Population 15,554 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in First Hill
Household size in First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.46 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.45 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.47 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.54 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
First Hill is a place of small households, averaging 1.54 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 1.46, even as the national average fell. Of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods, only five 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 First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.8 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.0 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.2 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.4 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −5.5 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 31.4, First Hill 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. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 36.8, even as the national median rose. Of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods, only three are younger.
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 First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 2.9% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 2.1% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.3% of households in First Hill, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.4 points, as it has 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 First Hill
Renters in First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.4% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 83.6% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 83.0% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 88.3% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in First Hill: 88.3% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 51.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 4.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Seattle neighborhoods have a higher share of renters: only three 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 First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.6% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.1% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in First Hill is close to the national rate: 11.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the wider Seattle area (6.6%). Vacancy is down 0.5 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1993 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +24 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in First Hill is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1993, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1969 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the west has the oldest housing. Few Seattle neighborhoods have newer homes: only six 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 First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $937 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,106 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,612 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,029 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,092 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
A typical rental in First Hill costs $2,029 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are lower than in the wider Seattle area ($2,193). Rent has climbed $1,092 a month since 2006–10, up 116%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 30.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 First Hill
Bachelor's degrees in First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.7% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 59.8% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 64.8% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 67.3% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.6 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
First Hill is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (67.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 13.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the south.
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 First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.6% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.7% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.5% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.5% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in First Hill: 96.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Compared with other Seattle neighborhoods, though, First Hill has a lower 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 First Hill
| Period | First Hill | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.0% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in First Hill runs well above the national rate: 9.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Few Seattle neighborhoods have higher unemployment: only four of 67. Unemployment is up 2.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
First Hill 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Capitol Hill | 1.63 | 34.6 | 2.9% | 74.1% | 6.6% | 1971 | $2,010 | 75.3% | 98.6% | 4.2% |
| South Lake Union | 1.40 | 29.6 | 1.3% | 93.3% | 14.6% | 2013 | $2,571 | 80.3% | 98.7% | 4.4% |
| Belltown | 1.43 | 34.3 | 2.0% | 83.2% | 17.2% | 2005 | $2,448 | 77.7% | 97.3% | 6.1% |
| Madrona | 2.42 | 41.8 | 10.2% | 29.4% | 3.3% | 1942 | $2,421 | 73.5% | 96.9% | 5.4% |
| Atlantic | 2.07 | 37.7 | 10.0% | 54.4% | 5.4% | 1995 | $1,891 | 59.2% | 90.0% | 5.8% |
| Uptown | 1.41 | 34.5 | 1.7% | 78.1% | 12.8% | 1989 | $2,093 | 71.2% | 97.2% | 6.0% |
| Leschi | 2.26 | 42.2 | 11.1% | 40.0% | 6.2% | 1963 | $2,141 | 72.3% | 95.3% | 6.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: South Boulder, Boulder, CO · Delmar Parkway, Aurora, CO · Desert Hills, Cave Creek, AZ · Downtown Houston, Houston, TX · Ellsworth, Elmwood Park, IL · Encanto, San Diego, CA · Englewood, Chicago, IL · Grays Ferry, Philadelphia, PA · Harrowgate, Philadelphia, PA · Heron Walk, Madison, TN
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 First Hill. 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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