Sunnyside, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sunnyside, Washington had a total population of 16,277, the 87th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $60,923, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% is notably above the national average.
Sunnyside Quick Facts
How Sunnyside 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 | 16,329 | 16,277 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $53,350 | $60,923 | +14.2% |
| Median home value | $207,200 | $240,700 | +16.2% |
How Sunnyside 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+)
Sunnyside Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Yakima County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima | 96,961 | $62,815 | 16.6% | $297,600 |
| Grandview | 11,187 | $61,106 | 17.9% | $265,300 |
| Terrace Heights | 10,041 | $83,016 | 14.4% | $377,300 |
| Toppenish | 8,723 | $67,854 | 18.0% | $230,000 |
| Selah | 8,437 | $74,783 | 13.9% | $414,600 |
| Union Gap | 6,584 | $59,651 | 13.8% | $210,600 |
| Moxee | 4,625 | $100,512 | 7.8% | $362,800 |
| Wapato | 4,538 | $52,019 | 24.5% | $185,100 |
| Ahtanum | 3,777 | $96,149 | 2.6% | $337,500 |
| Granger | 3,705 | $66,250 | 23.3% | $210,200 |
Cities Similar to Sunnyside
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lewis | 15,167 | $58,796 | N/A | 24.4% | 13.3% |
| Aberdeen | 17,088 | $52,195 | $237,300 | 15.2% | 23.8% |
| Centralia | 18,830 | $56,219 | $318,200 | 19.4% | 19.6% |
| Ferndale | 15,999 | $87,579 | $549,300 | 36.9% | 12.8% |
| Port Angeles | 20,118 | $62,606 | $370,200 | 30.3% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Sunnyside is a small city located in Washington, within Yakima County. The total population is 16,277. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sunnyside is 27.1 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. With 39.0% of the population under 18, Sunnyside has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sunnyside is $60,923. This is 38% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 87% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 12.3%. This is 142% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $240,700. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sunnyside is Hispanic or Latino, making up 82.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.9%) is well below the state average of 63.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (82.7% vs 14.4%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
9.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 56.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sunnyside, 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 Sunnyside, Washington?
Sunnyside, Washington has a population of 16,277 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sunnyside, WA?
The median household income in Sunnyside is $60,923, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sunnyside, WA?
The poverty rate in Sunnyside is 18.5%. This means approximately 2,977 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sunnyside, Washington?
Sunnyside's population is 14.9% White, 0.0% Black, 82.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sunnyside, WA?
The median home value in Sunnyside is $240,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Sunnyside, Washington?
9.8% of adults (25+) in Sunnyside hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.