South Prairie, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Prairie, Washington had a total population of 309, the 525th largest town in Washington, with a median household income of $117,250, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in Washington.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
South Prairie Quick Facts
How South Prairie 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 | 371 | 309 | -16.7% |
| Median household income | $112,917 | $117,250 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $391,700 | $444,000 | +13.4% |
How South Prairie 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+)
South Prairie 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 South Prairie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Gardens | 309 | N/A | $517,900 | 23.1% | 5.5% |
| Lake Cavanaugh | 304 | $119,318 | $614,000 | 65.1% | 0.0% |
| Ashford | 319 | $113,686 | $357,700 | 45.2% | 0.0% |
| Green Bluff | 323 | $116,250 | $823,500 | 63.1% | 0.0% |
| Colton | 323 | $123,750 | $344,700 | 54.2% | 2.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 309, South Prairie's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
South Prairie is a small community located in Washington, within Pierce County. The total population is 309. It ranks as the 525th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Prairie is 38.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Prairie is $117,250. This is 19% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 45% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 71% 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 8.2%. This is 62% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $444,000. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 92.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Prairie is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.7%. The Asian population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 90.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Prairie, 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.
Free data download: Get all Washington city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of South Prairie, Washington?
South Prairie, Washington has a population of 309 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Prairie, WA?
The median household income in South Prairie is $117,250, which is 45% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Prairie, WA?
The poverty rate in South Prairie is 2.9%. This means approximately 9 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Prairie, Washington?
South Prairie's population is 77.3% White, 0.0% Black, 11.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Prairie, WA?
The median home value in South Prairie is $444,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is South Prairie, Washington?
16.9% of adults (25+) in South Prairie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.