Washington: elevation, cities and highest point
Washington has 8,001,020 people (2025) and 39 counties. Its highest point is Mount Rainier, at 14,411 ft, and its lowest, the Pacific Ocean, at sea level. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 8,001,020
- The 13th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 66,457 sq mi
- The 20th largest state
- Counties
- 39
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- Sea level
- Pacific Ocean
Map of Washington’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Olympia, sits at 96 ft (29 m): the 40th highest of the 50 state capitals. Washington’s highest point, Mount Rainier, is 55 mi away in a straight line and 14,315 ft higher.
Between its highest point (14,411 ft) and its lowest (sea level) there’s 14,411 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Washington’s is the 4th highest.
Washington has 2 cities with a page. The highest is Seattle, at 173 ft, and the lowest is Olympia, at 96 ft: 77 ft apart.
Washington borders 2 states. Their highest points are Mount Hood, in Oregon (11,239 ft) and Borah Peak, in Idaho (12,662 ft): Washington’s is the highest of the 3. Their capitals: Salem (157 ft) and Boise (2,700 ft).
- Mount Rainier 14,411 ft
- Seattle 173 ft
- Olympia 96 ft
Population
Washington had 8,001,020 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 3.8% more than in April 2020 (7,707,519). Across 66,457 sq mi of land, that’s 120 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Seattle, with 784,777 people. The Census counts 639 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Washington.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 784,777 | 84.0 sq mi | 173 ft |
| Spokane | 230,783 | 68.8 sq mi | — |
| Tacoma | 229,816 | 49.8 sq mi | — |
| Vancouver | 199,698 | 48.8 sq mi | — |
| Bellevue | 154,193 | 33.5 sq mi | — |
| Kent | 134,871 | 33.6 sq mi | — |
| Everett | 113,567 | 33.6 sq mi | — |
| Spokane Valley | 108,405 | 37.7 sq mi | — |
| Renton | 104,975 | 23.5 sq mi | — |
| Federal Way | 99,729 | 22.3 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Washington?
Mount Rainier, at 14,411 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 4th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Washington?
The Pacific Ocean, at sea level, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Olympia, the capital?
96 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 40th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Washington?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Seattle, at 173 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Washington have?
39, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know