University Place, WA Demographics

A map of University Place's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	20,594	20,788	59.0%	59.6%
Hispanic	4,337	3,312	12.4%	9.5%
Asian	3,747	3,747	10.7%	10.7%
Multiracial	3,334	3,268	9.5%	9.4%
Black	2,495	3,011	7.1%	8.6%
Native American/Other	404	740	1.2%	2.1%

University Place, Washington has an estimated population of 34,911, a less than 1% change from the 34,866 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 59.0% White, 12.4% Hispanic, 10.7% Asian, 9.5% Multiracial, 7.1% Black, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of University Place, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

University Place 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 University Place, that probability was 60.7% in 2020 and 61.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

University Place is ranked the 39th 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). University Place was ranked the 39th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

University Place's White Population

20,594 residents of University Place, or 59.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in University Place is slightly lower than in Washington overall, where 63.1% of the population is White. University Place ranks 515th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, University Place's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of University Place's population has decreased from 59.6% to 59.0%.

University Place is more White than neighboring Lakewood (45% White). University Place is less White than neighboring Fircrest (69.3% White), Steilacoom (68.2% White), Wollochet (79.1% White), and Fox Island (90.2% White).

University Place's Black Population

2,495 residents of University Place, or 7.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in University Place is slightly higher than in Washington overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. University Place ranks 24th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, University Place's Black population has declined by an estimated 17.1%. Black residents' share of University Place's population has decreased from 8.6% to 7.1%.

University Place is more Black than neighboring Fircrest (5.6% Black), Steilacoom (4.4% Black), Wollochet (0.3% Black), and Fox Island (0.4% Black). University Place is less Black than neighboring Lakewood (13.3% Black).

University Place's Asian Population

3,747 residents of University Place, or 10.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in University Place is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 9.7% of the population is Asian. University Place ranks 57th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, University Place's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of University Place's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.7%.

University Place is more Asian than neighboring Fircrest (7.5% Asian), Lakewood (6.9% Asian), Steilacoom (5% Asian), Wollochet (4.2% Asian), and Fox Island (2.5% Asian).

University Place's Hispanic Population

4,337 residents of University Place, or 12.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in University Place is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 14.4% of the population is Hispanic. University Place ranks 247th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, University Place's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 30.9%. Hispanic residents' share of University Place's population has increased from 9.5% to 12.4%.

University Place is more Hispanic than neighboring Fircrest (4.6% Hispanic), Wollochet (8.8% Hispanic), and Fox Island (2.2% Hispanic). University Place is less Hispanic than neighboring Lakewood (18.8% Hispanic), and Steilacoom (13.1% Hispanic).

University Place's Native American/Other Population

404 residents of University Place, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in University Place is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 2.1% of the population is Native American/Other. University Place ranks 270th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, University Place's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 45.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of University Place's population has decreased from 2.1% to 1.2%.

University Place is more Native American/Other than neighboring Fircrest (0.7% Native American/Other), Steilacoom (0.2% Native American/Other), Wollochet (1% Native American/Other), and Fox Island (0.3% Native American/Other). University Place is less Native American/Other than neighboring Lakewood (4.7% Native American/Other).

University Place's Multiracial Population

3,334 residents of University Place, or 9.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in University Place is slightly higher than in Washington overall, where 6.8% of the population is Multiracial. University Place ranks 45th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, University Place's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. Multiracial residents' share of University Place's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.5%.

University Place is more Multiracial than neighboring Steilacoom (9.1% Multiracial), Wollochet (6.7% Multiracial), and Fox Island (4.5% Multiracial). University Place is less Multiracial than neighboring Fircrest (12.3% Multiracial), and Lakewood (11.2% 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.