Jefferson County’s population grows 8%

By Mallory Kruml
Posted 1/15/25

 

 

Jefferson County’s population grew by nearly 8% between 2019 and 2023, according to the five-year American Community Survey, released by the U.S. Census Bureau in …

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Jefferson County’s population grows 8%

Posted

 

 

Jefferson County’s population grew by nearly 8% between 2019 and 2023, according to the five-year American Community Survey, released by the U.S. Census Bureau in December.

That figure was arrived at by comparing the average population from 2019-2023 over its five-year average from 2014-2018.

Comparing the five-year averages, Washington ranked sixth in the nation for population growth, a sign of its growing appeal as a place to live and work.

Jefferson County’s population rose from an estimated 30,900 residents to 33,300 over that time period. Neighboring Clallam County saw a 4.2% increase. Other counties saw even greater growth: Pacific County, on the southwestern edge of the state, grew the most, by 11.6%, followed by San Juan County at 10.9% and Clark County at 9.7%.

Four Washington counties saw slight decreases in population: Ferry County decreased by 3.3%, Whitman County by 3.2%, Kittitas County by 0.2% and Columbia County by 0.1%

The average growth rate across all 39 counties in Washington was 6.1%, distributed fairly evenly across the state, with urban and rural areas experiencing population increases.

Jefferson County is one of 35 Washington counties that experienced population growth.

The growth statewide reflects people moving for jobs, said Mike Mohrman, a state demographer for the state’s Office of Financial Management, the state’s official partner of the U.S. Census Bureau.

“They look at visa applications, and we have a big tech sector, and that brings in a lot of international talent,” he said. “I do think new jobs are a major part of that, certainly in the census bureau numbers.”

Jefferson and Clallam’s numbers are bolstered by retirees.    

“Jefferson and Clallam counties are going to draw in people that are interested in retiring out there,” Mohrman said. “Demographics show that there is a fair number of people in the older age groups.”