Washington
What is considered middle class in Washington state? See income ranges across the country
Report: 65% of middle class struggling financially
In an Urban Institute poll commissioned by the National True Cost of Living Coalition, 65% of American families making at least $60k a year struggle financially
Cheddar
A new study found that in Washington state, you can make more than $200,000 and still be considered middle class.
In a study released late February, SmartAsset, which provides consumer-focused financial information, calculated the middle-class income ranges for every state and major city in the United States. In Washington, a household can be considered middle class if it makes between $63,064 and $189,210. However, that range can change at the city level.
The study found that the “upper bounds” of middle-class income in Seattle were $241,216, and in Spokane, it was $130,032.
SmartAsset used U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey 1-year data and analyzed the median household income in 100 of the largest U.S. cities and all states. SmartAsset used “a variation” of the Pew Research Center’s definition of middle-income households to determine the middle-class income range, “which defines a middle-class salary range by two-thirds to double” the median salary.
The median income in Washington is $94,605, according to SmartAsset.
Washington is the state with the seventh-highest income needed by a household to remain middle class, following Maryland, New Hampshire, California, and Hawaii.
See the top 10 cities in the country with the highest middle-class income ranges, according to SmartAsset
- Arlington, Virginia: $93,470-$280,438
- San Jose, California: $90,810-$272,458
- Irvine, California: $85,317-$255,978
- San Francisco, California: $84,478-$253,460
- Gilbert, Arizona: $81,622-$244,890
- Seattle, Washington: $80,397-$241,216
- Plano, Texas: $72,133-$216,420
- Chula Vista, California: $71,075-$213,246
- Scottsdale, Arizona: $70,698-$212,116
What is upper-middle-class income in Washington?
Meanwhile, a study from GOBankingRates released in March revealed the upper middle-class income ranges in every state in the U.S. The upper middle-class income is “represented by the top third of incomes within the middle-class income range,” according to the study.
In Washington, the upper-middle-class income ranges from $147,704 to $189,904. That’s among the highest upper-middle-class income ranges in America, only beaten by New Hampshire, California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
GOBankingRates used the 2023 American Community Survey to determine every state’s median household income to find its middle-class income range (also using a definition where middle-class income is two-thirds to double the income of an area).
Jun 01, 2025 02:47 AM IST
D.C. Police Department has dismissed reports of a shooting at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, confirming there is no active shooter on the premises.
The Washington D.C. Police Department has confirmed that reports of a shooting at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on Saturday evening were false.
“There is NO active shooter or threat at the National Zoo. Officers are investigating a report of a fight between two adults,” police said in a post on X.
What happened?
Earlier in the evening, several witnesses took to social media claiming there was an active shooter on zoo grounds. Some reported hearing gunshots and seeing people running in panic.
“Currently at the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC where there is an active shooter on the premises. Police are here, the shooter is still believed to be active. Currently herded into the visitor center,” one witness wrote on X.
Another added, “We just passed by the zoo there were 11 police cars there !!!!”
A third person reported, “What’s up with the shooting noise??? Make the city safe again.”
Another person wrote, “Oh no an active shooter at the National Zoo. Info from an associate at the zoo right now in hiding with her daughter. This is terrible.”
Despite these reports, police have confirmed that no gunshots were fired and there is no active threat to the public.
Also Read: Mariucci Arena shooting leaves 2 injured after Wayzata High School graduation
Two people shot in Southeast DC
On Friday night, police responded to reports of gunshots fired in Southeast Washington, D.C. Officers arrived at the 1200 block of I Street around 10:40 p.m. and found two men with gunshot wounds.
Both victims were conscious and breathing when first responders arrived and were quickly transported to local hospitals for treatment.
No arrests have been made so far, and police have not released any information about possible suspects.
SNOHOMISH — Washington State University is hosting a citizen science “Molt Search” program on June 2 in an effort to combat growing concerns about the European green crab.
Introduced to North America in the 1800s, the European green crab is considered one of the most invasive marine species by agencies across the country. Because it has few natural predators, it outcompetes native species and can destroy precious habitat, such as the eelgrass beds juvenile salmon and other young fish use as nurseries.
Washington agencies and tribes noticed an uptick in green crabs in 2018, with an even greater increase of sightings in 2021. In 2023, the Washington State Legislature appropriated over $6 million for green crab management.
As part of these management efforts, WSU Beach Watchers and Washington Sea Grant is promoting its Molt Search program. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gary Weikel Room at Willis Tucker Park, community members can learn how to conduct a timed survey for crab molt — outgrown and discarded shells — and report their findings through a mobile app.
“Since we are in the early stages of the spread of European Green Crab in inland Washington waters, early detection of these crabs is paramount,” Beach Watchers Program Coordinator Jonathan Robinson said. “That is why getting as many eyes out on the beach looking for European Green Crab molts is so important.”
On June 20, Washington Sea Grant is hosting its second annual Molt Blitz, where you can join citizen scientists across the state by reporting findings in your local area.
For more information on both events and European green crab management, you can visit https://wsg.washington.edu/crabteam/moltsearch/.
Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson.
Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.
At least one person died in Washington County, Kentucky, when a powerful tornado left widespread damage Friday morning.
The county’s sheriff’s office confirmed the death and multiple injuries in a Facebook post at 9:48 a.m. EDT, about two hours after the twister struck the area located about 50 miles southwest of Lexington.
“Please be respectful during this time. Prayers are needed for this family and our county,” the sheriff’s office also said.
(MORE: Canada Wildfires To Create Unhealthy Air For Millions In Midwest)
The National Weather Service will survey the damage today. According to NOAA’s database, this is the 63rd tornado death in the United States in 2025, and the 20th in Kentucky.
“The tornado occurred in a supercell thunderstorm that formed ahead of an area of low pressure tracking through Kentucky this morning,” said weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce. “The severe weather risk has ended in central Kentucky, but parts of the mid-Atlantic, Carolinas and Georgia could see storms produce wind damage, hail and an isolated tornado threat the rest of today.”
For more information on the severe weather threat in the Southeast later today, click here.
This is a developing story; please check back frequently for updates.
Trump administration continues to target international students. What to know and what could be next.
Activist sportswear brand sues Colorado, accuses state of censoring its message
Delta fight disrupted by pigeon flying around inside cabin, video shows
Federal judge slaps hold on new Oklahoma immigration law
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announces Georgia governor bid, slams Trump in campaign video
-
News1 week agoRead the Full ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Report
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Movie Review: 'Pee-wee as Himself' unmasks Paul Reubens
-
Technology1 week agoNow you can watch the Internet Archive preserve documents in real time
-
World1 week agoNeo-Nazi cult leader extradited to US for plot to kill Jewish children
-
Technology1 week agoDiscord might use AI to help you catch up on conversations
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoMovie review: 'Dogma' re-release highlights thoughtful script – UPI.com
-
Business1 week agoPlastic Spoons, Umbrellas, Violins: A Guide to What Americans Buy From China
-
Science1 week agoTrump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades
