Though Washington is the twelfth richest state in the nation, some of its communities definitely struggle financially. While Washington’s towns are wonderful to explore, Roadsnacks.com found that these are the 10 poorest towns in the state. The site took three factors into account when compiling its statistics: poverty level, median household income, and unemployment rate. While these communities all have plenty to recommend them, money is tight here.

  1. Moses Lake North

Google

Sara Talbot/Google Moses Lake North made the top of list because 34.1 percent of its residents live at or below the poverty level. The town is also home to Big Bend Community College. Moses Lake North, WA 98837, USA

  1. Kelso

Scott Beamer/flickr

Robert Ashworth/flickr With a population of just under 12,000 residents, Kelso has an unemployment rate of 22.5 percent. While times might be tough, this town still celebrates its heritage with the Highlander Festival every September. Kelso, WA, USA

  1. Wapato

Orange Suede Sofa/Wikipedia

Bernt Rostad/flickr Wapato was founded in 1885; today it has a population of around 5,000 people. The residents of this picturesque little town struggle financially; 33.7 percent live at or under the poverty line. Windy Point Vineyards calls this little town home. Wapato, WA 98951, USA

  1. Deer Park

Deer Park Chamber of Commerce/Facebook The little community of Deer Park is very pastoral and is home to around 3,700 people. Unfortunately, 15.8 percent of residents are unemployed here. Deer Park, WA 99006, USA

  1. Cheney

Frn Men/Google

Richard Bauer/flickr The home of Eastern Washington University, Cheney has a population of over 10,000 people. The student population may affect the statistics of this town - about 44 percent live under the poverty line. Cheney, WA 99004, USA

  1. Hoquiam

The Quadfather/Google This little town of just 6,800 people has an unemployment rate of 17.1 percent, but residents still enjoy celebrating the town’s logging history. Logger’s Playday is a huge celebration with a parade and logging competitions, which brings people from all over the world to join in the fun. Hoquiam, WA, USA

  1. Toppenish

C. Hanchey/flickr

Frank Fujimoto/flickr The 9,000 or so residents of Toppenish have plenty of reasons to love their little town, and these murals found throughout the downtown area are just the beginning. This pretty little place is very picturesque, but it does have a poverty rate of 37.6 percent. Toppenish, WA 98948, USA

  1. Newport

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr Over 30 percent of Newport’s approximately 2,200 residents live at or below the poverty line. It’s a quaint little town, though, with a nice historical museum. Newport, WA 99156, USA

  1. Grandview

Orange Suede Sofa/Wikimedia The town of Grandview has a population of just over 10,000 people and some stunning views of Mount Rainier. It also has a 15.3 percent unemployment rate. Grandview, WA, USA

  1. Centralia

Orin Blomberg/flickr

Jasperdo/Flickr The quaint, charming town of Centralia has an adorable main street and plenty of history. Despite its poverty rate of 24.8 percent, this town still enjoys many amenities. Centralia, WA, USA

Do you live in any of these communities? What do you love best about where you live?

Google

Sara Talbot/Google

Moses Lake North made the top of list because 34.1 percent of its residents live at or below the poverty level. The town is also home to Big Bend Community College.

Moses Lake North, WA 98837, USA

Scott Beamer/flickr

Robert Ashworth/flickr

With a population of just under 12,000 residents, Kelso has an unemployment rate of 22.5 percent. While times might be tough, this town still celebrates its heritage with the Highlander Festival every September.

Kelso, WA, USA

Orange Suede Sofa/Wikipedia

Bernt Rostad/flickr

Wapato was founded in 1885; today it has a population of around 5,000 people. The residents of this picturesque little town struggle financially; 33.7 percent live at or under the poverty line. Windy Point Vineyards calls this little town home.

Wapato, WA 98951, USA

Deer Park Chamber of Commerce/Facebook

The little community of Deer Park is very pastoral and is home to around 3,700 people. Unfortunately, 15.8 percent of residents are unemployed here.

Deer Park, WA 99006, USA

Frn Men/Google

Richard Bauer/flickr

The home of Eastern Washington University, Cheney has a population of over 10,000 people. The student population may affect the statistics of this town - about 44 percent live under the poverty line.

Cheney, WA 99004, USA

The Quadfather/Google

This little town of just 6,800 people has an unemployment rate of 17.1 percent, but residents still enjoy celebrating the town’s logging history. Logger’s Playday is a huge celebration with a parade and logging competitions, which brings people from all over the world to join in the fun.

Hoquiam, WA, USA

C. Hanchey/flickr

Frank Fujimoto/flickr

The 9,000 or so residents of Toppenish have plenty of reasons to love their little town, and these murals found throughout the downtown area are just the beginning. This pretty little place is very picturesque, but it does have a poverty rate of 37.6 percent.

Toppenish, WA 98948, USA

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr

Over 30 percent of Newport’s approximately 2,200 residents live at or below the poverty line. It’s a quaint little town, though, with a nice historical museum.

Newport, WA 99156, USA

Orange Suede Sofa/Wikimedia

The town of Grandview has a population of just over 10,000 people and some stunning views of Mount Rainier. It also has a 15.3 percent unemployment rate.

Grandview, WA, USA

Orin Blomberg/flickr

Jasperdo/Flickr

The quaint, charming town of Centralia has an adorable main street and plenty of history. Despite its poverty rate of 24.8 percent, this town still enjoys many amenities.

Centralia, WA, USA

Rich or poor, Washingtonians are the best people you’ll ever meet. Have you been to any of these towns? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Places To Live in Washington December 31, 2022 William Suphan What are the coolest small towns in Washington? The coolest small towns in Washington include:

Waitsburg. This is the only town that operates under its own Territorial Charter and has some excellent restaurants. Raymond. Nirvana performed their first gig in this town in 1987 and has three buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Dayton. The oldest train depot in Washington is in this town as well as a courthouse that’s been going since 1887. Moclips. This coastal town is known for its lovely beaches where locals come for digging up clams and having a lovely stroll.

Learn more about the coolest small towns in Washington. What are the quietest small towns in Washington? The quietest small towns in Washington include:

Fall City. This tiny town on the banks of the Snoqualmie River has a ton of idyllic farmland and lovely nature. Packwood. Located within sight of Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier, this is a gorgeous quiet town to experience. Spangle. This town only has 300 people and is the epitome of peace and quiet. A perfect getaway from the big city. Trout Lake. This is a bucolic, serene town that is surrounded by absolutely gorgeous natural scenery.

Find out more about the quietest small towns in Washington.  What are the most charming small towns in Washington? The most charming small towns in Washington include:

Winthrop. This little town is full of Old West style and the old-timey shops and restaurants are full of historic charm. Republic. This is an old mining town that was founded in the late 1800s and is known for having lots of fossils to dig up. Poulsbo. This town is largely decorated in an old Norwegian style with Viking murals and is basically a Little Norway. Edison. This is one of the tiniest towns with roughly 130 people and went from being a timber town to an artists’ town.

Discover more about the most charming small towns in Washington. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Places To Live in Washington

December 31, 2022

William Suphan

What are the coolest small towns in Washington? The coolest small towns in Washington include:

Waitsburg. This is the only town that operates under its own Territorial Charter and has some excellent restaurants. Raymond. Nirvana performed their first gig in this town in 1987 and has three buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Dayton. The oldest train depot in Washington is in this town as well as a courthouse that’s been going since 1887. Moclips. This coastal town is known for its lovely beaches where locals come for digging up clams and having a lovely stroll.

Learn more about the coolest small towns in Washington. What are the quietest small towns in Washington? The quietest small towns in Washington include:

Fall City. This tiny town on the banks of the Snoqualmie River has a ton of idyllic farmland and lovely nature. Packwood. Located within sight of Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier, this is a gorgeous quiet town to experience. Spangle. This town only has 300 people and is the epitome of peace and quiet. A perfect getaway from the big city. Trout Lake. This is a bucolic, serene town that is surrounded by absolutely gorgeous natural scenery.

Find out more about the quietest small towns in Washington.  What are the most charming small towns in Washington? The most charming small towns in Washington include:

Winthrop. This little town is full of Old West style and the old-timey shops and restaurants are full of historic charm. Republic. This is an old mining town that was founded in the late 1800s and is known for having lots of fossils to dig up. Poulsbo. This town is largely decorated in an old Norwegian style with Viking murals and is basically a Little Norway. Edison. This is one of the tiniest towns with roughly 130 people and went from being a timber town to an artists’ town.

Discover more about the most charming small towns in Washington. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The coolest small towns in Washington include:

  • Waitsburg. This is the only town that operates under its own Territorial Charter and has some excellent restaurants.
  • Raymond. Nirvana performed their first gig in this town in 1987 and has three buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Dayton. The oldest train depot in Washington is in this town as well as a courthouse that’s been going since 1887.
  • Moclips. This coastal town is known for its lovely beaches where locals come for digging up clams and having a lovely stroll.

Learn more about the coolest small towns in Washington.

What are the quietest small towns in Washington?

The quietest small towns in Washington include:

  • Fall City. This tiny town on the banks of the Snoqualmie River has a ton of idyllic farmland and lovely nature.
  • Packwood. Located within sight of Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier, this is a gorgeous quiet town to experience.
  • Spangle. This town only has 300 people and is the epitome of peace and quiet. A perfect getaway from the big city.
  • Trout Lake. This is a bucolic, serene town that is surrounded by absolutely gorgeous natural scenery.

Find out more about the quietest small towns in Washington. 

What are the most charming small towns in Washington?

The most charming small towns in Washington include:

  • Winthrop. This little town is full of Old West style and the old-timey shops and restaurants are full of historic charm.
  • Republic. This is an old mining town that was founded in the late 1800s and is known for having lots of fossils to dig up.
  • Poulsbo. This town is largely decorated in an old Norwegian style with Viking murals and is basically a Little Norway.
  • Edison. This is one of the tiniest towns with roughly 130 people and went from being a timber town to an artists’ town.

Discover more about the most charming small towns in Washington.