1st Advantage MortgageAbout 80% of Skamania County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $93,265. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Skamania County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Who lives in Skamania County
- Paychecks and income spread in Skamania County
- Skamania County housing compared with Washington
- The Skamania County job picture
- Skamania County against other Washington counties
- Skamania County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Skamania County
- Local borrowing considerations for Skamania County
- Debt-to-income at Skamania County's medians
- Who lives in Skamania County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in Washington
- A Skamania County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Skamania County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Skamania County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Skamania County's population at 12,402; only 33 of Washington's 39 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 1,658 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 7 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area. Largest place: Carson, about 2,318 residents (19% of Skamania County); 3 Census places in all.
Paychecks and income spread in Skamania County
$93,265 is the median household income for Skamania County, set against $98,141 for Washington. Only 6 Washington counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Skamania County | +/- vs Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.3% | +4.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.1% | +0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.2% | -0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.4% | -4.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 45% of Skamania County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. 8.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). For a borrower in Skamania County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Skamania County housing compared with Washington
A typical Skamania County rental runs $1,068 a month including utilities, which is 39% below Washington. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 44% of renter households here. With a median value of $529,500, a typical Skamania County house costs 5.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 80% of Skamania County households own their home and 20% rent. The median year built is 1984.
| Housing | Skamania County | Washington statewide | Skamania County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,068/mo | $1,760/mo | 39% lower |
| Median home value | $529,500 | $564,600 | 6% lower |
| Owners | 80% | 64% | +16.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 50% | -5.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 30% | -3.4 pts |
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).
The Skamania County job picture
Top Skamania County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 19%; second, arts, lodging and food service, 13%. Relative to Washington (6%), transportation, warehousing and utilities is 5 points bigger in Skamania County (11%). Unemployment in Skamania County, ACS five-year: 5.2%; Washington: 5.1%. About 71% drive to work alone and 28% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Skamania County | Gap to Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.2% | -2.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.1% | +4.8 pts |
| Construction | 11.6% | +4.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 11.0% | +5.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.4% | -4.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.6% | +0.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Skamania County against other Washington counties
The 3 Skamania County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Washington, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Washington counties match Skamania County on households without a vehicle: 3.3% here, 7.1% for the state, ranking 3rd lowest of 39. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- Few Washington counties match Skamania County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 28% here, 17% for the state, ranking 3rd highest of 39. With long commutes, a reliable car is part of keeping the job.
- Few Washington counties match Skamania County on the poverty rate: 8.1% here, 9.9% for the state, ranking 4th lowest of 39. A low poverty rate does not mean every budget has room; test the payment.
Skamania County towns compared
3 Census places fall mainly inside Skamania County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 5,033 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. North Bonneville has the highest median household income on the list ($100,417) and Carson the lowest ($68,929), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Carson ($910) and steepest in North Bonneville ($1,043). This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson | CDP | 2,318 | $68,929 | $910 | 21 mi |
| Stevenson | city | 1,603 | $76,563 | $960 | 23 mi |
| North Bonneville | city | 1,112 | $100,417 | $1,043 | 27 mi |
Regional comparison for Skamania County
Six nearby counties, 31 to 54 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Clark County, $97,536. Poorest: Lewis County, $74,796. Skamania County: $93,265. The list crosses into Oregon, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skamania County | - | $93,265 | $1,068/mo | 80% |
| Clark County, WA | 31 mi | $97,536 | $1,748/mo | 66% |
| Cowlitz County, WA | 37 mi | $76,531 | $1,206/mo | 68% |
| Hood River County, OR | 38 mi | $88,947 | $1,417/mo | 69% |
| Multnomah County, OR | 40 mi | $88,766 | $1,646/mo | 53% |
| Lewis County, WA | 43 mi | $74,796 | $1,097/mo | 76% |
| Columbia County, OR | 54 mi | $87,458 | $1,373/mo | 76% |
Local borrowing considerations for Skamania County
Based on the Skamania County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Keeping the car running. At 28% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Skamania County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 12% of Skamania County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Fixed incomes. Skamania County's median age is 48.5. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Consolidation math. With 45% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
Debt-to-income at Skamania County's medians
DTI math using Skamania County medians ($93,265 income, $1,068 rent):
- Start: $7,772 gross per month ($93,265 / 12)
- Median rent: $1,068, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,730 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $2,274: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Skamania County's.
Who lives in Skamania County, in numbers
Degree holders: 30% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 6.5%, against 6.3% for Washington.
| Indicator | Skamania County | +/- Washington | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.5 | +10.2 yrs | +7.0 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.8% | -9.8 pts | +7.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | -3.7 pts | -2.1 pts |
| Work from home | 17.4% | -2.4 pts | +8.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.1% | -1.8 pts | -5.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.7% | -1.0 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.5% | +0.2 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | +0.1 pts | +0.8 pts |
| Commute length | Skamania County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.8% |
| 60+ min | 15.9% |
Checking a lender's license in Washington
Before sharing details with a lender, a Skamania County resident can confirm its license with the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. State-level detail for Skamania County borrowers is in the Washington guide.
A Skamania County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Skamania County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Washington borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Skamania County
For statewide rules and data, see the Washington guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skamania County a high-income county?
Its $93,265 median ranks 7th of 39 Washington counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Skamania County?
$1,068 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I own my home in Skamania County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 80% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Skamania County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Carson, Stevenson, North Bonneville.
Does living in Skamania County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Skamania County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.