Yakima, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Yakima, Washington had a total population of 96,961, the 11th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $62,815, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Yakima Quick Facts
How Yakima 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 | 96,810 | 96,961 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $59,228 | $62,815 | +6.1% |
| Median home value | $273,400 | $297,600 | +8.9% |
How Yakima 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+)
Yakima Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Yakima County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyside | 16,277 | $60,923 | 18.5% | $240,700 |
| Grandview | 11,187 | $61,106 | 17.9% | $265,300 |
| Terrace Heights | 10,041 | $83,016 | 14.4% | $377,300 |
| Toppenish | 8,723 | $67,854 | 18.0% | $230,000 |
| Selah | 8,437 | $74,783 | 13.9% | $414,600 |
| Union Gap | 6,584 | $59,651 | 13.8% | $210,600 |
| Moxee | 4,625 | $100,512 | 7.8% | $362,800 |
| Wapato | 4,538 | $52,019 | 24.5% | $185,100 |
| Ahtanum | 3,777 | $96,149 | 2.6% | $337,500 |
| Granger | 3,705 | $66,250 | 23.3% | $210,200 |
Cities Similar to Yakima
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | 93,438 | $66,755 | $627,500 | 48.5% | 18.6% |
| Spokane Valley | 106,365 | $74,042 | $382,300 | 26.5% | 12.9% |
| Federal Way | 99,493 | $86,909 | $552,800 | 30.8% | 13.0% |
| Kennewick | 85,295 | $73,576 | $370,700 | 26.2% | 14.3% |
| Everett | 111,845 | $83,512 | $565,300 | 28.8% | 12.9% |
Population Overview
Yakima is a mid-sized community located in Washington, within Yakima County. The total population is 96,961. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Yakima is 34.3 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Yakima is $62,815. This is 36% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $297,600. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Yakima is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 42.7%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (49.4% vs 14.4%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 79.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Yakima, 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 Yakima, Washington?
Yakima, Washington has a population of 96,961 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Yakima, WA?
The median household income in Yakima is $62,815, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Yakima, WA?
The poverty rate in Yakima is 16.6%. This means approximately 15,792 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Yakima, Washington?
Yakima's population is 42.7% White, 1.0% Black, 49.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Yakima, WA?
The median home value in Yakima is $297,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Yakima, Washington?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Yakima hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.