Soap Lake, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Soap Lake, Washington had a total population of 1,508, the 353rd largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $48,125, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Soap Lake Quick Facts
How Soap Lake 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 | 1,286 | 1,508 | +17.3% |
| Median home value | $156,300 | $250,000 | +59.9% |
How Soap Lake 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Soap Lake Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moses Lake | 26,083 | $74,752 | 15.8% | $310,000 |
| Ephrata | 8,560 | $69,551 | 20.8% | $252,000 |
| Quincy | 7,998 | $87,902 | 6.2% | $336,800 |
| Cascade Valley | 4,609 | $60,715 | 12.6% | N/A |
| Moses Lake North | 4,517 | $57,602 | 29.8% | $242,200 |
| Mattawa | 3,616 | $38,388 | 33.3% | N/A |
| Desert Aire | 2,788 | $85,960 | 7.8% | $455,100 |
| Warden | 2,581 | $57,743 | 20.9% | $189,900 |
| Royal City | 1,683 | $50,478 | 35.8% | $228,600 |
| Coulee Dam | 1,595 | $66,732 | 15.8% | $238,500 |
Cities Similar to Soap Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle Falls | 1,575 | $48,682 | $250,000 | 16.8% | 14.5% |
| Lakeview | 1,584 | $45,787 | $195,200 | 12.0% | 18.6% |
| Royal City | 1,683 | $50,478 | $228,600 | 11.7% | 35.8% |
| Pomeroy | 1,354 | $52,104 | $216,700 | 21.1% | 16.4% |
| Oroville | 1,605 | $39,755 | $175,200 | 8.5% | 26.9% |
Population Overview
Soap Lake is a small community located in Washington, within Grant County. The total population is 1,508. It ranks as the 353rd most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Soap Lake is 35.9 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. With 31.3% of the population under 18, Soap Lake has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Soap Lake is $48,125. This is 51% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.4%. This is 177% 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 8.9%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $250,000. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Soap Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (33.9% vs 14.4%).
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 77.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Soap Lake, 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 Soap Lake, Washington?
Soap Lake, Washington has a population of 1,508 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Soap Lake, WA?
The median household income in Soap Lake is $48,125, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Soap Lake, WA?
The poverty rate in Soap Lake is 27.4%. This means approximately 395 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Soap Lake, Washington?
Soap Lake's population is 51.9% White, 0.0% Black, 33.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Soap Lake, WA?
The median home value in Soap Lake is $250,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Soap Lake, Washington?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Soap Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.