Yakima County, WA Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Yakima County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 254,286 | 7,740,889 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 59.0 | 108.5 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | 0.51% | 1.20% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 31.2 | 36.2 | 37.1 |
| Households | 86,686 | 3,012,519 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Yakima County grew by 10.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 256,589 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Yakima County has a the economy index of D, which means it is barely prosperous.
| Metric | Yakima County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,440 | $95,177 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 5.74% | 6.00% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Yakima County is about 29% lower than in Washington.
Housing
| Metric | Yakima County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $328,475 | $471,160 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $1,068 | $1,681 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 62.4% | 63.9% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Yakima County is about 25.6 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $1,068 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Yakima County spend about 35 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 144 hours, about 6.0 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Yakima County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 17.3 | 22.6 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 34.6 | 45.2 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 144 | 188 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $4,475 | $5,842 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 17.7% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 5,160 | 10,119 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 1,255 | 1,525 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
Washington:
Columbia County (11.6 min), Walla Walla County (12.0 min), San Juan County (12.7 min).
Slowest:
Mason County (32.4 min), Wahkiakum County (30.7 min), Snohomish County (28.7 min).
The average commute time in Yakima County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Washington.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Yakima County has a education index of F, which means it scores poorly in education.
| Metric | Yakima County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.4% | 35.1% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.91 | 2.51 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
Washington:
King County (0.4), San Juan County (0.4), Jefferson County (0.4).
Lowest:
Adams County (0.2), Yakima County (0.2), Grant County (0.2).
Health
Yakima County has a health index of B, which means it is quite healthy.
| Metric | Yakima County | Washington Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 78.3 | 79.6 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 20.0% | 15.4% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 18.5% | 16.4% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
Washington:
King County (0.8), Whitman County (0.8), San Juan County (0.8).
Lowest:
Adams County (0.8), Okanogan County (0.8), Pacific County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Yakima County, Washington.
What is the population of Yakima County, Washington?
The population of Yakima County, Washington is 254,286, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Yakima County, Washington?
The population density of Yakima County, Washington is 59.0 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Yakima County, Washington?
The median household income in Yakima County, Washington is $67,440, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Yakima County, Washington?
The median home price in Yakima County, Washington is $328,475, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Yakima County, Washington?
The unemployment rate in Yakima County, Washington is 7.1%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.