Tacoma, WA

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Population

207,280

0.816% growth

Median Age

35.9


Median Household Income

$55,506

3.65% growth

Poverty Rate

17%


Number of Employees

98,060

1.85% growth

Median Property Value

$227,200

6.97% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Tacoma, WA had a population of 207k people with a median age of 35.9 and a median household income of $55,506. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Tacoma, WA grew from 205,602 to 207,280, a 0.816% increase and its median household income grew from $53,553 to $55,506, a 3.65% increase.

The population of Tacoma, WA is 60.3% White Alone, 11.6% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.69% Black or African American Alone. 19.7% of the people in Tacoma, WA speak a non-English language, and 93.9% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Tacoma, WA are Tacoma Community College (1,924 degrees awarded in 2016), University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (1,665 degrees), and Bates Technical College (1,151 degrees).

The median property value in Tacoma, WA is $227,200, and the homeownership rate is 50.4%. Most people in Tacoma, WA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 26.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Tacoma, WA is 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 StatesWashingtonPierce County, WASeattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WATacoma City (South), Parkland & Spanaway PUMA, WATacoma City (Central) PUMA, WALakewood City & Joint Base Lewis-McChord PUMA, WATacoma (Port) & Bonney Lake (Northwest) Cities PUMA, WAPeninsula Region & Tacoma City (West) PUMA, WA

Economy

The economy of Tacoma, WA employs 98.1k people. The largest industries in Tacoma, WA are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,439 people), Retail Trade (11,306 people), and Manufacturing (8,678 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($62,321), Public Administration ($56,019), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($51,304).

Median household income in Tacoma, WA is $55,506. Males in Tacoma, WA have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,882. The income inequality in Tacoma, WA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.467, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$55,506

2017 value

± $1,184

3.65%

1 Year Growth

± 3.42%

Households in Tacoma, WA have a median annual income of $55,506, which is less than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $53,553 in 2016, which represents a 3.65% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Tacoma, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$73,040

Average Male Salary

± $1,385

$53,882

Average Female Salary

± $1,130

In 2017, full-time male employees in Tacoma, WA made 1.36 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Tacoma, WA by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $65,555 ± $3,156

  2. White

    $57,225 ± $943

  3. Two or More Races

    $46,049 ± $3,328

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Tacoma, WA workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.15 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Tacoma, WA by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.467

2017 Wage GINI

0.467

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Washington was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.104% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9400.11

  2. Census Tract 605

  3. Census Tract 9400.01

In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Tacoma, WA was Census Tract 9400.11 with a value of $106,912, followed by Census Tract 605 and Census Tract 9400.01, with respective values of $103,611 and $94,833.

The following map shows all of the places in Tacoma, WA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

17% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Tacoma, WA (34.5k out of 203k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    19,657 ± 1,108

  2. Hispanic

    5,645 ± 657

  3. Black

    4,515 ± 510

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

98.1k

2017 Value

± 2,235

1.85%

1 Year growth

± 3.17%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Tacoma, WA grew at a rate of 1.85%, from 96.3k employees to 98.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Tacoma, WA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,399 people), Sales & Related Occupations (9,174 people), and Management Occupations (8,286 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Tacoma, WA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Tacoma, WA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,399 people), Sales & Related Occupations (9,174 people), and Management Occupations (8,286 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Tacoma, WA has an unusually high number of residents working as Community & Social Service Occupations (1.59 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.48 times), and Personal Care & Service Occupations (1.41 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Tacoma, WA, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($74,766), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($69,755), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($68,632).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

98.1k

2017 Value

± 2,235

1.85%

1 Year growth

± 3.17%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Tacoma, WA grew at a rate of 1.85%, from 96.3k employees to 98.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Tacoma, WA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,439 people), Retail Trade (11,306 people), and Manufacturing (8,678 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Tacoma, WA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,439 people), Retail Trade (11,306 people), and Manufacturing (8,678 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Tacoma, WA has an unusually high number of Public Administration (1.36 times higher than expected), Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.29 times), and Transportation & Warehousing (1.22 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Tacoma, WA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($62,321), Public Administration ($56,019), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($51,304).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Transport equip.

    $38.6B

  2. Mixed freight

    $37.2B

  3. Gasoline

    $28.3B

In 2015, the top outbound Washington product (by dollars) was Transport equip. with $38.6B, followed by Mixed freight with $37.2B and Gasoline and $28.3B.

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Washington products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Washington state.

$296B

2015 Value

$444B

Projected 2045 Value

50.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound Washington trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 50.1% to $444B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Washington trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Oregon

    $26.3B

  2. California

    $14.2B

  3. Tennessee

    $9.45B

In 2015, the top outbound Washington domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Oregon with $26.3B, followed by California with $14.2B and Tennessee and $9.45B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Washington shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

89.6% of the population of Tacoma, WA has health coverage, with 43.5% on employee plans, 21.8% on Medicaid, 8.47% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 3.45% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the place of Tacoma, WA was $7,913 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,609).

Primary care physicians in Tacoma, WA see 1202 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.839% increase from the previous year (1192 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1254 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 335 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Garfield County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14%). Additionally, Adams County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (36.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1202 to 1

Primary Care Physicians

Primary care physicians in Washington see an average of 1202 patients per year. This represents a 0.839% increase from the previous year (1192 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Washington in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$7,913

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,328

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,851

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,997

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Washington (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4%, from $7,609 to $7,913.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

10.4%

Uninsured

43.5%

Employer Coverage

21.8%

Medicaid

8.47%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

3.45%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Tacoma, WA declined by 16.7% from 12.5% to 10.4%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Garfield County

    14% prevalence

  2. Pend Oreille County

    13.6% prevalence

  3. Wahkiakum County

    13.4% prevalence

Garfield County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Washington, at 14%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Washington by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Tacoma, WA is home to a population of 207k people, from which 93.9% are citizens. As of 2017, 12.8% of Tacoma, WA residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Tacoma, WA is composed of 125k White Alone residents (60.3%), 24k Hispanic or Latino residents (11.6%), 20.1k Black or African American Alone residents (9.69%), 18.1k Asian Alone residents (8.71%), 14.8k Two or More Races residents (7.13%), 2.55k Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (1.23%), 2.33k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (1.12%), and 565 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.273%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Tacoma, WA are Spanish or Spanish Creole (13,728 speakers), Vietnamese (4,113 speakers), and Mon-Khmer, Cambodian (2,992 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

34

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

44

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1

In 2017, the median age of all people in Tacoma, WA was 35.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 34, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 44. But people in Tacoma, WA are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Tacoma, WA residents was 36.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

12.8%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

13.1%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 12.8% of Tacoma, WA residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Tacoma, WA was 13.1%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    237,445 ± 11,764 people

  2. Philippines

    67,799 ± 6,362 people

  3. India

    67,429 ± 6,345 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Tacoma, WA was Mexico, the natal country of 237,445 Tacoma, WA residents, followed by Philippines with 67,799 and India with 67,429.

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Citizenship

93.9%

2017 Citizenship

93.8%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 93.9% of Tacoma, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Tacoma, WA was 93.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    125k ± 1.71k

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    24k ± 1.85k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    20.1k ± 1.17k

In 2017, there were 5.2 times more White Alone residents (125k people) in Tacoma, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 24k Hispanic or Latino and 20.1k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

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

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    13,728 speakers (7.2%)

  2. Vietnamese

    4,113 speakers (2.16%)

  3. Mon-Khmer, Cambodian

    2,992 speakers (1.57%)

19.7% of Tacoma, WA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Tacoma, WA was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 7.2% of the overall population of Tacoma, WA are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 2.16% speak Vietnamese and 1.57% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    5,304 ± 385

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    4,904 ± 526

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    3,267 ± 399

Tacoma, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.08 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Tacoma, WA awarded 6,061 degrees. The student population of Tacoma, WA is skewed towards women, with 7,996 male students and 10,954 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Tacoma, WA are White (3,295 and 56.1%), followed by Unknown (582 and 9.91%), Black or African American (495 and 8.43%), and Hispanic or Latino (491 and 8.36%).

The largest universities in Tacoma, WA by number of degrees awarded are Tacoma Community College (1,924 and 31.7%), University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (1,665 and 27.5%), and Bates Technical College (1,151 and 19%).

The most popular majors in Tacoma, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (658 and 10.9%), General Computer & Information Sciences (250 and 4.12%), and General Psychology (220 and 3.63%).

The median tuition costs in Tacoma, WA are $26,868 for private four year colleges, and $6,585 and $21,276 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Computer & Information Sciences

    204 degrees awarded

  2. Mass Communication & Media Studies

    116 degrees awarded

  3. General Psychology

    220 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Tacoma, WA was General Computer & Information Sciences with 204 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Tacoma Community College

    1,924 degrees awarded

  2. University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    1,665 degrees awarded

  3. Bates Technical College

    1,151 degrees awarded

$6,585

Median In-State Public

$26,868

Median Private

In 2016, the Tacoma, WA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Tacoma Community College with 1,924 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

2,571

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,490

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 2,571 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Tacoma, WA, which is 0.737 times less than the 3,490 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Tacoma, WA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    3,295 degrees awarded

  2. Unknown

    582 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    495 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Tacoma, WA were to White students. These 3,295 degrees mean that there were 5.66 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 582 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Tacoma, WA was $227,200 in 2017, which is 1.04 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $212,400 to $227,200, a 6.97% increase. The homeownership rate in Tacoma, WA is 50.4%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Tacoma, WA have an average commute time of 26.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Tacoma, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$55,506

Median Household Income

± $1,184

82k

Number of Households

± 1,934

In 2017, the median household income of the 82k households in Tacoma, WA grew to $55,506 from the previous year's value of $53,553.

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.

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Housing

Property Value

$227,200

2017 Median

± $3,447

$212,400

2016 Median

± $3,852

In 2017, the median property value in Tacoma, WA grew to to $227,200 from the previous year's value of $212,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Tacoma, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Tacoma, WA the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Tacoma, WA 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.

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Rent vs Own

50.4%

2017 Homeownership

50%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 50.4% of the housing units in Tacoma, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 50%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Tacoma, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

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, followed by 1 car.

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Commute Time

26.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Tacoma, WA have a longer commute time (26.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 4.35% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    75.1%

  2. Carpooled

    10.6%

  3. Public Transit

    5.63%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Tacoma, WA was Drove Alone, followed by those who Carpooled and those who Public Transit.

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