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Clallam County, WA

RANK #815 / 996  ·  POP 77,333  ·  WA

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.7%

Clallam County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Clallam County?

Clallam County, situated on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, is known for its diverse natural landscape, bordering the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The county seat, Port Angeles, is the largest city, while Sequim is notable for its comparatively sunny climate. Commuting within the county is primarily done by private vehicle, though Clallam Transit provides bus services connecting towns like Port Angeles, Sequim, and Forks. The region offers extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking in Olympic National Park, exploring the Dungeness Spit, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.

Life in Clallam County often appeals to those seeking access to natural amenities, with many retirees drawn to areas like Sequim. The economy, historically tied to natural resources like timber and fishing, has seen growth in the service sector, including tourism. Government, healthcare, and hospitality are significant employers. Recent economic development efforts include a $4.2 million grant to advance indigenous forestry resource industrial development in Port Angeles and support for local businesses and childcare services.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
9.3x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+4.8%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+0.4%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
6.5

Favorable climate & terrain

Price/Rent
15x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 9.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Clallam County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
77,333
+0.79% YoY
Median Household Income
$66,108
Median Home Value
$353,600
+0.37% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,093
Average Annual Pay
$55,860
+6.4% YoY
Employment
24,680
+0.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.187
Near national average
Migration Inflow
2.52%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$479,495
Days on Market
33
Active market
Months of Supply
2.9
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
24.2%
Listings w/ Price Drops
30.2%
Building Permits (2024)
166
Single-Family Permits
142

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +4.8% 82 percentile
Population Growth +0.8% 64 percentile
Income Growth +10.1% 81 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.5% 93 percentile
Home Price Change +0.4% 35 percentile
Rent Growth +1.8% 30 percentile
Price/Rent 15x 33 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clallam County, WA a good place to move to?

Clallam County has a Boom Town Index score of 18/100, ranking #815 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.3% and a median household income of $66,108, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Clallam County affordable?

The median home value in Clallam County is $353,600 with median rent at $1,093/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.187, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Clallam County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.3%. Home values changed +0.4% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Clallam County?

Yes — 2.52% of Clallam County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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