County · Washington
Jefferson County, Washington
Jefferson County, Washington. Jefferson County had 33,970 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.0% since 2020, slower than Washington (+3.8%). It holds 7 places (1 city, village or borough and 6 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 53031.
Jefferson County is the county of the Port Townsend, WA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,970
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,977 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,577
Median household income
$74,048
±$4,031 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$535,000
±$27,178 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,522
±$120 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Jefferson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 32,977 residents in Jefferson County. The Census Bureau estimates 33,970 for July 1, 2025, up 3.0% since 2020, slower than Washington (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 33,577 over 1,804 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,577 | 7,816,116 | +2,292 |
| Households | 16,340±415 | 3,064,820 | +1,635 |
| Average household size | 2.02±0.05 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 19,534±48 | 3,306,620 | +916 |
Jefferson County's population since 2000
From 25,953 in 2000 to 33,970 in 2025: up 30.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County holds 7 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Port Townsend with 10,678 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Port Townsend | 10,148 | $62,606 |
|---|---|---|
| Port Hadlock-Irondale | 3,983 | $83,548 |
| Port Ludlow | 2,959 | $96,103 |
| Marrowstone | 995 | $110,368 |
| Brinnon | 907 | $62,857 |
| QuilceneGEOID 5356975 | 598 | $34,464 |
| QueetsGEOID 5356905 | 136 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Jefferson County?
The median resident of Jefferson County is 59.8 years old; 11.2% are under 18 and 40.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 6.5%. 4.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 59.8±0.4 | 38.3 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 11.2%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 40.7%±0.3 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.4% | 14.4% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.6%±1.1 pts | 63.1% | −3.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.5%±0.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±1.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.8%±1.0 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.2%±1.0 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.7%±1.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 20.2%±1.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.8%±1.1 pts | 6.3% | −1.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.4%±0.9 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 43.9%±2.0 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.6%±1.5 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Jefferson County earn?
Half of Jefferson County's 16,340 households earn less than $74,048 a year (±$4,031), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 it was $67,844 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,048±$4,031 | $98,141 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $104,756±$6,974 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $51,695±$3,167 | $53,744 | +$6,654 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.1%±1.6 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.7%±4.7 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.1%±1.5 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.5%±1.4 pts | 93.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Jefferson County?
Owners occupy 79.0% of Jefferson County's occupied homes and renters 21.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $535,000 by its owner (±$27,178). The median renter pays $1,522 a month including utilities, and 36.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $535,000±$27,178 | $564,600 | +$119,025 |
| Median gross rent | $1,522±$120 | $1,760 | +$375 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.7%±6.1 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,015±$94 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.0%±2.3 pts | 63.8% | +4.7 pts |
| Housing units | 19,534±48 | 3,306,620 | +916 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0%±2.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.7%±2.1 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.3%±1.4 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.5%±1.5 pts | 9.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Jefferson County building?
Builders took permits for 218 new housing units across Jefferson County in 2025 (199 single-family), 6.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Jefferson County get to work?
60.9% of Jefferson County's workers drive alone and 23.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 43.9%±1.6 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6%±1.3 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 60.9%±3.8 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±2.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 4.6%±1.1 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 23.7%±3.1 pts | 19.8% | +12.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min±1.6 | 26.6 min | −3.2 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Jefferson County's census tracts?
Jefferson County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,395 (Tract 9506.03) to $107,769 (Tract 9503.01).
| Tract 9502.0253031950202 | 1,904±308 | $56,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9503.0153031950301 | 4,062±510 | $107,769 |
| Tract 9503.0253031950302 | 2,890±298 | $94,472 |
| Tract 950453031950400 | 4,566±510 | $89,836 |
| Tract 9505.0153031950501 | 4,940±547 | $73,220 |
| Tract 9505.0253031950502 | 2,759±276 | $95,857 |
| Tract 9506.0253031950602 | 3,757±339 | $68,413 |
| Tract 9506.0353031950603 | 3,299±269 | $50,395 |
| Tract 9506.0453031950604 | 3,562±428 | $75,278 |
| Tract 9507.0253031950702 | 1,838±291 | $54,167 |
| Tract 990053031990000 | 0±13 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jefferson County compare with Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 27th of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 30th of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 29th of 39 |
| Median household income | 21st of 39 |
| Median home value | 8th of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 10th of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th of 39 |
| Median age | 1st of 39 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Jefferson County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.