King
Washington

What stands out

If you had to describe King County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-3.0 on the USDA scale), rainfall is among the wettest in America (71 inches a year), and natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (100 of 100). Within Washington it ranks 15th of 39 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in King County, Washington. 2,254,371 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population held steady at 0.3% last year.

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 $116,340 a year, higher than almost every county in America. Employers pay an average wage of $132,279. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 69% of American counties. 23% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $867K, pricier than almost every county in America, about 5.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $2,086 a month. Property tax is 0.85% of home value, roughly $6,476 a year on that median home, lower than 51% of American counties. 56% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 93% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 41 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 81.6 years, longer than 97% of American counties. There are 12,768 active physicians in the county, about 56.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.6 of 5 stars. 6.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.24 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 78% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 75 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 49°F, highs near 57 and lows near 41, colder than 77% of American counties. About 71 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 100 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 35 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 253 Mbps down, faster than 75% of American counties. There are 15 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 113 breweries, 65 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.