By Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard
Washington state’s population eclipsed 8 million with the addition of an estimated 84,550 people this past year, according to the Office of Financial Management.
The population was 8,035,700 as of April 1, according to annual estimates prepared by the department. It is the 13th most populous state, trailing Virginia and just ahead of Arizona, based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data.
While the state is growing, it is doing so at a slightly slower pace than last decade. The 84,550 compares to an annual average increase of 98,200 people from 2010 to 2020, the department reported.
Washington recorded a net migration — the number of people moving in minus people moving out — of 69,100, amounting to 82% of the year-over-year population growth. Natural change, which is births minus deaths, totaled 15,500 people, and accounted for the other 18%, according to agency figures.
More than 68% of the growth came in the state’s five largest metropolitan counties — King, Clark, Snohomish, Pierce and Spokane. Asotin, Skamania, Ferry, Columbia, Garfield and Wahkiakum counties grew the least, with each adding fewer than 100 people.
Seattle’s population grew by 18,500 people, the most of any city in Washington, and is at 797,700. Vancouver was next with 3,000 people, pushing its population to 202,600. Tacoma, Redmond, and Spokane Valley, round out the top five cities with the largest numeric increases, according to the annual report.
Of the 84,550 statewide, 7,300 came to Snohomish County, with the population growing to 867,100 this year.
Sixteen cities showed a modest dip in population and another 60 recorded no change, according to the department’s data.
Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X.
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