King County, Washington Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 1st-largest in Washington
The population of King County, Washington is 2,262,713 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 1st-largest county in Washington. The median household income is $122,148, the median home value is $811,200, and the median age is 37.3.
The population of King County has grown 20.7% since 2010 (1,938,431 → 2,340,211), a +1.35% annualized rate.
2,262,713
Population
+1.35%
Annual growth
1069
People / sq mi
$122,148
Median Income
$811,200
Median Home Value
King County covers 2,116 sq mi of land at 1069.5 people per square mile.
About King County, WA
Remote work is unusually prominent in King County: 26.2% of workers primarily work from home, above the 14.0% national rate. With 2,262,713 residents, King County is a county in Washington. It is the #1-largest of all counties in Washington nationally.
Income is a real outlier — the median household pulls in $122,148, putting King County near the top of US counties. The poverty rate, 5.1%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $811,200, with typical rent around $2,035.
King County is among the best-educated US counties: 55.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. An unusually large 26.2% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in King County — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
King County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of King County had a population of 1,938,431 in 2010 and 2,340,211 in 2024, a 20.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 2,340,211 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.36%.
2,340,211
Population (2024)
1,938,431
Population (2010)
2,340,211
Peak (2024)
1.36%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,938,431 |
| 2011 | 1,974,499 |
| 2012 | 2,011,708 |
| 2013 | 2,047,967 |
| 2014 | 2,086,174 |
| 2015 | 2,127,372 |
| 2016 | 2,167,863 |
| 2017 | 2,205,001 |
| 2018 | 2,228,488 |
| 2019 | 2,249,653 |
| 2020 | 2,274,349 |
| 2021 | 2,253,242 |
| 2022 | 2,271,238 |
| 2023 | 2,296,813 |
| 2024 | 2,340,211 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 56.7% |
| Black or African American | 6.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Age & Sex
37.3
Median Age
49.3%
Female
50.7%
Male
13.7%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 16.5% · Seniors (65+): 13.7%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $122,148+$27,196 vs state |
| Mean household income | $170,405 |
| Per-capita income | $71,062 |
| Poverty rate | 5.1%-1.3% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% |
| Employment-to-population | 66.8% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in King County is finance & real estate, accounting for 22.0% of workers.
How residents commute
8.0%
Drive alone
4.3%
Carpool
51.8%
Public transit
26.2%
Work from home
28.1 min
Avg commute
Housing
$811,200+$291,400 vs state
Median home value
$2,035
Median rent
56.1%
Homeownership rate
988,330
Total housing units
93.9%
Occupied
6.1%
Vacant
43.9%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
94.8%
With health insurance
97.8%
With broadband internet
33.9%
Foreign-born
4.7%
Veterans (18+)
10.2%
With a disability
69.9%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
93.8%
High School+
55.9%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Washington
Other counties in Washington
Part of Washington
Metro areas in Washington
County rankings
Common questions about King County, WA
Frequently Asked Questions
King County, Washington has a population of 2,262,713 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 1st-largest county in Washington. Population density is 1069 people per square mile.
The population of King County has grown 20.7% since 2010 (1,938,431 → 2,340,211), a +1.35% annualized rate.
The median household income in King County, Washington is $122,148, with mean (average) household income of $170,405 and per-capita income of $71,062. 5.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In King County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (56.7%), Black or African American (6.5%), Hispanic or Latino (2.3%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in King County, Washington is 37.3 years. Residents are 49.3% female and 50.7% male.
The median home value in King County is $811,200 and median monthly rent is $2,035. 56.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 988,330 total housing units, 6.1% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in King County, Washington is finance, insurance, and real estate, employing 22.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.
Seattle is among the largest cities associated with King County, Washington, with a population of 741,440.
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Statewide data for Washington
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Washington
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.