The 40 Most Fun and Interesting Washington State Facts You Didn’t Know

If you love America’s most northwestern state, you’ll enjoy our list of the 40 most fun and interesting facts about Washington. From the state bird to the many companies that were built in Washington, there’s so much to learn about The Evergreen State!

1. It’s the 42nd State

Washington State was one of the last states to join the Union on November 11th, 1889. They joined after an act was passed by the United States Congress that enabled Washington and the surrounding territories of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana to eventually become states. Washington was the first to pursue statehood, and it became a state during the same year as the Dakota Territory. 

2. Washington Is the 13th Most-Populated State

As of the 2020 census, Washington State’s population was 7,705,281. That makes Washington the 13th most-populated state in the U.S.! On the contrary, Washington’s population density is pretty in the middle. It’s the 28th state in terms of population density, which brings us to our next fun fact.

3. Half of Washington’s Residents Live in the Greater Seattle Area

The Greater Seattle Area, which is also called the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), includes King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties. These three large counties add up to a population of 4,018,762 — more than half of the whole state! It’s the 15th-largest MSA in the United States.

4. The State Capital Is Olympia

Despite being the state capital, Olympia is a relatively small city. It’s just outside of the metropolitan statistical area in Thurston County. As of the 2020 census, Olympia’s population was 55,605. It’s home to cultural places and museums that focus on the history of the Coast Salish and Squaxin peoples who lived in the area originally. 

5. The State Bird Is the Willow Goldfinch

Washington chose the willow goldfinch to be its state bird in 1951. It’s no wonder why; if you visit the area, you’ll see them in nearly all of the fields and bushes. Willow goldfinches, true to their name, are gold with black to grayish-colored wings. They make some beautiful bird songs, so keep an ear out for the Washington State bird!

6. Seattle Is the Largest City in Washington 

Seattle is a double-winner because it’s both the largest city by land area and the largest by population! Contributing to the MSA data, Seattle had a population of 737,015 in the 2020 census. It is the 18th-largest city in the United States. 

7. Washington Exports 70% of America’s Hops

Washington is the largest producer of hops — a plant used in the preservation and flavoring of beer — in the United States, producing 71.8 million pounds in 2022. Since the entire U.S. produced around 101 million pounds, that equates to around 70% of total hop production. The main use of hops is in brewing, so be sure to thank Washington State for your next happy hour!

8. The Gum Wall Is a Wild (And Gross) Sight

The Gum Wall is a local piece of art that got its start in the 90s. Local performers and visitors to the downtown Seattle Pike Place Market began sticking their used gum to the wall. It’s kind of gross, but most of the locals sure get a kick out of it! The wall is a common spot for photo shoots, and many couples love grabbing cute pics in front of the chewing gum.

9. The State Has Over 60,000 Acres of Vineyards

Washington State is home to more than 1,050 wineries, over 400 growers, and 60,000-plus acres of premier vineyards. It’s the 2nd-largest wine-producing state in the U.S., falling just behind nearby California. 

10. It Is Illegal to Kill Bigfoot in Washington

I know — this one seems a little silly, but it’s true! It first passed in 1969, making hunting Bigfoot a felony, but that was repealed 15 years later. In 1984, Skamania County passed an ordinance stating that killing the ape-like creature could result in a fine of $1,000 or a year in jail (a misdemeanor). This ordinance also declared the county as a “Sasquatch refuge” and Bigfoot to be an endangered species. 

11. It’s Right on the Edge of the U.S.

Washington borders two U.S. states — Idaho and Oregon, and the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north. It also has a coastline along the Pacific Ocean, which is mainly rocky, with many overhanging cliffs. 

12. It Was the Setting for Twilight

While the iconic movie-and-book series was based in Forks, none of the scenes were actually shot there. Instead, most of the indoor school scenes were shot in Portland at Madison High School. Additionally, many of the outdoor parking lot scenes were taken at Kalama High School in Kalama. 

13. People from Washington Are Washingtonians

Like Floridians and New Yorkers, people from the state of Washington have their own unique nicknames. They’re called Washingtonians, pronouncing the ‘ton’ as ‘tone’. 

14. It’s Named After the First President

While it may come as no surprise, Washington State is named after George Washington. It’s the only U.S. state that’s named after a president!

15. It’s the Evergreen State

Washington earned its nickname, “The Evergreen State” by C. T. Conover. The late realtor and historian called it that because of the abundant forests of evergreens that grow throughout the state. 

16. The State Dance Is the Square Dance

In 1979, Washingtonians declared the square dance to be the state dance. There’s even a state-run non-profit Square & Folk Dance Federation that works to promote soiree dancing across the state. 

17. It’s Also the Apple State 

Because Washington is the top apple-producing state in America, the sweet fruit was named a state symbol in 1989. It’s also home to the City of Wenatchee, which is the Apple Capital of the World!

18. Mount Rainier Is the Highest Point in Washington

The towering Mount Rainier, which stands just outside of Seattle at 14,411 feet, is the tallest point in the state. While it’s considered a mountain, Mount Rainier is actually an active volcano. It last erupted in the 1890s, but it has the potential to erupt again in the future. Luckily, eruptions don’t happen without warning, so you can visit this unique attraction fearlessly! 

19. The Rainier Cherry Was Invented in Washington

Named after the nearby mountain, the Rainier Cherry was invented as a cross between Van and Bing cherries. Rainier Cherries have yellow-colored skins, and a very sweet yet watery flavor. 

20. Bill Gates Was Born in Washington

The state of Washington is home to many famous folks, from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to game show host Bob Barker. Jimi Hendrix was also born in Washington in the city of Seattle. 

21. It Was the Birthplace of Starbucks

Seattle is the home of Starbucks, which quickly spread across the U.S. and into many other countries. The first Starbucks opened at the Pike Place Market in 1971, run by just one employee! It’s surely a testament to the fact that hard work and great coffee go a long way!

22. The Coast Rhododendron Is the State Flower

Washington State’s flower of choice is the Coast Rhododendron. Women in Washington chose the state flower in 1892 before they had the right to vote. However, it was officially designated in 1959 in the state legislature. 

23. Lewis and Clark Stopped There

The Lewis and Clark Expedition camped in Washington State on their journey to the Pacific. They stopped by Horsethief Lake to camp and along many other spots. Today, at Cape Disappointment State Park, there is a Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center that tells more of their story. 

24. It’s Home to the Most Breeding Bald Eagles

The San Juan Islands are home to the biggest concentration of bald eagles in the continental U.S. The islands have more than 125 nesting pairs, more than any other country in the country!

25. Washington State Started Father’s Day

A resident of Washington State, Sonora Smart Dodd, proposed the idea in 1909. She thought of a way to celebrate her dad, who was a Civil War veteran and a single parent of six children. The first celebration was held on June 19, 1910, in the Spokane YMCA.

26. It Was a Part of Oregon

Before the Dakota Territory and before the state of Washington was established, the area was a part of the Oregon Territory. It split off in 1853 before joining the Union around 35 years later. 

27. The Space Needle Is a Main Attraction

It’s hard to visit The Evergreen State without making a stop at the Space Needle. Standing 605 feet above the city, the iconic landmark is one of the most photographed spots in the world. It’s an observation tower where visitors can sit on glass benches on the world’s only revolving glass floor, and catch amazing views of the city.

28. The State Fish Is the Steelhead Trout

The state is home to some of the best steelhead fishing in the world, so naturally, it’s their state fish! For those that don’t know, the steelhead trout is actually identical anatomically to the rainbow trout. However, rainbow trout are freshwater fish while steelheads are anadromous. 

29. It Was the Birthplace of Grunge

You can thank The Evergreen State for the grunge subculture of music. Washington saw the rise of Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana. Their scruffy, anti-authority vibes took over the state in the 1990s, and eventually spread across the country!

30. Washington Has the Largest Ferry System in the U.S.

Washington State Ferries, operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation, runs a fleet of 21 ferries. They operate daily and in 2022 they served a whopping 50,000 people each day. 

31. Washington’s Official Sport Is Pickleball

The incredibly popular sport of pickleball got its start in 1965 on Bainbridge Island. It was created by three friends: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. The sport quickly spread around the state, but has now gained national attention!

32. Washington Had the First Female Governor

Dixy Lee Ray was the 17th governor of Washington and the first female governor in America. She was described as “ridiculously smart”, coming from a background in biology and marine science. While she was in office, the nearby Mount St. Helens erupted. 

33. It’s Home to 12 Volcanoes

While we’ve already mentioned the largest mountain (and volcano) in the state, you may not realize that there are 11 others! Out of the 12 volcanoes in Washington, only 5 are active. Glacier Peak, Mount Adams, Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens are currently active, with 4 out of the 5 erupting within the past 250 years. 

34. There Are 3 National Parks in Washington

The state is home to three national parks including Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Park, which is the largest. That may not sound like a lot, but the three parks encompass 3.93% of the state’s total area. That’s more natural land than 41 of the other U.S. states. 

35. Washington Is Home to 4 Rainforests

The state is home to the ONLY 4 rainforests in the nation! They are all located near Seattle, on the west side of Olympic National Park. The four rainforests are Hoh, Quinault, Queets, and Bogchiel. They’re marked by the 12 to 14 feet of rain that the areas receive per year. 

36. There’s a Bridge for Squirrels

Longview is home to the Squirrel Bridge, officially called Nutty Narrows. It was built in 1963 to give squirrels a way to cross over busy roads. While you may wonder if such a creation even worked, reports quickly spread of squirrels using Nutty Narrows and even teaching their young how to cross.

37. It’s Home to the World’s Longest Floating Bridge

The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge is 7,710 feet long and rests on 77 concrete pontoons that float on Lake Washington. The floating pontoons are attached to anchors at the bottom of the lake so the bridge stays in place. Evergreen Point Floating Bridge is both the longest and the widest floating bridge in the world. The bridge carries a six-lane highway that spans between Mercer Island and Bellevue. 

38. Why Washington ‘State’?

Most people refer to the northwestern U.S. state as Washington ‘State’. It’s the only state in the country that we refer to like that. It’s called that to distinguish the state from the nation’s capital — Washington, D.C.

39. The State Vegetable Is an Onion

Washington selected the Walla Walla sweet onion as the state vegetable because its farmed in the state. The Walla Walla sweet onion originally came from the island of Corsica in France. A retired soldier found the seed on the island and brought it to Walla Walla Valley, planting the first plant. From then on, the onion’s impressive growing speed, sweetness, and hardiness made it the top choice for the Walla Walla Valley, earning it its’ name. 

40. There Are No State Income Taxes

Washington is one of just 8 states in the U.S. that don’t collect personal state income tax. Because the state has a great economy, especially from the tourism industry, it’s able to receive enough money from other places. That makes Washington a great place to open your business, or be an independent contractor!

So there you have it! That’s 40 interesting facts about Washington State. Did any of them surprise you?

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Danita Delimont/Shutterstock.com