Demographics

The Downtown Seattle population is more racially diverse than that of the city, county and the nation as a whole, another factor that makes Downtown living desirable for both residents and the businesses who serve them. Currently, nearly 60,000 people live Downtown with 38 percent of those Downtown residents working Downtown as well.

Downtown Seattle’s population continues to expand, both in numbers and diversity. It has grown 76 percent since 1990 – compared to 19 percent citywide for the same period – and 26 percent since 2000, accounting for more than one-quarter of the city’s population growth 2000-2010.

Among the fastest-growing groups:

• Those with advanced academic degrees – master’s degrees and doctorates
• People age 55 and older
• Children between the ages of 10 and 14
• Hispanics

The number of families living Downtown has also increased by more than 30 percent in the past 10 years, and that number is expected to grow 7.6 percent in the next five years. Families currently comprise approximately 17 percent of Downtown households.

To read more about the demographics of those living and working in Downtown Seattle, visit our Economic Profile page or download a full demographics report.

All statistics on this page were provided by The Nielsen Company. The 2011 estimates reflect the most current numbers available. “Downtown Seattle” data are aggregated from census tract level data and reflect the following 2000 Seattle census tracts: 71, 72, 73, 74, 80.01, 80.02, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 91, 92, and 93. For a map of Downtown census tracts, click here.