Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Rainier, WA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSASeattle-Tacoma MSAOlympia-Lacey-Tumwater#1/7 Income

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

2,455

Median Agei

36.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

84%2,063

Hispanic/Latino

11.4%281

Two or More

2.7%66

American Indian/Alaska Native

1.3%31

Black

0.3%7

Other

0.3%7

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.5%106

High School Diploma

24.2%393

Some College (<1 yr)

15.4%250

Some College (1+ yr)

12.6%204

Associate's Degree

9.4%153

Bachelor's Degree

13%211

Master's Degree

9.4%153

HS or Higher

90.5%

BA or Higher

22.4%

Graduate+

9.4%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$425,900

Median Renti

$1,227

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

85.8%676

Renter-Occupied

14.2%112

Total Units

850

Homeownership

85.8%

Vacancy Rate

7.3%

Home Values

Under $50K

3.4%23

$50K–$100K

1%7

$100K–$150K

8.9%60

$150K–$200K

3.3%22

$200K–$300K

7.5%51

$300K–$500K

56.8%384

$500K–$1M

19.1%129

Rent Distribution

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

5.9%50

2010–2019

14.2%121

2000–2009

16.5%140

1990–1999

21.5%183

1980–1989

8.4%71

1970–1979

14.2%121

1960–1969

4.9%42

1939 or earlier

14.4%122

Heating Fuel

Electricity

61.5%485

Utility Gas

22%173

Wood

11.8%93

Other

2.3%18

Bottled/LP Gas

1.6%13

Solar

0.8%6

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$106,019

Mean Household Incomei

$104,732

Per Capita Incomei

$34,592

Poverty Ratei

13.9%

Unemploymenti

4.9%

Labor Forcei

1,146

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

2%16

$10K–$15K

1.3%10

$20K–$25K

3%24

$25K–$30K

6.1%48

$30K–$35K

0.6%5

$35K–$40K

1.1%9

$40K–$45K

1.9%15

$45K–$50K

1%8

$50K–$60K

7.4%58

$60K–$75K

7.5%59

$75K–$100K

13.5%106

$100K–$125K

24.2%191

$125K–$150K

13.6%107

$150K–$200K

10.2%80

$200K+

6.6%52

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1245.1%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

Canada

United Kingdom

Germany

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

1,020

Avg. Commutei

37.9 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

1,058

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

182(10.7% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

96%Insured

4%Uninsured