Tacoma
RANK #586 / 996 NAT · #8 / 21 WA · POP 918,993
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Mount Rainier, a prominent feature on the eastern edge of Pierce County, is a major draw, offering extensive hiking trails and year-round recreation. Located in western Washington, Pierce County sits about 32 miles south of Seattle, with Tacoma serving as its largest city and county seat. The county's landscape blends urban areas with natural beauty, including Puget Sound, rivers, lakes, and forests. Commute options include public transit, carpooling, and vanpooling, with resources available for planning trips and finding rideshares. Towns like Gig Harbor offer a waterfront atmosphere, while Puyallup is known for the Washington State Fair. The community feel varies from urban in Tacoma to more rural in areas like Eatonville and Orting, which offer mountain views and larger lots.
Life in Pierce County offers a mix of urban and rural experiences, with access to education, healthcare, and various employment opportunities. Families often consider the public schools, which are generally above average, with districts like Puyallup School District having a good reputation. The economy, historically rooted in timber, has diversified to include sectors such as aerospace, technology, and healthcare. Major employers include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Port of Tacoma. While the county has seen job growth in education, health services, and trade, it also faces challenges with housing affordability and an elevated local inflation rate.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Greenwater Energy Storage Project
BrightNight and Cordelio Power
|
$400M | Under Construction |
|
Centeris Data Center Expansion (Voltage Park)
Voltage Park / Centeris Data Centers
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Frederickson 1 Generating Station (Capital Power Acquisition)
Capital Power / Puget Sound Energy
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Tacoma LNG Facility and PSE Natural Gas Distribution System Upgrades
Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Pierce County scores 41/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#586). Median household income is $91,486 and job growth is running at +0.8%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Pierce County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $444,600 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,604/month on average.
Pierce County's population is growing — up +1.0% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.8%). Home values shifted -0.7% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.75% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Pierce County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.