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Bellevue, Washington Demographics & Population 2026

5th Largest5th most populous city in Washington
Expensive MarketHome value to income ratio of 8.1x indicates a costly housing market
Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bellevue, Washington had a total population of 151,847, the 5th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $165,576, which is 69% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.2%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Bellevue Quick Facts

Population 151,847
Median Household Income $165,576
Median Home Value $1,340,300
Poverty Rate 7.2%
Unemployment Rate 4.2%
Median Age 38.5 years
Homeownership Rate 52.0%
Affordability Ratio 8.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 72.1%
High School Graduation Rate 95.7%
Diversity Index 65/100
Population 151,847 5th of 628
Median Income $165,576 top 10%
Poverty Rate 7.2% 42% lower than national
Median Home Value $1,340,300 top 10%

How Bellevue Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population151,199151,847+0.4%
Median household income$161,300$165,576+2.7%
Median home value$1,203,100$1,340,300+11.4%

How Bellevue Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 7.9%
$25K-$50K 7.3%
$50K-$100K 14.7%
$100K+ 70.1%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
2.9%
$10K-$15K
1.9%
$15K-$20K
1.7%
$20K-$25K
1.4%
$25K-$30K
1.5%
$30K-$35K
1.4%
$35K-$40K
1.0%
$40K-$45K
1.5%
$45K-$50K
1.8%
$50K-$60K
2.8%
$60K-$75K
4.3%
$75K-$100K
7.6%
$100K-$125K
7.5%
$125K-$150K
8.2%
$150K-$200K
12.4%
$200K+
41.9%

Employment

4.2% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1%|National: 5.2%
67.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 52.0%
Renter 48.0%
Affordability Index Very Expensive
8.1x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $2,572/mo 18.6% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

65out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 56 | National average: 61

Education

Bellevue Rankings in Washington

#5 Population of 628
#32 Median Income of 570
#12 Education of 628
#10 Home Value of 584

Other Cities in King County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Seattle 754,195 $123,860 9.9% $938,600
Kent 135,603 $92,302 10.8% $587,800
Renton 105,317 $100,432 8.1% $672,600
Federal Way 99,493 $86,909 13.0% $552,800
Kirkland 92,621 $150,414 6.1% $1,115,400
Auburn 85,676 $97,884 8.9% $547,900
Redmond 77,353 $162,560 5.6% $1,167,800
Sammamish 66,463 $239,690 4.3% $1,407,300
Shoreline 61,431 $112,751 8.8% $811,100
Burien 51,513 $91,318 12.9% $638,800

Cities Similar to Bellevue

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Kent135,603$92,302$587,80029.8%10.8%
Kirkland92,621$150,414$1,115,40066.3%6.1%
Vancouver195,300$81,338$462,40032.4%10.2%
Renton105,317$100,432$672,60039.5%8.1%
Everett111,845$83,512$565,30028.8%12.9%

Population Overview

Bellevue is a major urban center located in Washington, within King County. The total population is 151,847. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bellevue is 38.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bellevue is $165,576. This is 69% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 105% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.2%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $1,340,300. Housing costs are 137% higher than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 52.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 63.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bellevue is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (42.7% vs 9.7%).

Education

72.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bellevue in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 82% higher than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%. Notably, 36.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bellevue, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Bellevue, Washington?

Bellevue, Washington has a population of 151,847 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Bellevue, WA?

The median household income in Bellevue is $165,576, which is 105% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Bellevue, WA?

The poverty rate in Bellevue is 7.2%. This means approximately 10,955 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Bellevue, Washington?

Bellevue's population is 39.9% White, 2.6% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 42.7% Asian.

What is the median home value in Bellevue, WA?

The median home value in Bellevue is $1,340,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.1x.

How educated is Bellevue, Washington?

72.1% of adults (25+) in Bellevue hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 36.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.