Onalaska, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Onalaska, Washington had a total population of 848, the 409th largest community in Washington. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 14.0% is notably above the national average.
Onalaska Quick Facts
How Onalaska 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 | 657 | 848 | +29.1% |
| Median home value | $412,800 | $423,700 | +2.6% |
How Onalaska 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+)
Onalaska Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Lewis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia | 18,830 | $56,219 | 19.6% | $318,200 |
| Chehalis | 7,587 | $73,702 | 15.0% | $372,900 |
| Napavine | 2,158 | $104,148 | 6.0% | $419,100 |
| Winlock | 2,140 | $80,451 | 14.9% | $361,700 |
| Fords Prairie | 1,823 | $55,608 | 15.7% | $368,000 |
| Morton | 1,206 | $57,813 | 13.7% | $300,900 |
| Mossyrock | 875 | $53,333 | 25.3% | $280,400 |
| Vader | 745 | $64,688 | 18.8% | $317,200 |
| Toledo | 542 | $47,292 | 14.8% | $333,700 |
| Pe Ell | 538 | $62,679 | 11.9% | $321,800 |
Cities Similar to Onalaska
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erlands Point | 854 | $114,044 | $564,000 | 43.4% | 3.8% |
| Wilbur | 842 | $55,625 | $221,800 | 17.8% | 27.1% |
| Concrete | 833 | $81,719 | $347,300 | 16.3% | 18.1% |
| Taholah | 833 | $45,114 | $101,300 | 5.8% | 34.7% |
| Brady | 832 | $108,750 | $370,500 | 15.4% | 0.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 848, Onalaska'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
Onalaska is a small community located in Washington, within Lewis County. The total population is 848. It ranks as the 409th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Onalaska is 38.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 14.0%. This is 175% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $423,700. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $564,600. 57.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Onalaska has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 14.4%.
Education
19.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 Onalaska, 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 Onalaska, Washington?
Onalaska, Washington has a population of 848 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Onalaska, WA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Onalaska — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Onalaska, WA?
The poverty rate in Onalaska is 11.9%. This means approximately 101 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Onalaska, Washington?
Onalaska's population is 90.8% White, 0.0% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Onalaska, WA?
The median home value in Onalaska is $423,700.
How educated is Onalaska, Washington?
19.0% of adults (25+) in Onalaska hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.