Washington state’s population grew to over 7.9 million in the last year, adding 86,750 new residents.
Washington state’s population grew to over 7.9 million in the last year, adding 86,750 new residents.
While the additional 86,000 residents may seem significant (Fun fact: the population of Kennewick is 86,470), the number is actually below the average annual increase from the last decade (98,200). Migration remains the largest contributor to growth for the state with 72,300 people moving into Washington in the last year. The remaining 14,445 residents were part of the natural population growth.
Cities increased their overall population to 5,222,265 or a 1.3% increase from the previous year. Growth around the state was concentrated in King County; however, cities in Benton, Clark, Pierce, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties all saw significant growth. The Office of Financial Management (OFM) published the following chart showing the top 25 cities by population change (both numeric and percentage).
Municipality | Numeric change | | Change due to annexation | Municipality | Percent change | | Change due to annexation |
|---|
| 2022-23 | Rank | 2022-23 | | 2022-23 | Rank | 2022-23 |
Seattle | 16,700 | 1 | 0 | Black Diamond | 11.96 | 1 | 0 |
Kirkland | 3,350 | 2 | 0 | Ridgefield | 11.29 | 2 | 14 |
Redmond | 2,220 | 3 | 0 | Rock Island | 10.18 | 3 | 0 |
Bellingham | 2,050 | 4 | 0 | Winlock | 8.26 | 4 | 0 |
Lynnwood | 2,050 | 4 | 0 | George | 7.93 | 5 | 0 |
Vancouver | 2,000 | 6 | 0 | Mountlake Terrace | 7.88 | 6 | 0 |
Spokane | 1,800 | 7 | 0 | Sultan | 7.51 | 7 | 0 |
Mountlake Terrace | 1,740 | 8 | 0 | Port Orchard | 6.59 | 8 | 0 |
Tacoma | 1,600 | 9 | 0 | Lamont | 6.25 | 9 | 0 |
Ridgefield | 1,540 | 10 | 14 | Deer Park | 5.46 | 10 | 0 |
Marysville | 1,400 | 11 | 0 | Lynnwood | 5.29 | 11 | 0 |
Lacey | 1,250 | 12 | 94 | Rockford | 4.59 | 12 | 0 |
Kent | 1,200 | 13 | 0 | Buckley | 4.52 | 13 | 0 |
Kennewick | 1,150 | 14 | 0 | Monroe | 4.52 | 13 | 660 |
Pasco | 1,100 | 15 | 210 | Winthrop | 4.50 | 15 | 0 |
Richland | 1,100 | 15 | 19 | Gig Harbor | 4.15 | 16 | 0 |
Port Orchard | 1,080 | 17 | 0 | Prosser | 4.04 | 17 | 21 |
Everett | 900 | 18 | 0 | South Prairie | 4.03 | 18 | 0 |
Monroe | 890 | 19 | 660 | Sumas | 4.02 | 19 | 0 |
Shoreline | 800 | 20 | 0 | Warden | 3.96 | 20 | 0 |
Tumwater | 740 | 21 | 439 | McCleary | 3.92 | 21 | 0 |
Black Diamond | 735 | 22 | 0 | Twisp | 3.86 | 22 | 0 |
Bellevue | 700 | 23 | 0 | Kirkland | 3.58 | 23 | 0 |
Bothell | 610 | 24 | 0 | Ocean Shores | 3.07 | 24 | 0 |
Lake Stevens | 560 | 25 | 3 | Carnation | 3.01 | 25 | 0 |
City leaders interested in seeing their population change can view the updated population numbers on OFM’s website. Additionally, the agency published a press release detailing changes and trends observed over the last year.
April 1 population estimates from OFM are important to cities as state agencies use these estimates for state program administration and allocation of state revenues.