Vaughn ZIP Codes — Pierce County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Vaughn, Washington and it is 98394. Area code: 253.

ZIP codes

5.44

sq mi land

3.86

sq mi water

253

area code

Vaughn, WA ZIP code map

About Vaughn, WA

Vaughn is a quaint community located in Washington's Pierce County, known for its picturesque surroundings and tranquil atmosphere. Nestled near the shores of the Carr Inlet, this small town is a perfect retreat for those seeking natural beauty and outdoor activities. With a single ZIP code of 98394, Vaughn exemplifies the charm of Washington state's rural life.

Location & geography

Vaughn is situated approximately 16 miles southwest of Tacoma and 10 miles northeast of Gig Harbor, offering easy access to both urban amenities and serene maritime landscapes. The town encompasses a land area of 5.44 square miles, complemented by a water area of 3.86 square miles, contributing to its scenic views and water-related recreational opportunities. The surrounding terrain features lush forests and waterfronts, making it a wonderful location for nature enthusiasts.

Community & economy

The character of Vaughn reflects a close-knit, community-oriented atmosphere, where neighbors often come together for local events and activities. The town's economy is primarily driven by tourism, small businesses, and services catering to residents and visitors alike. Daily life in Vaughn is marked by a slower pace that allows residents to enjoy outdoor pursuits like fishing, boating, and hiking in the nearby natural parks.

Transportation

Vaughn is conveniently accessed via key highways, including State Route 302, which connects the community to neighboring towns and cities. The nearest airport is Tacoma Narrows Airport, located about 10 miles to the north, facilitating both commercial and private flight options. Public transportation options are limited, emphasizing the town's rural nature and encouraging residents to rely on personal vehicles.

History

Vaughn was founded in the early 20th century, originally developed as a logging town and later transitioning to accommodate a rural residential community. The area's natural resources played a significant role in shaping its economy, with fishing and timber being key industries during its formative years. Notable events in the town's history include its establishment as a popular retreat for weekend visitors seeking respite in the scenic Puget Sound region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Vaughn is its proximity to a number of beautiful waterfront parks that allow residents and visitors to fully appreciate the area's natural beauty. Additionally, Vaughn is often overlooked by tourists, providing a peaceful alternative to more bustling coastal towns in Washington.

ZIP codes for Vaughn, WA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
98394	Vaughn	Pierce	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,244

Population

44.2

Median age

Median household income

$42,248

Per capita income

$455,500

Median home value

$1,019

Median monthly rent

75.8%

Home ownership

15.3%

Poverty rate

6.4%

Unemployment

591

Housing units

24.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

101

35–44

131

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	247	19.9%
18 and over	997	80.1%
65 and over	272	21.9%
Median age	44.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 80.8%

Two or more races 14.6%

Hispanic or Latino 4.6%

Group	Count	%
White	1,054	80.8%
Two or more races	190	14.6%
Hispanic or Latino	60	4.6%

Household income

Under $10k 1.7%

$10k–$15k 5.7%

$15k–$25k 14.1%

$25k–$35k 13.5%

$35k–$50k 16.6%

$50k–$75k 3.1%

$75k–$100k 5.7%

$100k–$150k 11.3%

$150k–$200k 17.4%

$200k+ 10.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.7%
$10k–$15k	5.7%
$15k–$25k	14.1%
$25k–$35k	13.5%
$35k–$50k	16.6%
$50k–$75k	3.1%
$75k–$100k	5.7%
$100k–$150k	11.3%
$150k–$200k	17.4%
$200k+	10.9%
Median income	$0

Housing

Home values

$50k–$100k 2.5%

$200k–$300k 2.0%

$300k–$500k 60.7%

$500k–$1M 23.2%

$1M+ 11.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$455,500
Median rent / month	$1,019
Owner occupied	75.8%
Renter occupied	24.2%
Vacant	27.0%
Single-family detached	87.3%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	12.7%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.53

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	23.8%
1990–1999	10.4%
1980–1989	15.9%
1970–1979	18.9%
1960–1969	20.6%
1950–1959	7.0%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	3.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	10.2%
2 bedrooms	17.5%
3 bedrooms	52.2%
4 bedrooms	18.1%
5+ bedrooms	1.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.7%
1 vehicle	32.6%
2 vehicles	24.2%
3 or more	37.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	72.1%
Propane / LP gas	9.5%
Fuel oil	1.9%
Wood	16.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	226	43.1%
Cohabiting couple	18	3.4%
Male householder, no spouse	68	13.0%
Female householder, no spouse	212	40.5%
Households with children under 18	105	20.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	233	44.5%
Average household size	2.37

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.6%	26.2%
Married	44.7%	40.6%
Separated	5.9%	0.0%
Widowed	2.0%	2.2%
Divorced	8.8%	31.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.3%

Some HS, no diploma 2.4%

HS graduate 12.3%

Some college, no degree 32.3%

Associate's degree 23.2%

Bachelor's degree 15.1%

Graduate / professional 9.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.3%
Bachelor's or higher	24.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	17	5.4%
Elementary school	138	43.5%
High school	67	21.1%
College / grad school	95	30.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Wholesale trade 18.7%

Education & healthcare 18.6%

Manufacturing 17.9%

Construction 12.0%

Professional & management 9.8%

Public administration 9.1%

Retail trade 8.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.7%

Other services 1.4%

Finance & real estate 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.3%
Service	23.7%
Sales & office	17.7%
Natural resources & construction	17.5%
Production & transportation	8.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	66.2%
Government	22.3%
Self-employed	11.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.1%
Carpool	25.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	35.4

Poverty

All people 15.3%

Under 18 years 13.8%

18 and over 15.6%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 22.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.7%
Retirement income	21.9%
Supplemental Security	1.7%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.5%
High cholesterol	38.9%
Heart disease	6.5%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	10.5%
Arthritis	28.5%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	6.7%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.6%
No physical activity	19.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.9%
Fair or poor health	13.0%
Poor mental health	14.6%
Poor physical health	11.0%
No health insurance	8.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.2%
Visited dentist	69.2%
Cholesterol screening	90.4%
Teeth loss	9.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	136	13.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.1%
Under 18	6.9%
18–64 years	10.8%
65 and over	52.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.2%
Public insurance	21.5%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,219	98.0%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,192	95.8%
Born in same state	1,183	95.1%
Born in different state	852	68.5%
Foreign born	9	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	52	4.2%
Not a US citizen	52	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	221	17.8%
French	214	17.2%
Arab	208	16.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	118	9.5%
Dutch	19	1.5%
English	9	0.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.1%
Internet access	98.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Vaughn, WA have?

Vaughn, WA has one ZIP code: 98394. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.