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CITY · 2020 ACS

Seattle

Washington · 737,015 residents · 84 sq mi
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The short version

Seattle is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $97,185. Population has grown 31% since 2000. 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $713,600. Households here earn about 26% more than the Washington median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
65% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 88%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
737,015
+31%since 2000
from 563,374 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
8,774 / sq mi
+31%since 2000
from 6,707 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.0
−1%since 2000
from 35.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
492K564K635K707K778K1990201020202024Seattle
2024754K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$97,185
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,736 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$63,610
+110%since 2000
from $30,306 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
60.0%
+20.1 ptssince 2009
from 39.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6.3%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food4.3%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$713,600
+88%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $252,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,702
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $721 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
42.0%
−6.4 ptssince 2000
from 48.4% in 2000
58.0% rent
Afford Score
7.3
+33%since 2000
from 5.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Seattle on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic67.9%(382,532)
Black8.3%(46,545)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(29,719)
Asian13%(73,512)
Other0%
Diversity Score56.7%(319,530)
2020
White, non-Hispanic59.5%(438,168)
Black6.8%(50,234)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(60,563)
Asian16.9%(124,696)
Other7.2%(53,115)
Diversity Score73.8%(543,567)
Diversity Score
74
+30%since 2000
from 57 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
65.0%
+17.8 ptssince 2000
from 47.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.2%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 89.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
28.0%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.7 min
+78%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
43.4%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
18.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
74.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2011
from 72.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
62.7%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
49.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
19.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.4%
−84.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Seattle

AdmiralArbor HeightsBallardBeacon HillBelltownBitter LakeCapitol HillCentralColumbia CityDenny TriangleDowntownEast Queen AnneFauntleroyFirst HillFremontGreen LakeGreenwoodHaller LakeHigh PointInterbayLower Queen AnneMagnoliaMaple LeafMatthews BeachMinorNorth Beacon HillNorth College ParkNorth Queen AnneOlympic HillsPinehurstRainier BeachRavennaSand PointSeaviewSeward ParkSouth DelridgeSouth Lake UnionSunset HillUniversity DistrictUptownVictory HeightsWallingfordWaterfrontWedgwoodWest WoodlandWhittier HeightsNeighborhoods in Seattle
Drill deeper

Places similar to Seattle

San Francisco
Pop 826,079
Washington
Pop 693,645
Denver
Pop 740,613
Boston
Pop 672,973
Places similar to Seattle
Head to head

Compare Seattle to nearby cities

SEATTLE VS
Mercer Island
Income$219,069+125%
Home value$2,000,001+180%
Population25,422−97%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SEATTLE VS
Bainbridge Island
Income$172,188+77%
Home value$1,155,900+62%
Population24,691−97%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SEATTLE VS
White Center
Income$87,189−10%
Home value$645,200−10%
Population14,886−98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SEATTLE VS
Kirkland
Income$150,414+55%
Home value$1,115,400+56%
Population97,410−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Seattle, Washington?

Seattle, Washington has about 737,015 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Seattle, Washington?

The typical household in Seattle, Washington earns about $97,185 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Seattle, Washington expensive?

In Seattle, Washington, the median home is worth about $713,600, and the typical rent is about $1,702 a month.

How educated are people in Seattle, Washington?

About 65.0% of adults age 25 and over in Seattle, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Seattle, Washington?

About 10.2% of people in Seattle, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Seattle, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Seattle, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 220,756 residents, a change of about 43 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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