RANK #679 / 996 · POP 918,993 · WA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%
Mount Rainier, a prominent feature on the eastern edge of Pierce County, is a major draw, offering extensive hiking trails and year-round recreation. Located in western Washington, Pierce County sits about 32 miles south of Seattle, with Tacoma serving as its largest city and county seat. The county's landscape blends urban areas with natural beauty, including Puget Sound, rivers, lakes, and forests. Commute options include public transit, carpooling, and vanpooling, with resources available for planning trips and finding rideshares. Towns like Gig Harbor offer a waterfront atmosphere, while Puyallup is known for the Washington State Fair. The community feel varies from urban in Tacoma to more rural in areas like Eatonville and Orting, which offer mountain views and larger lots.
Life in Pierce County offers a mix of urban and rural experiences, with access to education, healthcare, and various employment opportunities. Families often consider the public schools, which are generally above average, with districts like Puyallup School District having a good reputation. The economy, historically rooted in timber, has diversified to include sectors such as aerospace, technology, and healthcare. Major employers include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Port of Tacoma. While the county has seen job growth in education, health services, and trade, it also faces challenges with housing affordability and an elevated local inflation rate.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Greenwater Energy Storage Project
BrightNight and Cordelio Power
|
$400M | Under Construction |
|
Centeris Data Center Expansion (Voltage Park)
Voltage Park / Centeris Data Centers
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Frederickson 1 Generating Station (Capital Power Acquisition)
Capital Power / Puget Sound Energy
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Tacoma LNG Facility and PSE Natural Gas Distribution System Upgrades
Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Pierce County has a Boom Town Index score of 32/100, ranking #679 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $91,486, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Pierce County is $444,600 with median rent at $1,604/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2058, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed -0.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.75% of Pierce County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.