01
Location
Neighboring states: Idaho, Oregon.
Local timeOlympia ·
U.S. States / West · Card 047
Washington
Washington is a U.S. state in the West. Its capital is Olympia.
Find Washington
● State capital · Gold highlights Washington.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Olympia
- Postal abbreviation
- WA
- Population
- 8,001,020July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 184,661 km²71,298 square miles · land and water
- Statehood
- November 11, 1889State number 42
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
Washington in context
Gold shows Washington. The dot marks Olympia.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
Mount Rainier is a glacier-covered volcanic mountain surrounded by subalpine meadows and forests.
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Land and water
The total area includes 172,119 km² of land and 12,542 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
The state seal, with George Washington's portrait, centered on a green field.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Mount Rainier
History & statehood
Washington Territory was separated from Oregon Territory in 1853 and initially included areas farther east. Its borders approached their present form when Idaho Territory was organized in 1863. Washington entered the Union in 1889.
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Washington Territory organized
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Idaho Territory separated
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Statehood · State number 42
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, information was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included real estate and rental and leasing, professional and business services, and government and government enterprises.
Total economic output was $895.0 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Information: 16.4%
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 13.1%
- Professional and business services: 12.3%
- Government and government enterprises: 11.2%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people8.002025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 7,726,812 |
| 2021 | 7,744,316 |
| 2022 | 7,786,828 |
| 2023 | 7,838,655 |
| 2024 | 7,927,958 |
| 2025 | 8,001,020 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars717.522025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 403,471.3 |
| 2011 | 411,575.7 |
| 2012 | 426,447.0 |
| 2013 | 439,472.2 |
| 2014 | 456,186.5 |
| 2015 | 476,715.4 |
| 2016 | 495,724.9 |
| 2017 | 527,169.4 |
| 2018 | 561,785.7 |
| 2019 | 588,794.4 |
| 2020 | 587,167.8 |
| 2021 | 626,122.2 |
| 2022 | 643,017.6 |
| 2023 | 670,977.8 |
| 2024 | 702,232.3 |
| 2025 | 717,520.9 |
Government
Washington has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Representatives form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · Washington
Knowledge check
Three questions about Washington.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of Washington?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.