How many immigrants are in Washington state?
Data updated September 19, 2024
About 1.21M in 2023. This translates to approximately 15.5% of the population, or roughly 3 in 20 residents in Washington state. Immigrants were defined as foreign-born residents, which includes people who became US citizens, were authorized to come to the US (e.g. for work), or were undocumented residents.
Showing data for
In 2023
1.21M
Washington state residents were foreign-born
In 2023
3 in 20
Washington state residents were foreign-born
The number of foreign-born residents in Washington state grew from 944K in 2013 to 1.21M in 2023. This increase occurred alongside changes in the native-born population due to births, deaths, and people moving. Analyzing the foreign-born share of the total population gives a clearer view of these demographics. In Washington state, the foreign-born share of the population was 15.5% in 2023, higher than the US overall at 14.3%, and up from 13.5% in the state since 2013.
In Washington state, 15.5% of the population was foreign-born in 2023.
Variations in immigrant populations illustrate a changing population landscape in both local areas and the nation as a whole. The largest immigration populations are concentrated in big metro areas. Metro areas in California, Texas, Florida, and parts of the Northeast typically have a higher share of residents that are foreign-born.
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From 2018 to 2022, the metro areas in the US with the highest and lowest foreign-born population share were: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL at 41.5% foreign-born (highest) and Beckley, WV at 0.9% foreign-born (lowest). The highest and lowest among the metro areas in or connected to Washington state were: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at 19.9% foreign-born (highest) and Lewiston, ID-WA at 2.6% foreign-born (lowest).
On average, 8.3% of the population in metro areas was foreign-born from 2018 to 2022
Foreign-born share of the population
Average foreign-born share of the population from 2018 to 2022
| 1. | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area | 19.9% |
| 2. | Yakima, WA Metro Area | 18.8% |
| 3. | Kennewick-Richland, WA Metro Area | 14.9% |
| 4. | Wenatchee, WA Metro Area | 14.5% |
| 5. | Walla Walla, WA Metro Area | 10% |
| 6. | Bellingham, WA Metro Area | 9.9% |
| 7. | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Metro Area | 9.4% |
| 8. | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Metro Area | 8.4% |
| 9. | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA Metro Area | 6.8% |
| 10. | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA Metro Area | 5% |
