Washington: government, population and official figures

Washington is a state of the United States, number 13 of 51 by population. Washington had an estimated 8,001,020 residents on 1 July 2025, 2.3% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 13th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.92%, 7th fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs Washington?

The governor is Bob Ferguson. Governor's office. Phone: 1-360-902-4111. Address: PO Box 40002 Olympia , WA 98504.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Washington: The economy of Washington (gross domestic product) was worth $892.3 billion in 2025 at current prices, 2.9% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 10th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.4% on 2024.
• Health in Washington: Life expectancy at birth in Washington was 78.4 years in 2022, 13th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Washington: 83.6% of public high school students in Washington graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 15th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Washington: The Census Bureau estimates that 10.0% of people in Washington lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 779,086 people; joint 10th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Washington: Washington's state government took in $73.9 billion in fiscal year 2024, $9,320 per resident, 23rd lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Washington

• Washington
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Social and Health Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Corrections
• The United States Attorney's Office - Western District of Washington
• Board of Education
• Elections and Voting
• Emergency Management Division
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Washington

1. Seattle 784,777 (2025)
2. Spokane 230,783 (2025)
3. Tacoma 229,816 (2025)
4. Vancouver 199,698 (2025)
5. Bellevue 154,193 (2025)
6. Kent 134,871 (2025)
7. Everett 113,567 (2025)
8. Spokane Valley 108,405 (2025)
9. Renton 104,975 (2025)
10. Federal Way 99,729 (2025)
11. Yakima 97,458 (2025)
12. Kirkland 97,410 (2025)
13. Bellingham 96,395 (2025)
14. Kennewick 88,366 (2025)
15. Auburn 86,301 (2025)
16. Pasco 82,848 (2025)
17. Redmond 82,506 (2025)
18. Marysville 77,686 (2025)
19. Shoreline 66,542 (2025)
20. Sammamish 66,110 (2025)
21. Richland 65,258 (2025)
22. Lakewood 62,755 (2025)
23. Lacey 58,833 (2025)
24. Olympia 56,724 (2025)
25. Bothell 52,199 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

Up a level: the United States · government and power in the United States · cities

Sources

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