Here are preliminary maps racial restrictive covenants for Tacoma and Pierce County. Combing through county property records we have uncovered deeds and other documents containing restrictions that apply to more than 4,000 properties. Our work is not finished, so this is meant to be suggestive, not definitive. Racial restrictions were imposed by many developers and neighborhood associations in the decades when they were legal prior to 1968. They remain part of property records today. The links below lead to three pages featuring different kinds of maps, lists, and information that show the prevalence of restrictive covenants. We will be adding additional information in the months ahead.

Restricted subdivisions

This interactive map shows 87 restricted subdivisons. Scroll the list, read the language of restrictions, learn the names of the developers.

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4,000 restricted parcels

This map shows the exact location of more than 4,000 properties that carried racial and sometimes religious restrictions.

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Race and segregation maps
1960-2020

Here we map the neighborhood-by-neighborhood distributions of Black, Asian, Indigenous, Latino, and White people across six decades.

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Homeownership by race

In 2018, 68% of White families were homeowners compared to only 34% of Black families. Here we track homeownership rates since 1960, showing the alarming disparity in the value of homes and ownership rates.

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