Washington (WA)

Known as the "Evergreen State," Washington is a land of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. From the snow-capped peaks of Mount Rainier to the bustling streets of Seattle, the state offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure, technology, and world-class coffee culture.

• Population: ~7.8 million
• Weather: Mild, rainy winters (35-50°F); warm, dry summers (70-85°F).
• Famous Sites: Mount Rainier, Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Olympic National Park, San Juan Islands.
• Top Activities: Hiking, skiing, wine tasting, whale watching, kayaking, exploring coffee shops and tech hubs.

Washington state's job market is strong, with growing opportunities in technology, healthcare, aerospace, and engineering. These industries provide stable careers with competitive salaries. Here are the top five in-demand jobs in Washington state based on earnings and job openings. Click on the job titles to view more details from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Washington state has vibrant urban areas known for thriving educational environments, attracting a large number of college students every year. Many cities in the state have prominent universities and community institutions. The table below provides information about the 10 largest cities in Washington, their approximate population, and their college student enrollment numbers.

Washington state is home to some of the best public and private universities, offering strong programs in technology, business, healthcare, and the liberal arts.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in Washington

• University of Washington (UW) – A top-ranked research university known for strong programs in medicine, engineering, and computer science.
• Washington State University (WSU) – A major public university offering excellent agricultural, business, and engineering programs.
• Western Washington University (WWU) – Recognized for strong environmental sciences, education, and business programs.
• Eastern Washington University (EWU) – Offers strong programs in healthcare, education, and social sciences.
• Central Washington University (CWU) – Known for its programs in business, education, and performing arts.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in Washington

• Seattle University – A top private university with strong business, law, and healthcare programs.
• Gonzaga University – A Jesuit institution recognized for strong law, business, and engineering programs.
• Whitman College – A top-tier liberal arts college known for its academic excellence.
• University of Puget Sound – Offers strong programs in the arts, sciences, and business.
• Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) – A top liberal arts university with strong nursing and business programs.

Washington state is home to some of the best high schools in the country, offering students excellent academic opportunities, strong extracurricular programs, and outstanding college preparation. These schools provide a supportive environment that helps students achieve their goals and succeed in their future careers.

Top Public High Schools in Washington

• International School, Bellevue – A highly ranked school known for its rigorous curriculum and strong emphasis on global studies.
• Bellevue High School, Bellevue – Offers a challenging academic program and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
• Newport Senior High School, Bellevue – Recognized for its high-achieving students and excellent STEM programs.
• Tesla STEM High School, Redmond – Focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math with hands-on learning opportunities.
• Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge Island – Provides a well-rounded education with strong arts and sports programs.

Top Private High Schools in Washington

• Lakeside School, Seattle – A prestigious school known for academic excellence, leadership development, and college preparedness.
• The Bush School, Seattle – Offers progressive education with a focus on experiential and hands-on learning.
• University Prep, Seattle – Provides a rigorous academic curriculum with a strong emphasis on innovation and critical thinking.
• Eastside Preparatory School, Kirkland – Known for its focus on technology, creativity, and leadership.
• Seattle Academy, Seattle – Combines strong academics with arts and athletics to foster well-rounded students.

Washington State is home to several major league professional sports teams across different sports, as well as many minor league and semi-professional teams. The state has a passionate sports culture and loyal fan bases for its teams.

Seattle is the center of professional sports in Washington, hosting teams in the NFL, MLB, NBA (WNBA), NHL, and MLS. These teams have brought championships and unforgettable moments to their fans.

Major League Professional Teams in Washington

Football 🏈

• Seattle Seahawks (NFL) – A beloved team with a strong fan base known as the "12s." The Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.

Baseball ⚾

• Seattle Mariners (MLB) – The state's professional baseball team, known for legendary players like Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki.

Basketball 🏀

• Seattle Storm (WNBA) – One of the most successful WNBA teams, with multiple championships and notable stars like Sue Bird.

Hockey 🏒

• Seattle Kraken (NHL) – The state's newest major professional team, joining the NHL in 2021 and quickly building a passionate fan base.

Soccer ⚽

• Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – A dominant team in Major League Soccer with multiple championships and strong fan support.

Minor League & Semi-Pro Teams in Washington

Baseball 🏟️

• Tacoma Rainiers (Triple-A – Seattle Mariners affiliate) – A well-established minor league team with a long history.
• Everett AquaSox (Single-A – Seattle Mariners affiliate) – Known for developing young talent for the major leagues.
• Spokane Indians (High-A – Colorado Rockies affiliate) – A historic minor league baseball team with deep ties to the community.
• Tri-City Dust Devils (High-A – Los Angeles Angels affiliate) – Competing in the Northwest League and producing future MLB talent.

Soccer ⚽

• Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro – Seattle Sounders affiliate) – A developmental team producing future Sounders stars.
• OL Reign (NWSL – National Women's Soccer League) – A top professional women's soccer team with a history of strong performances.

Hockey 🏒

• Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL – Major junior hockey) – A highly competitive team developing future NHL stars.
• Everett Silvertips (WHL – Major junior hockey) – A strong WHL team with a history of success.
• Spokane Chiefs (WHL – Major junior hockey) – Another competitive major junior hockey team in Washington.

Basketball 🏀

• Seattle Super Hawks (TBL – The Basketball League) – A professional minor league basketball team bringing the sport back to Seattle.

Washington boasts a rich sports culture with successful professional and minor league teams. From football to hockey to soccer, the state's teams continue to bring excitement to their fans.

1. Home of the World's First Starbucks ☕ – The first-ever Starbucks opened in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1971, making Washington the birthplace of this coffee giant.
2. Birthplace of Grunge Music 🎸 – Seattle gave rise to grunge music in the 1990s, launching iconic bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.
3. Only State Named After a President 🇺🇸 – Washington is the only U.S. state named after a president, honoring George Washington.
4. Home to the Largest Apple Producer 🍏 – Washington grows more apples than any other state, producing over half of the country’s supply.
5. Has the Deepest Gorge in North America 🌄 – Hells Canyon, located in eastern Washington, is deeper than the Grand Canyon, reaching a depth of almost 8,000 feet.
6. Mount St. Helens’ Eruption Changed the Landscape 🌋 – The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was the most powerful volcanic event in U.S. history, reshaping the region.
7. Home of the World’s Largest Building ✈️ – The Boeing Everett Factory is the largest building in the world by volume, covering 98.3 acres.
8. The “Evergreen State” for a Reason 🌲 – Washington is known for its lush forests, thanks to its temperate rainforests and abundant rainfall.
9. Has More Glaciers Than Any Other State ❄️ – Washington has over 3,000 glaciers, more than all the other lower 48 states combined.
10. Famous for the Space Needle 🏙️ – Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle’s Space Needle remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the U.S.