Rank #13 by Population · Updated April 2026
Washington Population 2026
The population of Washington is 7,740,984 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 13th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $94,952, the median home value is $519,800, and the median age is 38.2.
Washington's population has grown 596.9% since 1910 (1,141,990 → 7,958,180).
7,740,984
Population
116
People / sq mi
$94,952
Median Income
38.2
Median Age
Washington covers 66,455 sq mi of land at a density of 116.5 people per square mile.
About Washington
Remote work is unusually prominent in Washington: 17.7% of workers primarily work from home, above the 14.0% national rate. Washington is a US state with a population of 7,740,984. It ranks #13 among US states by population.
Median household income is $94,952, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty is relatively low for US states at 6.4%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $519,800, with typical rent around $1,682.
College attainment is above the local norm at 38.8%, above the national 35.0%. Working from home is common here: 17.7% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Washington — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Washington, #13 by population
Washington Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Washington had a population of 1,141,990 in 1910 and 7,958,180 in 2024, a 7.0× growth over 114 years. The peak was 7,958,180 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.48%.
7,958,180
Population (2024)
1,141,990
Population (1910)
7,958,180
Peak (2024)
1.48%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,141,990 |
| 1920 | 1,356,621 |
| 1930 | 1,563,396 |
| 1940 | 1,736,191 |
| 1950 | 2,378,963 |
| 1960 | 2,853,214 |
| 1970 | 3,409,169 |
| 1980 | 4,132,156 |
| 1990 | 4,866,692 |
| 2000 | 5,894,121 |
| 2010 | 6,724,540 |
| 2020 | 7,705,281 |
| 2020 | 7,727,209 |
| 2021 | 7,743,760 |
| 2022 | 7,794,123 |
| 2023 | 7,857,320 |
| 2024 | 7,958,180 |
Age Distribution
Male: 50.4% · Female: 49.6%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 67.8% |
| Black or African American | 4.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 1.2% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.3% |
Economy & Income
$94,952
Median Household Income
$51,493
Per Capita Income
6.4%
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Unemployment Rate
$129,559
Mean Household Income
60.5%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Washington's overall price level is 107.0 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 7.0% higher the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Washington's median household income of $94,952 has the buying power of $88,729 in average-priced areas.
107.0
Price Level (US = 100)
$88,729
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$94,952
Nominal Median Income
Education
92.2%
High School Graduate+
38.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
83,333
Live Births (2022)
10.8
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
68.3%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 72.9% |
| Black or African American | 5.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20.6% |
Housing
$519,800
Median Home Value
$1,682
Median Rent
3,262,667
Total Housing Units
63.9%
Owner-Occupied
36.1%
Renter-Occupied
7.4%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
79.0% of Washington residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Washington:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 256,250 | 3.51% |
| 2 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 59,722 | 0.82% |
| 3 | Vietnamese | 39,857 | 0.55% |
| 4 | Korean | 27,517 | 0.38% |
| 5 | Polish | 26,174 | 0.36% |
| 6 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 19,983 | 0.27% |
| 7 | Greek | 16,479 | 0.23% |
| 8 | Amharic, Somali, or other Afro-Asiatic | 16,101 | 0.22% |
| 9 | Japanese | 8,862 | 0.12% |
| 10 | Arabic | 8,584 | 0.12% |
Commute
4.0%
Drive Alone
3.1%
Carpool
17.7%
Work From Home
27.0 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Washington
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | 741,440 |
| 2 | Spokane | 229,228 |
| 3 | Tacoma | 220,482 |
| 4 | Vancouver | 192,696 |
| 5 | Bellevue | 151,199 |
| 6 | Kent | 135,015 |
| 7 | Everett | 111,083 |
| 8 | Spokane Valley | 105,460 |
| 9 | Renton | 105,279 |
| 10 | Federal Way | 99,232 |
| 11 | Yakima | 96,810 |
| 12 | Bellingham | 92,367 |
| 13 | Kirkland | 91,614 |
| 14 | Auburn | 85,455 |
| 15 | Kennewick | 84,389 |
| 16 | Pasco | 78,446 |
| 17 | Redmond | 75,721 |
| 18 | Marysville | 71,570 |
| 19 | South Hill | 68,161 |
| 20 | Sammamish | 66,375 |
Counties in Washington
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King County | 2,262,713 | $122,148 |
| 2 | Pierce County | 924,106 | $96,632 |
| 3 | Snohomish County | 834,648 | $107,982 |
| 4 | Spokane County | 544,323 | $73,513 |
| 5 | Clark County | 510,516 | $94,948 |
| 6 | Thurston County | 296,640 | $93,985 |
| 7 | Kitsap County | 276,581 | $98,546 |
| 8 | Yakima County | 256,605 | $68,015 |
| 9 | Whatcom County | 228,432 | $80,989 |
| 10 | Benton County | 210,224 | $87,316 |
| 11 | Skagit County | 130,407 | $85,474 |
| 12 | Cowlitz County | 111,539 | $72,932 |
| 13 | Grant County | 100,428 | $71,115 |
| 14 | Franklin County | 97,676 | $82,755 |
| 15 | Island County | 86,747 | $88,358 |
| 16 | Lewis County | 83,925 | $69,690 |
| 17 | Chelan County | 79,518 | $78,306 |
| 18 | Clallam County | 77,593 | $67,999 |
| 19 | Grays Harbor County | 76,397 | $63,539 |
| 20 | Mason County | 66,968 | $78,359 |
Compare Washington
Rankings for Washington
Read more about Washington
A complete guide to Washington demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Washington Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Washington
Congressional districts in Washington
Largest school districts in Washington
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
Washington has a population of 7,740,984 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 13th-most populous state in the United States.
Washington is gaining population, with a +596.9% change over the available historical Census record. Washington's population has grown 596.9% since 1910 (1,141,990 → 7,958,180).
The median household income in Washington is $94,952, with a per capita income of $51,493. 6.4% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
67.8% of Washington's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 4.0% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 3.3% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Washington is 67.8% White, 4.0% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 3.3% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Washington is 38.2 years. The population is 50.4% male and 49.6% female.
Washington's population has grown 596.9% since 1910 (1,141,990 → 7,958,180).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Washington's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.