Ritzville, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ritzville, Washington had a total population of 1,855, the 321st largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $56,442, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ritzville Quick Facts
How Ritzville 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 | 1,942 | 1,855 | -4.5% |
| Median household income | $63,277 | $56,442 | -10.8% |
| Median home value | $197,500 | $227,000 | +14.9% |
How Ritzville 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+)
Ritzville Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Adams County
Cities Similar to Ritzville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fords Prairie | 1,823 | $55,608 | $368,000 | 19.2% | 15.7% |
| Long Beach | 1,792 | $53,032 | $362,700 | 22.9% | 13.1% |
| Bridgeport | 1,792 | $52,375 | $177,000 | 5.8% | 11.9% |
| Cle Elum | 1,905 | $63,973 | $451,000 | 18.9% | 9.8% |
| South Bend | 1,869 | $45,000 | $262,300 | 21.0% | 24.2% |
Population Overview
Ritzville is a small community located in Washington, within Adams County. The total population is 1,855. It ranks as the 321st most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ritzville is 40.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ritzville is $56,442. This is 42% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $227,000. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 76.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ritzville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.8%) is well below the state average of 14.4%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
26.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ritzville, 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 Ritzville, Washington?
Ritzville, Washington has a population of 1,855 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ritzville, WA?
The median household income in Ritzville is $56,442, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ritzville, WA?
The poverty rate in Ritzville is 14.0%. This means approximately 248 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ritzville, Washington?
Ritzville's population is 82.3% White, 0.0% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ritzville, WA?
The median home value in Ritzville is $227,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Ritzville, Washington?
26.8% of adults (25+) in Ritzville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.