Burien, Washington Income Statistics
Burien Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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B
Burien Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Burien | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $93,761 | $98,224 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $67,565 | $73,370 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 6.8% | 5.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 16.8% | 19.3% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 17.1% | 18.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Burien is about 5% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing faster in Burien (6.8%/yr) than in Washington (5.6%/yr).
About 17% of adults in Burien earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Washington average of 19%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Burien, Washington grew by 83.8% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $93,761 in 2024. That's an average of about 6.8% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Burien
| Metric | Burien | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.530 | 0.534 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $77,897 | $86,137 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $67,970 | $68,506 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.7% | 20.5% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Burien, it is 0.530, about the same as Washington's 0.534, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 15% more than women's income in Burien, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 15% wage gap accumulates to roughly $347,445 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Burien, Washington has widened from about 12% to 13% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 20% in 2015, and was narrowest at 7% in 2018. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,910 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in Burien widened by 1.0 points while Washington's narrowed by 4.4 points.
Employment
| Metric | Burien | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 18.9% | 19.8% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,822 people are unemployed in Burien, Washington.
The average commute time in Burien is 23 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Burien, Washington has fallen from 8.3% to 6.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.0% in 2013 and fell as low as 5.2% in 2022.
Burien, WA Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Burien, WA compares with the 1 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burien, WA | 47,382 | $93,761 #1/2 | 6.8%/yr #2/2 | 6.9% #1/2 | 0.530 #1/2 |
| SeaTac, WA | 36,350 | $78,744 | 6.9%/yr | 7.3% | 0.531 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Burien, Washington has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Washington, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Burien, Washington.
How Rich Is Burien, Washington?
Burien has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $93,761, about 5% lower than the Washington average of $98,224.
Are incomes growing in Burien, Washington?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Burien, Washington rose 84%, from $51,010 to $93,761. Over the same years, income here outpaced Washington as a whole: +84% against +73%.
What was the median household income in Burien in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Burien, Washington was $94,526, up 6% from $89,000 in 2022. The Washington median that year was $95,216.
What was the median household income in Burien in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Burien, Washington was $73,252. By 2024 it had risen 28% to $93,761.
Is it hard to find a job in Burien, Washington?
Unemployment in Burien, Washington is 6.9%, well above the Washington rate of 5.0%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Burien, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Burien is 0.530. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Burien, Washington?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Burien, Washington has widened from about 12% to 13% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 20% in 2015, and was narrowest at 7% in 2018. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,910 since 2009.
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