Seattle city, Washington Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Seattle city is a major urban center located in Washington. The total population is 741,440. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 631 cities and towns in Washington.

Age Demographics

The median age in Seattle city is 35.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.2 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Seattle city is $121,984. This is 28% higher than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% higher. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $912,100. Housing costs are 75% higher than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 63.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Seattle city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 17.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.5% vs 3.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (17.0% vs 9.3%).

Education

67.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Seattle city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%. Notably, 29.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Seattle city, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 631 Census-designated places in Washington. For official data, visit data.census.gov.