With 15,491 people, South Lake Union is a neighborhood in Seattle. 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. Owners hold 10% of the housing stock. Median home value sits at $789,669. 37% of people here were born outside the United States. The median age is 31.0, younger than the US median of 38.9. These figures are approximated by combining the 4 census tracts that make up South Lake Union; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 31.0
US median: 38.9
More educated
79% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
10% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
15,491
Population density
17,745 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
31.0
US average: 38.9
Land area
0.87 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$141,514
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$119,302
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
75.5%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.4%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.417
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information24%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food11.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade5.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade1.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$789,669
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$2,363
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
9.6%
90.4% rent
Vacancy rate
10.9%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
1.47 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
24.9%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
28.1%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.6
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic42.5%(6,577)
Black5.2%(798)
Hispanic / Latino5.7%(890)
Asian37.5%(5,811)
Other9.1%(1,415)
2024
White, non-Hispanic42.5%(6,577)
Black5.2%(798)
Hispanic / Latino5.7%(890)
Asian37.5%(5,811)
Other9.1%(1,415)
Diversity Score
83
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
How many people live in South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington?
South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington has about 15,491 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington?
The typical household in South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington earns about $141,514 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington expensive?
In South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington, the median home is worth about $789,669, and the typical rent is about $2,363 a month.
How educated are people in South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington?
About 78.6% of adults age 25 and over in South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington?
About 9.4% of people in South Lake Union, Seattle, Washington live below the federal poverty line.
