Custer, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Custer, Washington had a total population of 477, the 479th largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $93,598, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 19.5% is notably above the national average.
Custer Quick Facts
How Custer 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 | 266 | 477 | +79.3% |
| Median household income | $130,179 | $93,598 | -28.1% |
| Median home value | $540,400 | $527,600 | -2.4% |
How Custer 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+)
Custer Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Whatcom County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | 93,438 | $66,755 | 18.6% | $627,500 |
| Lynden | 16,234 | $103,233 | 7.2% | $596,600 |
| Ferndale | 15,999 | $87,579 | 12.8% | $549,300 |
| Birch Bay | 10,837 | $86,854 | 9.4% | $477,200 |
| Blaine | 6,100 | $84,030 | 13.1% | $549,600 |
| Sudden Valley | 6,084 | $100,930 | 7.6% | $489,200 |
| Marietta-Alderwood | 3,754 | $76,019 | 7.9% | $547,100 |
| Everson | 3,040 | $80,250 | 5.5% | $450,300 |
| Peaceful Valley | 2,858 | $59,625 | 17.1% | $317,800 |
| Geneva | 2,073 | $142,188 | 1.8% | $801,100 |
Cities Similar to Custer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapowsin | 466 | N/A | $443,900 | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| Union | 457 | N/A | $375,400 | 37.5% | 0.0% |
| Lebam | 436 | N/A | $154,800 | 8.1% | 5.7% |
| Rosburg | 528 | N/A | $231,000 | 29.6% | 13.2% |
| Mesa | 502 | $83,056 | $256,700 | 9.4% | 48.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 477, Custer'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
Custer is a small community located in Washington, within Whatcom County. The total population is 477. It ranks as the 479th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Custer is 34.8 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. Only 4.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Custer is $93,598. This is 5% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 16% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 101% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 19.5%. This is 283% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $527,600. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 57% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Custer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 96.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Custer, 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 Custer, Washington?
Custer, Washington has a population of 477 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Custer, WA?
The median household income in Custer is $93,598, which is 16% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Custer, WA?
The poverty rate in Custer is 19.9%. This means approximately 95 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Custer, Washington?
Custer's population is 79.0% White, 0.0% Black, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Custer, WA?
The median home value in Custer is $527,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Custer, Washington?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Custer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.