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Demographics

Explore demographic reports and analysis of King County and unincorporated areas. See data on employment, income, and housing.

2020 statistics


King County

Our county is the 12th most populous county in the United States. King County has a total land area of 2,130 square miles (1,363,200 acres). About 90% of King County's population lives in cities, while about 246,000 residents live in the unincorporated area.

Demographics

  • Population
    • 1990 census: 1,507,306
    • 2000 census: 1,737,046
    • 2010 census: 1,931,249
    • 2020 census: 2,269,675
  • Population growth
    • 1990-2000: 15%
    • 2000-2010: 11%
    • 2010-2020: 18%
    • Households, 2020 Census: 917,800
  • Average Household Size, 2020 Census: 2.42
  • Housing Growth Target for 2019-2044: 308,700

2018 ACS Age Structure
17 and under  449,200   20% 
18 - 64 1,482,600  67%
65 and over  293,200  13%

 

2020 Census Race and Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 1,230,600  54%
Black and African American:  147,800 7%
Asian 449,700 20%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander 19,400 1%
Native American and races not listed 25,300 1%
Hispanic and Latinx* 243,000 11% 
Multiracial 153,800 7%

* Persons of Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity can be of any race.

Employment and income

  • 2021 workplaces 66,000
  • Median household income
  • 1999 (2000 Census): $65,290
  • 2020 (ACS): $99,200
  • 2020 total jobs: 1,430,900
    • Construction/Resources: 77,700
    • Wholesale, Transportation, Utilities: 115,400
    • Manufacturing: 101,000
    • Retail: 163,500
    • Financial Institutions and Real Estate: 69,600
    • Services: 727,300
    • Government: 96,300
    • Education: 80,200

Households by Income Category, 2018:
0 - 50% 188,000 22%
50 - 80%; 88,900 10%
80 - 100% 75,100 9%
100% + 495,300 58%
Total Households 847,400  100%

Housing

  • 2020 housing unit estimate: 969,234
    • Single family (including mobile homes): 55%
    • Multifamily: 55%
  • 2000 Census Median House Value: $240,000;
  • 2020 ACS Survey Median House Value: $601,100
  • 2000 Census Median 2-Bedroom Rental: $790
  • 2020 ACS Median 2-Bedroom Rental: $1,770
  • 2020-21 Total New Residential Units: 15,220
    • Single family (including mobile homes): 2,200
    • Multifamily: 13,030

Sources

  • 2010 and 2000 US Census of Population and Housing; US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2016-20
  • US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, CHAS data 2014-18
  • WA Office of Financial Management April 1st Population & Housing Estimates, 2021
  • Puget Sound Regional Council tally of jobs covered by state unemployment insurance, from Washington State Employment Security Department

Unincorporated King County

Our unincorporated county has a total land area of 1,713 square miles (1,096,200 acres). About half of unincorporated King County's 246,000 people live in urban areas of western King County.

Demographics

  • Population
    • 1990 census: 513,298
    • 2000 census: 349,234
    • 2010 census: 325,002
    • 2020 census: 246,300
  • Population growth
    • 1990-2000: -32%
    • 2000-2010: -7%
    • 2010-2020: -24%
    • Households, 2020 Census: 88,200
  • Average Household Size, 2020 Census: 2.78
  • Housing Growth Target for 2019-2044: 5,400

2018 ACS Age Structure
17 and under 74,700 24%
18 - 64 193,500 63%
65 and over 40,300 13%

 

2020 Census Race and Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 157,400 64%
Black and African American:  12,600 5%
Asian 31,500 13%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander 1,400 1%
Native American and races not listed 3,800 2%
Hispanic and Latinx* 22,900 9% 
Multiracial 16,700 7%

* Persons of Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity can be of any race.

Employment and income

  • 2021 workplaces 4,100
  • Median household income
  • 1999 (2000 Census): $65,290
  • 2020 (ACS): $105,000
  • 2020 total jobs: 40,000
    • Construction/Resources: 6,600
    • Wholesale, Transportation, Utilities: 2,600
    • Manufacturing: 2,100
    • Retail: 2,400
    • Financial Institutions and Real Estate: 800
    • Services: 15,400
    • Government: 4,000
    • Education: 6,100

Households by Income Category, 2018:
0 - 50% 13,500 19%
50 - 80%; 7,600 11%
80 - 100% 6,400 9%
100% + 43,700 61%
Total Households 71,200

Housing

  • 2020 housing unit estimate: 92,934
    • Single family (including mobile homes): 91%
    • Multifamily: 9%
  • 2000 Census Median House Value: $240,000;
  • 2020 ACS Survey Median House Value: $508,350
  • 2000 Census Median 2-Bedroom Rental: $790
  • 2020 ACS Median 2-Bedroom Rental: $1,650
  • 2020-21 Total New Residential Units: 530
    • Single family (including mobile homes): 340
    • Multifamily: 190

Sources

  • 2010 and 2000 US Census of Population and Housing; US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2016-20
  • US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, CHAS data 2014-18
  • WA Office of Financial Management April 1st Population & Housing Estimates, 2021
  • Puget Sound Regional Council tally of jobs covered by state unemployment insurance, from Washington State Employment Security Department
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