Tacoma, WA Demographics

A map of Tacoma's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	123,755	120,118	55.6%	54.8%
Hispanic	30,834	29,015	13.8%	13.2%
Multiracial	21,457	20,090	9.6%	9.2%
Asian	20,938	19,932	9.4%	9.1%
Black	20,698	21,708	9.3%	9.9%
Native American/Other	5,076	8,483	2.3%	3.9%

Tacoma, Washington has an estimated population of 222,758, a slight increase from the 219,346 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 55.6% White, 13.8% Hispanic, 9.6% Multiracial, 9.4% Asian, 9.3% Black, and 2.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Tacoma, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Tacoma has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 Tacoma, that probability was 65.5% in 2020 and 64.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Tacoma is ranked the 3rd most populous place in Washington, out of 639 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Tacoma was ranked the 3rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Tacoma's White Population

123,755 residents of Tacoma, or 55.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Tacoma is lower than in Washington overall, where 63.1% of the population is White. Tacoma ranks 538th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tacoma's White population has grown by an estimated 3.0%. White residents' share of Tacoma's population has increased from 54.8% to 55.6%.

Tacoma is more White than neighboring Midland (44.3% White). Tacoma is less White than neighboring Browns Point (78.2% White), Fircrest (69.3% White), Ruston (69.7% White), and Dash Point (83.9% White).

Tacoma's Black Population

20,698 residents of Tacoma, or 9.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Tacoma is higher than in Washington overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Tacoma ranks 17th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tacoma's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. Black residents' share of Tacoma's population has decreased from 9.9% to 9.3%.

Tacoma is more Black than neighboring Browns Point (1% Black), Fircrest (5.6% Black), Ruston (1.6% Black), and Dash Point (1.8% Black). Tacoma is less Black than neighboring Midland (15.2% Black).

Tacoma's Asian Population

20,938 residents of Tacoma, or 9.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Tacoma is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 9.7% of the population is Asian. Tacoma ranks 70th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tacoma's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.0%. Asian residents' share of Tacoma's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.4%.

Tacoma is more Asian than neighboring Browns Point (6.5% Asian), Fircrest (7.5% Asian), Dash Point (8.8% Asian), and Midland (8.6% Asian).

Tacoma's Hispanic Population

30,834 residents of Tacoma, or 13.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Tacoma is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 14.4% of the population is Hispanic. Tacoma ranks 167th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tacoma's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Tacoma's population has increased from 13.2% to 13.8%.

Tacoma is more Hispanic than neighboring Browns Point (6.3% Hispanic), Fircrest (4.6% Hispanic), Ruston (6.7% Hispanic), and Dash Point (0.3% Hispanic). Tacoma is less Hispanic than neighboring Midland (17.7% Hispanic).

Tacoma's Native American/Other Population

5,076 residents of Tacoma, or 2.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Tacoma is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 2.1% of the population is Native American/Other. Tacoma ranks 96th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tacoma's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 40.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Tacoma's population has decreased from 3.9% to 2.3%.

Tacoma is more Native American/Other than neighboring Browns Point (0% Native American/Other), Fircrest (0.7% Native American/Other), Ruston (0.6% Native American/Other), and Dash Point (0% Native American/Other). Tacoma is less Native American/Other than neighboring Midland (5.1% Native American/Other).

Tacoma's Multiracial Population

21,457 residents of Tacoma, or 9.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Tacoma is slightly higher than in Washington overall, where 6.8% of the population is Multiracial. Tacoma ranks 55th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tacoma's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Tacoma's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.6%.

Tacoma is more Multiracial than neighboring Browns Point (7.9% Multiracial), Dash Point (5.2% Multiracial), and Midland (9.1% Multiracial). Tacoma is less Multiracial than neighboring Fircrest (12.3% Multiracial), and Ruston (12% 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.