Poverty and living standards in Seattle, Washington: official figures
9.9% of residents of Seattle (72,557 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 291st lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Washington: 9.9%).
How many children live in poverty in Seattle?
9.3% of children under 18 in Seattle lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (9,512 children), 207th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Washington: 11.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Seattle?
By age, the poverty rate in Seattle was 8.0% for children under 6 and 11.5% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Seattle live in deep poverty?
41,444 people in Seattle, 5.6% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 393rd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Seattle are cost-burdened?
43.9% of renting households in Seattle spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (86,632 households), 85th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Washington: 49.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Seattle spend half their income on rent?
20.4% of renting households in Seattle spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 101st lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Seattle compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Seattle ranks 533 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 530 | West Valley City | 9.9% |
| 531 | Fontana | 9.9% |
| 532 | Tustin | 9.9% |
| 533 | Seattle | 9.9% |
| 534 | Billings | 9.8% |
| 535 | Elgin | 9.8% |
| 536 | Waukesha | 9.8% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Seattle ranks 617 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 614 | Chino Hills | 9.4% |
| 615 | Arcadia | 9.4% |
| 616 | Medford | 9.3% |
| 617 | Seattle | 9.3% |
| 618 | Coeur d'Alene | 9.3% |
| 619 | Elk Grove | 9.3% |
| 620 | Loveland | 9.3% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Seattle ranks 431 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 428 | Moore | 5.7% |
| 429 | Boynton Beach | 5.7% |
| 430 | Arlington | 5.6% |
| 431 | Seattle | 5.6% |
| 432 | Doral | 5.6% |
| 433 | Pawtucket | 5.6% |
| 434 | Frederick | 5.6% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Seattle ranks 739 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 736 | Eagan | 44.0% |
| 737 | Bartlett | 44.0% |
| 738 | Little Elm | 43.9% |
| 739 | Seattle | 43.9% |
| 740 | Enid | 43.9% |
| 741 | South Jordan | 43.7% |
| 742 | Kirkland | 43.7% |
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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