Cheney, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cheney, Washington had a total population of 12,804, the 106th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $54,503, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.3x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 13.1% is notably above the national average.
Cheney Quick Facts
How Cheney 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 | 12,830 | 12,804 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $47,039 | $54,503 | +15.9% |
| Median home value | $330,300 | $395,900 | +19.9% |
How Cheney 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cheney Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Spokane County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane | 230,293 | $70,064 | 13.8% | $363,500 |
| Spokane Valley | 106,365 | $74,042 | 12.9% | $382,300 |
| Liberty Lake | 12,737 | $118,723 | 5.0% | $577,500 |
| Airway Heights | 11,245 | $62,874 | 19.5% | $348,500 |
| Fairwood (Spokane County) | 10,674 | $91,988 | 7.8% | $469,100 |
| Mead | 6,893 | $77,045 | 7.4% | $408,200 |
| Country Homes | 6,198 | $84,653 | 14.2% | $429,400 |
| Otis Orchards-East Farms | 5,454 | $97,500 | 5.6% | $430,500 |
| Medical Lake | 4,950 | $79,989 | 8.1% | $368,700 |
| Town and Country | 4,890 | $92,652 | 6.8% | $356,800 |
Cities Similar to Cheney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelso | 12,684 | $66,751 | $337,600 | 12.4% | 12.0% |
| Grandview | 11,187 | $61,106 | $265,300 | 7.3% | 17.9% |
| Sedro-Woolley | 12,831 | $80,885 | $441,700 | 20.1% | 15.8% |
| Airway Heights | 11,245 | $62,874 | $348,500 | 17.0% | 19.5% |
| Fort Lewis | 15,167 | $58,796 | N/A | 24.4% | 13.3% |
Population Overview
Cheney is a small city located in Washington, within Spokane County. The total population is 12,804. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cheney is 24.4 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cheney is $54,503. This is 44% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.3%. This is 216% 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 13.1%. This is 157% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $395,900. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 34.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cheney is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.7%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Asian population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
38.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cheney, 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 Cheney, Washington?
Cheney, Washington has a population of 12,804 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cheney, WA?
The median household income in Cheney is $54,503, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cheney, WA?
The poverty rate in Cheney is 31.3%. This means approximately 3,543 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cheney, Washington?
Cheney's population is 74.4% White, 1.1% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cheney, WA?
The median home value in Cheney is $395,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.3x.
How educated is Cheney, Washington?
38.0% of adults (25+) in Cheney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.