University Place, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, University Place, Washington had a total population of 34,911, the 39th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $99,031, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
University Place Quick Facts
How University Place 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 | 34,850 | 34,911 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $94,952 | $99,031 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $578,100 | $624,800 | +8.1% |
How University Place 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+)
University Place 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 |
| 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 University Place
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanaway | 34,019 | $98,251 | $445,700 | 16.6% | 8.8% |
| Graham | 35,079 | $116,862 | $516,700 | 23.8% | 5.9% |
| Des Moines | 32,823 | $92,483 | $597,000 | 33.4% | 12.1% |
| Mount Vernon | 35,377 | $75,777 | $472,300 | 27.9% | 16.1% |
| Wenatchee | 35,484 | $73,040 | $433,700 | 28.8% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
University Place is a mid-sized community located in Washington, within Pierce County. The total population is 34,911. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in University Place is 40.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in University Place is $99,031. This is about the same as the state median of $98,141. It is also 23% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. The median home value is $624,800. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 57.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in University Place is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (7.1% vs 3.9%).
Education
42.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher 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 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, 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 University Place, Washington?
University Place, Washington has a population of 34,911 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in University Place, WA?
The median household income in University Place is $99,031, which is 23% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in University Place, WA?
The poverty rate in University Place is 8.2%. This means approximately 2,843 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of University Place, Washington?
University Place's population is 59.0% White, 7.1% Black, 12.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in University Place, WA?
The median home value in University Place is $624,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is University Place, Washington?
42.1% of adults (25+) in University Place hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.