Signals
Shelton
Albany
Growth
53 · Top 45%
vs56 · Top 40%
Climate
73 · Top 28%
vs68 · Top 44%
Physical resilience
18 · Bottom 7%
vs31 · Bottom 21%
Housing affordability
77 · Bottom 19%
vs72 · Bottom 14%
Access
75 · Bottom 48%
vs74 · Bottom 47%
Economic stability
29 · Bottom 19%
vs64 · Top 33%
Measured values
| Metric | Shelton | Albany | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,982 | 130,706 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $83,270 | $76,329 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,551 | $34,924 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 71/sq mi | 57/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $411,800 | $376,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,285 | $1,320 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 82.3% | 66.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.9% | 21.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | 13.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 183 | 235 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.7 | 1.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -19.7% | 27.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 78°F | 79°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 34°F | 33°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 67.9" | 63.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 41 mi | 42 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 37.2 min | 26.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 44.7 | 40.1 | 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
Shelton
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, inland flooding.
Albany
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Shelton, WA Micro Area · Albany, OR Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology