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Washington license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Who licenses lenders for Klickitat County residents
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Washington license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Washington guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Washington guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Klickitat County household make?
About $71,042 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 28% below the Washington median.
How does Klickitat County rent compare with Washington?
$1,105 locally versus $1,760 for the state, 37% below.
Which towns does the Klickitat County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 13 Census places: Goldendale, White Salmon, Dallesport, Trout Lake, Bingen.
Will a Klickitat County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Washington as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Klickitat County?
Start with the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.