Jefferson County, Washington Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jefferson County is located in Washington with a total population of 33,313. It is the 27th most populous county out of 39 in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jefferson County is 59.5 years. This is 56% higher than the state median of 38.2 years. Only 11.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jefferson County is $71,143. This is 25% lower than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $495,100. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 79.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 63.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Jefferson County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 14.1%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 9.3%.

Education

43.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Jefferson County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.1%. Notably, 19.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.