Bars in King County, WA — Market Data (2023)
342 bars operate in King County, WA, based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns (CBP) data — the same establishment counts the federal government uses for economic statistics.
Market density
That works out to 1.506 establishments per 10,000 residents, 26.6% above the national average of 1.19 per 10,000 residents for bars. Markets with lower density have fewer competitors per capita; markets with higher density have more.
Market data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Establishments | 342 |
| Density (per 10,000 residents) | 1.506 |
| Employment | 4,143 |
| Annual payroll | $145,370,000 |
| Average business size (employees/establishment) | 12.1 |
| County population (2023) | 2,271,380 |
Less saturated nearby markets
These counties have a lower bars density than King County — fewer competitors per capita for the same industry.
- Queens County, NY: 1.359 per 10,000 residents (306 establishments)
- Fulton County, GA: 1.344 per 10,000 residents (145 establishments)
- Wayne County, MI: 1.331 per 10,000 residents (233 establishments)
- Mecklenburg County, NC: 1.255 per 10,000 residents (146 establishments)
See the full Bars by county ranking for all 45 counties with available data.
Frequently asked questions
How many bars are there in King County, WA?
342 bars operate in King County, WA, according to 2023 U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns data.
Is the bars market in King County, WA saturated compared to the national average?
King County, WA has 1.506 bars per 10,000 residents, which is 26.6% above the national average of 1.19 per 10,000 residents. That means more competitors per capita than the typical U.S. county.
What is the average size of a bar business in King County, WA?
The average bar business in King County, WA has about 12.1 employees (4,143 total employment ÷ 342 establishments).
Are there less saturated nearby markets for bars?
Yes — Queens County, NY has a lower density (1.359 per 10,000 residents) than King County, WA, along with 3 other nearby counties listed below.