Living in Port Townsend, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Port Townsend · Census data 2020–2024
Port Townsend has 10,438 residents with a median age of 60.8. The median household income is $62,606 (36% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $543,400, the median rent is $1,578/month.
Port Townsend at a glance
- Population
- 10,438
- Median age
- 60.8State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $62,606State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $543,400State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,578/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 67.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53.2%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Port Townsend a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 4% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 36% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 10.4%; a poverty rate of 13.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Port Townsend
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Port Townsend the median home value is $543,400, 63% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,578 per month, which is 33.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,061 a month in housing costs.
Port Townsend median household income
The median household income in Port Townsend is $62,606 and the income per person is $45,197. 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Port Townsend: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,225
- Owner-occupied
- 67.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 32.1%
- Vacant
- 8.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1981
- Average household size
- 1.79
Port Townsend demographics
- Population
- 10,438
- Median age
- 60.8
- Under 18
- 11.7%
- 65 and older
- 43.6%
- Households
- 5,683
- Foreign-born
- 4.2%
- Veterans
- 10%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Port Townsend ›
Education in Port Townsend
53.2% of adults 25 and older in Port Townsend have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 22.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Port Townsend
- Unemployment rate
- 10.4%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 26.3%
- Drive alone
- 54.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 11.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.6%
Port Townsend vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Townsend | 10,438 | $62,606 | $543,400 | $1,578 |
| Port Hadlock-Irondale | 3,884 | $83,548 | $351,600 | $1,361 |
| Marrowstone | 1,164 | $110,368 | $756,000 | $1,458 |
| Coupeville | 1,980 | $81,625 | $561,000 | $1,063 |
| Blyn | 134 | $103,036 | — | — |
| Freeland | 1,548 | $83,241 | $522,000 | $1,237 |
| Jamestown | 390 | $80,833 | $481,100 | — |
| Oak Harbor | 24,362 | $76,084 | $461,200 | $1,645 |
| Sequim | 8,161 | $59,707 | $408,700 | $1,195 |
More for people moving to Port Townsend
Port Townsend ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Port Townsend: FAQ
What is the median household income in Port Townsend, WA?
The median household income in Port Townsend is $62,606, 36% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Port Townsend?
The median home value in Port Townsend is $543,400, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Port Townsend?
The median gross rent in Port Townsend is $1,578 per month, about 33.8% of household income.
Is Port Townsend, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 4% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 36% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 10.4%; a poverty rate of 13.5%.
What is the median age in Port Townsend?
The median age in Port Townsend is 60.8 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Port Townsend?
The average commute to work in Port Townsend is 15 minutes; 26.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Port Townsend?
The unemployment rate in Port Townsend is 10.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Port Townsend?
53.2% of adults in Port Townsend have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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