Seattle, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Seattle, Washington had a total population of 754,195, the 1st largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $123,860, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Seattle is the 1st largest city in Washington with a population of 754,195.
- 68.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Washington.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
Seattle Quick Facts
How Seattle Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 754,195 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $123,860 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $912,100 | $938,600 | +2.9% |
How Seattle Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Seattle Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in King County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | 151,847 | $165,576 | 7.2% | $1,340,300 |
| 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 Seattle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma | 222,758 | $85,884 | $479,600 | 34.5% | 12.4% |
| Spokane | 230,293 | $70,064 | $363,500 | 33.9% | 13.8% |
| Vancouver | 195,300 | $81,338 | $462,400 | 32.4% | 10.2% |
| Bellevue | 151,847 | $165,576 | $1,340,300 | 72.1% | 7.2% |
| Kent | 135,603 | $92,302 | $587,800 | 29.8% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Seattle is a major urban center located in Washington, within King County. The total population is 754,195. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Seattle is 35.6 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. Only 13.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Seattle is $123,860. This is 26% higher than the state median of $98,141. It is also 53% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $938,600. Housing costs are 66% higher than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 43.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Seattle is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 17.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.4% vs 3.9%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (17.5% vs 9.7%).
Education
68.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Seattle in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 73% 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 96.0%. Notably, 30.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Seattle, 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.
Free data download: Get all Washington city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Seattle, Washington?
Seattle, Washington has a population of 754,195 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Seattle, WA?
The median household income in Seattle is $123,860, which is 53% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Seattle, WA?
The poverty rate in Seattle is 9.9%. This means approximately 72,557 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Seattle, Washington?
Seattle's population is 58.8% White, 6.4% Black, 8.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 17.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Seattle, WA?
The median home value in Seattle is $938,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Seattle, Washington?
68.5% of adults (25+) in Seattle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.