Fastest growing cities in Washington
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Washington using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. Marysville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +12,859
--- #384 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 22.2%
--- #217 among cities in Washington, #5,128 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 70,714
--- #18 largest city in Washington, #555 largest city nationwide
#19. Lacey
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +13,192
--- #372 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 32.7%
--- #145 among cities in Washington, #3,531 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 53,526
--- #25 largest city in Washington, #798 largest city nationwide
#18. Federal Way
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +13,238
--- #371 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 15.1%
--- #293 among cities in Washington, #6,944 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 101,030
--- #10 largest city in Washington, #330 largest city nationwide
#17. Kennewick
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +13,580
--- #360 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.3%
--- #243 among cities in Washington, #5,786 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 83,921
--- #15 largest city in Washington, #438 largest city nationwide
#16. Richland
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +14,780
--- #326 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 32.3%
--- #147 among cities in Washington, #3,575 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 60,560
--- #22 largest city in Washington, #682 largest city nationwide
#15. Spokane Valley
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +14,876
--- #324 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 16.9%
--- #273 among cities in Washington, #6,432 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 102,976
--- #9 largest city in Washington, #319 largest city nationwide
#14. Bothell
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +15,503
--- #296 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 47.5%
--- #88 among cities in Washington, #2,344 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 48,161
--- #27 largest city in Washington, #899 largest city nationwide
#13. Burien
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +19,323
--- #216 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 59.0%
--- #66 among cities in Washington, #1,809 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 52,066
--- #26 largest city in Washington, #823 largest city nationwide
#12. Auburn
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +20,271
--- #203 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 30.3%
--- #165 among cities in Washington, #3,821 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 87,256
--- #14 largest city in Washington, #415 largest city nationwide
#11. Renton
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +20,413
--- #201 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 23.6%
--- #206 among cities in Washington, #4,841 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 106,785
--- #8 largest city in Washington, #304 largest city nationwide
#10. Tacoma
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +20,527
--- #196 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 10.3%
--- #356 among cities in Washington, #8,735 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 219,346
--- #3 largest city in Washington, #105 largest city nationwide
#9. Redmond
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +21,132
--- #190 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 40.5%
--- #114 among cities in Washington, #2,811 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 73,256
--- #17 largest city in Washington, #525 largest city nationwide
#8. Spokane
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +22,448
--- #171 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 10.9%
--- #348 among cities in Washington, #8,495 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 228,989
--- #2 largest city in Washington, #98 largest city nationwide
#7. Pasco
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +22,992
--- #166 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 42.5%
--- #105 among cities in Washington, #2,673 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 77,108
--- #16 largest city in Washington, #492 largest city nationwide
#6. Sammamish
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +24,114
--- #150 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 55.6%
--- #73 among cities in Washington, #1,941 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 67,455
--- #19 largest city in Washington, #594 largest city nationwide
#5. Vancouver
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +30,713
--- #106 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.2%
--- #245 among cities in Washington, #5,813 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 190,915
--- #4 largest city in Washington, #139 largest city nationwide
#4. Bellevue
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +32,400
--- #102 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 27.1%
--- #189 among cities in Washington, #4,247 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 151,854
--- #5 largest city in Washington, #179 largest city nationwide
#3. Kirkland
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +44,498
--- #63 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 93.3%
--- #28 among cities in Washington, #935 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 92,175
--- #12 largest city in Washington, #378 largest city nationwide
#2. Kent
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +47,142
--- #57 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 52.7%
--- #76 among cities in Washington, #2,074 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 136,588
--- #6 largest city in Washington, #211 largest city nationwide
#1. Seattle
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +141,775
--- #8 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 23.8%
--- #204 among cities in Washington, #4,802 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 737,015
--- #1 largest city in Washington, #18 largest city nationwide
