Washington State population: who lives there and how it grows

Washington State had 8,001,020 residents on July 1, 2025, the first July 1 estimate to pass 8.0 million, and larger than every bordering state (Idaho and Oregon). It holds 2.34%¹ of the US population. This page covers the state of Washington as a whole, not Washington, DC; it has no figures for cities or counties. Population figures for places such as Spokane, Walla Walla or Yelm are published in the Census Bureau's QuickFacts.

Growth carried by arrivals from abroad

The state gained 73,062 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, up from 7,927,958 to 8,001,020. The growth rate, 0.92%, was 0.4 percentage points above the US figure (0.52%) and the 7th highest¹ of the 50 states and DC.

Births+83,368

Deaths−66,138

Net domestic migration+9,238

Net international migration+46,202

Residual (estimation adjustment)+392

Total change+73,062

Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025. Each bar starts where the previous one ended. The residual is the part of the change the Census Bureau cannot assign to a component.

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Component	People
Births	83,368
Deaths	−66,138
Net domestic migration	9,238
Net international migration	46,202
Residual (estimation adjustment)	392
Total change	73,062

Most of that growth came from net international migration: 46,202 more people arrived from abroad than left, 63% of the total. Births minus deaths added 17,230 (24%) and moves from other states 9,238 (13%¹).

Relative to population, the inflow from abroad was 5.8 per 1,000 residents, 57% above the US figure (3.7 per 1,000 residents) and the 2nd highest rate in the country, behind only Florida (7.7 per 1,000 residents). It was the highest in the West¹.

Florida7.7

Washington5.8

District of Columbia5.7

Massachusetts5.6

New Jersey5.6

Rhode Island5.3

Texas5.3

New York4.8

Connecticut4.8

Virginia4.6

Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025. Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

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State	Net international migration rate per 1,000
Florida	7.7
Washington	5.8
District of Columbia	5.7
Massachusetts	5.6
New Jersey	5.6
Rhode Island	5.3
Texas	5.3
New York	4.8
Connecticut	4.8
Virginia	4.6

Natural increase is a second, smaller and steadier source. Washington recorded 83,368 births and 66,138 deaths in the year to June 2025. The birth rate, 10.5 per 1,000 residents, is close to the national rate (1% below the US figure (10.6 per 1,000 residents)); the death rate, 8.3 per 1,000 residents, is 9% below the US figure (9.1 per 1,000 residents) and lower than every bordering state (Idaho and Oregon). Washington is one of 33 states, plus the District of Columbia, that recorded more births than deaths in the year to June 2025, with the 8th highest¹ natural increase.

What percent of Washington is white?

The answer depends on the definition. Four official figures answer the question in different ways:

Counting everyone who reported white as their only race, Hispanic or not, 72.4% of residents were white on July 1, 2025. That is almost the same as the US share: 0.1 percentage points above the US figure (72.3%). Leaving out white Hispanic residents gives 60.8%, 4.7 percentage points above the US figure (56.1%). Washington sits above the nation on the second measure but not the first because a smaller share of its residents are Hispanic: 15.5% in the estimates, 5.0 percentage points below the US figure (20.5%)⁹. The American Community Survey, which uses a different method, puts the non-Hispanic white share at 59.3% (±0.1 percentage points²) in 2025, and at 75.7%¹⁰ when people who are white and another race are included.

The share is falling. In the population estimates the non-Hispanic white share was down from 65.1% in 2020; in the survey it was down from 61.5% in 2024². It is lower than every bordering state (Idaho and Oregon)⁹.

Single group (adds to 100%)Alone or in combination with other races

White, not Hispanic59.3% 75.7%

Hispanic or Latino (any race)15.5%

Asian, not Hispanic11.0% 14.6%

Two or more races, not Hispanic7.7%

Black, not Hispanic4.0% 6.4%

American Indian and Alaska Native, not Hispanic1.0% 4.5%

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, not Hispanic0.9% 1.7%

Some other race, not Hispanic0.5%

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B03002; Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B02009. The dark bars are mutually exclusive and add to 100%. The light bars count everyone who reported the race, alone or with another race and of any ethnicity, so they overlap and add to more than 100%.

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Group	Share (single group)	MOE	Alone or in combination
White, not Hispanic	59.3%	±0.1	75.7%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	15.5%		–
Asian, not Hispanic	11.0%	±0.1	14.6%
Two or more races, not Hispanic	7.7%	±0.2	–
Black, not Hispanic	4.0%	±0.1	6.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native, not Hispanic	1.0%	±0.1	4.5%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, not Hispanic	0.9%	±0.1	1.7%
Some other race, not Hispanic	0.5%	±0.1	–

Hispanic or Latino residents of any race are the second-largest group, at 15.5% in the 2025 survey, 5.0 percentage points below the US figure (20.5%)²; the share was up from 13.8% in 2020⁹ in the population estimates. Mexican origin is by far the most common: 10.8%¹² of all residents reported it in 2020–2024.

Black residents make up a smaller share than in most states: 4.0% were non-Hispanic Black in 2025 (±0.1 percentage points), 7.7 percentage points below the US figure (11.7%)². Counting people who are Black alone or with another race, the share is 6.4%, higher than every bordering state (Idaho and Oregon)¹¹.

Multiracial identity is common. People reporting two or more races are 7.6% of the population in the estimates, the 5th highest⁹ share in the country. The Census Bureau's diversity index, the probability that two residents differ in race or ethnicity, puts Washington at 60.4, 20th most diverse and more diverse than every bordering state (Idaho and Oregon)¹³.

Asian and Pacific Islander communities

Washington has the 3rd highest Asian share of any state, after Hawaii and California: 11.8% of residents were Asian alone in July 2025, up from 9.8% in 2020⁹. Including people who are Asian and another race, the 2025 survey puts the share at 14.6%, 6.4 percentage points above the US figure (8.1%)¹⁴.

No single origin dominates. In the 2025 survey the two largest groups were Asian Indian residents, 201,700 (±12,606), and Chinese residents other than Taiwanese, 193,260 (±10,790); their margins of error overlap, so the survey cannot say which is larger. The 2020–2024 five-year data, which compare all states on the same basis, ranked Chinese first, with 168,787, and Asian Indian second. Filipino residents (145,730) and Vietnamese residents (97,137¹⁵) follow. Washington has the 2nd highest Vietnamese share and the 2nd highest¹⁷ Taiwanese share among the states.

The Pacific Islander population is also among the largest relative to size: Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander residents were 1.0% of the state in 2025, a share that ranks tied for 4th highest⁹. In the 2020–2024 data the largest groups were Samoan (15,733) and Chamorro (10,123) residents; Washington has the 2nd highest Chamorro share and a Marshallese share that ranks tied for 3rd highest¹⁸ among the states.

Tribal nations and Native residents

The 2020 Census counted 81,416 people in Washington who reported American Indian as their only race, the 7th largest number of any state and 3.8% of the national total. Counting American Indian alone or with another race, the count was 218,638¹⁹. In the 2025 survey, 4.5% of residents were American Indian or Alaska Native alone or in combination, the 10th highest²⁰ share.

Among people who reported a single tribe and no other race, the largest American Indian groups were the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (7,104) and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (6,581), followed by the Lummi Tribe, the Cherokee, the Tulalip Tribes of Washington and the Puyallup Tribe of The Puyallup Reservation. The largest single-tribe group overall was Aztec (7,395), a Latin American Indian category. Counting people of more than one tribe or race, generic answers such as Cherokee (34,218¹⁹) lead the list. These are Census write-in categories; the counts overlap and should not be added together.

Moves to and from other states swung back to gains

Domestic migration has changed direction since 2020. Net moves between Washington and the other states came to −14,999 in the year to June 2021, −3,314 in 2022 and −17,511 in 2023, all net losses. The balance then turned positive: 1,728 in 2024 and 9,238 in 2025. Over the whole period from April 2020 to June 2025 the balance is still −12,979, set against 223,256¹ from abroad.

The Census Bureau's 2024 survey of movers shows how large the two-way traffic is: 221,646 people moved to Washington from another state and 204,242 left for one. California was the largest source of arrivals, with 43,938, statistically larger than the flow from Oregon. California was also the most common destination, with 26,956, followed by Oregon, Idaho and Arizona²¹.

Past moves show in where residents were born. Only 46.0% of Washingtonians were born in the state, 10.4 percentage points below the US figure (56.4%). Another 19.0% were born elsewhere in the West, 13.4 percentage points above the US figure (5.6%), against 6.7% in the Midwest, 6.1% in the South and 3.6%²² in the Northeast.

Climbing the census rankings since 1850

The 1850 census counted 1,201 people in the area that is now Washington, which ranked 38th of 38 among the present states with a count that year. The count reached 1,141,990 by 1910 and 2,378,963 by 1950, when the state ranked 23rd of 51. It moved up at most censuses after that: 18th of 51²³ in 1990, 15th of 51 in 2000 and 13th of 51⁶ in 2010 and 2020.

Source: Census Bureau, Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals by Race, 1790 to 1990; Census Bureau, 2020 Census apportionment results and historical resident population 1910-2020; Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025. Census counts every ten years (April 1); estimates for July 1 after 2020.

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Year	Washington
1850	1,201
1860	11,594
1870	23,955
1880	75,116
1890	357,232
1900	518,103
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
2021	7,744,316
2022	7,786,828
2023	7,838,655
2024	7,927,958
2025	8,001,020

Today's population is 3.4 times the 1950 count and 1.4 times¹ the 2000 count. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses the state grew 14.6%, 7.2 percentage points above the US figure (7.4%)⁶; its House delegation stayed at 10²⁴ seats after the 2020 Census.

Density and the urban share

With 120.4 people per square mile, Washington is the 24th most densely populated state, 24% above the US figure (96.7 people per square mile) and denser than every bordering state (Idaho and Oregon)²⁵. At the 2020 Census, 83.4% of residents lived in urban areas, 3.4 percentage points above the US figure (80.0%), and 16.6% in rural areas, lower than every bordering state (Idaho and Oregon)²⁶. The state covers 66,455 square miles of land; water makes up 6.8%²⁷ of its total area.

A large working-age majority

Adults aged 18 to 64 make up 61.3% of Washingtonians, the 6th highest share in the country and higher than every bordering state (Idaho and Oregon). Children under 18 are 20.4%, 0.6 percentage points below the US figure (21.1%), and residents 65 and older 18.3%, 0.7 percentage points below the US figure (18.9%)⁹.

MenWomenUnited States

MenWomen

85+

80–84

75–79

70–74

65–69

60–64

55–59

50–54

45–49

40–44

35–39

30–34

25–29

20–24

15–19

10–14

5–9

0–4

Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025. Share of the total population in each age group. Vertical ticks: the United States.

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Age	Men (%)	Women (%)	US men (%)	US women (%)
0-4	2.70	2.58	2.76	2.65
5-9	2.89	2.75	2.96	2.83
10-14	3.01	2.85	3.08	2.95
15-19	3.08	2.92	3.31	3.16
20-24	3.27	2.99	3.43	3.28
25-29	3.83	3.55	3.46	3.37
30-34	3.96	3.74	3.41	3.38
35-39	3.89	3.70	3.38	3.40
40-44	3.57	3.46	3.21	3.27
45-49	3.07	3.04	2.93	3.03
50-54	2.79	2.82	2.83	2.96
55-59	2.74	2.82	2.86	3.02
60-64	2.78	2.94	2.96	3.21
65-69	2.63	2.90	2.75	3.08
70-74	2.26	2.60	2.26	2.64
75-79	1.71	2.03	1.71	2.08
80-84	0.99	1.25	1.00	1.32
85+	0.74	1.14	0.78	1.28

One way to read that balance is the dependency ratio: children and older residents per 100 people of working age. Washington's ratio is 63.1, the 6th lowest⁹. The median age, 38.9 years (±0.1 years), is 0.6 years below the US figure (39.5 years), older than Idaho; younger than Oregon³.

The balance is shifting. Washington had 1,634,836 children in 2025, down from 1,689,492 in 2020, and 1,460,563 residents aged 65 and older, up from 1,260,439 in 2020. The total fertility rate was 1.48 births per woman in 2024, 7% below the US figure (1.60); it ranks tied for 10th lowest²⁸ among the states. Men and women are almost evenly balanced: there are 99.7 males per 100 females, 3% above the US figure (96.4)⁹.

High incomes, high prices

The median Washington household had income of $101,946 in 2025 (±$719), $17,166 (20%) above the US figure ($84,780). The point rank is 8th highest; allowing for the margins of error the state is between 5th and 8th⁴. Households with income of $200,000 or more made up 20.4%, the 7th highest share, while 10.9% had less than $25,000, the 6th lowest²⁹.

Prices take back part of that advantage. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts Washington's overall price level at 107.0 in 2024 (US = 100), the 6th most expensive, and its housing rent level at 126.0, 25% above the US figure (100.6). After adjusting for those prices, personal income per person was $64,421 in 2024, still $5,226 (9%) above the US figure ($59,195) and the 10th highest³⁰.

The official poverty rate was 10.3% in 2025 (±0.4 percentage points), 1.5 percentage points below the US figure (11.8%), and not statistically different from 9.9% in 2024. Child poverty, 12.7%, was up from 11.4% in 2024⁵, a statistically significant rise. The Supplemental Poverty Measure, which counts taxes and benefits and adjusts for local housing costs, gives 10.5% on average over 2023 to 2025, 2.5 percentage points below the US figure (13.0%)³¹.

Some of the highest home values

The median value of an owner-occupied home was $605,600 in 2025, the 5th most expensive of any state and $234,500 (63%) above the US figure ($371,100). Among owner-occupied homes, 19.3% were worth $1 million or more, against 8.6%³³ nationally. After inflation the median was down from $618,045 in 2024 (in 2025 dollars)³².

WashingtonUnited States

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2005-2019 and 2021-2025. ACS 1-year estimates; no standard 1-year release for 2020. Adjusted to 2025 dollars with the CPI-U annual average. Shaded band: 90% margin of error.

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Year	Washington	United States
2005	$375,353 ±$2,268	$276,116 ±$531
2006	$427,341 ±$4,332	$295,753 ±$781
2007	$467,057 ±$3,823	$301,692 ±$666
2008	$460,703 ±$3,580	$295,472 ±$677
2009	$430,984 ±$2,433	$277,919 ±$494
2010	$401,292 ±$2,504	$265,609 ±$431
2011	$366,828 ±$3,422	$248,464 ±$361
2012	$340,741 ±$2,103	$241,043 ±$360
2013	$346,602 ±$3,250	$240,327 ±$310
2014	$362,012 ±$2,743	$246,418 ±$458
2015	$385,761 ±$2,310	$264,192 ±$394
2016	$411,002 ±$3,447	$274,985 ±$626
2017	$445,246 ±$3,235	$285,798 ±$574
2018	$478,350 ±$2,600	$294,497 ±$469
2019	$488,096 ±$2,922	$302,856 ±$568
2021	$577,067 ±$3,459	$334,335 ±$537
2022	$626,494 ±$5,067	$353,015 ±$684
2023	$608,592 ±$4,102	$359,450 ±$603
2024	$618,045 ±$4,000	$370,088 ±$634
2025	$605,600 ±$4,205	$371,100 ±$646

Expressed in 2025 dollars, the median was $467,057 in 2007, $340,741³⁴ in 2012 and $605,600³² in 2025. Median gross rent was $1,873, the 6th most expensive³⁵. Only 62.8% of households own their home, a rate that ranks tied for 8th lowest³⁶. Few homes stand empty: 7.5% of units were vacant, the 7th lowest³⁷ share.

Non-denominational churches lead

Washington is one of only three states where non-denominational churches are the largest religious body. In the 2020 U.S. Religion Census they counted 1,103,660 adherents, 14.3% of residents, the highest in the nation. The Catholic Church was second (10.7%), and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints third, with 289,479 members, 3.8% of residents and the 9th highest³⁸ share among the states.

Christian congregations counted 39.4% of Washingtonians and all bodies together 41.3%³⁸, against 34.6%³⁹ in the 2010 study; non-denominational churches were counted far more thoroughly in 2020, so part of the rise reflects better coverage rather than growth. See religion across the states.

Homelessness and overdose deaths

On one night in January 2025, 31,721 people were experiencing homelessness in Washington, the 3rd most of any state after California and New York. Relative to population the rate was 39.8 per 10,000 residents, the 7th highest. More than half, 53.7%, were found outside shelters, 18.0 percentage points above the US figure (35.7%)⁴⁰.

The age-adjusted drug overdose death rate was 37.6 per 100,000, age-adjusted in 2024, 63% above the US figure (23.1 per 100,000, age-adjusted)⁴¹. Overall, though, Washington residents live longer than average: life expectancy at birth was 78.4 years in 2022, 0.9 years above the US figure (77.5 years); it ranks tied for 12th longest⁴².

Immigrants, languages and Nordic roots

In 2025, 1,329,131 residents, 16.6% of the population, were born outside the United States, the 10th highest share and 1.9 percentage points above the US figure (14.7%). Their origins differ from the national pattern: 46.1% were born in Asia, 14.2 percentage points above the US figure (31.9%), and 28.3% in Latin America, 22.0 percentage points below the US figure (50.3%)²². Naturalizations ran at 3.0 per 1,000 residents in fiscal 2024, a rate that ranks tied for 7th highest⁴³.

At home, 22.5% of residents aged 5 and older speak a language other than English, not statistically different from the US figure (22.9%). Spanish is the most common (9.3%⁴⁴). Russian speakers number 61,039, the 2nd highest share of any state, and Vietnamese speakers 74,958⁴⁵, also the 2nd highest⁴⁶.

Older European roots also stand out. In 2025, 287,563 residents reported Norwegian ancestry (3.6%), the 3rd largest number of any state, and 167,162 reported Swedish ancestry, the 4th largest⁴⁸. German (12.6%), English (10.8%) and Irish (8.9%⁴⁷) are the most commonly reported specific ancestries.

Work, schooling, health coverage and veterans

In 2025, 15.7% of workers did their jobs from home, the 5th highest share, and 5.0% took public transportation, the 7th highest⁴⁹. Unemployment averaged 4.7% in 2025, 0.4 percentage points above the US figure (4.3%), and was 4.8%⁵⁰ in September 2026.

Among adults 25 and older, 41.4% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 4.0 percentage points above the US figure (37.4%); the state ranks between 10th and 12th⁵¹. The public high school graduation rate for the class of 2021–22 was lower than nationally: 84%, 3.0 percentage points below the US figure (87%)⁵².

In 2025, 7.0% of residents had no health insurance, 1.4 percentage points below the US figure (8.4%) but up from 6.5% in 2024⁵³. The state has 434,198 veterans, 6.9% of civilian adults, 1.0 percentage points above the US figure (5.9%)⁵⁴; 33.7%⁵⁵ of them served after September 2001.