Discover the 10 Wealthiest Counties in Washington

Washington is one of the wealthiest states in the U.S., ranking seventh by median household income. The state is home to some incredibly valuable corporations, especially in the Seattle metropolitan area. This article explores the 10 wealthiest counties in Washington, including their top industries and employers. The ranking for this article is according to the overall wealth index, which factors in median income, investment income, and median home value.

The 10 Wealthiest Counties in Washington

1. King County

King County is located on the Puget Sound, a large inlet of the Pacific Ocean, in western Washington. It is home to Seattle, which is the most populous city in Washington with a population of 737,015. Seattle is a major economic hub of the Pacific Northwest and the United States. In fact, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area has the ninth-highest gross domestic product (GDP) of any metropolitan area in the U.S. Its GDP in 2021 was 479,966 million dollars. Seattle’s massive economy is largely based on high technology, the internet, and clean technology.

The list of massive corporations with headquarters in Seattle includes Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom, and Zillow. Additionally, the Port of Seattle is the eighth-largest port in the U.S. by container capacity. Some of the top employers in King County are Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, the University of Washington, and King County. In addition to having a high GDP, King County also has the highest median home value in Washington at $802,036.

2. San Juan County

Island County consists of the San Juan Islands, which includes San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island. The county does not have highway access and is instead accessed by a large ferry system. San Juan County has a population of 17,788. Its only incorporated city is Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Friday Harbor’s population is 2,562. Due to being a small and remote area, San Juan County does not have as many high-earning employment opportunities as Washington’s urban counties. Therefore, the wealth in San Juan County tends to come from wealthy people moving there. Investment income in San Juan County is much higher than employment income. Additionally, many employment opportunities in San Juan County are seasonal and based on the tourism industry.

3. Snohomish County

Snohomish County is located on the Puget Sound in western Washington, just north of King County. Its most populous city is Everett, with a population of 110,629. Snohomish County’s main industries are high technology, aerospace, and the service industry. The largest employer in Snohomish County is Boeing, which designs and manufactures airplanes, with around 29,000 employees. After Boeing, the next largest employers in Snohomish Counties are Providence Swedish Health Alliance, Naval Station Everett, and Edmonds School District.

4. Island County

Island County consists of Whidbey Island, Camano Island, and seven small islands. It is in the Puget Sound, just west of Snohomish County. Island County’s most populous city is Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, with a population of 24,622. The largest employer in Island County is the U.S. Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor. After the military, Island County’s other top industries are government and education.

5. Kitsap County

Kitsap County is on the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula, just across the Puget Sound from King County. The largest employer in Kitsap County is the Naval Base Kitsap, which employs 36,905 of the county’s 275,611 people. After the naval base, the next largest employer is St. Michael Medical Center. Additionally, Kitsap County is a short ferry ride from Seattle, allowing residents to commute for work.

6. Whatcom County

Whatcom County is located in the northwest corner of Washington, just north of Skagit County. It is bordered by British Columbia, Canada to the north. The top employers in Whatcom County are St. Joseph Hospital, Lummi Nation, and Western Washington University.

7. Clark County

Clark County is in southwestern Washington, just across the Columbia River from Portland, OR. The most populous city in Clark County is Vancouver. The largest employer in Clark County is PeaceHealth, which operates hospitals and medical centers in the county. After PeaceHealth, the next largest employers are Vancouver Public Schools and Evergreen Public Schools.

8. Pierce County

Pierce County is located on the Puget Sound in western Washington, just south of King County. It is the second-most populous county in Washington, after King County, with a population of 927,380. The top employer in Pierce County is Joint Base Lewis–McChord, an army and air force base. After the base, the next two largest employers in Pierce County are MultiCare Health System and CHI Franciscan Health.

9. Jefferson County

Jefferson County is on the Olympic Peninsula, northwest of Kitsap County. Its only city, Port Townsend, has a population of 10,148. The top employer in Jefferson County is Jefferson Healthcare, which owns the county’s hospital.

10. Skagit County

Skagit County is in northwestern Washington, north of Snohomish County, and south of Whatcom County. Mount Vernon, its most populous city, has a population of 35,219. The top employers in Skagit County are Skagit Regional Health, Mount Vernon School District, and Draper Valley Farms.