Pierce
Washington

What stands out

What stands out about Pierce County: winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-3.0 on the USDA scale), natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (99 of 100), and rainfall is in the top 2% of American counties (62 inches a year). Within Washington it ranks 15th of 39 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Pierce County, Washington. 918,993 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -2,396).

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 $91,486 a year, higher than 94% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $70,395. Unemployment runs 5.1%, higher than 91% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 29 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $574K, pricier than 96% of American counties, about 4.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,591 a month. Property tax is 0.98% of home value, roughly $4,361 a year on that median home, higher than 59% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 52% 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 78.1 years, longer than 77% of American counties. There are 2,672 active physicians in the county, about 29.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.2 of 5 stars. 7.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.00 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 56% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 55 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 72% 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 40, colder than 79% of American counties. About 62 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 99 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 275 Mbps down, faster than 86% of American counties. There are 14 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 29 breweries, 15 museums, 1 National Park Service site.