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Washington commercial real estate data, county by county.
The Census Bureau estimates 7,958,180 residents in Washington on July 1, 2024. Every one of its 39 county-equivalents has a data page built from federal sources, each figure carrying its publisher and the period it describes.
- Population, July 1, 2024
- 7,958,180
- Households
- 3,064,820
- Median household income
- $98,141
- Gross domestic product, 2025
- $894.99 bn
- Unemployment rate
- 4.9 percent
Washington agency publications
What changes the underwriting in Washington?
Environmental review
A Washington statute lets state agencies, municipal and public corporations, and counties condition or deny a governmental action, including a private development permit, when the condition or denial is based on policies designated in advance in regulations, plans, or codes. The action may be conditioned only to mitigate specific adverse environmental impacts identified in the environmental documents, and a denial requires a finding that the proposal would have significant adverse impacts identified in an environmental impact statement and that reasonable mitigation is insufficient.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, 1983 c 117 s 3, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Population-triggered growth planning
A Washington county with a population of fifty thousand or more that has grown by more than seventeen percent in the previous ten years, or any other county that has grown by more than twenty percent in the previous ten years, must conform with all of this chapter's requirements along with the cities located within it. The legislative authority of a qualifying county with a population of less than fifty thousand may adopt a resolution removing the county and its cities from the requirements of adopting comprehensive land use plans and development regulations under this chapter, if the resolution is adopted and filed by December 31, 1990, or within sixty days of the date the office of financial management certifies that the county meets the criteria.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, 2022 c 252 s 1, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Shoreline permit gate
Washington requires a permit before a substantial development is undertaken on shorelines of the state. Construction under a permit may not begin until twenty-one days from the date the permit decision was filed, or until all review proceedings are terminated if the proceedings were initiated within that twenty-one day period.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, 2019 c 225 s 1, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Gross receipts business tax
A Washington tax reaches a business activity not explicitly taxed elsewhere in the chapter at a rate of 1.75 percent of gross income where that gross income was $1,000,000 or more and less than $5,000,000 in the immediately preceding calendar year, unless the person is affiliated with one or more other persons and the aggregate gross income of all affiliated persons was $5,000,000 or more for that year. A separate rate of 0.5 percent on the gross proceeds of sales of a retail business takes effect January 1, 2027.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Washington agency publications
What drives the Washington economy, and how is business taxed?
State and local sales tax
Washington imposes a state retail sales tax equal to six and five-tenths percent of the selling price. Counties and cities may each add a local sales and use tax, including a basic county tax of five-tenths of one percent under state law.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Property tax valuation and levy limit
Washington values and assesses all property, including commercial real property, at one hundred percent of true and fair value on the same basis, unless specifically provided otherwise by law. A statutory limit factor caps most taxing districts' annual regular levy at the limit factor multiplied by the highest amount of regular property taxes lawfully levied in the three most recent years the district levied such taxes, plus additional amounts for new construction and similar changes.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, 2022 c 16 s 167, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Washington agency publications
What does Washington law require before a site is developed?
Mandatory comprehensive planning
Washington's Growth Management Act requires qualifying counties and the cities within them to conform with all of the Act's requirements. Once required or chosen, a county and city must adopt a comprehensive plan and keep their capital budget decisions in conformity with that plan.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, 2022 c 252 s 1, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Development impact fees
Counties, cities, and towns that plan, or choose to plan, under Washington's Growth Management Act may impose impact fees on development activity to help finance public facilities needed to serve new growth.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, retrieved 26 September 2026.
State environmental review
Washington's State Environmental Policy Act reaches governmental approvals for private development, not only public projects. Agencies must integrate environmental review with their decision making at the earliest possible point in the process.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, 1983 c 117 s 3, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Washington agency publications and federal agency publications
Which permits and hazards apply to a site in Washington?
Construction stormwater permit
Washington requires a construction site to obtain coverage under the state's Construction Stormwater General Permit, issued by the Department of Ecology, when both a land-disturbance condition, for example disturbing one acre or more, and a possibility that stormwater could run off the site or enter a conveyance system that leads to surface waters, apply.
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Coastal zone counties
Washington's coastal zone is the 15 coastal counties that front saltwater.
Source: NOAA Office for Coastal Management, February 9, 2012, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Statewide building code
Except as otherwise provided, Washington's state building code is in effect in all counties and cities. Washington has adopted the 2021 edition of the International Building Code, including Appendix E, by reference, with the exceptions noted in the Washington Administrative Code.
Source: Washington State Legislature, Office of the Code Reviser, retrieved 26 September 2026.
Census Bureau population estimates and 2020 Census
How many people live in Washington, and is the population growing?
- Population, July 1, 20247,958,180
- Population, April 1, 2020 estimates base7,707,586
- Change since the 2020 base3.25 percent
- Rank by population among the 50 states and DC13th of 51
- Rank by growth since 2020 among the 50 states and DC15th of 51
- Share of residents in urban areas, 202083.4 percent
Net domestic and international migration, by year to July 1
- 2021: domestic -15,688, international +13,991
- 2022: domestic -3,452, international +43,544
- 2023: domestic -17,293, international +67,068
- 2024: domestic +2,671, international +81,581
Change since 2020 is MMCG Analytics arithmetic on the two published estimates; ranks order the 50 states and the District of Columbia by the published figure; the urban share divides the published urban count by the published total.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024. US Census Bureau, 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics, table P2. Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics; the rest are the agency's own figures for Washington.
Census Bureau American Community Survey
Who lives in Washington?
- Households3,064,820
- Median household income$98,141
- Median age38.3 years
- Residents under 1821.4 percent
- Residents 65 and over16.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher39.6 percent
- Median home value$564,600
- Median gross rent, per month$1,760
The three shares are MMCG Analytics arithmetic on published counts: the survey's age groups under 18 and 65 and over, and its degree counts, each divided by the published total.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020 to 2024. Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics; the rest are the agency's own figures for Washington.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
How many people are working in Washington?
- Labor force4,043,691
- Employed3,846,217
- Unemployed197,474
- Unemployment rate4.9 percent
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, August 2026, preliminary. Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics; the rest are the agency's own figures for Washington.
Bureau of Economic Analysis, gross domestic product by state
How large is the Washington economy?
- Gross domestic product, 2025$894.99 bn
- Gross domestic product, 2024$856.01 bn
- Gross domestic product, 2023$801.46 bn
- Gross domestic product, 2022$741.00 bn
- Gross domestic product, 2021$683.37 bn
- Rank by 2025 gross domestic product among the 50 states and DC9th of 51
The rank orders the 50 states and the District of Columbia by the published figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional accounts, table SAGDP2, 2021 to 2025. Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics; the rest are the agency's own figures for Washington.
SBA 7(a) and 504 loan records
How active is SBA lending in Washington?
- 7(a) loans approved, FY2020 to FY202610,791
- 7(a) approval dollars, FY2020 to FY2026$6.29 bn
- Rank by 7(a) loan count among the 50 states and DC, FY2020 to FY202611th of 51
- 504 loans approved, FY2010 to FY20262,500
- 504 approval dollars, FY2010 to FY2026$2.26 bn
- Rank by 504 loan count among the 50 states and DC, FY2010 to FY202615th of 51
Most active 7(a) lenders, by loans approved, FY2020 to FY2026
- Columbia Bank: 1,431 loans
- U.S. Bank, National Association: 981 loans
- KeyBank National Association: 832 loans
- Banner Bank: 741 loans
- Washington Trust Bank: 345 loans
Most active Certified Development Companies, by 504 loans, FY2010 to FY2026
- Evergreen Business Capital: 977 loans
- Northwest Business Development Association: 971 loans
- Ameritrust CDC: 497 loans
- Capital Matrix, Inc.: 30 loans
- Cascade Capital Funding: 14 loans
Industries with the most 7(a) loans, FY2020 to FY2026
- Full-Service Restaurants: 638 loans
- Limited-Service Restaurants: 442 loans
- Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores: 391 loans
- Residential Remodelers: 298 loans
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers: 211 loans
Every figure here is MMCG Analytics arithmetic over the SBA's loan-level records whose project state is Washington: counts of records, sums of the gross approval amount, and ranks among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. These are approvals, not disbursements or balances.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA loan records, FY2020 to FY2026, records as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA loan records, FY2010 to FY2026, records as of 2026-06-30. Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics; the rest are the agency's own figures for Washington.
FEMA NFIP Community Status Book and EPA radon zones
How do flood insurance and radon screening stand in Washington?
- Communities participating in the NFIP292
- Communities earning a Community Rating System discount, classes 1 to 931
- Counties in EPA radon zone 1, the highest predicted level7
- Counties in EPA radon zone 214
- Counties in EPA radon zone 318
Communities by Community Rating System class (class 1 earns the largest discount, class 10 none)
- Class 2: 3
- Class 5: 14
- Class 6: 9
- Class 7: 2
- Class 8: 3
- Class 10: 6
Every figure here is MMCG Analytics counting over the agency's own list: FEMA's community rows for the state, and the state's county records by EPA radon zone. Radon zones are county-wide predictions, never a site measurement.
FEMA, NFIP Community Status Book, as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001. Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics; the rest are the agency's own figures for Washington.
What do jobs in Washington pay, county by county?
- Combined county product, 2024$856.01 bn
- Covered employment, summed over counties3,530,225
- Average annual pay, weighted by county employment$94,174
The average annual pay of $94,174 is weighted by each county's covered employment, not averaged across counties, so a large labor market counts for more than a small one.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, through 2024. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages. Every figure in this section is computed by MMCG Analytics from the county records on this site.
How many businesses are in Washington?
- Business establishments, summed over counties201,264
- Establishments per 1,000 residents of those counties25.7
- Employment at those establishments2,994,530
- Annual payroll$245.87 bn
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Every figure in this section is computed by MMCG Analytics from the county records on this site.
Building permits in Washington
- Housing units permitted, summed over counties37,778
- Permitted construction value$10.38 bn
- Units permitted per 1,000 households12.3
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual. Every figure in this section is computed by MMCG Analytics from the county records on this site.
SBA loan charge-off rates in Washington
- 7(a) charge-off rate over resolved loans6.10 percent
- Resolved 7(a) loans behind that rate2,139
- 7(a) loans charged off130
- 504 charge-off rate over resolved loans1.30 percent
- Resolved 504 loans behind that rate955
- 504 loans charged off12
Of the 2,139 Washington 7(a) loans that have reached a final outcome, 6.10 percent were charged off. The rate is taken over loans resolved in a window starting in FY2020, so it leans toward early outcomes and is not a lifetime loss rate.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates →
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. Every figure in this section is computed by MMCG Analytics from the county records on this site.
How large is Washington?
- Land area, summed over counties66,455 sq mi
- County-equivalents39
- People per square mile, county records118
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. Every figure in this section is computed by MMCG Analytics from the county records on this site.
Which are the largest counties in Washington?
| Geography | Population | Median income | Establishments | County GDP | SBA approvals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 2,287,171 | $124,746 | 70,376 | $477.15 bn | 4,154 |
| Pierce County | 930,319 | $99,564 | 20,051 | $64.94 bn | 1,726 |
| Snohomish County | 844,430 | $111,246 | 20,258 | $61.97 bn | 1,414 |
| Spokane County | 549,056 | $78,582 | 14,426 | $40.04 bn | 961 |
| Clark County | 516,959 | $97,536 | 12,552 | $33.42 bn | 924 |
| Thurston County | 299,067 | $96,563 | 6,656 | $21.56 bn | 497 |
| Kitsap County | 277,881 | $104,158 | 6,272 | $18.35 bn | 417 |
| Yakima County | 257,152 | $70,656 | 5,010 | $13.35 bn | 352 |
| Whatcom County | 230,503 | $81,784 | 7,146 | $20.64 bn | 452 |
| Benton County | 212,905 | $89,874 | 4,960 | $16.92 bn | 357 |
Counties
All 39 Washington county-equivalents, resolved locally.
Select a county
Every county opens a page carrying its own demographics, growth and migration, economic output, employment and wages, business establishments by industry, construction, SBA lending and charge off record, geography and hazard.
| Geography | Population | Median income | Establishments | County GDP | SBA approvals | Land area, sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | 20,800 | $66,136 | 401 | $1.44 bn | 41 | 1,925 |
| Asotin County | 22,467 | $72,283 | 440 | $984.8 m | 14 | 636 |
| Benton County | 212,905 | $89,874 | 4,960 | $16.92 bn | 357 | 1,700 |
| Chelan County | 80,172 | $82,381 | 2,782 | $7.13 bn | 139 | 2,921 |
| Clallam County | 77,813 | $70,370 | 2,114 | $3.82 bn | 104 | 1,738 |
| Clark County | 516,959 | $97,536 | 12,552 | $33.42 bn | 924 | 629 |
| Columbia County | 4,014 | $71,810 | 107 | $498.1 m | 11 | 869 |
| Cowlitz County | 112,360 | $76,531 | 2,309 | $7.23 bn | 122 | 1,140 |
| Douglas County | 44,366 | $80,363 | 854 | $2.85 bn | 46 | 1,819 |
| Ferry County | 7,387 | $55,614 | 145 | $278.6 m | 8 | 2,203 |
| Franklin County | 98,902 | $86,714 | 1,968 | $5.78 bn | 127 | 1,242 |
| Garfield County | 2,353 | $64,884 | 39 | $220.6 m | 2 | 711 |
| Grant County | 101,799 | $73,267 | 2,123 | $8.58 bn | 167 | 2,680 |
| Grays Harbor County | 77,053 | $64,414 | 1,558 | $3.83 bn | 96 | 1,902 |
| Island County | 86,836 | $90,551 | 1,941 | $4.66 bn | 112 | 208 |
| Jefferson County | 33,577 | $74,048 | 991 | $1.87 bn | 42 | 1,804 |
| King County | 2,287,171 | $124,746 | 70,376 | $477.15 bn | 4,154 | 2,116 |
| Kitsap County | 277,881 | $104,158 | 6,272 | $18.35 bn | 417 | 395 |
| Kittitas County | 47,172 | $73,804 | 1,500 | $2.64 bn | 83 | 2,297 |
| Klickitat County | 23,411 | $71,042 | 585 | $2.33 bn | 46 | 1,871 |
| Lewis County | 85,154 | $74,796 | 1,990 | $5.12 bn | 115 | 2,403 |
| Lincoln County | 11,489 | $71,512 | 291 | $685.1 m | 33 | 2,310 |
| Mason County | 67,982 | $83,270 | 1,072 | $2.46 bn | 76 | 959 |
| Okanogan County | 43,425 | $63,207 | 1,202 | $2.35 bn | 54 | 5,268 |
| Pacific County | 23,994 | $67,081 | 558 | $1.03 bn | 22 | 933 |
| Pend Oreille County | 14,050 | $67,436 | 258 | $767.7 m | 20 | 1,400 |
| Pierce County | 930,319 | $99,564 | 20,051 | $64.94 bn | 1,726 | 1,670 |
| San Juan County | 18,478 | $84,800 | 1,040 | $1.23 bn | 39 | 174 |
| Skagit County | 131,328 | $89,263 | 3,670 | $9.57 bn | 285 | 1,731 |
| Skamania County | 12,402 | $93,265 | 214 | $432.4 m | 12 | 1,656 |
| Snohomish County | 844,430 | $111,246 | 20,258 | $61.97 bn | 1,414 | 2,087 |
| Spokane County | 549,056 | $78,582 | 14,426 | $40.04 bn | 961 | 1,764 |
| Stevens County | 48,067 | $69,327 | 943 | $1.75 bn | 60 | 2,478 |
| Thurston County | 299,067 | $96,563 | 6,656 | $21.56 bn | 497 | 722 |
| Wahkiakum County | 4,658 | $62,653 | 98 | $132.8 m | 6 | 263 |
| Walla Walla County | 62,161 | $74,202 | 1,491 | $4.58 bn | 89 | 1,270 |
| Whatcom County | 230,503 | $81,784 | 7,146 | $20.64 bn | 452 | 2,107 |
| Whitman County | 47,003 | $55,406 | 873 | $3.38 bn | 66 | 2,159 |
| Yakima County | 257,152 | $70,656 | 5,010 | $13.35 bn | 352 | 4,295 |
A statement appears on this page only where a published document, or arithmetic over published data, supports it. How this page was built →
Questions
Washington questions, answered from this page.
What is the population of Washington?
The Census Bureau estimates 7,958,180 residents on July 1, 2024 (Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024).
What is the unemployment rate in Washington?
4.9 percent in August 2026, preliminary, seasonally adjusted, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How many SBA 7(a) loans were approved in Washington?
10,791 loans with a project in Washington, counted by MMCG Analytics from the SBA's 7(a) loan records, FY2020 to FY2026, records as of 2026-06-30.
How many counties does Washington have?
39. Each has a page on this site covering population, income, business establishments, employment and wages, building permits, SBA lending and hazard records.
The register