Seattle's Population & Demographics
Overview

 

Update on 2010 Census Data: Release of Summary File 1 Provides Most-Detailed Information So Far

In February, the U.S. Census Bureau released the first set of 2010 Census figures for communities in Washington state.  Seattle’s population count from the 2010 Census is 608,660, an increase of 45,286 persons or 8.0 percent in ten years.
Earlier this summer, the Census Bureau released the 2010 Census Demographic Profiles for all states and local communities. These profiles provide a top-level summary of data on the key topics included in the Decennial Census: sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household relationship, household type, group quarters population, housing occupancy, and housing tenure.
On August 4th, the Census Bureau is releasing the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for communities in Washington state. This includes:
  • the first neighborhood-level look at several of the subjects covered in the 2010 Census,
  • finer-level data on topics, such as age, and household composition, that are covered in the Decennial Census, and
  • an expanded set of cross-tabulations, including cross tabulations on topics for race and Hispanic or Latino origin. 
The Census Bureau provides access to all Census 2010 data products including the Demographic Profiles and Summary File 1 tables on the American FactFinder2 website. 
 
Starting with the 2010 Census, the Decennial Census included only the short form questionnaire, which is limited to basic topics. The American Community Survey (ACS) is now the source of information on the social, economic, and housing characteristics previously covered on the Decennial Census long form (e.g., income, education, household type and size, place of birth, language spoken at home, car ownership and commuting modes, home ownership, and housing costs). 
 
For more information on how the ACS and Decennial Census compare, and for links to ACS data, see these answers to Frequently Asked Questions  (FAQ's).

NOTE: DPD is in the process of updating this webpage to include the new ACS and Decennial Census data. Please check back in late summer or early fall of 2011.
 
Additional links:
WA state Office of Financial Management’s 2010 Census webpage.

The City's Population & Demographics website provides population, housing and geographic data, reports, and other information for Seattle and its neighborhoods.

  • Seattle-at-a-Glance - basic citywide demographic, social, economic and housing information from Census 2000
  • Demographic Snapshots - a quick look at Seattle's changing housing costs and needs, poverty rates, race and ethnicity, and immigration
  • Census 2000 data - detailed citywide and neighborhood demographic, social, and economic reports and maps. NEW LOCALLY DEFINED REPORTS ADDED!
  • Prior censuses - selected historic data from the past century
  • Population trends - housing units, households, population, age, race, and ethnicity
  • Other population and demographic resources

Data Resources
Additional data about Seattle can be accessed from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Washington State Office of Financial Management. These data are free online to anyone.

Mapping Resources
The King County Census Viewer, a web-based application for viewing maps and tables, provides more than 100 community census data indicators for 77 defined places in King County and Seattle.

Questions?
If you have questions about Seattle population and demographic data, contact the most appropriate source listed on our related links page.

Last Updated:

August 4, 2011