Dayton, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dayton, Washington had a total population of 2,774, the 270th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $70,625, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Dayton Quick Facts
How Dayton 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 | 2,695 | 2,774 | +2.9% |
| Median household income | $71,687 | $70,625 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $223,900 | $243,600 | +8.8% |
How Dayton 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+)
Dayton Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starbuck | 93 | $61,250 | 24.7% | $133,300 |
Cities Similar to Dayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Yard City | 2,672 | $69,852 | $342,600 | 23.2% | 21.9% |
| Fairchild AFB | 2,931 | $69,917 | N/A | 39.8% | 3.3% |
| Gleed | 2,844 | $78,529 | $353,900 | 16.6% | 13.6% |
| Friday Harbor | 2,728 | $80,378 | $570,400 | 35.4% | 12.8% |
| Leavenworth | 2,569 | $69,943 | $617,000 | 45.8% | 2.9% |
Population Overview
Dayton is a small community located in Washington, within Columbia County. The total population is 2,774. It ranks as the 270th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton is 45.3 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dayton is $70,625. This is 28% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. The median home value is $243,600. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 74.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dayton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.8%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Asian population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton, 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 Dayton, Washington?
Dayton, Washington has a population of 2,774 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton, WA?
The median household income in Dayton is $70,625, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton, WA?
The poverty rate in Dayton is 11.9%. This means approximately 327 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton, Washington?
Dayton's population is 75.4% White, 0.8% Black, 10.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton, WA?
The median home value in Dayton is $243,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Dayton, Washington?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Dayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.