Why Camas, WA Is the Best Place for Families in Southwest Washington

📽️ Watch this video first for the full story:

If you’re searching for a place in the Pacific Northwest that offers safety, great schools, abundant nature, and community vibrancy — Camas, Washington checks almost every box. In this post, we’ll dive deep into what makes Camas one of the most family-friendly cities in SW Washington. You’ll get hard data, comparisons, and real reasons why families are choosing Camas as their next home.

1. Strong Demographics & Economic Profile

Before you move, you want to live somewhere that’s growing, stable, and with upward momentum. Camas delivers:

• As of 2023, Camas had a population of ~26,779 people. Data USA

• Median household income sits around $140,053, reflecting a relatively affluent base. Data USA

• From 2022 to 2023, the population grew about 1.49%, and household income rose ~4.65%. Data USA

• According to Niche, Camas consistently rates as one of the top places to raise a family in Clark County. Niche

• Camas was recently featured in Money’s “Top 50 Places to Live in the U.S.” list. FOX 13 Seattle

These stats matter. They show Camas is not stagnating — it’s improving, drawing in families, and sustaining a high quality of life.

2. Exceptional Schools & Educational Reputation

For many families, the school district is a dealbreaker. Here’s what sets Camas apart:

• The Camas School District is well-known across the state for high performance. Even in local listings, it's praised as a key reason people move here. PDX Parent+2Niche+2

• Camas High School is large, active, and modern. It enrolls nearly 2,000+ students with a student-teacher ratio around 21.55. Wikipedia

• The district offers strong extracurriculars, community involvement, and emphasizes academic excellence. Peter Cutile Homes+1

• Beyond just test scores, Camas gives parents confidence they are raising their kids in a place that values education, growth, and opportunity.

When your kids are stepping into high school or college prep, that reputation matters for their future and for resale appeal down the line.

3. Safety & Crime Rates

Moving to a city where you feel safe is non-negotiable. Here’s how Camas performs:

• Camas’ crime rate is lower than the national average. According to AreaVibes, crime there is 50.1% lower than the U.S. average. AreaVibes

• Violent crime in Camas is low; property crime is higher comparatively, but still well below many neighboring cities. Crime Explorer+2City-Data+2

• For example, using FBI data:
    • Violent crime rate ~ 21.6 per 100,000 (vs national avg ~106.2)
    • Property crime ~ 53.9 per 100,000 (vs national avg ~163.6) Crime Explorer

• NeighborhoodScout reports the chance of being a victim of violent crime in Camas is ~1 in 3,893 — very low. NeighborhoodScout+2NeighborhoodScout+2

These figures give families peace of mind — that your kids can roam the neighborhoods, ride bikes, and walk to parks without undue fear.

4. Outdoor Living, Recreation & Nature

One of Camas’ biggest draws is its access to nature. For families who want more than just concrete, Camas delivers.

• Camas is home to Lacamas Lake, Round Lake, and multiple parks and trails. Wikipedia+2AreaVibes+2

• The livability score from AreaVibes rates Camas at 74/100, with strong scores in education, crime, and outdoor amenities. AreaVibes

• Niche mentions that “living in Camas offers residents a sparse suburban feel … and in Camas there are a lot of parks.” Niche

• For active families, this means hiking, biking, lakeside days, nature exploration, and easy access to Columbia River areas.

Having nature at your doorstep enhances health, happiness, and choice. It’s not just about the home — it's about the life around the home.

5. Community & Small-Town Vibe

Many families say they moved for community. Camas holds that strongly.

• Downtown Camas hosts farmers markets, local shops, community events, and festivals — all contributing to a tight-knit, walkable town feel. PDX Parent+2Peter Cutile Homes+2

• Camas’ historic downtown and tree-lined streets evoke charm and consistency. PDX Parent

• Residents often talk about how neighbors look out for each other, kids walking or biking, and community gathering culture. (Seen in local forums and Reddit threads you collected earlier.)

• The local business and downtown associations actively support events, small shops, and quality of life enhancements.

When you move somewhere, you don’t just want a house; you want connection. Camas offers that.

6. Housing, Cost, and Affordability (Relative)

It’s not cheap, but in context, Camas provides value for many families.

• In local real estate writeups, Camas is described as more expensive than many Washington suburbs — but backs it up with superior schools, community, and quality of life. Local Observer Daily+1

• LocalObserverDaily reports median home values well above national averages; Camas’ cost of living index is higher as well. Local Observer Daily

• Low unemployment, higher educational attainment, and rising incomes help support that premium. Camas has 95% high school graduation or higher and fewer households in poverty. Local Observer Daily+1

• Compared to bigger cities like Portland or Vancouver, many families feel they’re getting more value per dollar when factoring in schools, safety, and lifestyle.

This means you’ll pay for quality, but many feel it’s worth it — especially for long-term home investment and family stability.

7. Challenges & Things to Consider

To be honest, it’s not perfect. Families need to know the tradeoffs:

• Because Camas is desirable, competition for homes is stiff — often multiple offers, and fewer entry-level options.

• Some parts of Camas are more car-dependent, especially farther from downtown. PDX Parent

• Property crime is not zero; theft, larceny, and auto theft do appear in data sets. NeighborhoodScout+2City-Data+2

• As growth continues, managing infrastructure, school crowding, and commuting challenges will require planning.

But overall, many families feel the benefits outweigh the cons — especially when you have a local expert (like you) to navigate the process.

Camas, WA is not just another suburb. It’s a city whose DNA is family, nature, community, and aspiration. The data supports it; the streets live it; and your video gives it a face.

If you’re seriously exploring Camas as your next home — for your family, kids, and peace of mind — I'd love to walk through neighborhoods, schools, and homes with you. Let’s turn your move into a confident step forward.

📞 Contact me anytime:
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 360-213-6787
Website: petercutilehomes.com

Let’s find a Camas home you love.