Elk Plain, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elk Plain, Washington had a total population of 14,276, the 95th largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $107,313, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elk Plain Quick Facts
How Elk Plain 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 | 13,863 | 14,276 | +3.0% |
| Median household income | $101,250 | $107,313 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $440,300 | $473,500 | +7.5% |
How Elk Plain 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+)
Elk Plain Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Pierce County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma | 222,758 | $85,884 | 12.4% | $479,600 |
| South Hill | 68,025 | $113,130 | 7.2% | $543,600 |
| Lakewood | 62,937 | $74,720 | 13.2% | $461,200 |
| Puyallup | 42,746 | $97,826 | 7.0% | $551,800 |
| Parkland | 38,742 | $72,239 | 13.0% | $423,000 |
| Graham | 35,079 | $116,862 | 5.9% | $516,700 |
| University Place | 34,911 | $99,031 | 8.2% | $624,800 |
| Spanaway | 34,019 | $98,251 | 8.8% | $445,700 |
| Frederickson | 25,383 | $109,500 | 5.7% | $477,400 |
| Bonney Lake | 22,090 | $136,845 | 4.5% | $607,900 |
Cities Similar to Elk Plain
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland South | 13,100 | $110,735 | $589,300 | 28.2% | 6.2% |
| Ridgefield | 13,408 | $116,389 | $613,500 | 38.9% | 5.7% |
| Lakeland North | 15,950 | $105,216 | $557,000 | 26.4% | 14.4% |
| Edgewood | 13,032 | $116,132 | $712,000 | 33.6% | 4.6% |
| White Center | 14,886 | $87,189 | $645,200 | 35.9% | 14.5% |
Population Overview
Elk Plain is a small city located in Washington, within Pierce County. The total population is 14,276. It ranks as the 95th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elk Plain is 38.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elk Plain is $107,313. This is 9% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 33% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $473,500. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 84.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elk Plain is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.1%. The Asian population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
17.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower 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 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elk Plain, 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 Elk Plain, Washington?
Elk Plain, Washington has a population of 14,276 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elk Plain, WA?
The median household income in Elk Plain is $107,313, which is 33% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elk Plain, WA?
The poverty rate in Elk Plain is 8.3%. This means approximately 1,186 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elk Plain, Washington?
Elk Plain's population is 69.2% White, 4.1% Black, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elk Plain, WA?
The median home value in Elk Plain is $473,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Elk Plain, Washington?
17.5% of adults (25+) in Elk Plain hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.