Population
2,344,939
2025
+3.1% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
King County, WA: population growth, jobs and income
King County gained 26,980 residents between 2024 and 2025 (+1.2%).
King County had an estimated 2,344,939 residents in 2025, up 3.1% (70,635 more people) since 2020. That is slower than Washington as a whole (+3.5%), and the 27th fastest growth of 39 counties in Washington.
Data as of 2025 · updated
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In the King County report
One-time $99 PDF: everything on this page for King County, ranked against Washington and the U.S., plus these figures that are not on the free page:
- Median gross rent$2,092/mo2020–24
- Vacant homes, incl. seasonal and second homes6.2%2020–24
- New homes permitted, last 12 months10,7062025-10/2026-09
- Rent growth, 5 yearsIn the report
- Permits in 5+ unit buildingsIn the report
- IRS income moving in (net AGI)In the report
- Neighbouring-county comparison tableIn the report
What's inside: 5 pages
- 1 Summary, headline numbers and ranks (free preview)
- 2 Ranks and the neighbouring-county table
- 3 Migration, with IRS mover and income flows
- 4 Rent, vacant homes, permits and employers
- 5 Every source and the methods
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−9,079
2025
−3.9 per 1,000 residents
−96,730 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
+1.7 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
8,505
2025
−56.5% since 2021
3.6 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$124,746
2020–24
+25.8% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
1,305,947
2023
+4.5% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 9,079 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Private employers had 1,305,947 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +4.5% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Unemployment averaged 4.5% in 2025, 1.7 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 8,505 new homes in 2025, or 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $124,746 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +25.8% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 956th.
Part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area.
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King County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,344,939 | +26,980 |
| 2024 | 2,317,959 | +34,873 |
| 2023 | 2,283,086 | +17,264 |
| 2022 | 2,265,822 | +12,273 |
| 2021 | 2,253,549 | −20,755 |
| 2020 | 2,274,304 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in King County
King County grew by 70,635 people since 2020 even though 96,730 more residents moved to other U.S. counties than came from them: births outnumbered deaths by 38,217, and net international migration added 131,792.
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +7,424 | +38,217 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +28,428 | +131,792 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | −9,079 | −96,730 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +207 | −2,644 | |
| Total change | +26,980 | +70,635 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In Washington | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 27th of 39 | 956th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 37th of 39 | 2,445th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 24th of 39 | 1,269th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 1st of 39 | 44th of 3,107 |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 13th of 39 | 2,158th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 25th of 39 | 932nd of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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The County Growth and Demographics Report for King County, WA as a PDF, from federal data: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, King County's population change (+3.1%) was ahead of 3 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 3.
Its median household income ($124,746, 2020–24) is higher than in all 6 of its neighbouring counties.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County, WA This county | 2,344,939 | +3.1% | −3.9 | 3.6 | $124,746 |
| Pierce County, WA | 946,288 | +2.5% | 1.2 | 4.0 | $99,564 |
| Snohomish County, WA | 870,656 | +4.9% | −0.6 | 3.9 | $111,246 |
| Kitsap County, WA | 283,374 | +2.7% | 6.4 | 6.3 | $104,158 |
| Kittitas County, WA | 48,803 | +4.2% | 13.1 | 5.9 | $73,804 |
| Chelan County, WA | 81,941 | +3.3% | 0.9 | 9.6 | $82,381 |
| Yakima County, WA | 259,185 | +1.0% | −6.0 | 2.8 | $70,656 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
Compare side by side:
Questions
Is King County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 3.1% between 2020 and 2025, about 70,635 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). Washington as a whole changed +3.5% over the same years. That ranks 27th of 39 counties in Washington for population growth.
How many people moved to King County?
On net, none in 2025: about 9,079 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the unemployment rate in King County?
It averaged 4.5% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
What is the population of King County?
About 2,344,939 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in King County?
Private employers there had 1,305,947 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +4.5% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What Beacon CRE covers in Washington
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now. This page and the other Washington county pages carry the public federal growth figures.
King County data alerts
Email me when King County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.