Zip code 98421: Tacoma, Washington

Q: What city is zip code 98421?

98421 is assigned to Tacoma, Washington. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 98421 in?

98421 is in Pierce County, Washington.

Q: What is the population of 98421?

About 424 people live in 98421, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 98421?

The median household income in 98421 is $26,307.

Q: What zip codes are near 98421?

The closest zip codes to 98421 are 98401, 98402, 98411, 98412, 98413.

Residential delivery areaPierce CountyPacific Time

Population

424

Small sample: rough estimates

Median household income

$26K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

—

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$1,083/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

33.1

U.S. 38.9

Land area

6.5 sq mi

65 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 98421

98421 is a small-town zip code in Tacoma, Washington (Pierce County), covering 6.5 sq mi of land. About 424 people live here, or 65 per square mile. The median resident is 33.1 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally. With so few residents, the Census figures below are rough estimates with wide margins of error.

The median household earns $26,307 a year, about 33% of the national median of $80,734. 39.1% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). 5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $1,083 a month.

15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). The most common jobs among working residents are in office and administrative support; engineering and science; and food service. 23% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 98421 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Only about 424 people live here, so these survey estimates have wide margins of error.

Poverty rate39.1%
99th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · WA 9.9%9th of 563 in WA
Diversity index74.4
98th
U.S. 61.4 · WA 56.518th of 571 in WA
Rent-burdened renters61.8%
87th
WeaknessU.S. 51.1% · WA 49.9%68th of 541 in WA
Foreign-born residents26.4%
83rd
U.S. 14.1% · WA 15.4%63rd of 571 in WA
Housing vacancy12%
79th
U.S. 10.1% · WA 7.3%187th of 563 in WA
Government workers17.6%
75th
U.S. 14.5% · WA 16%274th of 570 in WA
Veterans6.4%
58th
U.S. 6.2% · WA 7.8%403rd of 571 in WA
Income inequality (Gini)0.418
35th
U.S. 0.483 · WA 0.469297th of 560 in WA
Median gross rent$1,083
27th
U.S. $1,413 · WA $1,760338th of 475 in WA
Uninsured rate4.5%
27th
U.S. 8.4% · WA 6.3%364th of 567 in WA
Median age33.1
12th
U.S. 38.9 · WA 38.3510th of 571 in WA
Bachelor's degree or higher15.1%
10th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · WA 39.6%487th of 571 in WA
Population density65/sq mi
9th
U.S. 95/sq mi · WA 118/sq mi341st of 571 in WA
Median earnings per worker$26,932
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · WA $59,959548th of 566 in WA
Population424
1st
U.S. 334,922,499 · WA 7,816,116502nd of 571 in WA
Median household income$26,307
1st
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · WA $98,141540th of 541 in WA
Per capita income$14,714
1st
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · WA $53,744561st of 570 in WA
Homeownership rate5.3%
1st
WeaknessU.S. 65.2% · WA 63.8%555th of 563 in WA
Work from home0%
1st
U.S. 15.1% · WA 19.8%557th of 570 in WA
Unemployment rate0%
1st
StrengthU.S. 5.2% · WA 5.1%549th of 570 in WA
Broadband access73.7%
1st
WeaknessU.S. 91% · WA 93.6%543rd of 563 in WA
Residents 65 and older2.6%
1st
U.S. 17.2% · WA 16.6%552nd of 571 in WA
Residents under 180%
1st
U.S. 22% · WA 21.4%560th of 571 in WA
Tech workers0%
1st
U.S. 3.8% · WA 6.7%523rd of 570 in WA
Healthcare workers0%
1st
U.S. 9.7% · WA 9.3%554th of 570 in WA
Self-employed workers0%
1st
U.S. 10% · WA 9.6%559th of 570 in WA

Measure	98421	Pierce	WA	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in WA
Poverty rateWeakness	39.1%	8.8%	9.9%	12.5%	99th	9th of 563
Diversity index	74.4	58.8	56.5	61.4	98th	18th of 571
Rent-burdened rentersWeakness	61.8%	53%	49.9%	51.1%	87th	68th of 541
Foreign-born residents	26.4%	10.9%	15.4%	14.1%	83rd	63rd of 571
Housing vacancy	12%	5%	7.3%	10.1%	79th	187th of 563
Government workers	17.6%	18.3%	16%	14.5%	75th	274th of 570
Veterans	6.4%	10.9%	7.8%	6.2%	58th	403rd of 571
Income inequality (Gini)	0.418	0.423	0.469	0.483	35th	297th of 560
Median gross rent	$1,083	$1,806	$1,760	$1,413	27th	338th of 475
Uninsured rate	4.5%	5.9%	6.3%	8.4%	27th	364th of 567
Median age	33.1	37	38.3	38.9	12th	510th of 571
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	15.1%	30.9%	39.6%	35.7%	10th	487th of 571
Population density	65/sq mi	558/sq mi	118/sq mi	95/sq mi	9th	341st of 571
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$26,932	$58,904	$59,959	$49,666	2nd	548th of 566
Population	424	930,319	7,816,116	334,922,499	1st	502nd of 571
Median household incomeWeakness	$26,307	$99,564	$98,141	$80,734	1st	540th of 541
Per capita incomeWeakness	$14,714	$47,648	$53,744	$44,673	1st	561st of 570
Homeownership rateWeakness	5.3%	64.7%	63.8%	65.2%	1st	555th of 563
Work from home	0%	13.9%	19.8%	15.1%	1st	557th of 570
Unemployment rateStrength	0%	5.2%	5.1%	5.2%	1st	549th of 570
Broadband accessWeakness	73.7%	94.6%	93.6%	91%	1st	543rd of 563
Residents 65 and older	2.6%	14.8%	16.6%	17.2%	1st	552nd of 571
Residents under 18	0%	23%	21.4%	22%	1st	560th of 571
Tech workers	0%	3.3%	6.7%	3.8%	1st	523rd of 570
Healthcare workers	0%	10.1%	9.3%	9.7%	1st	554th of 570
Self-employed workers	0%	7.9%	9.6%	10%	1st	559th of 570

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

5–17

17%

18–24

44%

25–34

13%

35–44

13%

45–54

11%

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

33.1

Under 18

65 and over

2.6%

Race and ethnicity

White39%
Black15%
Hispanic23%
Asian0%
Native American0.9%
Pacific Islander5%
Other0%
Multiracial17%

Diversity index

74.4

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

26.4%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

35.8%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

77%

Spanish

23%

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 95
Average household size: 1.2
Family households: 16.8%
Married couples: 0%
Living alone: 83.2%
Veterans (of adults): 6.4%
Male / female: 87% / 13%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

38%

$25–50k

36%

$50–75k

$75–100k

19%

$100–150k

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

98421

$26,307

Pierce Co.

$99,564

Washington

$98,141

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$14,714

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

39.1%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.418

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

98421

—

Pierce Co.

$526,600

Washington

$564,600

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

98421

$1,083

Pierce Co.

$1,806

Washington

$1,760

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

2–4 units

12%

5–19 units

20+ units

83%

Mobile home

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 108
Owner-occupied: 5.3%
Vacant: 12%
Median year built: 2017
Median rooms: —
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 61.8%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 29.4%
Home value to income: —

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

91%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

10–19

24%

20–29

19%

30–44

45–59

60+

30%

Average commute

—

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

17.5%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Office and admin

36%

Engineering and science

30%

Food service

Cleaning and personal care

Education

Business and finance

Management

Computer and math

Legal and social services

Arts, media and sports

Healthcare

Police and fire

Sales

Construction and repair

Farming, fishing and forestry

Production

Transportation and moving

Industries

Manufacturing

30%

Public administration

18%

Arts and recreation

18%

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

11%

Restaurants and hotels

Other services

Retail

Health care and social assistance

Education

Professional and technical services

Construction

Finance, insurance and real estate

Admin, support and management

Wholesale

Information

Agriculture and mining

Median earnings per worker

$26,932

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

U.S. 10%

Government workers

17.6%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

8.1%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	98421	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$26,307	$74,888
Service	—	$26,804
Sales and office	$32,292	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	—	$49,199
Production and transportation	—	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

0.9%

High school

32%

Some college

49%

Associate's

Bachelor's

15%

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 99.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 15.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 0%
Households with broadband: 73.7%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 67.4%
No internet access: 5.3%
Without health insurance: 4.5%
Limited-English households: 0%

Geography

City (USPS): Tacoma
State: Washington
County: Pierce County
Center point: 47.2606° N, 122.4002° W
Land area: 6.5 sq mi
Water area: 1.4 sq mi
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

Tacoma100% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 98421

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
98401	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98402	Tacoma, WA	2.1 mi	8,080	$60,505	$531,300
98411	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98412	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98413	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98415	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98422	Tacoma, WA	2.1 mi	21,644	$118,604	$663,800
98431	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98464	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98471	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98481	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—
98493	Tacoma, WA · PO box	2.1 mi	—	—	—

Questions about 98421

What city is zip code 98421?

98421 is assigned to Tacoma, Washington. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 98421 in?

98421 is in Pierce County, Washington.

What is the population of 98421?

About 424 people live in 98421, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 98421 in?

98421 is in Pacific Time.

What is the median household income in 98421?

The median household income in 98421 is $26,307.

What zip codes are near 98421?

The closest zip codes to 98421 are 98401, 98402, 98411, 98412, 98413.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 98421, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.