Washington had a population of **7,705,281** at the 2020 U.S. Census, making it one of the more populous U.S. states. Population growth over recent decades has been driven largely by the Seattle metropolitan area, suburban expansion in Puget Sound counties, and continued growth in some eastern urban centers such as Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Yakima.
The population is unevenly distributed. A large majority of residents live west of the Cascade Range, especially in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue region. Eastern Washington contains important population centers but is overall less densely settled. Washington is generally younger and more economically mobile than many states, though age structure varies by county.
Washington is racially and ethnically diverse, with substantial White, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Black, multiracial, and Indigenous populations. The state has long-standing Native communities and significant immigrant populations from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, East Africa, and Eastern Europe, among other regions. English is the dominant language, while Spanish is widely spoken; many other languages are used in homes, schools, and community life.
Religious life is varied and includes Christian denominations, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Indigenous spiritual traditions, and many residents who identify with no religion. Educational attainment is relatively high overall, especially in the Seattle region, though major disparities remain by geography, race, and income.
| Population Topic | Summary | |---|---| | Total population | 7,705,281 (2020 Census) | | Growth | Strong long-term growth, especially in metropolitan counties | | Urbanization | Highly urbanized west of the Cascades; more dispersed settlement in the east | | Languages | English dominant; Spanish and many immigrant and Indigenous languages also present | | Education | High attainment overall, with strong university and research presence | | Employment | Strong labor market in technology, trade, health care, government, aerospace, agriculture, and services |
For fine-grained statewide breakdowns by age, gender, income, and employment, official sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau and Washington state agencies are the best references.
