Washington

Pierce

921,130
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Pierce

Pierce, Washington, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 1,115. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 921,130.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 12 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Natchez Pass, Battles in Puget Sound area 1855-56 (multiple), Battle of Brannan Prairie, and 198 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020921,130
2010795,225
2000700,820
1990586,203
1980485,643
1970411,027
1960321,590
1950275,876
1940182,081
1930163,842
1920144,127
1910120,812
190055,515
189050,940
18803,319
18701,409
18601,115
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Pierce

Military engagements that took place in Pierce, Washington.

Battle of Natchez Pass
1855
Battles in Puget Sound area 1855-56 (multiple)
1855
Battle of Brannan Prairie
1855
Puget Sound War — Battle of Connell's Prairie (October 31, 1855)
1855
Battle of Kelley's Ranch — Puget Sound War (1856)
1856
Battle of Connell's Prairie
1856
Leschi's Capture 1856
1858
Medicine Creek Treaty Aftermath – Puget Sound War
1866
Battle of Puyallup River
1866
Battle of Mashel Prairie
1866
Tacoma Anti-Chinese Expulsion (1885)
1885
Camp Lewis Mobilization, Washington
1917

Historic places in Pierce

National Register of Historic Places listings in Pierce, Washington.

Purdy Bridge
Purdy
Glencove Hotel
Gig Harbor
Wright Park and Seymour Conservatory
Tacoma
Christine Falls Bridge
Paradise
Silver Creek Ranger Station
Crystal Mountain
Fort Nisqually Granary and Factor's House
Tacoma
Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout
Sunrise
Meeker, Ezra, Mansion
Puyallup
DuPont Village Historic District
DuPont
Shriner Peak Fire Lookout
Ohanapecosh
Northern Pacific Office Building
Tacoma
Engine House No. 9
Tacoma
Pantages Theatre
Tacoma
Paradise Inn
Mount Rainier National Park
Old City Hall
Tacoma
Edith Creek Chlorination House
Paradise
Browns Point Lighthouse and Keeper's Cottage
Tacoma
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Tacoma
South Puyallup River Bridge
Nisqually Entrance
Winnifred Street Bridge
Ruston
North 21st Street Bridge
Tacoma
Coke Ovens
Wilkeson
Chinook Pass Entrance Arch
Chinook Pass Entrance
Engine House No. 8
Tacoma
Browse all Washingtonhistoric sites ›

Other counties in Washington

Explore census history and historic records for more Washington counties.

San JuanSkagitSkamaniaSnohomishSpokaneStevensThurstonWahkiakumWalla WallaWhatcomWhitmanYakimaAdamsAsotinBentonChelanClallamClarkColumbiaCowlitz
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Pierce County, Washington

This page charts the census history of Pierce County, Washington. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Pierce County, Washington report
Or see a real report first

Explore Washington records

Washingtonhistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Washington›

Frequently asked about Pierce

When does Pierce first appear in the US census?
Pierce, Washington first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 1,115.
What is the population of Pierce?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Pierce had a recorded population of 921,130.
Were any battles fought in Pierce?
12 documented military engagements took place in Pierce, including Battle of Natchez Pass, Battles in Puget Sound area 1855-56 (multiple), Battle of Brannan Prairie.
How many historic places are in Pierce?
198 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Pierce, Washington.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report