Estimated 2004 population: 6,203,788

Change from 2000: +309,667

2004 housing units: 2,606,623

Housing units change from 2000-2004: +146,392

Top Washington Cities

Aberdeen | Bellingham | Centralia | Everett | Goldendale | Kennewick | Kettle Falls | Newport | North Marysville | Oak Harbor | Olympia | Port Angeles | Pullman | Seattle | Spokane | Tacoma | Walla Walla

Washington Economy

Washington's water resources provide both irrigation and enormous hydroelectric power. The impact of the Columbia River on the life and economy of the state can scarcely be overestimated. Because of the steep drop from its origin to its mouth, the Columbia is one of the greatest sources of hydroelectric power in the world.

Puget Sound is the heart of Washington's industrial and commercial development. It is navigable and has many beautiful bays, on which are situated such commercial and industrial cities as Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett. Seattle, an exporter and importer in trade with Asia and a gateway to Alaska (because of the protected Inland Passage), is a major U.S. city and a center fro the manufacture of jet aircraft (as well as missiles and spacecraft) by the Boeing Corp.

In recent years, computer software (Microsoft Corp. is near Seattle), electronics, and biotechnology have become increasingly important to the economy.