Kirkland, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kirkland, Washington had a total population of 92,621, the 13th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $150,414, which is 53% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Washington.
- 66.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Washington.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
Kirkland Quick Facts
How Kirkland 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 | 91,614 | 92,621 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $143,533 | $150,414 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $1,022,500 | $1,115,400 | +9.1% |
How Kirkland 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kirkland 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 |
| 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 |
| Burien | 51,513 | $91,318 | 12.9% | $638,800 |
Cities Similar to Kirkland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmond | 77,353 | $162,560 | $1,167,800 | 75.3% | 5.6% |
| Auburn | 85,676 | $97,884 | $547,900 | 25.6% | 8.9% |
| Renton | 105,317 | $100,432 | $672,600 | 39.5% | 8.1% |
| Federal Way | 99,493 | $86,909 | $552,800 | 30.8% | 13.0% |
| Bellingham | 93,438 | $66,755 | $627,500 | 48.5% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Kirkland is a mid-sized community located in Washington, within King County. The total population is 92,621. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kirkland is 38.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kirkland is $150,414. This is 53% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 86% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.1%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,115,400. Housing costs are 98% higher than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kirkland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 19.3%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (19.3% vs 9.7%).
Education
66.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Kirkland in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 67% 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 97.4%. Notably, 27.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, Washington?
Kirkland, Washington has a population of 92,621 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kirkland, WA?
The median household income in Kirkland is $150,414, which is 86% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kirkland, WA?
The poverty rate in Kirkland is 6.1%. This means approximately 5,563 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kirkland, Washington?
Kirkland's population is 62.3% White, 1.8% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 19.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kirkland, WA?
The median home value in Kirkland is $1,115,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is Kirkland, Washington?
66.3% of adults (25+) in Kirkland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.