Goldendale, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Goldendale, Washington had a total population of 3,483, the 237th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $39,783, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.0% is notably above the national average.
Goldendale Quick Facts
How Goldendale 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 | 3,458 | 3,483 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $41,621 | $39,783 | -4.4% |
| Median home value | $194,100 | $199,300 | +2.7% |
How Goldendale 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+)
Goldendale Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Klickitat County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Salmon | 2,548 | $72,923 | 3.5% | $614,900 |
| Dallesport | 1,603 | $71,707 | 7.2% | $377,600 |
| Trout Lake | 720 | $85,000 | 14.0% | $750,000 |
| Bingen | 652 | $73,833 | 7.5% | $443,400 |
| Klickitat | 501 | $63,646 | 6.6% | $169,400 |
| Wishram | 411 | $42,188 | 33.8% | $162,000 |
| Lyle | 218 | N/A | 61.0% | $409,800 |
| Roosevelt | 200 | $52,188 | 9.5% | $108,300 |
| Glenwood | 190 | $69,000 | 12.6% | $265,000 |
| Centerville | 75 | N/A | 1.3% | $323,100 |
Cities Similar to Goldendale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattawa | 3,616 | $38,388 | N/A | 0.2% | 33.3% |
| Raymond | 3,210 | $48,516 | $267,500 | 20.3% | 13.8% |
| Forks | 3,400 | $60,481 | $227,200 | 31.3% | 19.6% |
| Cashmere | 3,304 | $64,053 | $442,900 | 25.9% | 7.4% |
| Benton City | 3,695 | $63,542 | $355,200 | 10.5% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Goldendale is a small community located in Washington, within Klickitat County. The total population is 3,483. It ranks as the 237th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Goldendale is 39.6 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. 14.2% 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 Goldendale is $39,783. This is 59% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.7%. This is 200% 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 14.0%. This is 176% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $199,300. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Goldendale has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 80% 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 90.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Goldendale, 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 Goldendale, Washington?
Goldendale, Washington has a population of 3,483 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Goldendale, WA?
The median household income in Goldendale is $39,783, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Goldendale, WA?
The poverty rate in Goldendale is 29.7%. This means approximately 1,024 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Goldendale, Washington?
Goldendale's population is 85.2% White, 0.0% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Goldendale, WA?
The median home value in Goldendale is $199,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Goldendale, Washington?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Goldendale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.