Population 20,464 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 98121
Household size in ZIP 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.27 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.37 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.48 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.46 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.19 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in ZIP 98121 are small: just 1.46 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 1.27, even as the national average fell. Only two of the 295 Washington ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have smaller households.
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 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.8 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.4 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.9 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.2 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.5 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 34.2, ZIP 98121 is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has edged down from 34.8 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the southeast.
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 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 1.4% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 0.6% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 2.3% of households in ZIP 98121, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.6 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 295 Washington ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only five have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 98121
Renters in ZIP 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.4% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 81.5% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 78.0% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 77.9% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in ZIP 98121: 77.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. More than a quarter of owners (27.4%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 1.6 points, even as the national share rose. Only seven of the 295 Washington ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
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 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.5% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.1% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in ZIP 98121: 14.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 1.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1994 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2001 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2006 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +16 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in ZIP 98121 is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2006, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the east, the oldest in the center. Only one other Washington ZIP code with 5,000+ people has newer homes.
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 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,056 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,214 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,955 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,487 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,431 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
Rent in ZIP 98121 runs $2,487 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,431 a month from 2006–10, a 136% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 24.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Of the 295 Washington ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only 24 have higher rents.
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 98121
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.8% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 61.9% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 77.2% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 79.7% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +17.8 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in ZIP 98121: 79.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 17.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only four of the 295 Washington ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of college graduates.
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 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.3% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.1% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.5% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.0% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.7 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in ZIP 98121: 98.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.7 points, mirroring the country. Only 22 of the 295 Washington ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 98121
| Period | ZIP 98121 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.7% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in ZIP 98121 runs below the national rate: 4.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 1.3 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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 98121 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 98121 | 1.46 | 34.2 | 2.3% | 77.9% | 14.1% | 2006 | $2,487 | 79.7% | 98.0% | 4.3% |
| ZIP 98101 | 1.44 | 36.7 | 1.9% | 85.6% | 15.8% | 1997 | $2,453 | 74.8% | 97.0% | 4.6% |
| ZIP 98109 | 1.54 | 32.9 | 1.9% | 78.5% | 11.4% | 1992 | $2,324 | 79.4% | 98.3% | 4.3% |
| ZIP 98164 | 1.50 | 33.3 | 3.7% | 89.0% | 7.7% | 2012 | $2,857 | 90.5% | 99.7% | 0.0% |
| ZIP 98104 | 1.53 | 37.4 | 5.6% | 90.6% | 15.3% | 1992 | $1,700 | 48.0% | 85.2% | 11.9% |
| ZIP 98102 | 1.61 | 34.9 | 2.5% | 72.6% | 6.4% | 1971 | $1,933 | 76.4% | 99.0% | 4.2% |
| ZIP 98122 | 1.79 | 32.8 | 5.3% | 72.5% | 7.6% | 1980 | $2,080 | 71.6% | 97.9% | 7.0% |
| ZIP 98119 | 1.92 | 34.9 | 3.6% | 60.7% | 10.2% | 1966 | $2,244 | 71.7% | 98.6% | 5.2% |
| ZIP 98134 | 1.66 | 40.1 | 4.0% | 73.0% | 20.2% | 1991 | $2,215 | 56.2% | 96.6% | 3.9% |
| ZIP 98112 | 2.23 | 41.1 | 6.8% | 40.0% | 6.4% | 1954 | $2,557 | 81.9% | 98.8% | 5.9% |
| ZIP 98144 | 2.08 | 40.0 | 7.3% | 53.1% | 6.3% | 1978 | $1,834 | 60.7% | 90.9% | 4.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 33181, FL · 85648, AZ · 92082, CA · 94022, CA · 94703, CA · 94706, CA · 95110, CA · 53029, WI · 50702, IA · 80620, CO
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 98121. 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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