Port Townsend city, Washington Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Port Townsend city is a small city located in Washington. The total population is 10,290. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 631 cities and towns in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in Port Townsend city is 59.4 years. This is 55% higher than the state median of 38.2 years. Only 11.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.6% 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 Port Townsend city is $60,015. This is 37% lower than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 12.8%. This is 157% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $502,500. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 63.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Port Townsend city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.0%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 14.1%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 9.3%.

Education

52.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Port Townsend city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.9%. Notably, 23.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Port Townsend city, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 631 Census-designated places in Washington. For official data, visit data.census.gov.