Tacoma, WA

Census Place

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2024 Population

222,758

US Senator

Patty Murray

Democratic Party

US Senator

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

37.2

0.268% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

12.4%

3.22% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$85,884

2.42% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$479,600

5.5% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

112,350

0.241% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Tacoma, WA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.5% of the residents in Tacoma, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Tacoma, WA are Tacoma Community College (2,003 degrees awarded in 2024), University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (1,741 degrees), and Bates Technical College (892 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Tacoma, WA was $479,600, and the homeownership rate was 55.8%.

Most people in Tacoma, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Tacoma, WA was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: This is the outside of the "hot shop", at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. The cone design was inspired by the wood "beehive burners" of the sawmills that once lined the waterways of Tacoma. It is made of 2,800 diamond-shaped stainless steel panels.

Photo by Sheila Sund

United States Washington Pierce County, WA Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA King County (Far Southwest)--Federal Way, Des Moines Cities & Vashon Island PUMA, WA Tacoma City (North) PUMA, WA Tacoma City (South) PUMA, WA Pierce County (North Central)--Bonney Lake, Edgewood, Fife & Sumner Cities PUMA, WA Pierce County (South Central)--Parkland & Spanaway PUMA, WA Pierce County (West Central)--Lakewood & University Place Cities PUMA, WA

Population & Diversity

Tacoma, WA is home to a population of 223k people, from which 94.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 12.6% of Tacoma, WA residents were born outside of the country (28k people).

In 2024, there were 5.91 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (124k people) in Tacoma, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 20.9k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 20.7k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.5%

2024 Citizenship

94.6%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.5% of Tacoma, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Tacoma, WA was 94.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Tacoma, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Tacoma, WA

White (Non-Hispanic)
124k ± 2.41k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
20.9k ± 1.38k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
20.7k ± 1.76k

13.8%

Hispanic Population

30.8k people

13.8% of the people in Tacoma, WA are hispanic (30.8k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Tacoma, WA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
247,954 ± 12,030 people
India
116,227 ± 8,308 people
China
94,449 ± 7,500 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 247,954 Washington residents, followed by India with 116,227 and China with 94,449.

Foreign-Born Population

12.6%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

28k people

12.2%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

26.9k people

As of 2024, 12.6% of Tacoma, WA residents (28k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Tacoma, WA was 12.2%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Tacoma, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
5,746 ± 731
Vietnam
3,724 ± 480
Gulf War (1990s)
2,659 ± 453

Tacoma, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.54 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Tacoma, WA.

Health

92.9% of the population of Tacoma, WA has health coverage, with 47.1% on employee plans, 21% on Medicaid, 9.32% on Medicare, 13.3% on non-group plans, and 2.1% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Washington see 1,202 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,202 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1152 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 186 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.2% under 18 years, 25% between 18 and 34 years, 39% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.1%

Uninsured

47.1%

Employer Coverage

21%

Medicaid

9.32%

Medicare

13.3%

Non-Group

2.1%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Tacoma, WA declined by 1.17% from 7.18% to 7.1%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Tacoma, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Tacoma, WA employs 112k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Tacoma, WA were Health Care & Social Assistance (17,357 people), Retail Trade (12,044 people), and Educational Services (10,682 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($128,517), Utilities ($104,881), and Information ($91,125).

Employment

Occupations

112k

2024 Value

± 2,752

−0.241%

1 Year decline

± 3.51%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Tacoma, WA declined at a rate of −0.241%, from 113k employees to 112k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Tacoma, WA, are Management Occupations (11,687 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,359 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (10,043 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Tacoma, WA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Washington (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

112k

2024 Value

± 2,752

−0.241%

1 Year decline

± 3.51%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Tacoma, WA declined at a rate of −0.241%, from 113k employees to 112k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Tacoma, WA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,357 people), Retail Trade (12,044 people), and Educational Services (10,682 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Tacoma, WA, though some of these residents may live in Tacoma, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$60,640

Median earning men ± $2,023

$51,827

Median earning women ± $1,612

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($96,250), Public Administration ($92,885), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($71,824).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($87,727), Public Administration ($80,684), and Information ($79,596).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Y-Axis

3.62%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.58M people employed in Washington. This represents a 3.62% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.3%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Washington.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Kamala Harris with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (39%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.4%).

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing the state of Washington. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Tacoma, WA. Showing the available data for Washington.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (57.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (39%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.4%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Kamala Harris with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (39%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.4%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Washington for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Patty Murray

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 1993

Maria Cantwell

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 2001

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing Washington.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Washington over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Tacoma, WA awarded 5,916 degrees. The student population of Tacoma, WA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 8,487 male students and 10,094 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Tacoma, WA are White (2,470 and 43%), Hispanic or Latino (851 and 14.8%), Asian (648 and 11.3%), and Unknown (630 and 11%).

The largest universities in Tacoma, WA by number of degrees awarded are Tacoma Community College (2,003 and 33.9%), University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (1,741 and 29.4%), and Bates Technical College (892 and 15.1%).

The most popular majors in Tacoma, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (592 and 10%), General Computer & Information Sciences (232 and 3.92%), and Early Childhood Education & Teaching (229 and 3.87%).

The median tuition costs are $35,205 for private four year colleges, and $4,772 and $10,911 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Tacoma, WA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 76.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 18,581 (45.7% men and 54.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 18,581 students enrolled in Tacoma, WA, 45.7% men and 54.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 7,085 records, of which 53.5% were women and 46.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
194 degrees awarded
General Computer & Information Sciences
177 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
164 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Tacoma, WA was General Psychology with 194 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Tacoma, WA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Tacoma Community College
2,003 degrees awarded
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
1,741 degrees awarded
Bates Technical College
892 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Tacoma Community College with 2,003 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 2,347 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Tacoma, WA, which is 0.658 times less than the 3,569 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,470 degrees mean that there were 2.9 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 851 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($35,205) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,299) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($900) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Tacoma, WA was $479,600 in 2024, which is 1.44 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $454,600 to $479,600, a 5.5% increase. The homeownership rate in Tacoma, WA is 55.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Tacoma, WA have an average commute time of 28.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Tacoma, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$479,600

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,144

$51,893

Median Property Taxes

±$1,750

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Tacoma, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Tacoma, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

55.8%

Homeownership

2024

65%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 55.8% of the housing units in Tacoma, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 56.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Tacoma, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$85,884

Median Household Income

± $1,903

93k

Number of Households

± 2,487

In 2024, the median household income of the 93k households in Tacoma, WA grew to $85,884 from the previous year's value of $83,857.

The following chart displays the households in Tacoma, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Tacoma, WA is from Washington.

0.469

2024 Wage GINI in Washington

0.468

2023 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2024, the income inequality in Washington was 0.469 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0979% growth from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Washington in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Washington across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (66%)
Worked At Home (15.7%)
Carpooled (9.91%)

In 2024, 66% of workers in Tacoma, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (15.7%) and those who carpooled to work (9.91%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

28.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Tacoma, WA have a longer commute time (28.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4.64% of the workforce in Tacoma, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Tacoma, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Tacoma, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Tacoma, WA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

12.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Tacoma, WA (27k out of 218k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Tacoma, WA is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.