Prairie Heights, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prairie Heights, Washington had a total population of 4,998, the 195th largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $130,640, which is 33% 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 33% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Washington.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in Washington.
Prairie Heights Quick Facts
How Prairie Heights 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 | 4,817 | 4,998 | +3.8% |
| Median household income | $129,438 | $130,640 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $485,800 | $500,200 | +3.0% |
How Prairie Heights 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Prairie Heights 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 Prairie Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckley | 5,371 | $124,583 | $574,100 | 23.1% | 9.3% |
| Chain Lake | 4,950 | $161,286 | $873,000 | 41.2% | 2.8% |
| Wauna | 4,805 | $103,250 | $503,300 | 29.7% | 6.0% |
| Maplewood | 5,803 | $135,943 | $708,300 | 53.6% | 5.6% |
| Granite Falls | 4,659 | $105,136 | $562,700 | 25.5% | 3.4% |
Population Overview
Prairie Heights is a small community located in Washington, within Pierce County. The total population is 4,998. It ranks as the 195th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prairie Heights is 41.1 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Prairie Heights is $130,640. This is 33% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 62% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 68% 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 4.6%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $500,200. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 96.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Prairie Heights is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.6%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prairie Heights, 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 Prairie Heights, Washington?
Prairie Heights, Washington has a population of 4,998 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prairie Heights, WA?
The median household income in Prairie Heights is $130,640, which is 62% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prairie Heights, WA?
The poverty rate in Prairie Heights is 3.2%. This means approximately 159 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prairie Heights, Washington?
Prairie Heights's population is 82.0% White, 0.0% Black, 10.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prairie Heights, WA?
The median home value in Prairie Heights is $500,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Prairie Heights, Washington?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Prairie Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.