# Elk Plain, Washington

Elk Plain is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 14,534 at the 2020 census.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 8.387 square miles (21.72 km$^2$), of which 8.380 square miles (21.70 km$^2$) are land and 0.007 square miles (0.02 km$^2$) are water.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Elk Plain, Washington – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. :
| Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) | Pop. 2000 | Pop. 2010 | Pop. 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 12,283 | 10,722 | 10,095 | 78.25% | 75.48% | 69.46% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 825 | 628 | 590 | 5.26% | 4.42% | 4.06% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 184 | 157 | 149 | 1.17% | 1.11% | 1.03% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 621 | 484 | 494 | 3.96% | 3.41% | 3.40% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 205 | 324 | 291 | 1.31% | 2.28% | 2.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 36 | 23 | 94 | 0.23% | 0.16% | 0.65% |
| Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | 800 | 881 | 1,317 | 5.10% | 6.20% | 9.06% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 743 | 986 | 1,504 | 4.73% | 6.94% | 10.35% |
| Total | 15,697 | 14,205 | 14,534 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 14,534 people, 4,967 households, and 3,821 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,734.4 inhabitants per square mile (669.7/km$^2$). There were 5,094 housing units at an average density of 607.9 per square mile (234.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 72.20% White, 4.18% African American, 1.24% Native American, 3.56% Asian, 2.08% Pacific Islander, 4.16% from some other races and 12.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.35% of the population. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18, 4.9% were under 5 years of age, and 13.5% were 65 and older. The gender makeup of the CDP was 50.6% female.

### 2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 14,205 people, 4,707 households, and 3,759 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,846.9 inhabitants per square mile (713.1/km$^2$). There were 4,929 housing units at an average density of 641.0 per square mile (247.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 78.67% White, 4.60% African American, 1.25% Native American, 3.58% Asian, 2.37% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from some other races and 7.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.94% of the population. 27.4% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.4% were under 5 years of age, and 7.9% were 65 and older. The gender makeup of the CDP was 35.7% female.

### 2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 15,697 people, 4,990 households, and 4,166 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,640.8 inhabitants per square mile (633.5/km$^2$). There were 5,211 housing units at an average density of 544.7 per square mile (210.3/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the CDP was 80.57% White, 5.40% African American, 1.23% Native American, 4.05% Asian, 1.37% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races, and 5.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.73% of the population.
There were 4,990 households, out of which 48.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.9% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.5% were non-families. 12.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.12 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 32.9% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,400, and the median income for a family was $57,004. Males had a median income of $39,242 versus $26,105 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,547. About 5.5% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 0.4% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

Public schools in Elk Plain are part of the Bethel School District. Schools in or near Elk Plain include:

### Elementary Schools

* Elk Plain School of Choice Elementary School
* Centennial Elementary School
* Shining Mountain Elementary School

### Junior High School

* Bethel Junior High School

### High School

* Bethel High School

### Private school

* Bethel Baptist Christian School (grades K4-12)

### Nearby colleges

* Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)
* Colleges in Tacoma
* Colleges in Lakewood
* Colleges in Puyallup
* Colleges offering classes at Joint Base Lewis-McChord