Pierce County Demographics

A map of Pierce County's Population by Race

Pierce County, Washington has an estimated population of 930,319, a less than 1% change from the 921,130 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 61.4% White, 12.8% Hispanic, 9.2% Multiracial, 7.0% Black, 6.8% Asian, and 2.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Pierce County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Pierce is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Washington overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Pierce County, that probability was 58.4% in 2020 and 58.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Pierce County is ranked the 2nd most populous county in Washington, out of 39 counties. Pierce County was ranked the 2nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Pierce County's White Population

571,064 residents of Pierce County, or 61.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Pierce County is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 63.1% of the population is White. Pierce County ranks 33rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pierce County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Pierce County's population has decreased from 61.9% to 61.4%.

Pierce County is more White than neighboring King County (52.9% White). Pierce County is less White than neighboring Lewis County (79.9% White), Thurston County (69.5% White), Kitsap County (72.6% White), and Cowlitz County (79.6% White).

Pierce County's Black Population

64,989 residents of Pierce County, or 7.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Pierce County is slightly higher than in Washington overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Pierce County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pierce County's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.1%. Black residents' share of Pierce County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.0%.

Pierce County is more Black than neighboring Lewis County (0.7% Black), King County (6.4% Black), Thurston County (3.2% Black), Kitsap County (2.2% Black), and Cowlitz County (0.6% Black).

Pierce County's Asian Population

62,848 residents of Pierce County, or 6.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Pierce County is slightly lower than in Washington overall, where 9.7% of the population is Asian. Pierce County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pierce County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. Asian residents' share of Pierce County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.8%.

Pierce County is more Asian than neighboring Lewis County (1.1% Asian), Thurston County (6% Asian), Kitsap County (4.8% Asian), and Cowlitz County (1.2% Asian). Pierce County is less Asian than neighboring King County (20.5% Asian).

Pierce County's Hispanic Population

119,500 residents of Pierce County, or 12.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Pierce County is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 14.4% of the population is Hispanic. Pierce County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pierce County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Pierce County's population has increased from 12.1% to 12.8%.

Pierce County is more Hispanic than neighboring Lewis County (11.5% Hispanic), King County (11% Hispanic), Thurston County (10.6% Hispanic), Kitsap County (9.4% Hispanic), and Cowlitz County (10.5% Hispanic).

Pierce County's Native American/Other Population

26,036 residents of Pierce County, or 2.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Pierce County is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 2.1% of the population is Native American/Other. Pierce County ranks 8th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pierce County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 22.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Pierce County's population has decreased from 3.6% to 2.8%.

Pierce County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lewis County (1.9% Native American/Other), King County (1.7% Native American/Other), Kitsap County (2.4% Native American/Other), and Cowlitz County (1.8% Native American/Other).

Pierce County's Multiracial Population

85,882 residents of Pierce County, or 9.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Pierce County is slightly higher than in Washington overall, where 6.8% of the population is Multiracial. Pierce County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 39 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pierce County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Pierce County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.2%.

Pierce County is more Multiracial than neighboring Lewis County (4.9% Multiracial), King County (7.3% Multiracial), Thurston County (7.9% Multiracial), Kitsap County (8.6% Multiracial), and Cowlitz County (6.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.