For the first time, Washington state’s population has surpassed eight million residents – gaining just shy of 85,000 new Washingtonians.
While the state passed a significant milestone in the last year, population growth in Washington was less than in 2023 and lower than the average annual increase from the last decade. Migration continues to be the main driver of growth in our state, with 69,100 people moving to Washington.
Cities saw a 1.25% increase in population with an estimated 5,288,492 Washingtonians living in an incorporated area. Growth in numbers occurred mostly in King County, with Clark, Pierce, Spokane, Whatcom, and Snohomish Counties also contributing. Cities seeing the greatest population growth by percentage were focused in more rural counties, with Adams, Lewis, Grant, Douglas, and Pend Oreille counties seeing the greatest population percentage growth.
Below are charts showing the top ten cities by population growth and by population growth rate over the last year.
Top 10 cities by population increase
Rank | Municipality | Total population | Population increase | Growth rate |
|---|
1 | Seattle | 797,000 | 18,500 | 2.32% |
2 | Vancouver | 202,600 | 3,000 | 1.48% |
3 | Tacoma | 225,100 | 2,700 | 1.20% |
4 | Redmond | 80,040 | 2,550 | 3.19% |
5 | Spokane Valley | 108,800 | 1,400 | 1.29% |
6 | Bellingham | 97,270 | 1,310 | 1.35% |
7 | Kent | 140,400 | 1,300 | 0.93% |
8 | Arlington | 22,980 | 1,240 | 5.40% |
9 | Bothell | 50,670 | 1,120 | 2.21% |
10 | SeaTac | 32,710 | 970 | 2.97% |
Top 10 cities by population growth rate
Rank | Municipality | Total population | Population increase | Growth rate |
|---|
1 | Hatton | 167 | 87 | 52.10% |
2 | Winlock | 2,465 | 630 | 25.56% |
3 | Mattawa | 3,875 | 300 | 7.74% |
4 | Nooksack | 1,670 | 110 | 6.59% |
5 | Rock Island | 1,680 | 110 | 6.55% |
6 | Airway Heights | 12,070 | 790 | 6.55% |
7 | Cusick | 165 | 10 | 6.06% |
8 | Sultan | 7,160 | 430 | 6.01% |
9 | Rockford | 605 | 35 | 5.79% |
10 | Arlington | 22,980 | 1,240 | 5.40% |
While many cities saw some growth in 2023-2024, 62 cities saw no change in their population, and 16 cities saw a population decrease.
City leaders interested in seeing their population change can view the updated population numbers on the Office of Financial Managment (OFM) website. The agency also 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.