Population 2,287,171 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in King County
Household size in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.42 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.53 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.11 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
The average household in King County has 2.53 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.42 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.8 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.3 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.6 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.6 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.8 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
At 38.6, the median age in King County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 37.8, mirroring the country. King County is younger than the great majority of Washington counties.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.8% of households in King County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in King County
Renters in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.1% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 42.5% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.1% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 44.6% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is more common in King County than nationally: 44.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among homeowners, 31.9% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 4.5 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Washington county has a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in King County: 7.0% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. That is in line with the rest of the Seattle area. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 0.7 points, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in King County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the northwest.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,182 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,318 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,756 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,293 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,111 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
Rent in King County runs $2,293 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,111 a month since 2006–10, up 94%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 30.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. King County has the highest rents of any Washington county.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in King County
Bachelor's degrees in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.2% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 46.9% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.9% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 55.7% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.6 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
King County is highly educated: more than half of adults 25 and older (55.7%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 10.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. No other Washington county has a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.0% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.1% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.9% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.4% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in King County is above the national rate: 93.4% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The picture is much the same across the Seattle area. The share with a diploma is up 1.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in King County
| Period | King County | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in King County is close to the national rate: 5.0% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 1.3 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
King County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 2.53 | 38.6 | 7.8% | 44.6% | 7.0% | 1981 | $2,293 | 55.7% | 93.4% | 5.0% |
| Kitsap County | 2.56 | 41.6 | 10.0% | 29.9% | 8.4% | 1984 | $1,936 | 37.2% | 95.4% | 4.6% |
| Snohomish County | 2.71 | 39.7 | 9.1% | 31.8% | 5.8% | 1989 | $2,169 | 38.5% | 93.1% | 4.5% |
| Pierce County | 2.68 | 38.3 | 12.3% | 35.3% | 6.3% | 1984 | $1,975 | 30.6% | 92.4% | 5.3% |
| Mason County | 2.62 | 45.8 | 9.2% | 17.7% | 18.9% | 1989 | $1,315 | 21.0% | 89.8% | 6.0% |
| Jefferson County | 2.05 | 58.4 | 6.3% | 21.0% | 14.5% | 1986 | $1,536 | 43.9% | 95.4% | 6.9% |
| Thurston County | 2.55 | 40.8 | 9.8% | 32.3% | 5.8% | 1990 | $1,838 | 38.2% | 94.7% | 5.0% |
| Clallam County | 2.22 | 51.7 | 8.8% | 26.3% | 9.8% | 1982 | $1,296 | 30.8% | 93.8% | 5.2% |
| Kittitas County | 2.35 | 39.1 | 6.9% | 38.5% | 15.1% | 1990 | $1,542 | 38.6% | 94.1% | 5.5% |
| Chelan County | 2.61 | 41.4 | 9.6% | 35.4% | 14.2% | 1981 | $1,300 | 30.8% | 86.3% | 3.9% |
| Douglas County | 2.76 | 39.5 | 14.3% | 30.7% | 10.6% | 1986 | $1,489 | 21.7% | 82.4% | 3.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Orange County, CA · Maricopa County, AZ · Los Angeles County, CA · San Diego County, CA · Harris County, TX · Miami-Dade County, FL · Cook County, IL · Burlington County, NJ · Jefferson County, KY · Macomb County, MI
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up King County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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