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CITY

University Place

Washington · 35,479 residents (2025 est.) · 8.34 sq mi
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The short version

University Place is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $99,031. Population has grown 17% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $624,800. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 98%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
34,911
+17%since 2000
from 29,933 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,186 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 3,589 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.1
+10%since 2000
from 36.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:35,479 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
27K29K31K33K36K1990201020202024University Place
202435K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$99,031
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,287 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$51,517
+102%since 2000
from $25,544 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
62.0%
+27.9 ptssince 2009
from 34.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.450
+9%since 2010
from 0.411 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade6.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$624,800
+98%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $173,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,762
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $618 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 57.8% in 2000
42.8% rent
Vacancy rate
3.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.1%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 32.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.7%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.3
+83%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
70
RELATED:See current rent listings in University Place on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic74.2%(22,207)
Black8.5%(2,555)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(1,150)
Asian7.4%(2,204)
Other0%
Diversity Score45%(13,473)
2024
White, non-Hispanic59%(20,594)
Black7.1%(2,495)
Hispanic / Latino12.4%(4,337)
Asian10.7%(3,747)
Other10.7%(3,738)
Diversity Score76.1%(26,554)
Diversity Score
76
+69%since 2000
from 45 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
42.1%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 33.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 92.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
19.1%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.0 min
+58%since 2000
from 17.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.2%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 81.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.2%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.9%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 11.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.1%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 69.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
47.7%
−22.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
53.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
13.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.8%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2012
from 11.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−86.2 ptssince 2013
from 90.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.0%
+9.9 ptssince 2017
from 87.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
81.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2016
from 83.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2016
from 3.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare University Place to nearby cities

UNIVERSITY PLACE VS
Lakewood
Income$74,720−25%
Home value$461,200−26%
Population62,755+77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNIVERSITY PLACE VS
Tacoma
Income$85,884−13%
Home value$479,600−23%
Population229,816+548%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNIVERSITY PLACE VS
Midland
Income$84,700−14%
Home value$412,800−34%
Population9,050−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNIVERSITY PLACE VS
Parkland
Income$72,239−27%
Home value$423,000−32%
Population38,742+9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in University Place, Washington?

University Place, Washington has about 34,911 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in University Place, Washington?

The typical household in University Place, Washington earns about $99,031 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is University Place, Washington expensive?

In University Place, Washington, the median home is worth about $624,800, and the typical rent is about $1,762 a month.

How educated are people in University Place, Washington?

About 42.1% of adults age 25 and over in University Place, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in University Place, Washington?

About 8.2% of people in University Place, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has University Place, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, University Place, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 7,208 residents, a change of about 26 percent over that period.

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

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