Cottage Lake, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cottage Lake, Washington had a total population of 22,518, the 62nd largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $213,106, which is 117% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 117% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Washington.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in Washington.
- 67.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Washington.
Cottage Lake Quick Facts
How Cottage Lake Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,170 | 22,518 | -2.8% |
| Median household income | $197,331 | $213,106 | +8.0% |
| Median home value | $1,164,000 | $1,230,700 | +5.7% |
How Cottage Lake Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cottage Lake Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in King County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 754,195 | $123,860 | 9.9% | $938,600 |
| Bellevue | 151,847 | $165,576 | 7.2% | $1,340,300 |
| Kent | 135,603 | $92,302 | 10.8% | $587,800 |
| Renton | 105,317 | $100,432 | 8.1% | $672,600 |
| Federal Way | 99,493 | $86,909 | 13.0% | $552,800 |
| Kirkland | 92,621 | $150,414 | 6.1% | $1,115,400 |
| Auburn | 85,676 | $97,884 | 8.9% | $547,900 |
| Redmond | 77,353 | $162,560 | 5.6% | $1,167,800 |
| Sammamish | 66,463 | $239,690 | 4.3% | $1,407,300 |
| Shoreline | 61,431 | $112,751 | 8.8% | $811,100 |
Cities Similar to Cottage Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Hill-Novelty Hill | 23,047 | $185,369 | $1,218,500 | 71.7% | 5.7% |
| Mercer Island | 25,307 | $219,069 | $2,000,000+ | 81.5% | 3.8% |
| Silver Firs | 22,306 | $163,418 | $859,900 | 51.9% | 5.9% |
| Mill Creek East | 25,453 | $192,937 | $905,400 | 67.6% | 4.1% |
| Bothell West | 22,029 | $153,449 | $824,900 | 56.1% | 3.0% |
Population Overview
Cottage Lake is a small city located in Washington, within King County. The total population is 22,518. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cottage Lake is 44.2 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cottage Lake is $213,106. This is 117% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 164% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 67% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,230,700. Housing costs are 118% higher than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 91.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottage Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.1%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 14.4%.
Education
67.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cottage Lake in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.9%. Notably, 26.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottage Lake, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cottage Lake, Washington?
Cottage Lake, Washington has a population of 22,518 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottage Lake, WA?
The median household income in Cottage Lake is $213,106, which is 164% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cottage Lake, WA?
The poverty rate in Cottage Lake is 3.2%. This means approximately 729 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottage Lake, Washington?
Cottage Lake's population is 76.4% White, 0.2% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottage Lake, WA?
The median home value in Cottage Lake is $1,230,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Cottage Lake, Washington?
67.8% of adults (25+) in Cottage Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.