Signals
Port Townsend
Ellensburg
Growth
73 · Top 14%
vs74 · Top 14%
Climate
69 · Top 43%
vs66 · Bottom 49%
Physical resilience
31 · Bottom 20%
vs20 · Bottom 9%
Housing affordability
50 · Bottom 2%
vs59 · Bottom 5%
Access
63 · Bottom 26%
vs62 · Bottom 25%
Economic stability
36 · Bottom 29%
vs41 · Bottom 36%
Measured values
| Metric | Port Townsend | Ellensburg | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,577 | 47,172 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $74,048 | $73,804 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $51,695 | $43,661 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 19/sq mi | 21/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $535,000 | $497,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,522 | $1,341 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 79.0% | 61.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.9% | 37.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | 14.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 195 | 367 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 5.8 | 7.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 16.8% | 1.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 68°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 33°F | 24°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 29.4" | 9.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 60 mi | 64 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.9 min | 24.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 59.8 | 35.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Port Townsend
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, coastal flooding.
Ellensburg
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, avalanche, earthquake.
Your best match
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Port Townsend
54
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Area Score
Ellensburg
54
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Port Townsend, WA Micro Area · Ellensburg, WA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology