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CITY

La Center

Washington · 4,433 residents (2025 est.) · 2.63 sq mi
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The short version

La Center is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $101,708. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 2,229 residents. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $584,600. Poverty is rare here, at 5.7% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 98%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,883
+135%since 2000
from 1,654 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,476 / sq mi
+135%since 2000
from 629 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.2
+19%since 2000
from 31.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,433 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
421K2K3K4K1990201020202024La Center
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$101,708
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,333 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$45,453
+114%since 2000
from $21,224 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
69.4%
+22.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.403
+27%since 2010
from 0.318 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade15.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Information12.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$584,600
+98%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $161,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,876
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $723 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.1%
−10.1 ptssince 2000
from 85.1% in 2000
24.9% rent
Vacancy rate
9.1%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.1%
−16.9 ptssince 2009
from 36.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.2%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 64.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.7
+97%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
48
RELATED:See current rent listings in La Center on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.4%(1,479)
Black0.3%(5)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(90)
Asian1.1%(18)
Other0%
Diversity Score16.7%(276)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.5%(3,009)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino8.9%(345)
Asian10.1%(392)
Other3.5%(137)
Diversity Score47.5%(1,845)
Diversity Score
48
+185%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.0%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 89.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.6%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.3 min
+71%since 2000
from 18.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 79.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.1%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.9%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.4%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 7.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.9%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 70.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.5%
−16.2 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
53.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
5.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.3%
−42.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2012
from 12.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.0%
−87.0 ptssince 2013
from 90.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.6%
−6.2 ptssince 2017
from 91.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.4%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 91.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2016
from 5.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare La Center to nearby cities

LA CENTER VS
Ridgefield
Income$116,389+14%
Home value$613,500+5%
Population16,132+264%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LA CENTER VS
St. Helens
Income$82,865−19%
Home value$394,200−33%
Population14,450+226%
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LA CENTER VS
Battle Ground
Income$104,977+3%
Home value$485,100−17%
Population23,513+430%
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LA CENTER VS
Mount Vista
Income$100,293−1%
Home value$586,600same
Population10,764+143%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in La Center, Washington?

La Center, Washington has about 3,883 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in La Center, Washington?

The typical household in La Center, Washington earns about $101,708 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is La Center, Washington expensive?

In La Center, Washington, the median home is worth about $584,600, and the typical rent is about $1,876 a month.

How educated are people in La Center, Washington?

About 30.0% of adults age 25 and over in La Center, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in La Center, Washington?

About 5.7% of people in La Center, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has La Center, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, La Center, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,492 residents, a change of about 893 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

La Center, Washington: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy