University Place city, Washington Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

University Place city is a mid-sized community located in Washington. The total population is 34,850. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 631 cities and towns in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in University Place city is 38.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in University Place city is $94,952. This is about average than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $578,100. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 63.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in University Place city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (7.2% vs 3.8%).

Education

43.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% higher 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 95.8%. Notably, 19.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for University Place 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.