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Tacoma city, Washington Demographics & Population 2026

3rd Largest3rd most populous city in Washington

As of 2026, Tacoma city, Washington has a total population of 220,482, the 3rd largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $83,857, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.

Key Takeaways

Tacoma city Quick Facts

Population 220,482
Median Household Income $83,857
Median Home Value $454,600
Poverty Rate 12.0%
Unemployment Rate 5.3%
Median Age 37.3 years
Homeownership Rate 56.5%
Affordability Ratio 5.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 33.5%
High School Graduation Rate 91.3%
Diversity Index 63/100
Population 220,482 3rd of 631
Median Income $83,857 average
Poverty Rate 12.0% 3% lower national
Median Home Value $454,600 average

How Tacoma city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.0% | National: 5.2%
66.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 56.5%
Renter 43.5%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.4x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

63out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 55 | National average: 60

Education

Tacoma city Rankings in Washington

#3 Population of 631
#289 Median Income of 631
#193 Education of 631
#243 Home Value of 631

Cities Similar to Tacoma city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Spokane city229,228$65,745$326,20032.6%14.6%
Vancouver city192,696$78,156$440,30031.5%11.1%
Kent city135,015$90,416$537,50029.4%10.6%
Everett city111,083$81,502$532,30028.9%12.1%
Bellevue city151,199$161,300$1,203,10071.4%7.3%

Population Overview

Tacoma city is a major urban center located in Washington. The total population is 220,482. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 631 cities and towns in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in Tacoma city is 37.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Tacoma city is $83,857. This is 12% lower than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 7% higher. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $454,600. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 56.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 63.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Tacoma city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (10.0% vs 3.8%).

Education

33.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% lower 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 91.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Tacoma city, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 631 Census-designated places in Washington. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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 Tacoma city, Washington?

Tacoma city, Washington has a population of 220,482 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Tacoma city, WA?

The median household income in Tacoma city is $83,857, which is 7% higher the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Tacoma city, WA?

The poverty rate in Tacoma city is 12.0%. This means approximately 26,004 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Tacoma city, Washington?

Tacoma city's population is 56.1% White, 10.0% Black, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Tacoma city, WA?

The median home value in Tacoma city is $454,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.

How educated is Tacoma city, Washington?

33.5% of adults (25+) in Tacoma city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.