See COVID-19's Impact on Washington »
See COVID-19's Impact on Washington »
Cases: 1,866,343 | Deaths: 14,829(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Overview of Washington
- Area
- 71,301 SQ. MI.
- GDP
- $613 Billion
- College Educated
- 46.9%
- Population
- 7,614,893
- Capital
- Olympia
- Median Income
- $38,041
- Area
- 71,301 SQ. MI.
- GDP
- $613 Billion
- College Educated
- 46.9%
- Population
- 7,614,893
- Capital
- Olympia
- Median Income
- $38,041
Rankings Scorecard
- #8Health Care
- #4Education
- #4Economy
- #3Infrastructure
- #25Opportunity
- #6Fiscal Stability
- #19Crime & Corrections
- #15Natural Environment
Washington, the only state named after a U.S. president, gained its statehood in 1889.
The Evergreen State is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream with its geological diversity, ranging from mountains to deserts, rainforests and a Pacific coastline. It offers the Olympic Mountains, the San Juan Islands and Mount Rainier, one of the nation’s highest peaks in the Lower 48.
In addition to its scenic treasures, Washington is known as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, The Boeing Co. and Microsoft Corp. Because of its coastal location, Washington is a key exporter for the U.S., particularly for transportation equipment. Additionally, Washington is crucial to the nation’s food and agriculture industry, generating 70% of the country’s apples, and also leading in milk, potato and cattle production.
The aerospace industry is a major economic driver for the state. The military and defense sector employs the second-largest number of people in Washington, with more than 127,000 active duty, reserve, guard and civilian personnel. Others successful industries include maritime, technology and clean energy.
Seattle – marked by its iconic Space Needle, which rests high above the rest of the city and lights up the night sky – is by far the state’s most populous city. Despite its reputation for rainy weather, Seattle has an average of 152 days of measurable rain per year.
Washington Rankings
Health Care | #8 |
---|---|
Education | #4 |
Economy | #4 |
Infrastructure | #3 |
Opportunity | #25 |
Fiscal Stability | #6 |
Crime & Corrections | #19 |
Natural Environment | #15 |
Health Care | #8 |
---|---|
Education | #4 |
Economy | #4 |
Infrastructure | #3 |
Opportunity | #25 |
Fiscal Stability | #6 |
Crime & Corrections | #19 |
Natural Environment | #15 |
Health Care Access | #12 |
---|---|
Health Care Quality | #13 |
Public Health | #9 |
Health Care Access | #12 |
---|---|
Health Care Quality | #13 |
Public Health | #9 |
Population Without Health Insurance
National Average: 12.9%
Preventable Hospital Admissions
National Average: 4,378
Obesity Rate
National Average: 32.1%
Higher Education | #2 |
---|---|
Pre-K - 12 | #11 |
Higher Education | #2 |
---|---|
Pre-K - 12 | #11 |
Debt at Graduation
National Average: $28,996
High School Graduation Rate
National Average: 85.3%
NAEP Math Scores
National Average: 282
Business Environment | #3 |
---|---|
Employment | #14 |
Growth | #2 |
Business Environment | #3 |
---|---|
Employment | #14 |
Growth | #2 |
Venture Capital per GDP
National Average: $6.05
Job Growth
National Average: 1.4%
Net Migration
National Average: 0.2%
Energy | #2 |
---|---|
Internet Access | #7 |
Transportation | #24 |
Energy | #2 |
---|---|
Internet Access | #7 |
Transportation | #24 |
Renewable Energy Usage
National Average: 11.2%
Average Commute Time
National Average: 27.6
Roads in Poor Condition
National Average: 19.9%
Affordability | #44 |
---|---|
Economic Opportunity | #9 |
Equality | #12 |
Affordability | #44 |
---|---|
Economic Opportunity | #9 |
Equality | #12 |
Cost of Living Index
National Average: 100.0
Median Household Income
National Average: $65,712
Poverty Rate
National Average: 12.3%
Long-Term Fiscal Stability | #2 |
---|---|
Short-Term Fiscal Stability | #19 |
Long-Term Fiscal Stability | #2 |
---|---|
Short-Term Fiscal Stability | #19 |
Government Credit Rating
National Average: N/A
Budget Balancing
National Average: 1.042
Liquidity
National Average: 2.5
Corrections | #7 |
---|---|
Public Safety | #34 |
Corrections | #7 |
---|---|
Public Safety | #34 |
Incarceration Rate
National Average: 419
Juvenile Incarceration
National Average: 85
Violent Crime Rate
National Average: 379
Air & Water Quality | #17 |
---|---|
Pollution | #18 |
Air & Water Quality | #17 |
---|---|
Pollution | #18 |
Days with Unhealthy Air Quality
National Average: 104
Drinking Water Violation Points
National Average: 2.08
Industrial Toxins
National Average: 959
Washington in Photos
Best States Methodology
The overall Best State ranking from U.S. News & World Report shows how each of the 50 U.S. states ranks in 71 metrics across eight categories.
Rankings Scorecard
- #8Health Care
- #4Education
- #4Economy
- #3Infrastructure
- #25Opportunity
- #6Fiscal Stability
- #19Crime & Corrections
- #15Natural Environment
Explore the Data
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