King County Public RecordsWashington

As of 2023, King County, WA has about 2.32 million residents. The median age is around 37.8 years, with 49.7% male and 50.3% female. Racially, about 59% are White, 18% Asian, 7% Black or African American, and 10% Hispanic or Latino (of any race). Other groups, including Native American and Pacific Islander, make up smaller percentages. King County’s population is diverse and continues to grow steadily.

King County, WA, reported a violent crime rate of 370.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3,024.4 per 100,000 in 2022. Seattle, the county’s largest city, has higher-than-average crime, driving overall rates up. King County saw around 115 reported homicides and over 45,000 property crimes in 2022. The Sheriff’s Office and local police encourage community reporting, offering online and phone-based crime reporting services. While crime rates have fluctuated, ongoing efforts focus on prevention, outreach, and neighborhood safety programs.

King County, WA, with over 1.4 million registered voters (2024), conducts elections for federal, state, and local offices, as well as ballot measures. All voting is by mail, with over 70% turnout in presidential years. The county is administered by King County Elections, a nonpartisan office. Democrats dominate, winning over 75% in recent presidential races. Approximately 70 drop boxes serve as polling locations. Key issues include housing, transit, and public safety. Voters can register online, by mail, or in person. Third parties and independents also appear on ballots, reflecting the area's diverse political landscape.

King County, WA, boasts over 200 public high schools and a high educational attainment: approximately 94% of adults have a high school diploma, and over 52% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Public schools maintain strong performance, with an average GreatSchools rating around 7/10. The region offers diverse educational programs, including STEM and International Baccalaureate. School safety efforts result in incident rates below national averages. Adult education is robust, featuring several community colleges and workforce training centers.

King County, WA, boasts a low unemployment rate of 3.1% (March 2024). Major employment industries include technology, healthcare, and trade—professional, scientific, and technical services account for about 16.2% of jobs, while healthcare and social assistance represent 11.8%. Management, business, science, and arts occupations employ 58% of workers. Around 55% of residents commute alone by car, while 19% use public transit. Seattle serves as both a primary employment and commuting hub, drawing a significant portion of the workforce from surrounding areas.

King County, WA, features a homeownership rate of approximately 57%, with median home values at $785,000 and median monthly rent of $2,250. The housing market has seen stable 2-3% annual growth since 2022. Housing types range from single-family homes in suburbs like Bellevue and Redmond to urban apartments in Seattle and townhomes in Ballard. Popular neighborhoods include Capitol Hill, West Seattle, and Kirkland. Property tax rates average around 0.93%, meaning $7,300 annually on a median-priced home. The county balances high property values with diverse rental options and strong neighborhood identities.