Signals
Port Townsend
Spearfish
Growth
73 · Top 14%
vs88 · Top 2%
Climate
69 · Top 43%
vs58 · Bottom 19%
Physical resilience
31 · Bottom 20%
vs27 · Bottom 16%
Housing affordability
50 · Bottom 2%
vs81 · Bottom 21%
Access
63 · Bottom 26%
vs70 · Bottom 38%
Economic stability
36 · Bottom 29%
vs58 · Top 41%
Measured values
| Metric | Port Townsend | Spearfish | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,577 | 27,233 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $74,048 | $73,384 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $51,695 | $44,386 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 19/sq mi | 34/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $535,000 | $346,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,522 | $938 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 79.0% | 65.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.9% | 32.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | 11.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 195 | 283 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 5.8 | 10.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 16.8% | 12.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 68°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 33°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 29.4" | 31.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 60 mi | 43 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.9 min | 20.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 59.8 | 44.8 | 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.
Spearfish
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, hail, strong wind.
Your best match
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Port Townsend
54
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Area Score
Spearfish
63
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Port Townsend, WA Micro Area · Spearfish, SD Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology