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Vancouver, WA

Photo: Wikipedia

Vancouver, WA

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Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 54
Population192,696
Foreign Born7.2%
Population Density3,948people per mi²
Median Age37.5 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
ChangingSince 2010, this city has seen significant changes in racial and ethnic composition in a short time.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

147/100

47% above national average

B

The Real Cost of Living in Vancouver, Washington

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $26k$49k
Comfortable $86k$126k
Luxury $132k+$205k+
Elite (Top 5%) $156k+$242k+
Affordability Ratio

62%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean85%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
29
Poor
4
Negative
9

Groceries

7 within 10 miles

0.2mi

Gas

20 within 10 miles

0.2mi

Hospital

20 within 20 miles

1.1mi

Airport

PDX — Portland International

3.3mi

Post Office

USPS — Vancouver, WA

1.4mi

Critical Amenities

Golf5Nearest 1 mi
Camping20Nearest 3.3 mi
Marina20Nearest 1.9 mi
Winery13Nearest 3.6 mi
Ice Rink1Nearest 7.7 mi
Gun Range3Nearest 3.4 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$78k+6.2%
4% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$1.1M
63% above US avg
College Educated
31.5%
10% below US avg
WFH
15.2%
6% above US avg
Homeownership
49.9%
24% below US avg
Median Home
$440k
56% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C-
Elevated

Higher crime rates than 61% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
34.2
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−25.2%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−7.6%
Homicide
0.02 / 1k Residents26% below state avg
Robbery
0.80 / 1k Residents67% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
4.02 / 1k Residents122% above state avg

Property Crime

5yr−42.7%
Burglary
3.81 / 1k Residents30% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
21.05 / 1k Residents63% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
3.66 / 1k Residents57% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+2Tilts Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Vancouver, Washington
Dem Rep
40%50%60%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C-
Weak10.7% of income
Property Rights
C-
FairIJ Grade C-
Firearm Rights
F
PoorFPC Grade F
Homeschooling
D-
PoorHigh regulation

Energy independence: Importer (55% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A+
Fully OpenRetail sales legal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season233 days333 frost-free
Annual Rainfall54.6"
Elevation184 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D-
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor9.3 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor3,948/sq mi
Fallout Danger
C
Weak2 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding, Earthquake, Cold Wave, Heat Wave, Strong Wind
Border / Coast
B
Fairborder 232 mi · coast 65 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$157.5M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityPortland653k people are 9.3 mi away
Nearest Major AirportPDX3.3 mi away
Distance to State Capital98 miOlympia, WA
Nearest Prison7.8 mi2 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-21T11:07:28.000Z

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