White Center, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, White Center, Washington had a total population of 14,886, the 93rd largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $87,189, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.4x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Washington (diversity index: 74/100).
White Center Quick Facts
How White Center 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 | 15,017 | 14,886 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $82,500 | $87,189 | +5.7% |
| Median home value | $591,500 | $645,200 | +9.1% |
How White Center 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
White Center Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in King County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 754,195 | $123,860 | 9.9% | $938,600 |
| Bellevue | 151,847 | $165,576 | 7.2% | $1,340,300 |
| Kent | 135,603 | $92,302 | 10.8% | $587,800 |
| Renton | 105,317 | $100,432 | 8.1% | $672,600 |
| Federal Way | 99,493 | $86,909 | 13.0% | $552,800 |
| Kirkland | 92,621 | $150,414 | 6.1% | $1,115,400 |
| Auburn | 85,676 | $97,884 | 8.9% | $547,900 |
| Redmond | 77,353 | $162,560 | 5.6% | $1,167,800 |
| Sammamish | 66,463 | $239,690 | 4.3% | $1,407,300 |
| Shoreline | 61,431 | $112,751 | 8.8% | $811,100 |
Cities Similar to White Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale | 15,999 | $87,579 | $549,300 | 36.9% | 12.8% |
| Lake Stickney | 15,890 | $94,020 | $620,300 | 37.3% | 10.9% |
| East Wenatchee | 14,199 | $77,558 | $429,200 | 19.8% | 8.0% |
| Elk Plain | 14,276 | $107,313 | $473,500 | 17.5% | 8.3% |
| Port Orchard | 17,149 | $89,795 | $539,700 | 34.9% | 9.7% |
Population Overview
White Center is a small city located in Washington, within King County. The total population is 14,886. It ranks as the 93rd most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in White Center is 37.6 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in White Center is $87,189. This is 11% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.5%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $645,200. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
White Center is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 22.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (12.1% vs 3.9%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (22.0% vs 9.7%).
Education
35.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 85.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for White Center, 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 White Center, Washington?
White Center, Washington has a population of 14,886 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in White Center, WA?
The median household income in White Center is $87,189, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in White Center, WA?
The poverty rate in White Center is 14.5%. This means approximately 2,160 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of White Center, Washington?
White Center's population is 38.7% White, 12.1% Black, 20.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 22.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in White Center, WA?
The median home value in White Center is $645,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.4x.
How educated is White Center, Washington?
35.9% of adults (25+) in White Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.