| City: | Tacoma, Washington |
| Names to Avoid: | Pacific Lutheran University |
| County: | Pierce County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 1:38:12 PM |
| Population: | 1,053 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 253 |
| Classification: | Unique [Company/Government] |
| Coordinates: | 47.1458, -122.4437 |
| Land Area: | 0.114 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Pacific Lutheran University, a private Lutheran institution founded by Norwegian immigrants on October 16, 1890, operates under dedicated ZIP code 98447 in Parkland, Pierce County. The 156-acre woodland campus is located six miles south of Tacoma and is sponsored by the 580 congregations of Region I of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Originally Pacific Lutheran Academy, the institution became Pacific Lutheran University in 1960 and now enrolls approximately 2,450 undergraduates. This postal designation has served the university for over two decades.
The 0.11-square-mile campus ZIP encompasses the residential campus in the Parkland neighborhood. Postal records identify 19 delivery codes routing mail to 16 named buildings on Park Avenue, including residence halls (Foss, Harstad, Hinderlie, Hong, Ordal, Pflueger, Stuen, and Tinglestad Halls), the PLU Library, School of Nursing, Administration, and Bookstore. The radio station KPLU FM 88.5 also operates from campus.
The 2020 Census counted 1,053 residents within this ZIP code. A median age of 20.0 years confirms the undergraduate population. Nearly all residents (94 percent) live in non-institutional group quarters, consistent with dormitory housing. Census Business Patterns shows 3 establishments employing 1,652 workers. Tacoma is the valid mailing city for this ZIP code.
| Population: | 1,053 |
| Median Age: | 20.0 |
| Housing Units: | 10 |
| Establishments: | 3 |
| Employment: | 1,652 |
| Residential: | 0 |
| Business: | 1 |
Buildings registered in the USPS ZIP+4 database with designated codes for direct mail delivery.
ZIP Code 98447 has 1,053 residents and 1 households (average 58.00 persons per household). The median age is 20.0 years, significantly younger than the state (38.1) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 39.5% male and 60.5% female, which is much lower than the state male share (49.9%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (66.4%, higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Asian (12.3%, higher than the national average of 6.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 9.6%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,053Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 964Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 9,236.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 1Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 58.00Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 21.50Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 857 | 849 | 877 | 842 | 814 | 785 | 767 | 735 | 732 | 744 | 1,303 | 1,067 | 964 |
| Decennial Census | 842 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,053 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 20
Male Median Age: 20.2
Female Median Age: 19.9
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5 | 3 | 1 | 184 | 209 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 1 | 2 | 2 | 335 | 282 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 5 | 3 | 519 | 491 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| White: | 699 | 68.93% |
| Black: | 53 | 5.23% |
| Hispanic:* | 101 | 9.96% |
| Asian: | 130 | 12.82% |
| American Indian: | 13 | 1.28% |
| Hawaiian: | 8 | 0.79% |
| Other: | 10 | 0.99% |
| Total: | 1,014 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 416 | 39.51% | 20.2 years |
| Females: | 637 | 60.49% | 19.9 years |
| Total: | 1,053 | 100% | 20.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 831 | 86.20% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 46 | 4.77% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 28 | 2.90% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 59 | 9.02% |
| Total Population: | 964 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 877 | 90.98% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 87 | 9.02% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $0, which is far less than the state median ($94,952), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $38,333, which is far less than the state female median ($63,283), with a current gap of $38,333 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 51.3%, which is markedly below the state rate (64.7%). The unemployment rate is 17.6%, which is much higher than the state rate (4.9%). The largest occupation group is Service (38.2%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $33,542 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $38,333 |
| Employed: | 408 | 42.32% |
| Unemployed: | 87 | 9.02% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 469 | 48.65% |
| Total: | 964 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 96 | 23.53% |
| Service: | 156 | 38.24% |
| Sales and Office: | 107 | 26.23% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 49 | 12.01% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 408 | 100% |
In 2023, 100.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 3.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 84.50%, which is well above the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 15.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (36.30%). Insufficient data for poverty. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (100.00%). College enrollment is 100.00%, which is markedly above the state rate (25.00%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some college, no degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 6 | 100.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 6 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 6 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 6 | 100.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 815 | 81.91% |
| Public Insurance: | 145 | 14.57% |
| No Insurance: | 35 | 3.52% |
| Total: | 995 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 960 | 96.48% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 964 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 964 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0.00% |
ZIP Code 98447 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 3 business establishments, employing about 1,682 people with an annual payroll of $46,061,000. USPS data shows 0 residential mailboxes and 1 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 2,283Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 3Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $11,035,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $46,061,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 1,682Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 98447 is located in Pierce County, Washington, within the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 42660) and Washington's 10th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 4,021,467 people, about 0.03% of whom live in ZIP Code 98447, and is subdivided into the Tacoma-Lakewood, WA division. It covers 0.114 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 42660Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | Tacoma-Lakewood, WA (CBSA Div 45104)Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 4,021,467Source: Census |
| MSA: | Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA CMSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.114 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 10Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 826.67 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Tacoma, WA PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 5370000Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Tacoma city; WashingtonSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 98447 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on January 1, 2026.