Our financial health
Public health is essential to safe and healthy communities. We track, respond to, and prevent costly food and water contamination and disease outbreaks.
But new threats and limited resources could cripple our ability to serve our residents. Strong advocacy from our policymakers and stakeholders helps us continue to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County.
Our budget and funding sources
2026–2027 total budget
$102,899,820
Funding sources
A Federal—9.1%
B State—30.4%
C Pierce County—12.8%
D City of Tacoma—2.5%
E Permits & fees—39%
F Private, local & miscellaneous—6.2%
Population, funding, and staff trends
Pierce County population
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 845,324 |
| 2016 | 862,608 |
| 2017 | 877,920 |
| 2018 | 891,661 |
| 2019 | 905,841 |
| 2020 | 920,393 |
| 2021 | 928,200 |
| 2022 | 937,400 |
| 2023 | 946,300 |
| 2024 | 952,600 |
Health Department funding
| Year | Funding |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $31,061,595 |
| 2016 | $34,665,320 |
| 2017 | $32,987,739 |
| 2018 | $34,184,516 |
| 2019 | $35,098,352 |
| 2020 | $57,035,743 |
| 2021 | $93,311,351 |
| 2022 | $75,019,351 |
| 2023 | $57,592,111 |
| 2024 | $65,754,497 |
| 2025 | $57,814,720 |
Health Department staff
| Year | Full-time employee equivalents |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 268 |
| 2016 | 274 |
| 2017 | 300 |
| 2018 | 300 |
| 2019 | 294 |
| 2020 | 324 |
| 2021 | 331 |
| 2022 | 323 |
| 2023 | 322 |
| 2024 | 355 |
| 2025 | 349 |
| 2026 | 284 |
