Seattle English Choose a language arrow Main Navigation MenuMenu Pay or Apply Search IconSearch CLOSE CLOSE ICON Main Menu OPCD COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule Update City of Seattle vaccine clinics have an adjusted schedule for Thanksgiving week. Learn more about hours and how to make an appointment. Office of Planning & Community Development Rico Quirindongo, Interim Director breadcrumb dividerHome breadcrumb dividerPopulation & Demographics breadcrumb end About Seattle Population Housing Prosperity Race & Ethnicity Land Use Neighborhoods Census 2020 Data On August 12, the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2020 Census Redistricting Data for states and local communities. This data will include the following statistics at a variety of geographic levels: Population totals Population by race & Hispanic/Latino origin and by broad age group (under 18, 18+) Housing unit counts and occupancy status Resources include this short videoexternal link icon and the News Conference about the Release of 2020 Census Redistricting Dataexternal link icon. To find the Redistricting Data and information about future releases of more detailed 2020 Census datasets, visit the Bureau's 2020 Census Resultsexternal link icon webpage. The Census Bureau will be providing tools for the public to access some of the Redistricting Data on the release date of August 12th. However, the full Redistricting Data file will be released in a legacy technical format that requires analysists to do additional work to extract the data. We will prepare information and materials to help people access and understand the 2020 Census data and changes since 2010 for Seattle as a whole; and for the city's urban centers and villages, community reporting areas, and council districts. We will provide these materials as they become available. Some highlights are below. For more details, visit our Census 2020 page. Population & Households Quick Statistics 2020 Census estimates for Seattle from the U.S. Census Bureau: Redistricting Data (released August 12, 2021) Population count: 737,015 Population under 18 years of age: 106,841 Population age 18 and over: 630,174 Population of color: 298,847 Population in households: 707,097 Number of households: 345,627 Average household size: 2.05 Population in group quarters: 29,918 2010 Census estimates for Seattle from the U.S. Census Bureau: 2010 population count: 608,660 Population under 18 years of age: 93,513 Population age 18 and over: 515,147 Population of color: 205,082 Population in households: 583,735 Number of households: 283,510 Average household size: 2.06 Average family size: 2.87 Population in group quarters: 24,925 2014-2018 5-year American Community Survey (ACS) estimates on demographic characteristics in Seattle Population: 708,823 (+/- 63) Population in households: 686,262 (+/- 1,122) Number of households: 323,446 (+/- 1,814) Average household size: 2.12 (+/- 0.01) Average family size: 2.85 (+/- 0.02) Population in group quarters: 22,561 (+/- 1,117) The most up to date American Community Survey 1-year estimatesexternal link icon and 5-year estimatesexternal link icon about Seattle's residents and households are available on the Census Bureau's new data portal, data.census.govexternal link icon. Keep in mind that ACS estimates carry margins of error and are intended to provide an overview of characteristics, not precise counts. Highlights With a population of 737,015 in 2020, Seattle is the 18th most populous city in the U.S. and has the largest population of cities in King County, the broader Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metro Area (itself the 14th largest metro area in the nation), and the state of Washington. Seattle's population grew rapidly between 2010 and 2020: Seattle's 21.1% growth in population between 2010 and 2020 was more than twice the rates of growth the city saw over each of the two preceding decades. Seattle's population growth between 2010 and 2020 was also faster than the 17.5% growth in King County as a whole, 16.8% growth in our broader metro area, 14.6% growth in Washington state, and 7.4% growth in the U.S. Seattle was one of 14 cities in the U.S. that grew by more than 100,000 people in the last decade, as highlighted by the Census Bureau in releasing the 2020 Census Redistricting data: Household size: Decennial census data show that Seattle has experienced a downward trend in average household size for decades. While American Community Survey (ACS) estimates suggest that this trend reversed during the middle of the past decade, the 2020 Census shows that Seattle's average household size has resumed a downward trajectory. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, the average number of people per household in Seattle decreased slightly from 2.06 to 2.05. Age distribution: The 2020 Census data available thus far include only two broad age categories: children (under 18 years of age) and adults (age 18 and above). Between 2010 and 2020, Seattle's adult population increased more quickly than our child population, continuing a trend seen in previous recent decades. The 2020 Census count for Seattle included 106,841 residents under 18 (about 14.5% of our total population) and 630,174 residents aged 18 and over. The following chart is based on estimates from the 2014-2018 5-year ACS estimates because we do not yet have estimates for detailed age groups from the 2020 Census. As of the 2014-2018 time period, three-quarters of Seattle residents were adults between 18 and 64 years of age, with an especially high and growing concentration of young adults ages 25 to 34. Comparing those ACS estimates to 2010 data indicates that the 65 to 74 age category had the highest growth rate, reflecting aging of the baby boom population. Featured Products Mapping apps for accessing neighborhood-level data Explore the Patterns of People in Seattle and King Countyexternal link icon: Use this app to see patterns for variety of population and household characteristics, not just in Seattle, but also in surrounding neighborhoods. View data about Seattle's Neighborhoodsexternal link icon including neighborhood profiles with population and household characteristics for Council Districts and Community Reporting Areas. (Currently shows the 5-Year ACS data for 2013 to 2017.) Access estimates of population and housing down to the census tract and block group levelexternal link icon from the WA State OFM Small Area Estimates Program and Small Area Demographic Estimates. Includes estimated density and growth. Census 2010 Reports for Seattle Basic Population and Housing Characteristicsdownload icon from 1990, 2000, and 2010 includes total, occupied, and vacant housing unit count with change between censuses Seattle 2010 Census Profiledownload icon with detailed population, household, and housing data Key Data Sources U.S. Census Bureau Dataexternal link icon Two major Census Bureau programs that provide data on housing at a community and neighborhood level are: The decennial censusexternal link icon is done every 10 years to provide counts and basic information about population, households, and housing units. Housing characteristics covered in the census include occupancy and vacancy rates and tenure (owner or renter) for occupied units. The American Community Surveyexternal link icon (ACS) is a continuous survey that produces estimates on a broad set of population, social, economic, and housing characteristics. Housing topics on the ACS extend beyond those on the decennial census and include type of structure (single-family or multifamily), home value, monthly housing costs, and more. The ACS has replaced the long form that used to be part of the decennial Census. Because the ACS is a sample survey, ACS estimates carry margins of error. The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Programexternal link icon (PEP) provides estimates for the U.S., states, metropolitan statistical areas, counties, and cities. PEP estimates for Seattle are best used for comparisons with geographies outside Washington state. The Washington State Office of Financial Managementexternal link icon (OFM): OFM produces official population estimates for cities and townsexternal link icon and produces population projectionsexternal link icon to assist with growth management. OFM's Small Area Estimates Programexternal link icon (SAEP) provides small area population and housing estimates. OFM is also the Census Bureau's official State Data Center programexternal link icon partner for disseminating data in Washington state. The Puget Sound Regional Councilexternal link icon PSRC provides estimates, forecastsexternal link icon, and analysis at a range of geographic scales as part of the work to support planning in the central Puget Sound region. Check out their Puget Sound Trends bulletinsexternal link icon. Where to Go From Here For a wealth of related information about Seattle, click on the Housing, Race & Ethnicity, and Prosperity tiles on our Population and Demographics homepage. Dig deeper into the data we've compiled from the decennial Census and ACS, and get important tips on how to use the data and avoid common pitfalls. Find links to related information and resources. See our geographic files and maps to check out how characteristics vary by neighborhood, get reference maps, and download associated information. See our Neighborhoods page to access data and reference maps for different neighborhoods. Data Dashboards How We Growexternal link icon Housing Growth Reportexternal link icon Comprehensive Plan Monitoringexternal link icon Residential Permit Activity Data Explorerexternal link icon Quick Census Facts Seattle Quick Factsexternal link icon (population and economy) Seattle Community Profileexternal link icon (population, households, and housing) About Seattle's Neighborhoodsexternal link icon Exploring the Patterns of Peopleexternal link icon (2019 data available) Dig Deeper Decennial Census American Community Survey Geographic Files and Maps Seattle GeoDataexternal link icon (Planning Section) Related Links Still Need Help? Ask Us Call us at (206) 615-1269 Online Demographer's Corner Planning and Community Development Mailing Address: P.O. 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