This report examines median household income in King County, Washington, using the 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates. King County includes Redmond and the Seattle metropolitan area. The county-level map compares King County with neighboring counties in Washington, while the census-tract map examines variation within King County.
The variable used is B19013_001, median household income
in the past 12 months, in inflation-adjusted dollars. The estimates are
from the 2020–2024 ACS five-year detailed tables.
King County is compared with the Washington counties listed below. The map’s pop-ups show each estimate and its margin of error.
| County | Median household income | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|
| King County, Washington | $124,746 | ±$968 |
| Snohomish County, Washington | $111,246 | ±$1,305 |
| Pierce County, Washington | $99,564 | ±$1,209 |
| Chelan County, Washington | $82,381 | ±$4,076 |
| Kittitas County, Washington | $73,804 | ±$4,984 |
King County’s position relative to its neighbors can be interpreted using the estimates shown above. Remember that ACS figures are estimates, and the margins of error indicate uncertainty around each estimate.
The second map shows median household income across census tracts within King County. This smaller geographic scale helps show differences that a single county-level estimate cannot reveal.
| Area | Estimate | Margin_of_Error |
|---|---|---|
| Census Tract 322.13; King County; Washington | $250,001 | ±NA |
| Census Tract 245; King County; Washington | $250,001 | ±NA |
| Census Tract 246.02; King County; Washington | $250,001 | ±NA |
| Census Tract 323.21; King County; Washington | $250,001 | ±NA |
| Census Tract 62; King County; Washington | $250,001 | ±NA |
| Area | Estimate | Margin_of_Error |
|---|---|---|
| Census Tract 305.01; King County; Washington | $33,423 | ±$9,520 |
| Census Tract 53.05; King County; Washington | $24,444 | ±$8,426 |
| Census Tract 53.04; King County; Washington | $17,500 | ±$7,078 |
| Census Tract 118.02; King County; Washington | NA | ±NA |
| Census Tract 9901; King County; Washington | NA | ±NA |
King County is the county selected because Redmond, Washington, is located there. The variable is median household income from the 2020–2024 ACS five-year estimates. Use the county map and table to compare King County with Snohomish, Chelan, Kittitas, and Pierce counties. Describe whether King County’s estimate is higher or lower than those of its neighbors and whether the result matched your expectations.
The census-tract map allows median household income to be compared across smaller areas within King County. Use the map and the highest- and lowest-estimate tables to identify the tracts with the highest and lowest estimates. Describe any geographic clustering you observe. Differences may relate to housing costs, access to employment centers, urban and suburban development, and differences among local communities; these are possible explanations, not causes proven by the map alone.
Before viewing the maps, I expected King County to have substantial variation in median household income because it includes Seattle, Redmond, and other communities with different housing markets and employment opportunities. The county-level map provides a useful regional comparison, but a single estimate cannot show how income varies within King County. The tract-level map makes that variation visible. After knitting the report, revise this paragraph to state whether the actual map and estimates supported your expectations and mention specific areas shown by the data.
As a journalist, I could investigate how differences in household income across King County relate to housing affordability and commuting. The tract-level map could help identify areas for further reporting, while interviews and additional data would be needed to explain residents’ experiences and the reasons behind the patterns.
The full script is included in the code chunks above. The data-download chunks are hidden so that progress messages do not appear in the HTML, while the interactive maps, tables, and analysis remain visible.