1st Advantage MortgageIn Wahkiakum County, Washington, the typical household earns $62,653 a year and the typical rent is $853. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Washington before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Wahkiakum County
- How Wahkiakum County residents earn a living
- How much Wahkiakum County households make
- What it costs to live in Wahkiakum County
- How Wahkiakum County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Wahkiakum County
- More Wahkiakum County figures
- Before borrowing in Wahkiakum County
- Room for a loan payment in Wahkiakum County
- Licensing and complaints for Wahkiakum County
- A Wahkiakum County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Wahkiakum County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Wahkiakum County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wahkiakum County's population at 4,658; only 36 of Washington's 39 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 263 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 18 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Wahkiakum County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (1 incorporated, 9 census-designated); the largest is Puget Island, with about 1,008 residents, or 22% of the county. Because Wahkiakum County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Wahkiakum County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 16%. Compared with Washington, the county leans toward public administration (13% against 5%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.5% in Wahkiakum County. 28% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 16% work from home. 4.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Wahkiakum County | Gap to Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.0% | -1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.5% | +4.0 pts |
| Construction | 12.8% | +5.8 pts |
| Public administration | 12.6% | +7.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -1.8 pts |
| Other services | 5.2% | +1.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How much Wahkiakum County households make
At $62,653, the typical Wahkiakum County household income is 5% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 37th among Washington's 39 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Wahkiakum County | Difference from Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.4% | +17.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.4% | -1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.9% | -2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -13.2 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 33% have six-figure incomes. 17.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.479 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Wahkiakum County
A typical Wahkiakum County rental runs $853 a month including utilities, which is 52% below Washington. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 77% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $396,800, about 6.3 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 83%. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Wahkiakum County | Washington | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $853/mo | $1,760/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $396,800 | $564,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 64% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 77% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 44% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.2% | 5.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 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). When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
How Wahkiakum County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Wahkiakum County's, from 23 to 54 miles away. Washington County leads the group on income ($107,772), Pacific County trails ($67,081), and Wahkiakum County out-earns 0 of the six. Some neighbors are in Oregon. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Wahkiakum County resident follows Washington rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahkiakum County | - | $62,653 | $853/mo | 83% |
| Clatsop County, OR | 23 mi | $71,822 | $1,180/mo | 63% |
| Pacific County, WA | 25 mi | $67,081 | $1,005/mo | 82% |
| Columbia County, OR | 29 mi | $87,458 | $1,373/mo | 76% |
| Cowlitz County, WA | 36 mi | $76,531 | $1,206/mo | 68% |
| Thurston County, WA | 53 mi | $96,563 | $1,736/mo | 68% |
| Washington County, OR | 54 mi | $107,772 | $1,849/mo | 61% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Wahkiakum County
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Wahkiakum County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 4,143 people, so roughly 11% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $101,221 at the median in East Cathlamet, $49,438 in Puget Island. No Wahkiakum County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puget Island | CDP | 1,008 | $49,438 | n/a | 8 mi |
| East Cathlamet | CDP | 934 | $101,221 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Cathlamet | town | 616 | $70,250 | $913 | 6 mi |
| Rosburg | CDP | 528 | n/a | $1,710 | 10 mi |
| Skamokawa Valley | CDP | 352 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
| Lower Elochoman | CDP | 271 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Grays River | CDP | 195 | $91,250 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Deep River | CDP | 147 | $62,604 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Upper Elochoman | CDP | 49 | $55,714 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Altoona | CDP | 43 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
More Wahkiakum County figures
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. 4.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Wahkiakum County | Washington | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.5 | 38.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.8% | 39.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.5% | 7.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.3% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.2% | 19.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.8% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 11.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.1% |
| 60+ min | 14.7% |
Before borrowing in Wahkiakum County
Where the Wahkiakum County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 28% of Wahkiakum County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 12% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fixed incomes. Wahkiakum County's median age is 54.5. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Rent squeeze. 77% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Room for a loan payment in Wahkiakum County
Wahkiakum County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,221 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $853, takes 16% of that
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,392 a month
If your rent is above $853, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Licensing and complaints for Wahkiakum County
Consumer lenders serving Wahkiakum County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Washington that is the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Washington guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Wahkiakum County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Wahkiakum County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Wahkiakum County
For statewide rules and data, see the Washington guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Wahkiakum County earn?
The median is $62,653; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 33% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Wahkiakum County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $853 a month; 77% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Wahkiakum County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 83% of Wahkiakum 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 Wahkiakum County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 10 Census places: Puget Island, East Cathlamet, Cathlamet, Rosburg, Skamokawa Valley.
Does living in Wahkiakum 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 Wahkiakum County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.