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CITY · 2020 ACS

Rainier

Washington · 2,369 residents · 1.738 sq mi
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The short version

Rainier is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $76,016. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 59% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $232,800.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,369
+59%since 2000
from 1,492 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,363 / sq mi
+59%since 2000
from 858 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.1
+3%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8131K2K2K3K1990201020202024Rainier
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$76,016
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,955 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,729
+61%since 2000
from $16,636 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
50.7%
+26.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.8%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade14.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade6.8%
US avg: 10%
Information4.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Arts, entertainment, food4.1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services0.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$232,800
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $110,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,339
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $613 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
80.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 80.6% in 2000
19.9% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+19%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic79.4%(1,882)
Black0.8%(19)
Hispanic / Latino8.1%(192)
Asian1.9%(44)
Other9.9%(234)
Diversity Score44.1%(1,046)
Diversity Score
44
+241%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 85.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
35.4 min
+44%since 2000
from 24.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.3%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 79.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−8.6 ptssince 2011
from 13.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.2%
−14.8 ptssince 2011
from 68.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.5%
−23.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Female
48.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.7%
−85.0 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Rainier to nearby cities

RAINIER VS
Yelm
Income$90,750+19%
Home value$455,300+96%
Population12,043+383%
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RAINIER VS
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Income$90,625+19%
Home value$457,100+96%
Population58,833+2258%
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RAINIER VS
Tumwater
Income$95,212+25%
Home value$472,200+103%
Population28,010+1023%
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RAINIER VS
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Income$81,302+7%
Home value$486,200+109%
Population56,724+2174%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rainier, Washington?

Rainier, Washington has about 2,369 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rainier, Washington?

The typical household in Rainier, Washington earns about $76,016 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 $232,800, and the typical rent is about $1,339 a month.

How educated are people in Rainier, Washington?

About 14.3% 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 11.8% 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 1,378 residents, a change of about 139 percent over that period.

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

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