Shelton, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelton, Washington had a total population of 10,612, the 127th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $69,598, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Shelton Quick Facts
How Shelton 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 | 10,619 | 10,612 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $60,589 | $69,598 | +14.9% |
| Median home value | $296,100 | $345,700 | +16.8% |
How Shelton 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+)
Shelton Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Mason County
Cities Similar to Shelton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Townsend | 10,438 | $62,606 | $543,400 | 53.2% | 13.5% |
| Airway Heights | 11,245 | $62,874 | $348,500 | 17.0% | 19.5% |
| Grandview | 11,187 | $61,106 | $265,300 | 7.3% | 17.9% |
| Burlington | 10,003 | $80,475 | $466,400 | 20.5% | 14.5% |
| Birch Bay | 10,837 | $86,854 | $477,200 | 32.0% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Shelton is a small city located in Washington, within Mason County. The total population is 10,612. It ranks as the 127th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelton is 32.5 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Shelton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelton is $69,598. This is 29% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 76% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $345,700. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 62.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.2%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (28.2% vs 14.4%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelton, 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 Shelton, Washington?
Shelton, Washington has a population of 10,612 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelton, WA?
The median household income in Shelton is $69,598, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelton, WA?
The poverty rate in Shelton is 17.4%. This means approximately 1,792 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelton, Washington?
Shelton's population is 63.3% White, 0.3% Black, 28.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelton, WA?
The median home value in Shelton is $345,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Shelton, Washington?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Shelton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.