Median household income estimates
Forecasting & Research Division
Contact information
Median household income estimates by county: 1989 to 2022; preliminary estimates for 2023 and projection for 2024
This table contains estimates of median household income by county in current dollars; series revised 1990 forward. The estimation relies on both 1990 and 2000 census data. These estimates are based on past relationships between available socioeconomic data and county-level median household income. The estimates shown may differ from other median household income data developed from the Office of Financial Management's State Population Survey, Bureau of the Census surveys, or other sources. Survey data, which are subject to sampling variability and bias, are not necessarily more accurate than the estimate data. For small counties, the estimated series may show large variations during certain periods.
About the median household income estimates
Each year, OFM updates Washington state’s median household income estimates by county. Final estimates are published on OFM’s website in February. Data sources include the ERFC revenue forecast, U.S. Census Bureau’s model-based, single-year estimates of income by county (Small Area Income – SAIPE Program), and the Washington State Employment Security Department.
Median household income is defined as the point at which half of all households have more income and half have less. Median household income includes all income of household members whether they are related or not. The data file contains median household income estimates by county and for the state overall from 1989 to the present. A summary of the methodology used to produce these estimates is forthcoming.
How median household income estimates are used
Stakeholders across Washington rely on OFM’s median household income estimates, including Washington State County assessors, Association of Washington County Assessors, county and city operations and budgeting departments, and academic researchers. These estimates are frequently used by program administrators to determine income thresholds for eligibility for a variety of government programs.
As described below, the median household income estimates are required by statute to be used to determine property tax exemptions based on household income thresholds.
Property tax exemptions
All real and personal property is subject to a tax each year based on the highest and best use allowed by law. To qualify for an exemption, the home must be owned and be the primary residence of the applicant. Certain categories of the population are provided with relief from property taxes:
- Senior citizens
- Disabled individuals
- Qualifying veterans (must be service-related disability)
Income thresholds used to qualify for a property tax exemption are stipulated in RCW 84.36.385(20) as follows:
Income threshold 1
Income threshold 1 is defined as the level of property taxes levied for collection in calendar year 2024. Thereafter, a property tax exemption shall be applied if the combined disposable income is equal to or less than the "income threshold 1" for the previous year or 50% of the county median household income.
Income threshold 2
Income threshold 2 is defined as the level of property taxes levied for collection in calendar year 2024. Thereafter, a property tax exemption shall be applied if the combined disposable income is equal to or less than the "income threshold 2" for the previous year or 60% of the county median household income.
Income threshold 3
Income threshold 3 is defined as the level of property taxes levied for collection in calendar year 2024. Thereafter, a property tax exemption shall be applied if the combined disposable income is equal to or less than the "income threshold 3" for the previous year or 70% of the county median household income.
All three income thresholds are adjusted every three years beginning August 1 of the adjustment year. The last adjustment level occurred on August 1, 2023. The next adjustment will take place on August 1, 2026, as provided in RCW 84.36.385(8). Income threshold adjustment levels reflect the most recent year of estimated county median household incomes as published by the Office of Financial Management (WAC 458-16A-100(20)).
