Population 5,621 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Downtown
Household size in Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.12 | 2.66 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.85 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.14 | 2.93 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.92 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.34 | +0.26 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
The average household in Downtown has 2.47 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.12, even as the national average fell.
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 Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.5 | 34.1 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.7 | 34.3 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.5 | 35.9 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.5 | 35.8 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.0 | +1.8 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Downtown is young: half of its residents are under 33.5, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 32.5 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 15.0% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.5% | 14.2% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 14.3% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.8% | 12.2% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −8.9 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in ten households in Downtown (10.8%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are less common here than in Kent overall (12.2%). The single-parent share has fallen 8.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Downtown
Renters in Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.1% | 49.6% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 86.3% | 50.9% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 81.9% | 50.3% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 76.4% | 48.2% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.7 pts | −1.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Downtown rent: 76.4% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About a third of owners (34.0%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 5.7 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 Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 8.2% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 8.4% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 6.3% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.6% | 6.9% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Downtown as nationally: 10.6%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in Kent as a whole (6.9%). Vacancy has risen 2.5 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 Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1984 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1985 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1985 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1987 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +3 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Downtown is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1991, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the south 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 Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $790 | $1,069 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $863 | $1,179 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,192 | $1,525 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,685 | $2,074 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$895 | +$1,005 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
The median renter in Downtown pays $1,685 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in Kent overall ($2,074). Rents are up $895 a month from 2006–10, a 113% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 36.6% of the typical renter's income, 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 Downtown
Bachelor's degrees in Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 23.8% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 22.7% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.9% | 25.1% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 28.7% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +4.9 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Downtown: 14.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.7 points, 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 Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.0% | 85.0% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 72.0% | 84.0% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.8% | 84.7% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 76.0% | 84.7% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly a quarter of adults in Downtown never finished high school, well above the national share: only 76.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.0 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Downtown
| Period | Downtown | Kent | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 7.2% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 9.1% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.3% | 6.9% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −0.4 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Downtown: 11.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell. 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).
Downtown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | 2.47 | 33.5 | 10.8% | 76.4% | 10.6% | 1991 | $1,685 | 14.7% | 76.0% | 11.3% |
| Zenith | 2.49 | 41.7 | 3.9% | 37.8% | 7.6% | 1980 | $2,013 | 34.6% | 91.8% | 5.2% |
| Lea Hill | 3.49 | 33.2 | 11.9% | 31.3% | 8.4% | 1995 | $2,034 | 24.7% | 88.1% | 5.0% |
| North Hill | 2.90 | 42.1 | 10.3% | 8.8% | 5.1% | 1959 | $2,402 | 39.7% | 92.1% | 5.2% |
| Fairwood Greens | 2.52 | 44.8 | 7.4% | 19.1% | 5.9% | 1974 | $2,343 | 49.1% | 95.2% | 5.6% |
| Maple Heights-Lake Desire | 3.15 | 45.2 | 5.2% | 8.3% | 6.4% | 1989 | $3,165 | 48.8% | 93.5% | 1.6% |
| Highlands Park | 2.49 | 39.2 | 15.8% | 54.0% | 5.8% | 1968 | $1,970 | 30.6% | 81.1% | 4.4% |
| Twin Lakes | 2.94 | 40.6 | 13.6% | 25.9% | 5.2% | 1977 | $1,978 | 36.5% | 90.2% | 3.9% |
| Rainier Beach | 2.88 | 39.3 | 11.4% | 31.3% | 6.6% | 1967 | $2,168 | 36.5% | 83.6% | 4.0% |
| Highline | 2.76 | 37.5 | 15.0% | 48.1% | 7.4% | 1974 | $1,735 | 27.2% | 81.4% | 6.1% |
| Kennydale | 2.56 | 39.3 | 9.0% | 30.8% | 6.0% | 1986 | $2,542 | 46.3% | 91.0% | 7.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Downtown Salinas, Salinas, CA · College Hill, Easton, PA · College Park, College Station, TX · Columbia Heghts, Arlington, VA · Cortez-Stege, Richmond, CA · Craig Ranch North, McKinney, TX · Urbanizacion Levittown Lakes, Toa Baja, PR · Urbanizacion Caparra Terrace, San Juan, PR · University Hills, Austin, TX · University, Buffalo, NY
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 Downtown. 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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