Seattle, WA
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Seattle to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Seattle, Washington

Life in Seattle research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Seattle over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of Seattle based on the most recently available data.

754,195 Population
$868,680 Median home value
$123,860 Median income
181 Cost of living +81% vs US
$2,030 Median rent
4.6% Unemployment
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Seattle SnackAbility

8.5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 8.5/10
Housing 9.5/10
Affordability 5/10
Diversity 9/10
Safety 3/10
Amenities 10/10
Education 9/10
Commute 6/10

Crime in Seattle summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Seattle. Key points include:

  • There were 43,952 total crimes in Seattle in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Seattle is 5,782.7 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Seattle is 775.1 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Seattle is 5,007.6 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Seattle is 172.87% above the national average.

43,952
Total Crimes
172.87%
Above National Average
Seattle
US

Crime In Seattle Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Seattle
/ 100k People
Washington
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 43,952 5,782.7 2,792.6 2,119.2
Violent Crime 5,891 775.1 326.1 359.0
Murder 52 6.8 3.8 5.0
Robbery 1,677 220.6 67.5 61.0
Aggravated Assault 3,810 501.3 217.0 256.0
Property Crime 38,061 5,007.6 2,466.5 1,760.0
Burglary 8,756 1,152.0 398.8 229.0
Larceny 21,905 2,882.0 1,634.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 7,400 973.6 433.5 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in Seattle summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Seattle. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Washington. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Seattle is 181 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Seattle is 1.8x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Seattle is $868,680.

  • The median income in Seattle is $123,860.

181
Seattle's Overall Cost Of Living
1.8x
Higher Than The National Average
Seattle
US

Cost Of Living In Seattle Comparison Table

Living Expense Seattle Washington National Average
Overall 181 120 100
Services 107 108 100
Groceries 111 108 100
Health 326 137 100
Housing 125 111 100
Transportation 112 111 100
Utilities 123 110 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

Seattle, WA Weather

  • The average high in Seattle is 59.9° and the average low is 45.1°.

  • There are 92.1 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 36.6 inches of precipitation each year with 5.0 inches of snow.

StatSeattle
Average Annual High59.9
Average Annual Low45.1
Annual Precipitation Days92.1
Average Annual Precipitation36.6
Average Annual Snowfall5.0
59.9°
Average High
92.1
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

Seattle, WA Photos

Space Needle
Source: Public Domain
Seattle
Source: Wikipedia User Daniel Schwen | CC BY-SA 4.0
Space Needle Panorama
Source: Wikipedia User A. Hornung | CC BY-SA 3.0
Seattle
Source: Wikipedia User Walter Siegmund | GFDL
Aerial Lake Union July
Source: Wikipedia User Jelson25 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Seattle Skyline
Source: Public Domain
Seattle Columbia Pano
Source: Wikipedia User Patrick Rodriguez | CC BY-SA 3.0
Wamuseattle
Source: Public Domain
Amazon Headquarters Building Seattle
Source: Wikipedia User Adbar | CC BY-SA 3.0

8 Reviews & Comments About Seattle

HomeSnacks User · 2018-07-15 15:30:01.621425
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Seattle is definitely an expensive city and one that you need a good job to live in adequately. The school system was good according to my friends who were parents. The biggest problem is the lack of affordable housing. The city does have a vibrant liberal culture that makes it stand apart from the Trumpian hellscape to the East in flyover country.

My favorite place in Seattle is Club Sapphire. This is a s*x-positive club with membership dues for individuals and couples to "play" in a private setting. Sapphire's membership dues kept out some of the scammers and other disreputable types that sometimes infiltrate the scene. This s*x club really does stand out compared to other major metropolitan s*x clubs such as NYC's. Sapphire managed to imbibe the city's liberal atmosphere and apply it to sexuality making it a distinctive Seattle experience that was far more memorable than the Space Needle.

HomeSnacks User · 2018-07-15 21:33:49.165739
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The schools are great, crime is low! There is lots of hiking and nature to explore, in the summer the coast and lakes are beautiful.

The space needle is my favorite in the city, there is a good music scene in seattle. It's easy to get around by bus, the nearby cities are also very beautiful.

HomeSnacks User · 2018-08-03 16:56:28
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here no crime and child do play well,

living things to be happy in all the day when spend here

HomeSnacks User · 2018-08-04 23:03:36.595153
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The city is rather expensive, but some of the locale and people there are first rate. The biggest drawback is property taxes which squeeze out a lot of people from living there. But the climate is great and the people can be quite liberal in orientations.

The best feature of Seattle by far is Club Sapphire. This establishment bills itself as a "place for grown ups to play and fantasies to become real." Although it might appear at first to be a s********b, Sapphire is a premier s*x club for discriminating individuals and couples to pay and have fun. Swingers and other types enjoy the area and I have had more than a few nice nights out there. I have met so many couples willing to explore their wildest e****c fantasies with me and my SO at Sapphire, it really is an excellent example of what Seattle can be.

HomeSnacks User · 2018-08-27 22:15:36.011043
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During the day the hustle of the city is never ending. Traffic is terrible and most days, assuming your commute is through downtown on I5, it takes you longer to get home than anywhere else in the state. However at night when the city is lit up and the weather is clear there is nothing else like it in the area. The Space Needle is lit up, the Ferris Wheel out on the pier and even watching the sound under a full moon doesn't have much competition to anywhere on that side of I5.

Favorite place is to drive along the I90 bridge after dark because there aren't any street lights. It's a floating bridge so you are just above the water and although it doesn't last long it is definitely a unique experience.

HomeSnacks User · 2018-09-06 00:45:32.630828
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I loved the city of Seattle. The city was full of life, the market place was amazing and the restaurants were wonderful. I would go back there in a heart beat!

I loved the market place. It was artsy, fun and something I never experienced before. Having the fish people throwing fish around in the market place was a lot of fun.

HomeSnacks User · 2018-09-19 01:54:21.651546
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I love Seattle. There is so much to do and see. It's right on Puget Sound so there is water everywhere you look. And Mt. Rainier is close by and when the mountain is "out", as the locals say, the view can't be beat. The waterfront area has so many fun things to do. The wheel is wonderful, and there are great places to shop. One of my favorite shops on the waterfront is Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. There are so many unique, wonderful and interesting things there. And the best place for lunch is Ivar's Fish Bar, where you can get fish and chips, eat on the pier, and feed your left over french fries to the seagulls!

The variety of the geography - you've got the water on one side and the mountains on the other. And there are a lot of activities to check out.

HomeSnacks User · 2019-04-10 00:07:15.551567
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I agree with the person above me. However, I also slightly disagree. Seattle smells like s**t and is full of hobos and junkies now.

Some of my favorite places are the farmers market, the Irish pub, the EMP, the waterfront, the parks, and the Seattle Zoo.

Rankings & Articles For Seattle

Locations Around Seattle

Map Of Seattle, WA

Best Places Around Seattle

1

Bremerton, WA
Population 44,830

$483,131-44% vs Seattle
2

Port Orchard, WA
Population 17,149

$556,427-36% vs Seattle
3

Bangor Base, WA
Population 6,112

4

Bainbridge Island, WA
Population 24,631

$1,173,702+35% vs Seattle
5

Poulsbo, WA
Population 12,165

$665,803-23% vs Seattle
6

Vashon, WA
Population 9,934

$918,950+6% vs Seattle
7

SeaTac, WA
Population 32,414

$553,220-36% vs Seattle
8

Kent, WA
Population 135,603

$656,313-24% vs Seattle
9

Silverdale, WA
Population 20,685

$603,328-31% vs Seattle
10

Tukwila, WA
Population 21,451

$575,995-34% vs Seattle

Seattle Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Seattle

The current population in Seattle is 754,195. The population has increased 26.7% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 754,195 1.7%
2023 741,440 0.9%
2022 734,603 1.2%
2021 726,054 -2.1%
2020 741,251 2.3%
2019 724,305 2.2%
2018 708,823 3.0%
2017 688,245 2.9%
2016 668,849 2.4%
2015 653,017 2.4%
2014 637,850 2.1%
2013 624,681 1.9%
2012 612,916 1.6%
2011 603,174 1.3%
2010 595,240 -

Race / Ethnicity in Seattle

White 58.8% (443,250)
African American 6.4% (48,376)
American Indian 0.3% (2,385)
Asian 17.5% (131,815)
Hawaiian 0.2% (1,748)
Other 0.6% (4,741)
Two Or More 7.7% (57,986)
Hispanic 8.5% (63,894)
See the full breakdown

Seattle is:

  • 58.8% White with 443,250 White residents.

  • 6.4% African American with 48,376 African American residents.

  • 0.3% American Indian with 2,385 American Indian residents.

  • 17.5% Asian with 131,815 Asian residents.

  • 0.2% Hawaiian with 1,748 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.6% Other with 4,741 Other residents.

  • 7.7% Two Or More with 57,986 Two Or More residents.

  • 8.5% Hispanic with 63,894 Hispanic residents.

Race Seattle WA USA
White 58.8% 63.1% 57.4%
African American 6.4% 3.8% 11.9%
American Indian 0.3% 0.8% 0.5%
Asian 17.5% 9.7% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.2% 0.7% 0.2%
Other 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%
Two Or More 7.7% 6.8% 4.3%
Hispanic 8.5% 14.4% 19.3%

Gender in Seattle

Female 49.1% (370,039)
Male 50.9% (384,155)
See the full breakdown
  • Seattle is 49.1% female with 370,039 female residents.

  • Seattle is 50.9% male with 384,155 male residents.

Gender Seattle WA USA
Female 49.1% 49.6% 50.5%
Male 50.9% 50.4% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Seattle for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 3.0% (22,625)
9-12th Grade 2.0% (15,083)
High School / GED 9.0% (67,877)
Some College 12.0% (90,503)
Associate's Degree 6.0% (45,251)
Bachelor's Degree 38.0% (286,594)
Master's Degree 21.0% (158,380)
Professional Degree 5.0% (37,709)
Doctorate Degree 4.0% (30,167)
See the full breakdown
  • 3.0% of adults in Seattle completed < 9th grade.

  • 2.0% of adults in Seattle completed 9-12th grade.

  • 9.0% of adults in Seattle completed high school / ged.

  • 12.0% of adults in Seattle completed some college.

  • 6.0% of adults in Seattle completed associate's degree.

  • 38.0% of adults in Seattle completed bachelor's degree.

  • 21.0% of adults in Seattle completed master's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Seattle completed professional degree.

  • 4.0% of adults in Seattle completed doctorate degree.

Education Seattle WA USA
< 9th Grade 3.0% 4.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 2.0% 4.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 9.0% 22.0% 26.0%
Some College 12.0% 21.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 6.0% 10.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 38.0% 24.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 21.0% 11.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 4.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Seattle, Washington

Less than $10,000 4.5% (3,426,046)
$10,000 to $14,999 2.7% (2,048,033)
$15,000 to $24,999 3.8% (2,867,454)
$25,000 to $34,999 3.9% (2,959,169)
$35,000 to $49,999 6.1% (4,634,323)
$50,000 to $74,999 11.1% (8,372,243)
$75,000 to $99,999 9.7% (7,315,027)
$100,000 to $149,999 15.9% (11,990,850)
$150,000 to $199,999 11.8% (8,894,108)
$200,000 or more 30.4% (22,912,242)
See the full breakdown
  • 4.5% of households in Seattle earn Less than $10,000.

  • 2.7% of households in Seattle earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 3.8% of households in Seattle earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 3.9% of households in Seattle earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 6.1% of households in Seattle earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 11.1% of households in Seattle earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 9.7% of households in Seattle earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 15.9% of households in Seattle earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 11.8% of households in Seattle earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 30.4% of households in Seattle earn $200,000 or more.

Income Seattle WA USA
Less than $10,000 4.5% 3.9% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 2.7% 2.5% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 3.8% 4.6% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 3.9% 5.0% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 6.1% 8.2% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 11.1% 14.1% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 9.7% 12.4% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 15.9% 19.2% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 11.8% 11.4% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 30.4% 18.5% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)