Ocean Shores, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ocean Shores, Washington had a total population of 7,302, the 158th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $58,202, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ocean Shores Quick Facts
How Ocean Shores 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 | 7,076 | 7,302 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $62,750 | $58,202 | -7.2% |
| Median home value | $378,000 | $383,500 | +1.5% |
How Ocean Shores 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+)
Ocean Shores Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Grays Harbor County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 17,088 | $52,195 | 23.8% | $237,300 |
| Hoquiam | 8,800 | $49,795 | 17.2% | $228,200 |
| Montesano | 4,183 | $67,540 | 4.9% | $354,300 |
| Elma | 3,483 | $78,086 | 24.9% | $409,600 |
| Central Park | 3,206 | $99,127 | 6.4% | $335,500 |
| Westport | 2,217 | $64,750 | 7.3% | $196,600 |
| Cosmopolis | 2,202 | $84,853 | 10.3% | $317,000 |
| McCleary | 2,094 | $77,813 | 10.4% | $351,700 |
| Oakville | 878 | $63,893 | 19.4% | $230,800 |
| Taholah | 833 | $45,114 | 34.7% | $101,300 |
Cities Similar to Ocean Shores
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarkston | 7,191 | $54,152 | $253,500 | 16.9% | 20.7% |
| Union Gap | 6,584 | $59,651 | $210,600 | 4.4% | 13.8% |
| Sequim | 8,161 | $59,707 | $408,700 | 34.3% | 12.9% |
| Chehalis | 7,587 | $73,702 | $372,900 | 27.3% | 15.0% |
| Mead | 6,893 | $77,045 | $408,200 | 28.9% | 7.4% |
Population Overview
Ocean Shores is a small city located in Washington, within Grays Harbor County. The total population is 7,302. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ocean Shores is 63.9 years. This is 67% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. Only 7.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.3% 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 Ocean Shores is $58,202. This is 41% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $383,500. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 83.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ocean Shores is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 14.4%. The Asian population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ocean Shores, 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 Ocean Shores, Washington?
Ocean Shores, Washington has a population of 7,302 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ocean Shores, WA?
The median household income in Ocean Shores is $58,202, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ocean Shores, WA?
The poverty rate in Ocean Shores is 12.3%. This means approximately 888 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ocean Shores, Washington?
Ocean Shores's population is 84.3% White, 0.0% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ocean Shores, WA?
The median home value in Ocean Shores is $383,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.6x.
How educated is Ocean Shores, Washington?
23.4% of adults (25+) in Ocean Shores hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.