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CITY

Rainier

Washington · 2,495 residents (2025 est.) · 1.738 sq mi
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The short version

Rainier is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $106,019. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 65% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $425,900. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 112%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,455
+65%since 2000
from 1,492 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,413 / sq mi
+65%since 2000
from 858 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.3
+7%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,495 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8131K2K2K3K1990201020202024Rainier
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$106,019
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,955 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,592
+108%since 2000
from $16,636 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
68.0%
+43.7 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.6%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.303
+3%since 2010
from 0.293 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade14.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Information11.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade5.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$425,900
+112%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $110,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,227
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $613 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
85.8%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.6% in 2000
14.2% rent
Vacancy rate
7.3%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 27.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.5%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.0
+56%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
82
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rainier on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.2%(1,346)
Black0.5%(8)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(58)
Asian0.7%(11)
Other0%
Diversity Score12.9%(193)
2024
White, non-Hispanic84%(2,063)
Black0.3%(7)
Hispanic / Latino11.4%(281)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.2%(104)
Diversity Score34.9%(856)
Diversity Score
35
+169%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.4%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.5%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 85.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.4%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
37.9 min
+55%since 2000
from 24.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.4%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 79.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.7%
−15.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
23.6%
+22.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−8.8 ptssince 2011
from 13.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.8%
−5.3 ptssince 2011
from 68.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.2%
−22.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Foreign born
5.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.7%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
23.2%
+10.2 ptssince 2012
from 13.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−84.7 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2017
from 86.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.5%
−4.5 ptssince 2016
from 98.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.8%
+4.9 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Rainier to nearby cities

RAINIER VS
Yelm
Income$90,750−14%
Home value$455,300+7%
Population12,043+383%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAINIER VS
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Income$90,625−15%
Home value$457,100+7%
Population58,833+2258%
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RAINIER VS
Tumwater
Income$95,212−10%
Home value$472,200+11%
Population28,010+1023%
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RAINIER VS
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Income$81,302−23%
Home value$486,200+14%
Population56,724+2174%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rainier, Washington?

Rainier, Washington has about 2,455 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rainier, Washington?

The typical household in Rainier, Washington earns about $106,019 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rainier, Washington expensive?

In Rainier, Washington, the median home is worth about $425,900, and the typical rent is about $1,227 a month.

How educated are people in Rainier, Washington?

About 22.4% of adults age 25 and over in Rainier, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rainier, Washington?

About 14.6% of people in Rainier, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rainier, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Rainier, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,464 residents, a change of about 148 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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