Population 10,118 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Belltown
Household size in Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.24 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.36 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.50 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.43 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.19 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Belltown are small: just 1.43 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 1.24, even as the national average fell. Of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods, only three 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 Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.4 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.7 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.7 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.3 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.1 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Belltown is young: half of its residents are under 34.3, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The youngest areas are in the north, 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 Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.1% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 1.7% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 0.6% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.0% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 2.0% of households in Belltown, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 3.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only three of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods 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 Belltown
Renters in Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.4% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 79.9% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 79.5% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 83.2% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Belltown: 83.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 22.6% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.8 points, in line with the national trend. Few Seattle neighborhoods have a higher share of renters: only five of 67.
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 Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.2% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Belltown: 17.2% 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 3.7 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 Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1994 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2000 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2005 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +18 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Belltown has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2005, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the southeast has the oldest housing. Few Seattle neighborhoods have newer homes: only two of 67.
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 Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $969 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,132 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,980 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,448 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,479 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
Rent in Belltown runs $2,448 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,479 a month from 2006–10, a 153% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 24.8% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the southeast.
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 Belltown
Bachelor's degrees in Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 60.9% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 60.6% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 73.5% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 77.7% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +16.9 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Belltown: 77.7% 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 is up 16.9 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.0% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.8% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.7% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.3% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Belltown: 97.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 4.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Belltown
| Period | Belltown | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.1% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Belltown is close to the national rate: 6.1% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the Seattle area overall (5.0%). 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).
Belltown compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belltown | 1.43 | 34.3 | 2.0% | 83.2% | 17.2% | 2005 | $2,448 | 77.7% | 97.3% | 6.1% |
| South Lake Union | 1.40 | 29.6 | 1.3% | 93.3% | 14.6% | 2013 | $2,571 | 80.3% | 98.7% | 4.4% |
| Uptown | 1.41 | 34.5 | 1.7% | 78.1% | 12.8% | 1989 | $2,093 | 71.2% | 97.2% | 6.0% |
| First Hill | 1.54 | 31.4 | 4.3% | 88.3% | 11.1% | 1993 | $2,029 | 67.3% | 96.5% | 9.5% |
| Pioneer Square | 1.26 | 40.0 | 3.5% | 90.2% | 20.3% | 1999 | $1,728 | 34.3% | 89.4% | 23.4% |
| Westlake | 1.46 | 31.1 | 1.2% | 81.1% | 10.7% | 2005 | $2,463 | 88.9% | 99.2% | 5.3% |
| Capitol Hill | 1.63 | 34.6 | 2.9% | 74.1% | 6.6% | 1971 | $2,010 | 75.3% | 98.6% | 4.2% |
| International District | 1.62 | 37.6 | 5.4% | 87.5% | 13.3% | 1993 | $1,435 | 50.1% | 83.0% | 6.2% |
| Central District | 1.99 | 33.3 | 6.5% | 66.6% | 6.7% | 1976 | $2,075 | 68.8% | 97.2% | 5.5% |
| Queen Anne | 2.04 | 36.5 | 3.9% | 51.4% | 9.7% | 1955 | $2,155 | 76.5% | 98.4% | 3.8% |
| Eastlake | 1.66 | 36.7 | 2.4% | 67.1% | 8.9% | 1984 | $1,913 | 81.5% | 99.1% | 6.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Litte Italy, Niagara Falls, NY · Central Davis, Davis, CA · Bay Ho, San Diego, CA · Blue Hills, Hartford, CT · Portola Springs, Irvine, CA · Oakridge, Bakersfield, CA · Northside, Syracuse, NY · Falls of Neuse, Raleigh, NC · Brays Oaks, Houston, TX · Starcrest, Salmon Creek, WA
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 Belltown. 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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