Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

University Place, WA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

34,911

Median Agei

40.1

Race & Ethnicityi

White

59%20,594

Hispanic/Latino

12.4%4,337

Asian

10.7%3,747

Two or More

9.5%3,334

Black

7.1%2,495

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.6%201

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.4%148

Other

0.2%55

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4%970

High School Diploma

16.5%3,966

Some College (<1 yr)

8.1%1,944

Some College (1+ yr)

13.4%3,206

Associate's Degree

11.6%2,779

Bachelor's Degree

23%5,517

Master's Degree

12.2%2,932

Professional Degree

4.9%1,182

Doctorate

2%474

HS or Higher

95.8%

BA or Higher

42.1%

Graduate+

19.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$624,800

Median Renti

$1,762

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

57.2%7,826

Renter-Occupied

42.8%5,856

Total Units

14,216

Homeownership

57.2%

Vacancy Rate

3.8%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.6%126

$50K–$100K

2.8%218

$100K–$150K

0.5%43

$150K–$200K

2.3%179

$200K–$300K

3.6%280

$300K–$500K

18.7%1,464

$500K–$1M

62.9%4,919

$1M+

7.6%597

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

201

$1,000–$1,250

352

$1,250–$1,500

1,059

$1,500–$2,000

2,359

$2,000+

1,786

Year Built

2020 or later

1%137

2010–2019

6.5%929

2000–2009

10.7%1,518

1990–1999

15.7%2,229

1980–1989

17.8%2,529

1970–1979

22.1%3,142

1960–1969

13.6%1,928

1950–1959

6.8%969

1940–1949

2.9%414

1939 or earlier

3%421

Heating Fuel

Electricity

61.9%8,471

Utility Gas

36%4,930

Bottled/LP Gas

0.9%126

Wood

0.5%66

Fuel Oil

0.4%58

No Fuel

0.2%31

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$99,031

Mean Household Incomei

$129,824

Per Capita Incomei

$51,517

Poverty Ratei

8.1%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

18,249

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

2.5%343

$10K–$15K

1.7%236

$15K–$20K

1.5%199

$20K–$25K

2%277

$25K–$30K

3.3%453

$30K–$35K

2.4%333

$35K–$40K

5.2%712

$40K–$45K

1.9%256

$45K–$50K

2.9%401

$50K–$60K

8.2%1,126

$60K–$75K

6.3%867

$75K–$100K

12.7%1,731

$100K–$125K

12.7%1,733

$125K–$150K

8.7%1,184

$150K–$200K

11%1,504

$200K+

17%2,327

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

495

Residentsi

890

Avg. Tenant Renti

$555/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

32 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers430 homes85% occupied$556/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 865 homes89% occupied$551/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $99,031/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $30K/yr

77.1%

Very low income$30K–$50K/yr

15.6%

Low income$50K–$79K/yr

7.3%

Who Receives This Housing

75.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

52.1% of subsidized households are minority

34.1% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

34.6% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

4,69313.4%

By Region

Top Countries

Korea

827

Philippines

451

Mexico

439

Canada

219

India

194

China

153

Germany

Guatemala

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

16,936

Avg. Commutei

28 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

17,091

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

2,614(9.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

96%Insured

4%Uninsured