RANK #789 / 996 · POP 2,254,371 · WA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.5%
Stretching from Puget Sound to the Cascade Range, King County, Washington, is known for its diverse landscapes and the prominent city of Seattle, its county seat. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, with over 200 parks, 185 miles of regional trails, and 275 miles of backcountry trails, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and water activities on its numerous lakes and rivers. Commute options are varied, including bus, light rail, streetcar, and water taxi services, with free transit for those 18 and under. The community feel ranges from dense urban centers to affluent suburbs and rural areas.
Life in King County offers a blend of urban amenities and access to nature. The public school system is highly rated, with many top-ranked schools. The economy, historically rooted in logging, has evolved significantly. It is now driven by various sectors, including professional and business services, health services, and education. Major investments in infrastructure and clean water initiatives are ongoing, contributing to the region's quality of life. The area has seen substantial population growth, partly due to the expansion of the technology industry.
Below national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Speculative pricing
Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Wastewater Treatment Division Infrastructure Upgrades (14 projects)
King County Wastewater Treatment Division
|
$498M | Under Construction |
|
Cascadia Ridge Resiliency Energy Storage Facility
Jupiter Power
|
$130M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
King County has a Boom Town Index score of 21/100, ranking #789 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.4% and a median household income of $116,340, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in King County is $761,500 with median rent at $1,950/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1528, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.4%. Home values changed -2.4% in the past 12 months.