Yakima city, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Yakima city, Washington has a total population of 96,810, the 11th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $59,228, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Yakima city Quick Facts
How Yakima city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 55 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Yakima city Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Cities Similar to Yakima city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham city | 92,367 | $65,821 | $577,400 | 46.5% | 18.3% |
| Spokane Valley city | 105,460 | $70,722 | $344,300 | 24.8% | 12.9% |
| Federal Way city | 99,232 | $82,144 | $499,600 | 31.1% | 12.7% |
| Kennewick city | 84,389 | $72,867 | $343,600 | 27.0% | 13.9% |
| Everett city | 111,083 | $81,502 | $532,300 | 28.9% | 12.1% |
Population Overview
Yakima city is a mid-sized community located in Washington. The total population is 96,810. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 631 cities and towns in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Yakima city is 34.0 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Yakima city is $59,228. This is 38% lower than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.0%. This is 72% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $273,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 63.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Yakima city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 47.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.7%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (47.6% vs 14.1%). The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 9.3%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 78.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Yakima 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 Yakima city, Washington?
Yakima city, Washington has a population of 96,810 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Yakima city, WA?
The median household income in Yakima city is $59,228, which is 25% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Yakima city, WA?
The poverty rate in Yakima city is 17.0%. This means approximately 16,118 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Yakima city, Washington?
Yakima city's population is 43.7% White, 1.4% Black, 47.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Yakima city, WA?
The median home value in Yakima city is $273,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Yakima city, Washington?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Yakima city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.