Seattle Population Overview
What is the population of Seattle?
The population of Seattle has been steadily increasing and as of the 2010 census, the Emerald City had 608,660 residents. Current estimates suggest the population has grown to around 725,000! This reflects an increase from approximately 560,000 in 2000 and 516,000 in 1990. If we expand our view to the Seattle metropolitan area, which includes cities like Bellevue and Tacoma, the total population rises to an impressive 3.7 million. This rapid population growth is coupled with increasing real estate prices and the challenges of heavy traffic.
Spokane, located on the eastern side of Washington State, is Seattle’s nearest competitor in terms of size, with a population of about 217,000 and a much smaller metro area lacking larger adjacent cities.
Furthermore, comparisons often arise between Seattle and Portland, Oregon — a major city located three hours to the south. Portland’s population is approximately 650,000, making it smaller than Seattle, while its metro area, combining various cities, has a total population of about 3 million.
What is the population of Tacoma?
To the south of Seattle lies Tacoma, Washington’s third-largest city. According to the 2010 census, Tacoma had a population of 198,397, with estimates of around 213,000 by early 2019. While Tacoma is significantly smaller than Seattle, it is still a mid-sized city that continues to grow. Residents of Tacoma experience less traffic congestion and density-related problems compared to Seattle, although this is gradually changing as people seek affordable living options in the area.
How does that compare to all of Washington State?
Washington State has a total population of approximately 6.7 million residents. Notably, Seattle and Tacoma alone account for about 12 percent of that figure, excluding the many surrounding suburbs. Interestingly, Western Washington hosts the majority of the state’s population despite being smaller in land area compared to Eastern Washington. According to the 2010 census, around 5.2 million people reside in Western Washington, which features prominent cities including Bellingham, Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and Vancouver.
Facts about Seattle’s Demographics and Households:
- The average household size in Seattle is approximately 2.06 people, while the average family size is 2.87.
- Most residents fall within the 25 to 34 age bracket.
- A significant 56% of the population over 25 hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- The median household income stands at $67,100.
- Seattle’s population is composed of roughly 69.5% white, 14% Asian, 8% African-American, and 6.6% Latino and Hispanic individuals.
- An impressive 97.5% of the population lives within a quarter-mile of a public transportation stop.
- Seattle ranks among the most walkable cities in the United States.
More Useful Information about Seattle:
For those interested in further exploring Seattle or considering relocation, we provide a list of common questions that are helpful for newcomers:
- What is the Seattle Freeze (and is it even real)?
- Does it snow in Seattle?
Sources:
- Seattle.gov population facts
- Seattle.gov land use facts
- Census.gov
