Sudden Valley, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sudden Valley, Washington had a total population of 6,084, the 182nd largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $100,930, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sudden Valley Quick Facts
How Sudden Valley 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 | 6,963 | 6,084 | -12.6% |
| Median household income | $98,865 | $100,930 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $450,500 | $489,200 | +8.6% |
How Sudden Valley 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+)
Sudden Valley Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Whatcom County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | 93,438 | $66,755 | 18.6% | $627,500 |
| Lynden | 16,234 | $103,233 | 7.2% | $596,600 |
| Ferndale | 15,999 | $87,579 | 12.8% | $549,300 |
| Birch Bay | 10,837 | $86,854 | 9.4% | $477,200 |
| Blaine | 6,100 | $84,030 | 13.1% | $549,600 |
| Marietta-Alderwood | 3,754 | $76,019 | 7.9% | $547,100 |
| Everson | 3,040 | $80,250 | 5.5% | $450,300 |
| Peaceful Valley | 2,858 | $59,625 | 17.1% | $317,800 |
| Geneva | 2,073 | $142,188 | 1.8% | $801,100 |
| Nooksack | 1,794 | $97,159 | 14.7% | $524,300 |
Cities Similar to Sudden Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracyton | 6,137 | $103,935 | $470,200 | 33.6% | 9.1% |
| Sultan | 6,116 | $94,730 | $526,100 | 35.4% | 5.8% |
| Tanglewilde | 6,314 | $100,714 | $444,900 | 25.6% | 7.0% |
| Rochester | 5,834 | $99,286 | $445,300 | 17.5% | 16.3% |
| Hockinson | 6,150 | $113,295 | $722,200 | 39.4% | 3.2% |
Population Overview
Sudden Valley is a small city located in Washington, within Whatcom County. The total population is 6,084. It ranks as the 182nd most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sudden Valley is 48.6 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. 10.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sudden Valley is $100,930. This is 3% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 25% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $489,200. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 92.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sudden Valley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
49.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% higher 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 96.7%. Notably, 18.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sudden Valley, 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 Sudden Valley, Washington?
Sudden Valley, Washington has a population of 6,084 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sudden Valley, WA?
The median household income in Sudden Valley is $100,930, which is 25% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sudden Valley, WA?
The poverty rate in Sudden Valley is 7.6%. This means approximately 460 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sudden Valley, Washington?
Sudden Valley's population is 77.8% White, 1.1% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sudden Valley, WA?
The median home value in Sudden Valley is $489,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Sudden Valley, Washington?
49.1% of adults (25+) in Sudden Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.