ZIP Code 98404: Population, Income, Housing

State: WA

Total population: 35,961 Household income: $82,191 Rent: $1,483

Overview

Total population

35,961

Rent

$1,483

Year built

1971

Household income

$82,191

Per capita income

$33,598

Poverty rate

14.4%

Unemployment rate

N/A

Household size

2.9 persons

Rent over 30% of income

56.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Washington

County

Pierce County

City

Tacoma

Total population

35,961

Adults over 25

23,837

Total households

12,435

Household size

2.9 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$82,191

Per capita income

$33,598

Poverty rate

14.4%

Unemployment rate

N/A

Rent over 30% of income

56.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Housing

Rent

$1,483

Year built

1971

Households that rent

31.4%

Households that own

68.6%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.6

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Race

White

40.2%

Black

11.4%

Asian

16.7%

Two or more races

20.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

22.9%

Not Hispanic or Latino

77.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Commute

Commute rate

15,100 (89.2%)

Commute time to work

34 mins

Work from home

1,828 (10.8%)

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Education

Less than high school

37%

High school graduate or GED

30.8%

Some college or associate degree

10.5%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

21.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Comparison of ZIP Code 98404 with: Pierce County, WA Tacoma, WA Seattle metro area, WA Washington State United States

ZIP 98404

Total population35,961

Rent$1,483

Year built1971

Household income$82,191

Per capita income$33,598

Poverty rate14.4%

Unemployment rateN/A

Pierce County, WA

Total population930,319

Rent$1,806

Year built1986

Household income$99,564

Per capita income$47,648

Poverty rate8.8%

Unemployment rate3.9%

Tacoma, WA

Total population222,758

Rent$1,676

Year built1967

Household income$85,884

Per capita income$45,650

Poverty rate12.4%

Unemployment rate3.9%

Seattle Metro Area, WA

Total population4,061,920

Rent$2,000

Year built1985

Household income$115,177

Per capita income$63,994

Poverty rate8.5%

Unemployment rate4.2%

Washington State

Total population7,816,116

Rent$1,760

Year built1985

Household income$98,141

Per capita income$53,744

Poverty rate9.9%

Unemployment rate4.5%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	ZIP98404	CountyPierce, WA	CityTacoma, WA	Metro AreaSeattle metro area, WA	StateWashington	CountryUnited States
Total population	35,961	930,319	222,758	4,061,920	7,816,116	334,922,499
Rent	$1,483	$1,806	$1,676	$2,000	$1,760	$1,413
Year built	1971	1986	1967	1985	1985	1980
Household income	$82,191	$99,564	$85,884	$115,177	$98,141	$80,734
Per capita income	$33,598	$47,648	$45,650	$63,994	$53,744	$44,673
Poverty rate	14.4%	8.8%	12.4%	8.5%	9.9%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	N/A	3.9%	3.9%	4.2%	4.5%	4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

Summary for 98404

Rent & Income

In 98404, the typical monthly rent is $1,483 and the typical household income is $82,191. Rent here is lower than both Tacoma and Washington, and household income is similar to Tacoma and lower than Washington. The estimated poverty rate is 14.4%, which is higher than in both Tacoma and Washington.

Housing & Affordability

This ZIP Code is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 31.4% of households. About 56.3% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 21.7% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

ZIP 98404 — Rent vs Household Income

ZIP 98404 — Poverty

How ZIP 98404 compares in Washington State (102 ZIP Codes)

Metric	This ZIP	Rank	Starts from	State range
Rent	$1,483	23 / 102	from lower rent	$1,024 – $2,836
Household income	$82,191	77 / 102	from higher income	$48,231 – $244,362
Poverty rate	14.4%	83 / 102	from lower poverty	3.3% – 28.6%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in Washington State with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 98404

Rent

For rent, this ZIP is positioned 23rd out of 102 ZIP Codes in Washington State. In Washington State as a whole, the range goes from $1,024 in ZIP 98901 up to $2,836 in ZIP 98006.

Household income

For household income, ZIP Code 98404 ranks 77th out of 102 ZIP Codes. Statewide, values range from $48,231 in ZIP 99163 up to $244,362 in ZIP 98074.

Poverty rate

For poverty levels, this ZIP is positioned 83rd out of 102 ZIP Codes. Across Washington State, figures vary from 3.3% in ZIP 98685 up to 28.6% in ZIP 99163.

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 98404 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,483 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing — including the apartment or home and essential utilities like heat, water, and electricity.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in ZIP Code 98404

Annual Household Income: $82,191

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in ZIP Code 98404

Estimated Rate: 14.4%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in ZIP Code 98404

In ZIP Code 98404, households that rent: 3,902 (31.4%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	3,902	31.4%
Owner-Occupied	8,533	68.6%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in ZIP Code 98404

In ZIP Code 98404, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 2,195 (56.3%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	2,195	56.3%
Other renter households	1,707	43.7%
Total renter households	3,902	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in ZIP Code 98404

Less than High School: 8,809 people (37%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 7,352 people (30.8%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 2,494 people (10.5%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 5,182 people (21.7%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 23,837

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.