Small-town market profile · Washington
Shelton, WA area market data
How the Shelton area compares with other small-town markets for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 71,165
- +7.8% since 2020
- Households
- 26,029
- Median household income
- $83,270
- +44.5% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $411,800
- Jobs located here
- 13,833
- Highest market score
- 97
- Spas and skin care, #1 of 504 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Shelton area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Shelton area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Shelton area has an estimated 71,165 people and 26,029 households. Population estimates show the Shelton area grew 7.8% from 2020 to 2025, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Shelton area is $83,270, 3% above the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 44.5%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Shelton area runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 134, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on clothing, shoes and related services (88).
Of the business types scored in the Shelton area, tire shops (97), spas and skin care studios (97) and fast food and sandwich shops (96) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For tire shops, that ranks #1 of 431 scored small-town markets.
The Shelton area is made up of one county, Mason County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for landscaping and lawn care companies (3 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (80% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Shelton area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Shelton area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spas and skin care | 97 | #1 of 504 | 8 | 3.1 | $3.3M | 379 | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | 97 | #1 of 431 | 6 | 2.3 | $5.6M | 222 | 3 |
| Auto repair and car care | 96 | #1 of 538 | 65 | 25.0 | $514K | 191 | 27 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 96 | #1 of 537 | 18 | 6.9 | $5.8M | 190 | 32 |
| Barbershops | 96 | #1 of 377 | 5 | 1.9 | $5.3M | 282 | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | 96 | #1 of 220 | 5 | 1.9 | $5.2M | 114 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 94 | #1 of 538 | 37 | 14.2 | $903K | 203 | 21 |
| Pizza | 94 | #1 of 520 | 15 | 5.8 | $6.9M | 137 | 32 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 93 | #1 of 538 | 69 | 26.5 | $490K | 321 | 34 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 93 | #1 of 535 | 14 | 5.4 | $2M | 308 | 5 |
| Nail salons | 93 | #1 of 387 | 7 | 2.7 | $3.8M | 227 | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | 93 | #1 of 400 | 6 | 2.3 | $5.6M | 234 | 3 |
| Gas stations | 92 | #3 of 536 | 34 | 13.1 | $2.5M | 105 | 20 |
| Hair salons | 91 | #1 of 538 | 28 | 10.8 | $948K | 220 | 7 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 91 | #2 of 387 | 8 | 3.1 | $3.2M | 127 | 4 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 91 | #3 of 538 | 191 | 73.4 | $545K | 147 | 93 |
| Insurance agencies | 91 | #9 of 537 | 18 | 6.9 | $3.3M | 264 | 10 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 90 | #1 of 538 | 51 | 19.6 | $520K | 245 | 12 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 90 | #3 of 538 | 96 | 36.9 | $1.1M | 163 | 38 |
| Gyms | 90 | #4 of 506 | 7 | 2.7 | $4.1M | 314 | 5 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 90 | #5 of 476 | 10 | 3.8 | $7.4M | 155 | 15 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 89 | #4 of 536 | 12 | 4.6 | $3.9M | 446 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | 89 | #5 of 454 | 15 | 5.8 | $1.2M | 118 | 9 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 89 | #6 of 536 | 5 | 1.9 | $9.4M | 741 | Under 3 |
| Pet businesses | 88 | #3 of 527 | 24 | 9.2 | $1.1M | 123 | 9 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 84 | #7 of 526 | 17 | 6.5 | $2M | 202 | 14 |
| Property management | 83 | #1 of 180 | 6 | 2.3 | Index only | 141 | 7 |
| Convenience stores | 83 | #9 of 529 | 16 | 6.1 | $9.9M | 126 | 7 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 81 | #7 of 177 | 8 | 3.1 | Index only | 150 | 3 |
| Chiropractors | 81 | #8 of 426 | 9 | 3.5 | $3.8M | 157 | 7 |
| Home repair trades | 77 | #18 of 526 | 24 | 9.2 | $3.1M | 126 | 41 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 75 | #29 of 507 | 12 | 4.6 | $8.7M | 209 | 23 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 68 | #102 of 538 | 58 | 22.3 | $2.7M | 81 | 18 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 62 | #112 of 533 | 52 | 20.0 | Index only | 166 | 34 |
| Real estate | 62 | #118 of 536 | 67 | 25.7 | Index only | 162 | 49 |
| Grocery stores | 56 | #215 of 506 | 27 | 10.4 | $5.9M | 63 | 11 |
| Roofing and gutters | 55 | #114 of 288 | 11 | 4.2 | $6.7M | 79 | 10 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 53 | #238 of 529 | 33 | 12.7 | $3.2M | 85 | 23 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 40 | #272 of 399 | 37 | 14.2 | $925K | 32 | 31 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 40 | #329 of 481 | 45 | 17.3 | $760K | 45 | 48 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.5 | $8.4M | 271 | 4 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.5 | $8.6M | 134 | 13 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.5 | $8.6M | 84 | 4 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.5 | $6.5M | 237 | 5 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.5 | $7.1M | 176 | 5 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.2 | $24.5M | 204 | 16 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.2 | $15.7M | 126 | Under 3 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.2 | $9.5M | 472 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.2 | $11.3M | 633 | 7 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.8 | $16.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.8 | $16.7M | Too few | 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $47.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $4.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $33.8M | Too few | 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $33.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Shelton area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $33.4M | $1,284 | 134 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $85M | $3,266 | 126 |
| Food away from home | $104.1M | $4,001 | 98 |
| Groceries | $159.2M | $6,116 | 97 |
| Personal care products and services | $26.5M | $1,020 | 101 |
| Child care and other personal services | $17.7M | $681 | 117 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $28.6M | $1,098 | 112 |
| Medical and dental services | $33.8M | $1,298 | 101 |
| Pets | $25.8M | $992 | 109 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $47.1M | $1,810 | 88 |
| Vehicle insurance | $59.8M | $2,296 | 117 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $73.5M | $2,825 | 94 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $34.2M | $1,315 | 93 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $469.8M | $18,048 | 108 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Shelton area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 71,165+7.8% since 2020
- Households
- 26,029
- Median age
- 45.5
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 82%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.3
- Land area
- 960 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 71
- Median household income
- $83,270+44.5% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $100,630
- Median home value
- $411,800
- Jobs located here
- 13,833
- Daytime population
- 54,996Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Shelton area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Shelton area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Shelton area 1
- Mason County, WA67,982 people
Other markets based in Washington 12
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area4,061,920 people
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area597,123 people
- Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area311,807 people
- Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area299,067 people
- Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA metro area277,881 people
- Yakima, WA metro area257,152 people
- Bellingham, WA metro area230,503 people
- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA metro area131,328 people
- Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA metro area124,538 people
- Longview-Kelso, WA metro area112,360 people
- Walla Walla, WA metro area62,161 people
- Moses Lake, WA area101,799 people
Questions
How fast is the Shelton, WA area growing?
Population estimates put the Shelton area at 71,165 people in 2025, up 7.8% since 2020, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 26,029 households. Median household income rose 44.5% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Shelton, WA area spend?
Households in the Shelton area spend about $469.8M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $159.2M on groceries and $104.1M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Shelton area spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 134, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on clothing, shoes and related services (88).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Shelton, WA area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Shelton area are for tire shops (97), spas and skin care studios (97) and fast food and sandwich shops (96). The Shelton area ranks #1 of 431 scored small-town markets for tire shops.
How does the Shelton, WA area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Shelton area is $83,270 a year, 3% above the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 7.8% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $411,800, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Shelton area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for landscaping and lawn care companies (3 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (80% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 40 of the 56 business types have a score in the Shelton area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Shelton area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in Washington · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Shelton area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Shelton area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.