Seattle, WA

Census Place

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2021 Population

726,054

2.05% 1-year decline

US Senator

Patty Murray

Democratic Party

US Senator

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

35.3

0.284% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

10%

1.52% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$105,391

8.44% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$767,500

7.55% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

446,593

2.01% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Seattle, WA had a population of 726k people with a median age of 35.3 and a median household income of $105,391. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Seattle, WA declined from 741,251 to 726,054, a −2.05% decrease and its median household income grew from $97,185 to $105,391, a 8.44% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Seattle, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (62.2%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (16.2%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (6.76%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.65%), and White (Hispanic) (2.77%).

None of the households in Seattle, WA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

89.6% of the residents in Seattle, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Seattle, WA are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (15,234 degrees awarded in 2021), Seattle University (2,500 degrees), and Seattle Central College (1,319 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Seattle, WA was $767,500, and the homeownership rate was 45.2%.

Most people in Seattle, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Seattle, WA was 1 car per household.

Photo by Alex Simoes

United States Washington King County, WA Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Population & Diversity

Seattle, WA is home to a population of 726k people, from which 89.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 19.3% of Seattle, WA residents were born outside of the country (140k people).

In 2021, there were 3.84 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (451k people) in Seattle, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 117k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 49.1k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

89.6%

2021 Citizenship

89.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 89.6% of Seattle, WA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Seattle, WA was 89.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Seattle, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Seattle, WA

White (Non-Hispanic)
451k ± 3.68k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
117k ± 3.15k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
49.1k ± 2.24k

7.21%

Hispanic Population

52.3k people

7.21% of the people in Seattle, WA are hispanic (52.3k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Seattle, WA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
242,407 ± 11,894 people
India
95,173 ± 7,527 people
China
81,169 ± 6,957 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 242,407 Washington residents, followed by India with 95,173 and China with 81,169.

Foreign-Born Population

19.3%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

140k people

19.4%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

144k people

As of 2021, 19.3% of Seattle, WA residents (140k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Seattle, WA was 19.4%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Seattle, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
7,923 ± 590
Gulf War (2001-)
6,532 ± 681
Gulf War (1990s)
3,651 ± 617

Seattle, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.21 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Seattle, WA employs 447k people. The largest industries in Seattle, WA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (89,333 people), Retail Trade (54,897 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (54,463 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($128,185), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($113,083), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($105,088).

Males in Washington have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $65,962. The income inequality in Washington (measured using the Gini index) is 0.468, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

447k

2021 Value

± 5,830

−2.01%

1 Year decline

± 1.87%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Seattle, WA declined at a rate of −2.01%, from 456k employees to 447k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Seattle, WA, are Management Occupations (66,848 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (52,919 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (38,976 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Seattle, WA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Washington (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

447k

2021 Value

± 5,830

−2.01%

1 Year decline

± 1.87%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Seattle, WA declined at a rate of −2.01%, from 456k employees to 447k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Seattle, WA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (89,333 people), Retail Trade (54,897 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (54,463 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Seattle, WA, though some of these residents may live in Seattle, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$77,055

Median earning men ± $1,544

$57,986

Median earning women ± $1,414

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($140,290), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($112,109), and Public Administration ($91,765).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Information ($103,325), Public Administration ($81,487), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($79,269).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Washington. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Washington.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Washington product (by dollars) was Misc. mfg. prods. with $42.2B, followed by Mixed freight ($36.4B) and Electronics ($33.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Washington products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Washington.

$416B

2020 Value in Washington

$982B

Projected 2050 Value in Washington

136% growth

In 2020, total outbound Washington trade was $416B. This is expected to increase 136% to $982B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Washington trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Most Common Trade Partners

Oregon
$34.7B
California
$26.5B
Texas
$12.9B

In 2020, the top outbound Washington domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Oregon with $34.7B, followed by California with $26.5B and Texas and $12.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Washington shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 58% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.97%).

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing the state of Washington. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Seattle, WA. Showing the available data for Washington.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (58%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (38.8%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.97%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 58% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.97%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Washington for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Patty Murray

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 1993

Maria Cantwell

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 2001

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing Washington.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Washington over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Washington

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Washington have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Seattle, WA awarded 23,863 degrees. The student population of Seattle, WA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 35,290 male students and 47,043 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Seattle, WA are White (10,109 and 50.2%), followed by Asian (4,160 and 20.6%), Hispanic or Latino (2,056 and 10.2%), and Two or More Races (1,611 and 7.99%).

The largest universities in Seattle, WA by number of degrees awarded are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (15,234 and 63.8%), Seattle University (2,500 and 10.5%), and Seattle Central College (1,319 and 5.53%).

The most popular majors in Seattle, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (971 and 4.07%), Computer Science (739 and 3.1%), and General Business Administration & Management (727 and 3.05%).

The median tuition costs in Seattle, WA are $33,956 for private four year colleges, and $4,344 and $4,344 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Seattle, WA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 60.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 82,333 (42.9% men and 57.1% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 82,333 students enrolled in Seattle, WA, 42.9% men and 57.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 31,239 records, of which 57.7% were women and 42.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Research & Experimental Psychology
545 degree-majors awarded
Computer Science
535 degree-majors awarded
Speech Communication & Rhetoric
463 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Seattle, WA was Other Research & Experimental Psychology with 545 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Seattle, WA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Washington-Seattle Campus
15,234 degrees awarded
Seattle University
2,500 degrees awarded
Seattle Central College
1,319 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Washington-Seattle Campus with 15,234 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 9,865 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Seattle, WA, which is 0.705 times less than the 13,998 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 10,109 degrees mean that there were 2.43 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 4,160 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($33,956) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($686) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Measure

In 2021, 0.864% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.881% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were Some college (1.41M), High School or Equivalent (1.38M), and Bachelors Degree (1.29M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Seattle, WA was $767,500 in 2021, which is 3.13 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $713,600 to $767,500, a 7.55% increase. The homeownership rate in Seattle, WA is 45.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Seattle, WA have an average commute time of 27.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Seattle, WA is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Median household income in Seattle, WA is $105,391. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Seattle, WA was Census Tract 62 with a value of $215,781, followed by Census Tract 16 and Census Tract 56, with respective values of $197,813 and $178,297.

Housing

Property

$767,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,188

$152,495

Median Property Taxes

±$2,642

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Seattle, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Seattle, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

45.2%

Homeownership

2021

63.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 45.2% of the housing units in Seattle, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 44.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Seattle, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 62
Census Tract 16
Census Tract 56

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Seattle, WA was Census Tract 62 with a value of $215,781, followed by Census Tract 16 and Census Tract 56, with respective values of $197,813 and $178,297.

The following map shows all of the places in Seattle, WA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$105,391

Median Household Income

± $1,399

337k

Number of Households

± 5,006

In 2021, the median household income of the 337k households in Seattle, WA grew to $105,391 from the previous year's value of $97,185.

The following chart displays the households in Seattle, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Seattle, WA is from Washington.

0.468

2021 Wage GINI in Washington

0.466

2020 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2021, the income inequality in Washington was 0.468 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.488% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Washington in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Washington across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (40.5%)
Worked At Home (21.4%)
Public Transit (17.8%)

In 2021, 40.5% of workers in Seattle, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (21.4%) and those who used public transit to get to work (17.8%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

27.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Seattle, WA have a longer commute time (27.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.52% of the workforce in Seattle, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Seattle, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

1 car

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Seattle, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Seattle, WA have 1 car.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

10% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Seattle, WA (70.8k out of 706k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Seattle, WA is White, followed by Asian and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

95.6% of the population of Seattle, WA has health coverage, with 63.8% on employee plans, 10.5% on Medicaid, 8.78% on Medicare, 11.9% on non-group plans, and 0.645% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in King County, WA see 828 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.241% decrease from the previous year (830 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 912 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 195 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for King County, WA.

828 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in King County, WA

Primary care physicians in King County, WA see an average of 828 patients per year. This represents a 0.241% decrease from the previous year (830 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in King County, WA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 15.8% under 18 years, 33.8% between 18 and 34 years, 38.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.9% were men and 50.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

4.39%

Uninsured

63.8%

Employer Coverage

10.5%

Medicaid

8.78%

Medicare

11.9%

Non-Group

0.645%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Seattle, WA grew by 0.441% from 4.37% to 4.39%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Seattle, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.