Wapato, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wapato, Washington had a total population of 4,538, the 209th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $52,019, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Wapato Quick Facts
How Wapato 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 | 4,577 | 4,538 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $51,341 | $52,019 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $177,600 | $185,100 | +4.2% |
How Wapato 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+)
Wapato 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 |
| Sunnyside | 16,277 | $60,923 | 18.5% | $240,700 |
| 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 |
| Ahtanum | 3,777 | $96,149 | 2.6% | $337,500 |
| Granger | 3,705 | $66,250 | 23.3% | $210,200 |
Cities Similar to Wapato
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moses Lake North | 4,517 | $57,602 | $242,200 | 8.9% | 29.8% |
| Deer Park | 4,791 | $54,391 | $347,000 | 14.6% | 19.4% |
| Cascade Valley | 4,609 | $60,715 | N/A | 11.9% | 12.6% |
| Colville | 4,998 | $56,558 | $281,500 | 25.1% | 21.9% |
| West Clarkston-Highland | 5,444 | $51,860 | $282,500 | 16.2% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Wapato is a small community located in Washington, within Yakima County. The total population is 4,538. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wapato is 26.9 years. This is 30% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. With 36.9% of the population under 18, Wapato has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wapato is $52,019. This is 47% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.5%. This is 148% 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 7.9%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $185,100. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wapato has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 90.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 63.1%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (90.0% vs 14.4%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
6.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 85% 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 52.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wapato, 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 Wapato, Washington?
Wapato, Washington has a population of 4,538 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wapato, WA?
The median household income in Wapato is $52,019, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wapato, WA?
The poverty rate in Wapato is 24.5%. This means approximately 1,094 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wapato, Washington?
Wapato's population is 2.7% White, 0.0% Black, 90.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wapato, WA?
The median home value in Wapato is $185,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Wapato, Washington?
6.0% of adults (25+) in Wapato hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.