Tacoma, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tacoma, Washington had a total population of 222,758, the 3rd largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $85,884, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Tacoma is the 3rd largest city in Washington with a population of 222,758.
Tacoma Quick Facts
How Tacoma 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 | 220,482 | 222,758 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $85,884 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $454,600 | $479,600 | +5.5% |
How Tacoma 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+)
Tacoma Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Pierce County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Fort Lewis | 15,167 | $58,796 | 13.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Tacoma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane | 230,293 | $70,064 | $363,500 | 33.9% | 13.8% |
| Vancouver | 195,300 | $81,338 | $462,400 | 32.4% | 10.2% |
| Kent | 135,603 | $92,302 | $587,800 | 29.8% | 10.8% |
| Everett | 111,845 | $83,512 | $565,300 | 28.8% | 12.9% |
| Bellevue | 151,847 | $165,576 | $1,340,300 | 72.1% | 7.2% |
Population Overview
Tacoma is a major urban center located in Washington, within Pierce County. The total population is 222,758. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tacoma is 37.2 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tacoma is $85,884. This is 12% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $479,600. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 55.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tacoma is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.3% vs 3.9%).
Education
34.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, Washington?
Tacoma, Washington has a population of 222,758 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tacoma, WA?
The median household income in Tacoma is $85,884, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tacoma, WA?
The poverty rate in Tacoma is 12.4%. This means approximately 27,045 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tacoma, Washington?
Tacoma's population is 55.6% White, 9.3% Black, 13.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tacoma, WA?
The median home value in Tacoma is $479,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Tacoma, Washington?
34.5% of adults (25+) in Tacoma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.