Understanding the "Median Family Income by Race and Ethnicity (Five-Year Average) in Washington" Indicator: To drive meaningful change for kids and families, we rely on data indicators—specific, measurable pieces of information that show how children are doing across key areas like health, education, and economic stability. One foundational indicator in our KIDS COUNT® data project is median family income in Washington state, broken down by race and ethnicity. This data exposes income inequities between racial and ethnic groups and gives advocates and policymakers the insight they need to advance more equitable policies. Click here to explore the data.
Overview
Financial stability is a key factor in a child’s overall well-being, influencing everything from health and education to future opportunities. Children who grow up in poverty often face serious barriers that can affect their development and limit their access to higher education. One powerful lens for understanding these challenges is the intersection of race and wealth.
Income inequality across racial and ethnic groups reveals how deeply economic opportunity is shaped by systemic inequities. As shown in Table 1 and Figure 1, there are stark income disparities by race in Washington state, and race is strongly linked to median family income. Between 2018 and 2022, White Non-Hispanic and Asian families in Washington had median incomes of $113,707 and $142,359, respectively—$5,422 and $34,074 above the state median of $108,285. In contrast, most families of color earned far less. For example, American Indian and Alaska Native families earned a median income of $69,739, Hispanic or Latino families earned $71,604, and Black families earned $79,750—ranging from $28,000 to nearly $39,000 below the state median. These gaps reflect deep, long-standing systemic inequities that continue to shape the economic realities of communities of color in Washington. Click here to view this data
Table 1: Washington state median family income reveals deep racial disparities and economic inequities (2018–2022)
RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE MUST OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE INCOME GAP IN WASHINGTON
The income gaps seen in the 2018–2022 data are not new or unusual—they reflect a consistent pattern over time. From 2014 to 2022, median family income steadily increased across all racial groups in Washington, but longstanding disparities persisted. For example, American Indian and Alaska Native families saw growth from $51,521 to $69,739, while the median income for Asian families rose from $104,005 to $142,359. Despite some gains, families of color—particularly Black, Hispanic or Latino, and American Indian and Alaska Native populations—remained well below the state median throughout this nine-year span, underscoring the persistent and systemic nature of racial economic inequality.
Graph 1. Persistent racial disparities in median family income in Washington (2014–2022)
Examining county-level data, deep and consistent racial income disparities persist, reflecting long-standing systemic barriers that continue to affect families of color. From 2018 to 2022, White Non-Hispanic and Asian households consistently earned more than Black, Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Multiracial households—often by $20,000 to $40,000. In Spokane County, for example, Black families earned a median income of $52,299, while White families earned $93,370. In Yakima County, Latino families earned $58,373, compared to $90,317 for White families. In Walla Walla County, the income gap between Latino and White families was nearly $25,000. Even in Clark County, where income levels are higher overall, Latino families still earned nearly $50,000 less than Asian families. And in King County, Asian families earned $164,671, while Black families earned just $76,711—less than half.
These disparities are not random or isolated; they reflect long-standing inequities that continue to shape opportunities for families of color today and highlight the need for policies that center racial equity and economic justice. Race-neutral policies fail to dismantle these systemic barriers because they assume that everyone starts from the same place, ignoring the historical and ongoing effects of racism that have created unequal conditions. Without acknowledging these conditions, such approaches cannot meaningfully address gaps in income, education, housing, and health that disproportionately harm communities of color. Instead of advancing equity, race-neutral policies often reinforce the status quo by assuming a level playing field that does not exist.
Past Work:
Children's Alliance has consistently advanced policies that address Washington’s inequitable tax code and correct the flawed tax code and promote economic equity across racial groups. A key example is our work to pass and defend the 2021 capital gains tax, which collects revenue from the sale or exchange of high-value, long-term capital assets such as stocks and bonds. Only the wealthiest residents of our state are subject to this tax, and the revenue supports critical investments in early learning, K-12 education, higher education, and school construction. These investments are necessary to achieve racial equity in our public systems and create long-term improvements in economic opportunity. They also help ensure that those with the most resources in our state contribute to the success and well-being of Washington’s kids.
Ongoing Work:
Children’s Alliance continues to support progressive revenue proposals such as the financial intangibles tax (often called the “wealth tax”) and business and occupation taxes on large corporations. Establishing new streams of progressive revenue will increase funding for essential state programs and help reduce the tax burden on working families. These funds could also support a statewide cash benefit programs like Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI), which provides recipients with regular, often unconditional, cash payments to cover necessities such as rent, food, and child care. Research shows that such programs not only reduce poverty but also support better health and overall well-being by empowering families with greater financial stability and access to resources.
Implementing a statewide GBI program alongside expansions to the Working Families Tax Credit could significantly reduce the number of children growing up in poverty in Washington, especially those who are furthest from opportunity as a result of persistent racial disparities in family income. By addressing these economic inequities, we can begin to dismantle the barriers reflected in the data and create lasting improvements in health, education, and overall well-being for children and families across Washington.
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You can find county-level data here.
KIDS COUNT® is a registered trademark of The Annie E. Casey Foundation., Inc., and is used with permission of the Foundation.