Population 33,592 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University District
Household size in University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.02 | 2.52 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.84 | 2.59 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.12 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.01 | 2.60 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | +0.09 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in University District are small: just 2.01 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. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.8 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 22.4 | 38.1 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 22.8 | 38.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 23.2 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +1.3 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 23.2, University District is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults in their twenties. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 22.8, a smaller shift than nationally. No other Seattle neighborhood is 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 University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.7% | 10.3% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.0% | 10.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in University District: 4.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has barely moved since 2006–10, while the national share fell.
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 University District
Renters in University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.4% | 37.7% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 84.7% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 88.6% | 39.9% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 90.4% | 40.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in University District: 90.4% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 51.9% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 6.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Seattle neighborhood has 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 University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 7.8% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.6% | 6.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in University District: 16.6% 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 is up 7.3 points from 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 University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1959 | 1978 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1973 | 1980 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1983 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +29 | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in University District is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1989, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1961 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. University District has newer homes than at least four in five Seattle neighborhoods.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $929 | $1,162 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,108 | $1,284 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,405 | $1,644 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,769 | $2,193 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$840 | +$1,031 | +$858 | +$606 |
A typical rental in University District costs $1,769 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are lower than in the Seattle area as a whole ($2,193). Rents are up $840 a month from 2006–10, a 90% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 44.7% 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 University District
Bachelor's degrees in University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 63.8% | 36.7% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 59.5% | 38.0% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 63.0% | 42.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 65.8% | 46.3% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +9.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
University District is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (65.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.0 points, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the east.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.9% | 91.3% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.0% | 91.6% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.4% | 92.5% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.5% | 93.1% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | +1.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in University District: 98.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Compared with other Seattle neighborhoods, University District has a higher 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 University District
| Period | University District | Seattle area | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 8.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in University District: 9.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only three of Seattle's 67 neighborhoods have higher unemployment. 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).
University District 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University District | 2.01 | 23.2 | 4.5% | 90.4% | 16.6% | 1989 | $1,769 | 65.8% | 98.5% | 9.6% |
| Wallingford | 2.30 | 35.1 | 4.5% | 52.2% | 6.6% | 1951 | $2,205 | 83.5% | 98.3% | 6.3% |
| Ravenna | 2.53 | 35.8 | 3.6% | 37.1% | 7.9% | 1953 | $2,742 | 83.8% | 99.6% | 3.5% |
| Roosevelt | 1.93 | 35.2 | 5.6% | 77.3% | 12.4% | 1987 | $2,202 | 82.5% | 99.7% | 3.6% |
| Bryant | 2.62 | 38.3 | 2.5% | 27.8% | 5.4% | 1954 | $2,787 | 88.1% | 99.0% | 2.3% |
| Laurelhurst | 2.92 | 41.0 | 3.0% | 19.4% | 6.0% | 1949 | $2,614 | 87.1% | 99.0% | 7.1% |
| Montlake | 2.46 | 44.7 | 3.4% | 8.9% | 3.4% | 1938 | $3,260 | 84.2% | 98.0% | 4.2% |
| Green Lake | 2.03 | 37.2 | 5.5% | 54.5% | 10.3% | 1969 | $2,426 | 82.1% | 99.0% | 5.0% |
| Eastlake | 1.66 | 36.7 | 2.4% | 67.1% | 8.9% | 1984 | $1,913 | 81.5% | 99.1% | 6.3% |
| Fremont | 1.73 | 33.3 | 3.5% | 66.0% | 5.8% | 1978 | $2,103 | 84.1% | 98.4% | 3.2% |
| Wedgwood | 2.32 | 40.7 | 3.2% | 31.9% | 3.7% | 1965 | $2,481 | 76.5% | 98.7% | 3.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Parkway Village-Oakhaven, Memphis, TN · Northeast, Anaheim, CA · Northwest, Reno, NV · Norwood Park, Chicago, IL · Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX · Oak Lane, Philadelphia, PA · Oakland Gardens, Queens, NY · Ocean Hill, Brooklyn, NY · Old Brooklyn, Cleveland, OH · Olney, Philadelphia, PA
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 University District. 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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