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Shelton city, Washington Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Shelton city, Washington has a total population of 10,619, the 124th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $60,589, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.4%.

Key Takeaways

Shelton city Quick Facts

Population 10,619
Median Household Income $60,589
Median Home Value $296,100
Poverty Rate 23.4%
Unemployment Rate 5.3%
Median Age 31.6 years
Homeownership Rate 52.9%
Affordability Ratio 4.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 18.8%
High School Graduation Rate 84.0%
Diversity Index 51/100
Population 10,619 124th of 631
Median Income $60,589 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 23.4% 88% higher national
Median Home Value $296,100 below average

How Shelton city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.0% | National: 5.2%
56.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 52.9%
Renter 47.1%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

51out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 55 | National average: 60

Education

Shelton city Rankings in Washington

#124 Population of 631
#448 Median Income of 631
#420 Education of 631
#407 Home Value of 631

Cities Similar to Shelton city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Port Townsend city10,290$60,015$502,50052.2%14.2%
Grandview city11,042$59,875$232,5006.6%19.0%
Airway Heights city10,766$64,659$286,90020.2%21.9%
College Place city9,828$59,768$335,00035.6%10.8%
Birch Bay CDP11,103$77,120$439,10030.9%8.6%

Population Overview

Shelton city is a small city located in Washington. The total population is 10,619. It ranks as the 124th most populous out of 631 cities and towns in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in Shelton city is 31.6 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 38.2 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, Shelton city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Shelton city is $60,589. This is 36% lower than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.4%. This is 136% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $296,100. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 52.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 63.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.6%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (27.6% vs 14.1%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 9.3%.

Education

18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower 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 84.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Shelton 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Shelton city, Washington?

Shelton city, Washington has a population of 10,619 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Shelton city, WA?

The median household income in Shelton city is $60,589, which is 23% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Shelton city, WA?

The poverty rate in Shelton city is 23.4%. This means approximately 2,416 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Shelton city, Washington?

Shelton city's population is 63.3% White, 0.4% Black, 27.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Shelton city, WA?

The median home value in Shelton city is $296,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.

How educated is Shelton city, Washington?

18.8% of adults (25+) in Shelton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.