State
County
Land Area
49.8 sq mi
Density
4,446.6/sq mi
2020 Growth Rate
0.78%
Growth Since 2010
11.52%
Rank in State
Rank in Country
Metro Population
4,069,180
Tacoma is a city located in Washington. With a 2020 population of 221,259, it is the 3rd largest city in Washington (after Seattle and Spokane) and the 102nd largest city in the United States. Tacoma is currently growing at a rate of 0.78% annually and its population has increased by 11.52% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 198,397 in 2010. Tacoma reached it's highest population of 221,259 in 2021. Spanning over 62 miles, Tacoma has a population density of 4,447 people per square mile.
The average household income in Tacoma is $80,460 with a poverty rate of 14.64%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $1,180 per month, and the median house value is $277,900. The median age in Tacoma is 35.7 years, 34.8 years for males, and 36.7 years for females. For every 100 females there are 99.1 males.
Tacoma is located along the Puget Sound, just miles from the cities of Seattle and Olympia.
The city has seen its ups and downs throughout the years in terms of population, but recent restorations and revitalization projects have been launched in hopes of drawing in more inhabitants.
There are many international companies located in Tacoma. The top employer is the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which employs over 66,000 people. The public-school districts, the State of Washington, and the city’s health systems are also significant employers.
Despite some troubles in its past, the city of Tacoma has always seen population growth at every 10-year census. The population experienced its most significant growth between 1880 and 1890, growing by over 3,000%. Population growth has slowed in recent years, but it continues to climb. Based on current estimates, the population has increased by 6.5% since the last census taken in 2010. Revitalization of the city, particularly the downtown area, is expected to continue to bring in new residents to this city.
Native Americans inhabited what is now Tacoma for years before being settled by Europeans. The Puyallup was a notable group that lived in the region during its earliest years. What would later become Tacoma was settled by Nicolas Delin who built a sawmill close to Commencement Bay. However, all was later abandoned during the Indian War. It was in 1864 when Job Carr came to live in the area, but later sold his claim to Morton McCarver, who came up with the idea of Tacoma City.
The city was incorporated in 1875 because it was to be the site of a Northern Pacific Railroad depot. However, the depot was built several miles from the development as an area known as New Tacoma. These regions, however, merged in 1884 and experienced a population boom shortly thereafter.
It was in 1885 that hundreds of Chinese residents were evicted from the city and sent to Portland, Oregon. As the 19th century ended, a streetcar accident occurred in Tacoma, resulting in many deaths. During the early 20th century, smelter workers went on strike in Tacoma, demanding a pay raise. The strike ended just months later, with the workers not getting the extra pay they were seeking.
The 1920s saw a period of growth with the development of the first movie studio in the city. However, the stock market crash of 1929 brought misfortune to the city. Shortly after, Tacoma experienced one of its coldest winters in history, resulting in major power outages. The local economy was impacted, businesses shut their doors, and foreclosures were on the rise. The 1930s saw an increase of population in Hooverville, the city’s homeless community, as families were evicted from their homes.
The 1950s brought about more problems for the city as government corruption was uncovered. The commission-style government was changed to a mayor and city-manager system. The city’s economy continued to decline, with many streets and stores completely abandoned. The 1980s and early 1990s saw a higher rate of crime, but with the 2000s came a reduction in crime. The city was later named as one of the Most Livable Communities.
It was during the 1990s that revitalization efforts began. Among the renovations were the federal courthouse, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America’s Car Museum.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Tacoma was:
2019 and 2020 population is estimated by projecting the raw 2018 numbers.
Year | Total Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 4,069,180 | 44,670 | 1.10% |
2020 | 4,024,510 | 44,670 | 1.11% |
2019 | 3,979,840 | 44,660 | 1.12% |
2018 | 3,935,180 | 49,600 | 1.26% |
2017 | 3,885,580 | 69,220 | 1.78% |
2016 | 3,816,360 | 76,710 | 2.01% |
2015 | 3,739,650 | 64,490 | 1.72% |
2014 | 3,675,160 | 62,810 | 1.71% |
2013 | 3,612,350 | 53,520 | 1.48% |
2012 | 3,558,830 | 54,940 | 1.54% |
2011 | 3,503,890 | 54,650 | 1.56% |
2010 | 3,449,240 | 0.00% |
Race | Population | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White | 137,963 | 64.81% |
Black or African American | 22,246 | 10.45% |
Two or More Races | 20,163 | 9.47% |
Asian | 18,627 | 8.75% |
Some Other Race | 8,028 | 3.77% |
American Indian and Alaska Native | 3,498 | 1.64% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 2,344 | 1.10% |
Type | Count | Average Size | Owned |
---|---|---|---|
All | 83,688 | 2.47 | 52 |
Non Family | 35,442 | 1.3 | 37.3 |
Married | 33,442 | 3.27 | 71.1 |
Female | 10,155 | 3.5 | 43.4 |
Male | 4,649 | 3.33 | 44.1 |
3.17
Average Family Size
2.47
Average Household Size
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 5,886 | 4.02% |
9th to 12th Grade | 9,933 | 6.79% |
High School Graduate | 37,595 | 25.69% |
Some College | 35,283 | 24.11% |
Associates Degree | 14,151 | 9.67% |
Bachelors Degree | 27,811 | 19.01% |
Graduate Degree | 15,663 | 10.70% |
Name | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 93,948 | 87,808 | 32,496 |
Black | 15,505 | 14,101 | 2,933 |
Asian | 13,433 | 9,939 | 3,581 |
Hispanic | 12,553 | 8,812 | 1,939 |
Multiple Races | 8,500 | 7,854 | 2,336 |
Other Race | 3,958 | 2,349 | 471 |
Native American | 2,355 | 1,835 | 297 |
Islander | 1,581 | 1,422 | 127 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among white people with a rate of 93.46%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among white people with a rate of 34.59%.
$42,310
Average Earnings
$47,136
Average Male
$37,091
Average Female
81.17% of Tacoma residents speak only English, while 18.83% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Asian and Pacific Island languages, which is spoken by 7.52% of the population.
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
White | 121,942 | 13,869 | 11.37% |
Hispanic | 25,161 | 5,438 | 21.61% |
Black | 21,944 | 4,323 | 19.70% |
Multiple | 19,810 | 3,248 | 16.40% |
Asian | 18,439 | 3,202 | 17.37% |
Other | 7,947 | 1,609 | 20.25% |
Native | 3,381 | 668 | 19.76% |
Islander | 2,268 | 411 | 18.12% |
14.64%
Overall Poverty Rate
13.38%
Male Poverty Rate
15.90%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Tacoma is Hispanic, with 21.61% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Tacoma is White, with 11.37% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 2.11%. Among those working part-time, it was 17.12%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 27.01%.
41.8%
Overall Marriage Rate
42.9%
Male Marriage Rate
40.7%
Female Marriage Rate
The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 12,975 | 11.60% |
Black | 3,028 | 17.20% |
Hispanic | 964 | 6.00% |
2 or More | 822 | 7.73% |
Asian | 744 | 4.84% |
Other | 422 | 8.08% |
Hawaiian | 265 | 13.60% |
Indian | 154 | 5.93% |
8.30%
Veteran Poverty Rate
27.81%
Veteran Disability Rate
65.4%
Labor Force Participation
61.1%
Employment Rate
5.2%
Unemployment Rate
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
87.01%
Native Born
12.99%
Foreign Born
6.06%
Non Citizen
6.92%
Naturalized
87.01% of Tacoma residents were born in the United States, with 50.36% having been born in Washington. 6.06% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.
Year | Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 221,259 | 1,716 | 0.78% |
2020 | 219,543 | 1,716 | 0.79% |
2019 | 217,827 | 1,716 | 0.79% |
2018 | 216,111 | 2,694 | 1.26% |
2017 | 213,417 | 3,169 | 1.51% |
2016 | 210,248 | 3,464 | 1.68% |
2015 | 206,784 | 3,044 | 1.49% |
2014 | 203,740 | 1,613 | 0.80% |
2013 | 202,127 | 590 | 0.29% |
2012 | 201,537 | 2,018 | 1.01% |
2011 | 199,519 | 1,289 | 0.65% |
2010 | 198,230 | 4,674 | 0.24% |
2000 | 193,556 | 16,892 | 0.92% |
1990 | 176,664 | 18,163 | 1.09% |
1980 | 158,501 | 4,094 | 0.26% |
1970 | 154,407 | 6,428 | 0.43% |
1960 | 147,979 | 4,306 | 0.30% |
1950 | 143,673 | 34,265 | 2.76% |
1940 | 109,408 | 2,591 | 0.24% |
1930 | 106,817 | 9,852 | 0.97% |
1920 | 96,965 | 13,222 | 1.48% |
1910 | 83,743 | 46,029 | 8.30% |
1900 | 37,714 | 1,708 | 0.46% |
1890 | 36,006 | 0.00% |