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The Washington counties where home prices are increasing the most

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The Washington counties where home prices are increasing the most


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Home prices are on the rise in Washington state.

Statewide, the median sales price of a home in Washington during the first quarter of 2025 was $636,200, representing a 1.6% increase from the same period in 2024, according to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington.

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The center’s latest housing market report stated that home prices increased in all of the state’s 16 metropolitan counties compared to a year ago. Zooming out for a statewide view, rural Lincoln County in Eastern Washington saw the biggest relative increase at 22.1%. The median home price in Lincoln was $274,500 in the first quarter of this year.

In Kitsap County, the relative increase was 2.1% and the median home price was $543,600. In King County, the increase was 1.1% and the median home price was $940,900, representing the highest median price in the state.

“Washington state’s housing market was mixed in the first quarter of 2025, with sales and inventory increasing and new building permits declining compared with a year ago,” the report stated. Approximately 7,500 building permits were issued in the first quarter of 2025, representing an 18.9% decrease from the same period last year.

Here’s more on the report and where home prices are increasing the most in the state.

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Where have housing prices increased the most in Washington state?

These are the 10 counties in Washington state that saw the biggest relative increases in home prices in the first quarter of 2025 compared to a year ago, according to the housing market report:

  1. Lincoln County
    • % change by year: 22.1
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $274,500
  2. Pacific County
    • % change by year: 19.4
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $358,300
  3. Columbia County
    • % change by year: 17.7
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $268,700
  4. San Juan County
    • % change by year: 17.5
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $866,700
  5. Skamania County
    • % change by year: 15.5
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $531,200
  6. Wahkiakum County
    • % change by year: 12.1
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $467,500
  7. Klickitat County
    • % change by year: 11.1
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $437,500
  8. Grant County
    • % change by year: 10.5
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $372,200
  9. Skagit County
    • % change by year: 10.3
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $610,000
  10. Cowlitz County
    • % change by year: 10
    • Median home price Q1 2025: $413,700

What are the least and most affordable counties in Washington?

The least affordable county in Washington state is San Juan County, according to the report. Garfield County in southeastern Washington is the most affordable. The median home price in Garfield was $212,200 in the first quarter of 2025.

However, all “the state’s 39 counties, and especially those in the central Puget Sound region, present affordability issues for first-time buyers,” the report stated.

What are the best cities to buy a home in the US?

A new report from the personal finance company WalletHub examined the best and worst places for first-time home buyers in the country. It took 300 cities and compared them across a number of factors, including affordability, market attractiveness and quality of life, according to the report.

Palm Bay on the eastern coast of Florida ranked as the best place for first-time home buyers in the country, according to the report. “It’s among the leading cities in the country when it comes to active home listings per capita and new building permits per capita, so there are plenty of older and brand-new homes to choose from,” the report stated. “In addition, while it’s a stereotype that millennials struggle to buy homes, Palm Bay has the fifth-highest millennial home-ownership rate.”

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But several Washington locations also ranked relatively highly as being good places to buy a home. Spokane Valley ranked 33rd, Yakima ranked 45th and Spokane ranked 46th.

Housing data shared by Redfin showed the median sale price of a home in Spokane Valley was $430,000 in May 2025. Yakima had a median sale price of $360,000, and Spokane had a median sale price of $390,000.

How much do you need to earn to buy a home in Washington state?

A January 2025 report from Realtor.com found that home buyers in 36 states needed to earn a six-figure income to reasonably afford a home. Washington ranked sixth among states where buyers needed the highest incomes to buy a home. The median household income recommended to buy a house in Washington was $176,669.

Realtor based its findings on the median monthly mortgage payments in each state.

“The calculation uses median home list prices from December 2024 and a 6.93% mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan,” the report stated. “It includes estimated property taxes and insurance costs. It also assumes buyers put down 10% and didn’t spend more than 30% of their gross income on their mortgage payments each month.”

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Washington state in 2023 dollars was $94,952.



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Tulip Day Washington draws buzz as sign-up site goes down

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Tulip Day Washington draws buzz as sign-up site goes down


Coming up this month, spring’s most colorful new event: Tulip Day Washington. 

What we know:

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On March 15, 2026, Tulip Day Washington will transform DC’s National Mall into a vibrant tulip-picking garden beautiful views of U.S. Capitol 

This one-day event will take place from 11:15 AM – 4:15 PM, offering a floral showcase of approximately 150,000 tulips; visitors are invited to pick their choice of 10 tulips for free upon arrival.  

Dig deeper:

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The registration site for Tulip Day is currently down, showing users “This site is currently unavailable. If you’re the owner of this website, please contact your hosting provider to get this resolved.” 

Users on social media say the event may be sold out. 

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Check tulipday.eu for updates.  

The backstory:

The event is organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands and Royal Anthos, a Dutch trade association, in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The display of tulips will be in the shape of the number 250. 

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The bulbs come from the Netherlands, but are being grown in Virginia and New Jersey. 

These won’t be the first tulips on the National Mall, however. The Floral Library, also known as the Tulip Library, features 93 beds of flowers near the Tidal Basin. The Floral Library was established in 1969, and is maintained by the National Park Services. These flowers, though, are to be enjoyed only – not to be picked. 

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PHOTOS: Long Beach State Dirtbags vs. Washington State, Baseball

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PHOTOS: Long Beach State Dirtbags vs. Washington State, Baseball


The562’s coverage of Dirtbags Baseball for the 2026 season is sponsored by P2S, Inc. Visit p2sinc.com to learn more.

Long Beach State dropped a 9-7 decision against Washington State on Sunday afternoon, closing out a busy weekend on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

The visiting Cougars took the lead for good in the eighth inning when Long Beach Poly grad Ryan Skjonsby delivered a game-winning two-run single with two outs and the bases loaded. Skjonsby was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and three RBIs for Washington State in their road victory.

For the Dirtbags, catcher Damon Valdez scored twice and had a key two-run single in the sixth to help lead a Long Beach comeback. Trevor Goldenetz had a pair of hits at the top of the order, including an RBI triple. Camden Gasser walked twice and singled, improving his on-base percentage to .574 on the season.

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Long Beach State (4-7) will be back in action at home on Tuesday with an exhibition match against Waseda University from Japan. The Dirtbags will then visit San Diego State on Wednesday and open Big West play at UC Santa Barbara this weekend.





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Week Ahead in Washington: March 1

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Week Ahead in Washington: March 1


WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Operation “Epic Fury” — the weekend military operations carried out by the U.S. and Israel against targets in Iran — tops the agenda for Congress as lawmakers return to Washington.

Sunday, President Donald Trump said the new leadership in Iran wants to talk to the Trump Administration.

Democrats in both chambers called for Congress to return as soon as possible for classified briefings on Iran, followed by a move to vote on the War Powers Act. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war on another country.

Congress’ return to Washington was originally delayed due to the start of the 2026 midterm elections cycle.

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Tuesday, voters in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas head to the polls for primary elections.

North Carolina and Texas are drawing significant attention, as both states are facing congressional redistricting and competitive primary races for Senate seats.

In Texas, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R) is facing primary challenges from state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. On the Democratic side, Rep. Jasmine Crockett is facing state Rep. James Talarico.

In North Carolina, candidates are vying to replacing retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R) . They include former Governor Roy Cooper (D) and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley.

Also this week, the Rev. Jesse Jackson is laid to rest. He will be honored Wednesday in Washington before a final memorial service Saturday. Jackson died Feb. 17.

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