Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Schools
A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Located in the state of Washington, La Center is a small city with a population of 3,338 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (93% White). Given that fact, La Center could be considered less diverse than other cities. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in La Center offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 40 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in La Center, Washington could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in La Center and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, commute, education, housing and other important metrics.
The livability score in La Center is 75 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 88th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, La Center ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. La Center ranks well for crime (A-), education (A-) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that you should be aware of in La Center. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of La Center, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 169 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that La Center has an unemployment rate of 2.15% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, La Center has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
La Center real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in La Center. Median real estate prices in La Center come in at $368,900, which is 37% higher than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In La Center, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 14% lower than the Washington average.
| Statistic | La Center | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 40min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.7% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.5% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.7% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.7% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.7% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
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