Clark
Washington

What stands out

If you had to describe Clark County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-2.6 on the USDA scale), rainfall is in the top 2% of American counties (62 inches a year), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 4% of American counties (96 of 100). Within Washington it ranks 27th of 39 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Clark County, Washington. 504,091 people live here with you. The population grew 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,572).

Washington has no income tax on wages but since 2022 taxes long-term capital gains above $278,000 at 7% and above $1,000,000 at 9%, and it has an estate tax with a $3 million exemption starting in 2025. Sales tax is high, over 10% in Seattle. Home prices in King County are among the highest in the country. The state does not tax retirement income of any kind.

Money

The typical household here brings in $90,115 a year, higher than 93% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $72,700. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 85% of American counties. 15% of workers work from home.

Washington has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $552K, pricier than 95% of American counties, about 4.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,487 a month. Property tax is 0.86% of home value, roughly $3,910 a year on that median home, higher than 50% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 65% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 28 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.8 years, longer than 83% of American counties. There are 1,215 active physicians in the county, about 24.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 7.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.93 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 67% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 54 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 79% of eligible voters turned out. Under Washington law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 54°F, highs near 63 and lows near 44, colder than 59% of American counties. About 62 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 96 out of 100, riskier than 96% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 261 Mbps down, faster than 80% of American counties. There are 16 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 21 breweries, 4 museums, 1 National Park Service site.