Washington, located in the Pacific Northwest, is made up of 39 counties and more than 280 incorporated cities and towns. As of 2023, the state’s population is approximately 7.9 million, making it the 13th most populous state in the U.S. Washington covers an area of around 71,300 square miles, featuring diverse landscapes from the coastal Pacific shoreline to the Cascade mountain range and arid inland plains. Major airports include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which is the largest and busiest, Spokane International Airport (GEG), and smaller regional airports like Paine Field (PAE) in Everett. Washington is home to several prominent universities, including the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle, a top-tier public research institution, and Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, which is known for its programs in agriculture and engineering. Other significant institutions include Western Washington University in Bellingham, Central Washington University in Ellensburg, and Gonzaga University in Spokane, a well-known private institution. The healthcare system in Washington is robust, with leading hospitals like UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, which provide top-notch medical care and research facilities. Other major hospitals include Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane and Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. These institutions contribute to the state’s reputation for high-quality healthcare and medical research.
Washington has 39 counties. The most populous counties are King County (Seattle), Pierce County (Tacoma), Snohomish County, Spokane County, Clark County (Vancouver), Thurston County (Olympia), Kitsap County, Whatcom County, Yakima County, and Benton County....
Washington has around 281 incorporated cities and towns. The state capital is Olympia, while the largest city is Seattle, a major global center for technology, aerospace, and commerce. Other large cities include Spokane, Tacoma,...
Yakima County, Washington, is located in south-central Washington and is a key agricultural center, established in 1865. The Yakima Valley within the county is particularly renowned for its apple orchards, vineyards, and hops, which...
Whitman County, Washington, located in the southeastern part of the state, is known for its rolling hills, fertile Palouse region, and deep-rooted agricultural history. Established in 1871, the county quickly became a hub for...
Whatcom County, Washington, located in the northwest corner of the state, is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Cascade Mountains, the Salish Sea, and picturesque farmlands. Established in 1854, the county has a...
Walla Walla County, Washington, is located in the southeastern region of the state and is known for its rich agricultural heritage and award-winning wineries. Established in 1854, the county played a key role in...
Wahkiakum County, Washington, is nestled in the southwestern part of the state along the Columbia River. Established in 1854, it is one of the smallest counties in Washington, both in area and population. The...
Thurston County, Washington, located in the western part of the state along the southern end of Puget Sound, is known for its rich history and natural beauty. Established in 1852, Thurston County is named...
Stevens County, Washington, is situated in the northeastern part of the state and is known for its rugged terrain, rich natural resources, and scenic beauty. Established in 1863, the county was named after Isaac...
Spokane County, Washington, located in the eastern part of the state, is known for its natural beauty, economic vitality, and cultural significance. Established in 1858, the county’s early economy was fueled by mining, lumber,...
Snohomish County, Washington, is located in the northwestern part of the state, nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. Established in 1861, Snohomish County quickly grew due to logging, fishing, and trade along...
Skamania County, Washington, is located in the southwestern part of the state, bordering the Columbia River and the Cascade Mountains. Established in 1854, Skamania County is renowned for its natural beauty, with vast forests,...
Skagit County, Washington, is located in the northwestern part of the state, stretching from the shores of Puget Sound to the Cascade Mountains. Established in 1883, the county is named after the Skagit River,...
San Juan County, Washington, is an archipelago located in the northwestern part of the state, between the mainland and Vancouver Island, Canada. Established in 1873, San Juan County includes over 170 islands, with the...
Pierce County, Washington, located in the western part of the state, is known for its vibrant cities, scenic views, and as the home of Mount Rainier, an iconic national park and active volcano. Established...
Pend Oreille County, Washington, located in the northeastern corner of the state along the Idaho border, is known for its stunning natural landscapes of forests, rivers, and mountains. Established in 1911, the county is...
Pacific County, Washington, located in the southwestern corner of the state along the Pacific Ocean, is known for its coastal beauty, lush forests, and historic fishing industry. Established in 1851, it is one of...
Okanogan County, Washington, located in the north-central part of the state, is known for its vast landscapes, which include forests, rivers, and rolling hills along the Cascade Mountains. Established in 1888, it is the...
Mason County, located in the southwestern part of Washington, was established in 1854 and is named after Charles H. Mason, the first Secretary of Washington Territory. It is bordered by the Hood Canal to...
Lincoln County, located in eastern Washington, was established in 1883 and named after President Abraham Lincoln. The county’s landscape is characterized by rolling wheat fields, deep river canyons, and expansive prairies. It is part...
Lewis County, located in southwestern Washington, was established in 1845, making it one of the oldest counties in the state. Named after explorer Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the county features...
Klickitat County, located in south-central Washington, was established in 1859. It is named after the Klickitat tribe, a subgroup of the Yakama Nation who historically inhabited the area. The county’s landscape features a diverse...
Kittitas County, located in central Washington, was established in 1883 and is known for its diverse landscapes, from the fertile Kittitas Valley to the forested Cascade Mountains. The county lies along the eastern slopes...
Kitsap County, located in western Washington, is part of the Puget Sound region and is bordered by the Hood Canal to the west and the Puget Sound to the east. Established in 1857, the...
King County, located in western Washington, is the most populous county in the state and the 12th most populous in the United States. Established in 1852, the county was originally named after Vice President...
Jefferson County, located on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington, was established in 1852. The county is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Hood Canal to the east, and the Strait of...
Island County, located in northwestern Washington, was established in 1852 and is named for its geographic makeup, comprising Whidbey Island and Camano Island. It is the second smallest county in the state by land...
Grays Harbor County, located in the southwestern part of Washington state, is known for its rich history, natural beauty, and thriving timber industry. The county is named after the Grays Harbor, which was named...
Grant County, located in central Washington, was established in 1909 and is known for its expansive agricultural lands and unique geological features. The county’s landscape is shaped by ancient Ice Age floods, creating dramatic...
Garfield County, located in southeastern Washington, was established in 1881 and is the least populated county in the state. The county’s landscape features rolling hills, fertile farmland, and scenic river valleys, making it a...