Bucoda, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bucoda, Washington had a total population of 494, the 477th largest town in Washington, with a median household income of $73,250, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Bucoda Quick Facts
How Bucoda Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 511 | 494 | -3.3% |
| Median household income | $63,750 | $73,250 | +14.9% |
| Median home value | $219,000 | $270,000 | +23.3% |
How Bucoda Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bucoda Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Thurston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | 11.6% | $457,100 |
| Olympia | 55,951 | $81,302 | 14.0% | $486,200 |
| Tumwater | 26,956 | $95,212 | 7.0% | $472,200 |
| Yelm | 11,102 | $90,750 | 6.0% | $455,300 |
| Tanglewilde | 6,314 | $100,714 | 7.0% | $444,900 |
| Rochester | 5,834 | $99,286 | 16.3% | $445,300 |
| Grand Mound | 3,287 | $72,426 | 7.3% | $411,400 |
| North Yelm | 2,522 | $73,725 | 2.1% | $384,500 |
| Rainier | 2,455 | $106,019 | 14.6% | $425,900 |
| Tenino | 2,025 | $82,639 | 11.6% | $369,000 |
Cities Similar to Bucoda
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford | 493 | $73,661 | $328,600 | 31.4% | 4.7% |
| Garfield | 475 | $70,625 | $221,200 | 23.0% | 17.2% |
| Kapowsin | 466 | N/A | $443,900 | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| Rosburg | 528 | N/A | $231,000 | 29.6% | 13.2% |
| Union | 457 | N/A | $375,400 | 37.5% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 494, Bucoda's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bucoda is a small community located in Washington, within Thurston County. The total population is 494. It ranks as the 477th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bucoda is 39.4 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bucoda is $73,250. This is 25% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.3%. This is 226% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.5%. This is 106% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $270,000. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 75.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bucoda has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 14.4%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
10.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bucoda, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bucoda, Washington?
Bucoda, Washington has a population of 494 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bucoda, WA?
The median household income in Bucoda is $73,250, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bucoda, WA?
The poverty rate in Bucoda is 32.3%. This means approximately 151 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bucoda, Washington?
Bucoda's population is 87.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bucoda, WA?
The median home value in Bucoda is $270,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Bucoda, Washington?
10.3% of adults (25+) in Bucoda hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.