County · Washington
Yakima County, Washington
Yakima County, Washington. Yakima County had 259,185 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Washington (+3.8%). It holds 28 places (14 cities, villages and boroughs and 14 census-designated) and 57 census tracts. GEOID 53077.
Yakima County is the county of the Yakima, WA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
259,185
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 256,728 · ACS 2020-2024: 257,152
Median household income
$70,656
±$2,480 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$310,100
±$7,523 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,109
±$30 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Yakima County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 256,728 residents in Yakima County. The Census Bureau estimates 259,185 for July 1, 2025, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Washington (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 257,152 over 4,295 square miles of land.
| Measure | Yakima County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 257,152 | 7,816,116 | +7,455 |
| Households | 87,708±656 | 3,064,820 | +4,660 |
| Average household size | 2.89±0.02 | 2.50 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 92,432±93 | 3,306,620 | +3,734 |
Yakima County's population since 2000
From 222,581 in 2000 to 259,185 in 2025: up 16.4%. 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 Yakima County?
Yakima County holds 28 places: 14 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 14 census-designated places. The largest is Yakima with 97,458 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Yakima | 96,968 | $62,815 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnyside | 16,375 | $60,923 |
| Grandview | 10,907 | $61,106 |
| Terrace Heights | 9,244 | $83,016 |
| Toppenish | 8,854 | $67,854 |
| Selah | 8,153 | $74,783 |
| Union Gap | 6,568 | $59,651 |
| Wapato | 4,607 | $52,019 |
| Moxee | 4,326 | $100,512 |
| Ahtanum | 4,046 | $96,149 |
| Granger | 3,624 | $66,250 |
| Zillah | 3,179 | $75,000 |
| Gleed | 2,873 | $78,529 |
| Summitview | 2,066 | $105,184 |
| Mabton | 1,959 | $56,875 |
| Tieton | 1,389 | $60,144 |
| Naches | 1,084 | $54,286 |
| BuenaGEOID 5308640 | 1,048 | $41,953 |
| White Swan | 789 | $60,234 |
| Harrah | 585 | $73,958 |
| CowicheGEOID 5315325 | 535 | not published |
| TampicoGEOID 5370245 | 467 | $110,375 |
| EschbachGEOID 5322150 | 441 | $79,375 |
| OutlookGEOID 5352285 | 317 | $46,475 |
| DonaldGEOID 5318265 | 172 | not published |
| ParkerGEOID 5353265 | 158 | not published |
| NileGEOID 5349030 | 146 | $105,151 |
| CliffdellGEOID 5313015 | 114 | $127,695 |
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 Yakima County?
The median resident of Yakima County is 33.3 years old; 28.9% are under 18 and 14.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 52.4%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 39.4%. 18.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Yakima County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.3±0.2 | 38.3 | +0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 28.9% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.5%±0.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 52.4% | 14.4% | +3.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 39.4%±0.3 pts | 63.1% | −3.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 3.8% | −0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 9.7% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 18.2%±0.6 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 42.3%±0.8 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4%±0.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 13.9%±0.6 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.7%±0.6 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 76.8%±0.9 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.2%±0.9 pts | 39.6% | +2.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0%±0.5 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.2 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 Yakima County earn?
Half of Yakima County's 87,708 households earn less than $70,656 a year (±$2,480), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,549 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,107 after inflation. 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Yakima County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,656±$2,480 | $98,141 | +$7,107 |
| Mean household income | $88,451±$1,870 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,448±$604 | $53,744 | +$1,577 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.5%±1.0 pts | 9.9% | −1.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.4%±2.2 pts | 11.6% | −5.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.6%±1.2 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.5%±0.9 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 Yakima County?
Owners occupy 61.8% of Yakima County's occupied homes and renters 38.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $310,100 by its owner (±$7,523). The median renter pays $1,109 a month including utilities, and 36.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Yakima County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $310,100±$7,523 | $564,600 | +$93,621 |
| Median gross rent | $1,109±$30 | $1,760 | +$94 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.6%±2.7 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,706±$35 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.8%±1.1 pts | 63.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 92,432±93 | 3,306,620 | +3,734 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.4%±0.8 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.3%±1.3 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.3%±0.8 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.4%±1.0 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 Yakima County building?
Builders took permits for 713 new housing units across Yakima County in 2025 (602 single-family), 2.8 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 Yakima County get to work?
78.8% of Yakima County's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Yakima County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.2%±0.8 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3%±0.7 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.8%±1.1 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.4%±0.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3%±0.7 pts | 19.8% | +3.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.3 min±0.6 | 26.6 min | +1.3 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 Yakima County's census tracts?
Yakima County is divided into 57 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,800 (Tract 1) to $121,131 (Tract 28.03).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Yakima County compare with Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 16th of 39 |
| Median household income | 28th of 39 |
| Median home value | 32nd of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 23rd of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 39 |
| Median age | 36th 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 Yakima 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.