Rainier, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rainier, Washington had a total population of 2,455, the 289th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $106,019, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rainier Quick Facts
How Rainier 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 | 2,499 | 2,455 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $101,644 | $106,019 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $388,900 | $425,900 | +9.5% |
How Rainier 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+)
Rainier Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Thurston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | 11.6% | $457,100 |
| Olympia | 55,951 | $81,302 | 14.0% | $486,200 |
| Tumwater | 26,956 | $95,212 | 7.0% | $472,200 |
| Yelm | 11,102 | $90,750 | 6.0% | $455,300 |
| Tanglewilde | 6,314 | $100,714 | 7.0% | $444,900 |
| Rochester | 5,834 | $99,286 | 16.3% | $445,300 |
| Grand Mound | 3,287 | $72,426 | 7.3% | $411,400 |
| North Yelm | 2,522 | $73,725 | 2.1% | $384,500 |
| Tenino | 2,025 | $82,639 | 11.6% | $369,000 |
| Nisqually Indian Community | 628 | $73,750 | 17.5% | $310,000 |
Cities Similar to Rainier
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Bar | 2,390 | $100,729 | $455,400 | 15.6% | 12.0% |
| Burley | 2,443 | $118,047 | $678,100 | 42.8% | 5.7% |
| Summitview | 2,321 | $105,184 | $409,600 | 32.7% | 5.6% |
| Allyn | 2,404 | $97,716 | $545,100 | 29.2% | 1.4% |
| Big Lake | 2,326 | $109,286 | $666,400 | 36.3% | 5.1% |
Population Overview
Rainier is a small community located in Washington, within Thurston County. The total population is 2,455. It ranks as the 289th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rainier is 36.3 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Rainier has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rainier is $106,019. This is 8% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 31% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $425,900. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 85.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rainier is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.5%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.9%.
Education
22.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rainier, 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 Rainier, Washington?
Rainier, Washington has a population of 2,455 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rainier, WA?
The median household income in Rainier is $106,019, which is 31% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rainier, WA?
The poverty rate in Rainier is 14.6%. This means approximately 342 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rainier, Washington?
Rainier's population is 84.0% White, 0.3% Black, 11.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rainier, WA?
The median home value in Rainier is $425,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Rainier, Washington?
22.4% of adults (25+) in Rainier hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.