Population 5,232 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 98251
Household size in ZIP 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.60 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.62 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.22 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.63 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
At 2.63 people per household, ZIP 98251 sits close to the national average of 2.65. Household size has crept up from 2.60 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the south.
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 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.8 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.5 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.7 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.4 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.6 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
At 39.4, the median age in ZIP 98251 is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has crept up from 38.8 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the south.
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 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.0% of households in ZIP 98251, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 1.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 98251
Renters in ZIP 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.7% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.2% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.2% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 9.9% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −7.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
ZIP 98251 is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 9.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About one in five owners (19.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 7.7 points, 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 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.8% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 13.8% of the housing in ZIP 98251, 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. ZIP 98251 has a higher vacancy rate than the great majority of 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 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1989 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
ZIP 98251 has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1995, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. ZIP 98251 has newer homes than the great majority of Washington ZIP codes.
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 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,123 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,187 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,136 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,752 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$629 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
Rent in ZIP 98251 runs $1,752 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in the Seattle area as a whole ($2,193). Rents are up $629 a month from 2006–10, a 56% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 40.6% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 98251
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.5% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.4% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in ZIP 98251: 22.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 3.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north 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 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.4% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.4% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.9% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.9% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in ZIP 98251 have finished high school as nationally: 89.9%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Seattle area as a whole (93.1%).
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 98251
| Period | ZIP 98251 | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.0 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in ZIP 98251 than nationally: unemployment was 4.5%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 5.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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 98251 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 98251 | 2.63 | 39.4 | 8.0% | 9.9% | 13.8% | 1995 | $1,752 | 22.4% | 89.9% | 4.5% |
| ZIP 98294 | 2.83 | 37.8 | 11.7% | 14.7% | 6.5% | 1996 | $1,578 | 33.6% | 90.4% | 2.5% |
| ZIP 98256 | 2.30 | 52.9 | 15.0% | 13.7% | 50.8% | 1980 | $1,477 | 19.2% | 86.0% | 15.6% |
| ZIP 98224 | 1.92 | 59.7 | 0.5% | 24.7% | 69.3% | 1972 | $1,500 | 23.8% | 95.4% | 6.5% |
| ZIP 98272 | 2.87 | 38.4 | 9.0% | 19.8% | 4.2% | 1994 | $2,180 | 34.0% | 92.1% | 4.6% |
| ZIP 98019 | 2.97 | 38.2 | 2.5% | 11.4% | 4.6% | 1994 | $2,337 | 52.9% | 96.3% | 2.9% |
| ZIP 98290 | 2.82 | 41.7 | 9.6% | 19.4% | 6.8% | 1986 | $2,029 | 36.4% | 93.4% | 4.6% |
| ZIP 98288 | 1.92 | 59.7 | 0.5% | 24.7% | 69.3% | 1972 | $1,500 | 23.8% | 95.4% | 6.5% |
| ZIP 98077 | 2.99 | 44.0 | 4.2% | 11.9% | 3.2% | 1987 | $2,567 | 63.4% | 95.8% | 4.1% |
| ZIP 98296 | 2.91 | 42.1 | 6.0% | 10.8% | 2.6% | 1992 | $2,473 | 49.2% | 96.5% | 1.9% |
| ZIP 98205 | 3.04 | 39.0 | 9.2% | 10.5% | 4.8% | 1989 | $2,837 | 38.1% | 95.6% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
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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 98251. 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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