Rochester, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rochester, Washington had a total population of 5,834, the 185th largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $99,286, which is 1% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rochester Quick Facts
How Rochester 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 | 6,025 | 5,834 | -3.2% |
| Median household income | $94,754 | $99,286 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $391,600 | $445,300 | +13.7% |
How Rochester 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rochester Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Thurston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | 11.6% | $457,100 |
| Olympia | 55,951 | $81,302 | 14.0% | $486,200 |
| Tumwater | 26,956 | $95,212 | 7.0% | $472,200 |
| Yelm | 11,102 | $90,750 | 6.0% | $455,300 |
| Tanglewilde | 6,314 | $100,714 | 7.0% | $444,900 |
| Grand Mound | 3,287 | $72,426 | 7.3% | $411,400 |
| North Yelm | 2,522 | $73,725 | 2.1% | $384,500 |
| Rainier | 2,455 | $106,019 | 14.6% | $425,900 |
| Tenino | 2,025 | $82,639 | 11.6% | $369,000 |
| Nisqually Indian Community | 628 | $73,750 | 17.5% | $310,000 |
Cities Similar to Rochester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudden Valley | 6,084 | $100,930 | $489,200 | 49.1% | 7.6% |
| Sultan | 6,116 | $94,730 | $526,100 | 35.4% | 5.8% |
| Finley | 5,634 | $92,231 | $382,500 | 20.9% | 5.1% |
| Tracyton | 6,137 | $103,935 | $470,200 | 33.6% | 9.1% |
| Otis Orchards-East Farms | 5,454 | $97,500 | $430,500 | 17.3% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Rochester is a small city located in Washington, within Thurston County. The total population is 5,834. It ranks as the 185th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rochester is 42.7 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rochester is $99,286. This is 1% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 23% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $445,300. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 86.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rochester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.3%. The Asian population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
17.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rochester, 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.
Free data download: Get all Washington city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rochester, Washington?
Rochester, Washington has a population of 5,834 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rochester, WA?
The median household income in Rochester is $99,286, which is 23% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rochester, WA?
The poverty rate in Rochester is 16.3%. This means approximately 951 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rochester, Washington?
Rochester's population is 69.5% White, 0.0% Black, 20.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rochester, WA?
The median home value in Rochester is $445,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Rochester, Washington?
17.5% of adults (25+) in Rochester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.