Population 35,754 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 98021
Household size in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.62 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.73 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.91 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.88 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.27 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
The typical household in ZIP 98021 holds 2.88 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.62, even as the national average fell. ZIP 98021 has larger households than at least four in five Washington ZIP codes.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.5 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.5 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.0 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.8 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.3 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in ZIP 98021 are younger than 38.8 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 38.5, a smaller shift than nationally. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the west.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.2% of households in ZIP 98021, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 3.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. ZIP 98021 has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Washington ZIP codes.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 98021
Renters in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.5% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.4% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.3% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
ZIP 98021 is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About a quarter of owners (25.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 3.4% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.6% of homes in ZIP 98021 are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. ZIP 98021 has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Washington ZIP codes.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1988 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1990 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1993 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1996 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in ZIP 98021 is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1996, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1988 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the west has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,448 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,409 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,104 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,760 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,311 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
Rent in ZIP 98021 runs $2,760 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,311 a month from 2006–10, a 91% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 28.2% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are in the south.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 98021
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.9% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 48.0% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 54.0% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 62.8% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +15.9 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
ZIP 98021 is highly educated: just over six in ten adults 25 and older (62.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 15.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the west.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.1% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.7% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.2% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.3% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in ZIP 98021: 96.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Compared with other Washington ZIP codes, ZIP 98021 has a higher share of high school graduates than most.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 98021
| Period | ZIP 98021 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.0% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in ZIP 98021 has been low: just 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.7 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 98021 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 98021 | 2.88 | 38.8 | 5.2% | 19.3% | 4.6% | 1996 | $2,760 | 62.8% | 96.3% | 3.3% |
| ZIP 98011 | 2.44 | 40.7 | 5.5% | 42.1% | 8.7% | 1993 | $2,475 | 60.8% | 96.2% | 3.8% |
| ZIP 98028 | 2.65 | 40.5 | 5.3% | 29.5% | 4.8% | 1986 | $2,469 | 63.3% | 96.5% | 3.6% |
| ZIP 98012 | 2.85 | 37.4 | 7.8% | 33.5% | 4.1% | 1998 | $2,772 | 59.2% | 95.8% | 4.3% |
| ZIP 98036 | 2.62 | 40.2 | 8.7% | 40.6% | 5.0% | 1988 | $2,072 | 41.1% | 92.9% | 4.3% |
| ZIP 98072 | 2.68 | 42.0 | 6.1% | 29.3% | 4.7% | 1990 | $2,746 | 67.4% | 98.0% | 3.5% |
| ZIP 98043 | 2.38 | 39.3 | 10.8% | 43.2% | 3.9% | 1975 | $2,076 | 43.4% | 94.0% | 4.3% |
| ZIP 98037 | 2.55 | 38.7 | 7.9% | 42.5% | 5.1% | 1989 | $2,069 | 44.3% | 90.6% | 3.5% |
| ZIP 98155 | 2.51 | 41.6 | 6.8% | 29.5% | 5.0% | 1969 | $2,304 | 55.8% | 95.1% | 4.6% |
| ZIP 98034 | 2.46 | 38.2 | 7.1% | 39.2% | 7.5% | 1983 | $2,579 | 61.9% | 96.8% | 4.7% |
| ZIP 98087 | 2.61 | 36.1 | 9.0% | 46.0% | 7.1% | 2000 | $2,282 | 39.3% | 92.4% | 4.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 43560, OH · 95476, CA · 95128, CA · 92551, CA · 85741, AZ · 85020, AZ · 84601, UT · 80516, CO · 76020, TX · 71291, LA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 98021. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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