Best counties to live in Washington

Written by:
April 8, 2024
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Best counties to live in Washington

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Washington using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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Irra // Shutterstock

#24. Grant County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 99,145
- Median household income: $66,387
- Median home value: $244,500 (65% own)
- Median rent: $979 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Parkway School (grade B+), Ephrata Middle School (grade B), Ephrata High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Moses Lake Christian Academy (grade B), St. Rose of Lima Catholic School (grade unavailable), New Life Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Ephrata (grade B), Moses Lake (grade B minus), Quincy (grade C+)

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#23. Franklin County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 96,692
- Median household income: $77,877
- Median home value: $308,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,124 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Ruth Livingston Elementary School (grade B), Edwin Markham Elementary School (grade B), Connell High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School (grade A), St. Patrick Catholic School (grade unavailable), Kingspoint Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: West Pasco (grade A minus), Pasco (grade B minus), Connell (grade B minus)

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#22. Clallam County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 77,333
- Median household income: $66,108
- Median home value: $353,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,093 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Hamilton Elementary School (grade B+), Greywolf Elementary School (grade B+), Franklin Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Queen of Angels School (grade unavailable), Olympic Christian School (grade unavailable), Five Acre School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Sequim (grade B), Forks (grade B), Port Angeles (grade B)

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#21. Douglas County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 43,189
- Median household income: $79,422
- Median home value: $366,800 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,181 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Cascade Elementary School (grade B+), Waterville Elementary School (grade B+), Lee Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: East Wenatchee (grade B), Rock Island (grade C+), Waterville (grade B minus)

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#20. Lincoln County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 11,036
- Median household income: $68,172
- Median home value: $232,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $839 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Almira Elementary School (grade A), Davenport Senior High School (grade B+), Davenport Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Christian Heritage School (grade C+)
- Top places: Davenport (grade B+), Almira (grade B), Reardan (grade B minus)

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#19. Pierce County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 918,993
- Median household income: $91,486
- Median home value: $444,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,604 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Narrows View Intermediate School (grade A), Drum Intermediate School (grade A), Carbonado Historial School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Annie Wright Schools (grade A+), Charles Wright Academy (grade A+), Bellarmine Preparatory School (grade A+)
- Top places: North End (grade A), DuPont (grade A minus), Artondale (grade A minus)

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#18. Klickitat County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 22,798
- Median household income: $66,581
- Median home value: $352,500 (75% own)
- Median rent: $986 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Centerville Elementary School (grade B+), Hulan L. Whitson Elementary School (grade B), Trout Lake High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: World Class Academy (grade A), Little Oak Montessori School (grade unavailable), Goldendale Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: White Salmon (grade B+), Goldendale (grade C+), Dallesport (grade C)

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#17. Kittitas County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 44,424
- Median household income: $66,800
- Median home value: $417,600 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,152 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Ellensburg High School (grade B), Cle Elum Roslyn High School (grade B minus), Kittitas High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Ellensburg Christian School (grade unavailable), Creative Kids Learning Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Ellensburg (grade B), Cle Elum (grade C), Kittitas (grade B+)

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#16. Okanogan County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 42,336
- Median household income: $58,218
- Median home value: $251,100 (70% own)
- Median rent: $862 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Liberty Bell Junior/Senior High School (grade B), Okanogan High School (grade B), Methow Valley Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Little Star Montessori School (grade unavailable), Brewster Adventist School (grade unavailable), A Is 4 Apple Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Okanogan (grade B), Omak (grade B), Twisp (grade A minus)

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#15. Chelan County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 79,076
- Median household income: $71,876
- Median home value: $412,300 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,142 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Icicle River Middle School (grade A minus), Vale Elementary School (grade A minus), Cascade High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Cascade Christian Academy (grade A minus), The River Academy (grade B), St. Joseph Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Leavenworth (grade B+), Sunnyslope (grade B+), Cashmere (grade B)

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#14. Asotin County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 22,370
- Median household income: $63,724
- Median home value: $266,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $941 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Heights Elementary School (grade B+), Asotin Elementary School (grade B), Asotin Junior/Senior High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Holy Family Elementary School (grade unavailable), Monarch Academy (grade unavailable), The Ohana Education Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Asotin (grade B+), Clarkston (grade B minus)

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#13. Snohomish County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 828,337
- Median household income: $104,083
- Median home value: $592,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,794 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: North Creek High School (grade A+), Shelton View Elementary School (grade A), Lockwood Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Archbishop Murphy High School (grade A), Grace Academy (grade B minus), St. Mary Magdalen Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top places: Woodway (grade A), Mukilteo (grade A), Edmonds (grade A minus)

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#12. Clark County, Washington

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 504,091
- Median household income: $90,115
- Median home value: $453,200 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,572 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Grass Valley Elementary School (grade A), Skyridge Middle School (grade A), Prune Hill Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School (grade A+), Cedar Tree Classical Christian School (grade A), Columbia Adventist Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: Village at Fisher's Creek (grade A), Camas (grade A), Fisher's Creek (grade A)

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#11. Spokane County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 1,265
- Population: 538,711
- Median household income: $70,394
- Median home value: $331,600 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,123 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Prairie View Elementary School (grade A), North Central High School (grade A), Lewis & Clark High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Saint George's School (grade A+), Gonzaga Preparatory School (grade A), The Oaks Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: Liberty Lake (grade B+), Fairwood (grade B+), Country Homes (grade B+)

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#10. Jefferson County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 1,259
- Population: 33,006
- Median household income: $64,796
- Median home value: $449,300 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,169 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Port Townsend High School (grade B+), Blue Heron Middle School (grade B), Grant Street Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Sunfield Farm & Waldorf School (grade unavailable), Swan School (grade unavailable), Cedarbrook Adventist Christian (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Port Townsend (grade B+), Marrowstone (grade B minus), Port Ludlow (grade B minus)

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#9. Thurston County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 1,255
- Population: 294,272
- Median household income: $88,895
- Median home value: $411,700 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,499 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Jefferson Middle School (grade A), Centennial Elementary School (grade A), Olympia High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pope John Paul II High School (grade A+), Northwest Christian High School (grade A minus), Eagle View Christian School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Olympia (grade B+), Tumwater (grade B+), Lacey (grade B)

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#8. Whatcom County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 1,166
- Population: 226,523
- Median household income: $77,581
- Median home value: $475,000 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,370 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Sehome High School (grade A), Bellingham High School (grade A), Nooksack Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lynden Christian School (grade B+), Cornerstone Christian School (grade B), Assumption Catholic School (grade A+)
- Top places: Bellingham (grade A minus), Sudden Valley (grade A minus), Geneva (grade B+)

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#7. Walla Walla County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 1,111
- Population: 62,150
- Median household income: $66,635
- Median home value: $331,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,044 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Prospect Point Elementary School (grade B+), College Place High School (grade B+), Walla Walla High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: DeSales Catholic School (grade A minus), Walla Walla Valley Academy (grade B+), Rogers Adventist School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: College Place (grade B+), Garrett (grade B), Walla Walla (grade B)

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#6. Island County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 1,006
- Population: 86,510
- Median household income: $82,850
- Median home value: $480,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,517 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Broadview Elementary School (grade A minus), Hillcrest Elementary School (grade A minus), Oak Harbor High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Island Christian Academy (grade B), Whidbey Island Waldorf School (grade unavailable), Oak Harbor Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Oak Harbor (grade B), Camano (grade B minus), Coupeville (grade B+)

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#5. Benton County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 901
- Population: 207,560
- Median household income: $83,778
- Median home value: $338,700 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,166 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Hanford High School (grade A), Leona Libby Middle School (grade A), White Bluffs Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Liberty Christian School of the Tri-Cities (grade C+), Christ the King School (grade unavailable), Bethlehem Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: West Richland (grade A minus), Richland (grade A minus), Kennewick (grade B)

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#4. Kitsap County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 882
- Population: 275,411
- Median household income: $93,675
- Median home value: $463,000 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,635 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Ordway Elementary School (grade A), Capt. Johnston Blakely Elementary School (grade A), Capt. Charles Wilkes Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: West Sound Academy (grade A), Gateway Christian Schools - Crosspoint (grade A minus), Peace Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bainbridge Island (grade A), Lofall (grade B+), Poulsbo (grade B+)

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#3. San Juan County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 291
- Population: 18,001
- Median household income: $76,745
- Median home value: $673,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,279 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Orcas Island High School (grade A minus), Friday Harbor Middle School (grade A minus), Friday Harbor Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Spring Street International School (grade A), Orcas Christian School (grade C), Salmonberry School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Friday Harbor (grade B+)

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#2. Whitman County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 182
- Population: 47,141
- Median household income: $49,345
- Median home value: $298,500 (45% own)
- Median rent: $959 (55% rent)
- Top public schools: Pullman High School (grade A), Leonard M. Jennings Elementary School (grade A), Franklin Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pullman Christian School (grade B), Guardian Angel-St. Boniface School (grade unavailable), Royal Garrison School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Pullman (grade A), Colfax (grade A minus), Palouse (grade A+)

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#1. King County, Washington

- Overall Rank: 155
- Population: 2,254,371
- Median household income: $116,340
- Median home value: $761,500 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,950 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Tesla STEM High School (grade A+), Newport High School (grade A+), International Community School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)
- Top places: South Lake Union (grade A+), Westlake (grade A+), West Bellevue (grade A+)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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