Population 3,865 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Pioneer Square
Household size in Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.35 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.38 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.34 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.26 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.09 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Pioneer Square is a place of small households, averaging 1.26 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Pioneer Square has the smallest households of any Seattle neighborhood.
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 Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.2 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.4 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.0 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.0 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −5.2 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
At 40.0, the median age in Pioneer Square is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has dropped from 45.2 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.0% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.7% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.5% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 3.5% of households in Pioneer Square, well below the national share of 11.6%. Compared with other Seattle neighborhoods, Pioneer Square has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
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 Pioneer Square
Renters in Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.5% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 90.0% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 84.9% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 90.2% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Pioneer Square rent: 90.2% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 29.2% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Only two of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods 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 Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.6% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.3% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Pioneer Square: 20.3% 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. No other Seattle neighborhood has a higher vacancy rate.
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 Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1945 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1945 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1999 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +53 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Pioneer Square is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1999, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. Only four of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods have 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 Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $673 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $956 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,458 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,728 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,055 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Pioneer Square costs $1,728 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are lower than in the Seattle area overall ($2,193). The typical renter here spends 30.9% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Only three of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods have lower 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 Pioneer Square
Bachelor's degrees in Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.6% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.2% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.7% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.3% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Pioneer Square (34.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the Seattle area as a whole (46.3%). Only one other Seattle neighborhood has a lower 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 Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.2% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.6% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.7% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.4% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.2 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Pioneer Square is close to the national rate: 89.4% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Seattle area overall (93.1%). Only five of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods have a lower 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 Pioneer Square
| Period | Pioneer Square | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 18.0% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.8% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +12.1 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Pioneer Square runs well above the national rate: 23.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Pioneer Square has the highest unemployment rate of any Seattle neighborhood. 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).
Pioneer Square 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| First Hill | 1.54 | 31.4 | 4.3% | 88.3% | 11.1% | 1993 | $2,029 | 67.3% | 96.5% | 9.5% |
| Belltown | 1.43 | 34.3 | 2.0% | 83.2% | 17.2% | 2005 | $2,448 | 77.7% | 97.3% | 6.1% |
| Central District | 1.99 | 33.3 | 6.5% | 66.6% | 6.7% | 1976 | $2,075 | 68.8% | 97.2% | 5.5% |
| South Lake Union | 1.40 | 29.6 | 1.3% | 93.3% | 14.6% | 2013 | $2,571 | 80.3% | 98.7% | 4.4% |
| Atlantic | 2.07 | 37.7 | 10.0% | 54.4% | 5.4% | 1995 | $1,891 | 59.2% | 90.0% | 5.8% |
| Capitol Hill | 1.63 | 34.6 | 2.9% | 74.1% | 6.6% | 1971 | $2,010 | 75.3% | 98.6% | 4.2% |
| 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% |
| Madrona | 2.42 | 41.8 | 10.2% | 29.4% | 3.3% | 1942 | $2,421 | 73.5% | 96.9% | 5.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Falcon Trace, Southchase, FL · Park East, Sarasota, FL · Orem North, Orem, UT · Manton, Providence, RI · Grantley, York, PA · Govalle, Austin, TX · Fort Columbus Airport, Columbus, OH · Five Points, Atlanta, GA · Farmers Market District, Dallas, TX · Riverside Park, Fort Lauderdale, FL
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 Pioneer Square. 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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