SafekipediaSeattle
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
Seattle is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it ranks as the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The Seattle metropolitan area, home to over 4.15 million people, is the 15th-most populous metropolitan area in the nation.
Located on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is the northernmost major city in the United States, lying about 100 miles south of the Canadian border. The city serves as a key gateway for trade with the Asia-Pacific region, and the Port of Seattle is one of the largest in North America.
For thousands of years, the area has been home to Native Americans, including the Duwamish people. European settlers arrived in 1851, naming the city after Chief Seattle, a respected leader of the local tribes. Over time, Seattle grew from a logging town into a major center for aviation, technology, and culture.
The city has a rich musical history, from its jazz clubs of the early 20th century to the rock and grunge movements of the late 20th century. Famous musicians such as Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam all began their careers in Seattle, making it a vital hub for music lovers worldwide.
History
Main article: History of Seattle
For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Seattle.
Archaeological excavations suggest that Native Americans have lived in the Seattle area for thousands of years. When the first European settlers arrived, the Duwamish people lived in many villages around Elliott Bay. The city of Seattle is named after Chief Seattle, a leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes.
In the mid-1800s, American pioneers began settling the area. Two groups claimed land: one led by Luther Collins and another by Arthur Denny. The Denny Party arrived by ship and settled at Alki Point, later moving to what is now Pioneer Square.
Seattle grew slowly at first, relying on the lumber industry. Later, the discovery of gold in Alaska brought a huge increase in population and business activity. Seattle became an important port and transportation center during this time.
In the 20th century, Seattle saw many changes. The city became a center for airplane manufacturing, especially during World War II. After the war, Boeing helped make Seattle prosperous again. In more recent years, technology companies such as Microsoft and Amazon have brought new growth and development to the area.
Geography
Seattle is located between Puget Sound, a part of the Pacific Ocean, to the west and Lake Washington to the east. The city's main harbor, Elliott Bay, is part of Puget Sound, which makes Seattle an important port. Beyond Puget Sound lie the Kitsap Peninsula and the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula. To the east, past Lake Washington and its suburbs, are Lake Sammamish and the Cascade Range. Water from Lake Washington flows to Puget Sound through the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which includes Lake Union and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.
The city has many hills, with some areas being quite hilly. Seattle is often said to sit on seven hills, similar to Rome. Famous hills in the city include Capitol Hill, First Hill, West Seattle, Beacon Hill, and Queen Anne. The city's landscape has been changed over time through projects that reshaped the land.
Seattle has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, with cool, wet winters and mild, dry summers. The nearby waters of Puget Sound, the Pacific Ocean, and Lake Washington help keep temperatures moderate, preventing extreme heat or cold. Seattle is known for its cloudy and rainy weather, with many days of light rain throughout the year.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °F (°C) | 67 (19) | 70 (21) | 79 (26) | 89 (32) | 93 (34) | 108 (42) | 103 (39) | 99 (37) | 98 (37) | 89 (32) | 74 (23) | 66 (19) | 108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 57.0 (13.9) | 59.1 (15.1) | 66.4 (19.1) | 74.3 (23.5) | 81.9 (27.7) | 85.8 (29.9) | 91.2 (32.9) | 89.9 (32.2) | 84.1 (28.9) | 72.0 (22.2) | 61.6 (16.4) | 56.8 (13.8) | 94.1 (34.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 48.0 (8.9) | 50.3 (10.2) | 54.2 (12.3) | 59.3 (15.2) | 66.3 (19.1) | 71.1 (21.7) | 77.4 (25.2) | 77.6 (25.3) | 71.6 (22.0) | 60.5 (15.8) | 52.1 (11.2) | 47.0 (8.3) | 61.3 (16.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 42.8 (6.0) | 44.0 (6.7) | 47.1 (8.4) | 51.3 (10.7) | 57.5 (14.2) | 62.0 (16.7) | 67.1 (19.5) | 67.4 (19.7) | 62.6 (17.0) | 53.8 (12.1) | 46.5 (8.1) | 42.0 (5.6) | 53.7 (12.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 37.7 (3.2) | 37.7 (3.2) | 39.9 (4.4) | 43.3 (6.3) | 48.7 (9.3) | 53.0 (11.7) | 56.8 (13.8) | 57.2 (14.0) | 53.6 (12.0) | 47.0 (8.3) | 40.9 (4.9) | 37.1 (2.8) | 46.1 (7.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 26.1 (−3.3) | 27.3 (−2.6) | 31.3 (−0.4) | 35.6 (2.0) | 40.6 (4.8) | 46.6 (8.1) | 51.5 (10.8) | 51.7 (10.9) | 45.8 (7.7) | 36.8 (2.7) | 29.2 (−1.6) | 25.4 (−3.7) | 21.5 (−5.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 0 (−18) | 1 (−17) | 11 (−12) | 29 (−2) | 28 (−2) | 38 (3) | 43 (6) | 44 (7) | 35 (2) | 28 (−2) | 6 (−14) | 6 (−14) | 0 (−18) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.78 (147) | 3.76 (96) | 4.17 (106) | 3.18 (81) | 1.88 (48) | 1.45 (37) | 0.60 (15) | 0.97 (25) | 1.61 (41) | 3.91 (99) | 6.31 (160) | 5.72 (145) | 39.34 (999) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.8 (4.6) | 2.2 (5.6) | 0.4 (1.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 1.7 (4.3) | 6.3 (16) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 18.7 | 15.9 | 17.1 | 15.0 | 11.3 | 9.2 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 8.3 | 14.3 | 18.4 | 18.4 | 156.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 4.7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78.0 | 75.2 | 73.6 | 71.4 | 68.9 | 67.1 | 65.4 | 68.2 | 73.2 | 78.6 | 79.8 | 80.1 | 73.3 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 33.1 (0.6) | 35.1 (1.7) | 36.3 (2.4) | 38.8 (3.8) | 43.5 (6.4) | 48.2 (9.0) | 51.4 (10.8) | 52.7 (11.5) | 50.2 (10.1) | 45.1 (7.3) | 38.8 (3.8) | 34.3 (1.3) | 42.3 (5.7) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 69.8 | 108.8 | 178.4 | 207.3 | 253.7 | 268.4 | 312.0 | 281.4 | 221.7 | 142.6 | 72.7 | 52.9 | 2,169.7 |
| Percentage possible sunshine | 25 | 38 | 48 | 51 | 54 | 56 | 65 | 64 | 59 | 42 | 26 | 20 | 49 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 6.2 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 3.7 |
| Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity, dew point and sun 1961–1990) | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: UV Index Today (1995 to 2022) | |||||||||||||
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Seattle
Seattle is a diverse city with people from many different backgrounds. In the past, most people in Seattle were White, but today the city has many racial and ethnic groups. Asians, Black or African Americans, Hispanic or Latino people, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and people of mixed races all call Seattle home.
Seattle also has many people who were born in other countries. There are large communities of Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali, Cambodian, and Samoan people. The city has been growing, with more people moving in each year. Despite a small drop in population during the COVID-19 pandemic, Seattle has continued to grow and now has over 800,000 residents. The city is also known for having many adults living alone and a notable community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 188 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,107 | 488.8% | |
| 1880 | 3,533 | 219.2% | |
| 1890 | 42,837 | 1,112.5% | |
| 1900 | 80,671 | 88.3% | |
| 1910 | 237,194 | 194.0% | |
| 1920 | 315,312 | 32.9% | |
| 1930 | 365,583 | 15.9% | |
| 1940 | 368,302 | 0.7% | |
| 1950 | 467,591 | 27.0% | |
| 1960 | 557,087 | 19.1% | |
| 1970 | 530,831 | −4.7% | |
| 1980 | 493,846 | −7.0% | |
| 1990 | 516,259 | 4.5% | |
| 2000 | 563,374 | 9.1% | |
| 2010 | 608,660 | 8.0% | |
| 2020 | 737,015 | 21.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 780,995 | 6.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010–2020 | |||
| Racial composition | 2024 | 2020 | 2010 | 1990 | 1970 | 1950 | 1940 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 56.9% | 59.5% | 66.3% | 73.7% | 85.3% | 94.2% | 96.1% |
| Asian and Pacific Islander combined (non-Hispanic) | 18.1% | 17.2% | 14.1% | 11.8% | 4.2% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino of any race | 9.1% | 8.2% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 2.0% | n/a | n/a |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 6.7% | 6.8% | 7.7% | 10.1% | 7.1% | 3.4% | 1.0% |
| Native American (non-Hispanic) | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.6% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Some Other Race (non-Hispanic) | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.2% | 1.4% | 0.5% | 0.5% | n/a |
| Two or more races (non-Hispanic) | 8.4% | 7.3% | 4.4% | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Economy
Seattle's economy is a mix of older industries and new technology companies, along with services, design, and clean technology businesses. The city's large port helps trade with Asia and offers cruises to Alaska. Seattle is home to many big companies, including Amazon, Starbucks, and Nordstrom. The city has worked to become more environmentally friendly and has a high minimum wage.
Before moving its headquarters, Boeing was a major employer in Seattle, and the city continues to attract new businesses, especially in biotechnology. Seattle is also an important center for global health, with many health organizations based there.
Culture
Seattle is a vibrant city with many cultural activities. Its neighborhoods often host street fairs and parades, adding to the city's lively atmosphere.
The city has a long history as a center for performing arts. The Seattle Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest in the United States, performs at Benaroya Hall. Other notable groups include the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, which perform at McCaw Hall. The city is also home to many theaters, including the 5th Avenue Theatre, which stages Broadway-style musical shows.
Seattle has been an important place for music for many years. It is famous for being the home of grunge music, with famous bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam coming from the area. The city has also produced many other types of musicians, including jazz, hip hop, and rock artists. The Sub Pop record company, known for its alternative music, is based in Seattle. The city has many live-music venues where people can enjoy performances.
Seattle hosts many festivals and events throughout the year. The Seattle International Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in the United States. Other popular events include the Seafair celebrations, the Bite of Seattle food festival, and Bumbershoot, a festival featuring music and other arts. The city also has many museums, such as the Seattle Art Museum and the Museum of Flight, offering visitors a chance to learn about art, history, and science.
Religion
See also: List of places of worship in Seattle
In 2024, a survey found that many adults in the Seattle area rarely or never attend religious services. The largest groups include Christians and people who do not follow any religion, each making up about 44% of the population. Other groups include Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and Jews, along with smaller numbers of people who identify as agnostics or atheists.
| Religious composition | 2024 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 44% | 52% |
| —Evangelical Protestant | 21% | 23% |
| —Mainline Protestant | 9% | 10% |
| —Black Protestant | 1% | 1% |
| —Catholic | 11% | 15% |
| Non-Christian faiths | 11% | 10% |
| —Jewish | 1% | 1% |
| —Muslim | 2% | |
| —Buddhist | 4% | 2% |
| —Hindu | 1% | 2% |
| Unaffiliated | 44% | 37% |
| —Atheist | 9% | 10% |
| —Agnostic | 14% | 6% |
| —Nothing in particular | 21% | 22% |
| Don't know | 1% | 1% |
Sports
Main article: Sports in Seattle
See also: History of professional soccer in Seattle
Seattle has several major professional sports teams. These include the Seattle Seahawks in football, the Seattle Mariners in baseball, the Seattle Kraken in hockey, and Seattle Sounders FC in soccer. Seattle is also home to teams in women’s leagues, like the Seattle Storm in basketball and Seattle Reign FC in soccer.
Seattle’s sports history goes back to the early 1900s. The city had a hockey team that won an important championship in 1917. Seattle got a baseball team, the Seattle Pilots, in 1969, but it moved away after one season. The Mariners joined in 1977 and have been a big part of the city ever since. The Seahawks began in 1976 and have reached the championship game several times, winning Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013. The Sounders started in 2009 and have won big titles, including two MLS Cups.
| Club | Sport | League | Venue (capacity) | Founded | Titles | Record attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Seahawks | American football | NFL | Lumen Field (69,000) | 1976 | 2 | 69,005 |
| Seattle Mariners | Baseball | MLB | T-Mobile Park (47,574) | 1977 | 0 | 46,596 |
| Seattle Kraken | Ice hockey | NHL | Climate Pledge Arena (17,100) | 2021 | 0 | 17,151 |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Soccer | MLS | Lumen Field (69,000) | 2007[A] | 2 | 69,274 |
| Seattle Seawolves | Rugby | MLR | Starfire Sports (4,500) | 2017 | 2 | 4,500 |
| Seattle Storm | Basketball | WNBA | Climate Pledge Arena (18,100) | 2000 | 4 | 18,100 |
| Seattle Reign FC | Soccer | NWSL | Lumen Field (69,000) | 2013 | 0 | 42,054 |
| Seattle Torrent | Ice hockey | PWHL | Climate Pledge Arena (17,100) | 2025 | 0 | 16,014 |
| Ballard FCSalmon Bay FC | Soccer | USL2USL-W | Interbay Soccer Field (1,000) | 20222025 | 10 | 3,146— |
| West Seattle Junction FCWest Seattle Rhodies FC | Soccer | USL2USL-W | Nino Cantu Southwest Athletics Complex | 20242025 | 00 | — |
Parks and recreation
See also: List of parks in Seattle and Seattle Parks and Recreation
Seattle has many parks and outdoor spaces for fun activities like walking, cycling, and hiking. The city has 485 parks covering over 6,500 acres, which is about 12 percent of the entire city. These parks include trails, athletic fields, swimming pools, and community centers. In 2023, Seattle was ranked eighth among U.S. cities for its park system, with almost every resident living close to a park.
The largest park is Discovery Park, featuring forests and beaches. Other popular parks include Green Lake with its walking trail, Alki Beach Park, Myrtle Edwards Park, Volunteer Park, and Seward Park. Seattle also has many trails for walking and biking, such as the Burke–Gilman Trail, which stretches 27 miles from Ballard to Bothell. People also enjoy outdoor activities like skiing in the nearby mountains and kayaking in the region's waterways.
Government and politics
Seattle has a mayor–council form of government. For many years, city councillors were elected by the whole city, but this changed in 2015 to a system where some are elected by smaller districts. The city also has a city attorney and judges, and all elections are non-partisan. Seattle is known for its liberal and progressive views. Most people there vote for the Democratic Party, and the city has been a leader in supporting equal rights, such as approving laws for same-sex marriage and cannabis use.
In 2025, Katie Wilson was elected mayor, becoming the third woman to hold that office. Seattle also made history by banning caste discrimination in its anti-discrimination laws, the first city in the United States to do so. The city is part of several districts for local and state government and is split between two federal congressional districts.
Education
Main article: Education in Seattle
Seattle is a city where many people go to school. More than half of the adults there have finished a college degree, which is much higher than most places in the United States. The city has many schools, including public schools run by Seattle Public Schools and several private schools of different types.
Seattle is also home to the University of Washington, which is one of the biggest and best-known universities in the country. The city has other colleges and universities too, offering many choices for students who want to study and learn.
Media
Main article: Media in Seattle
Seattle has a rich media scene. The city’s main daily newspaper is The Seattle Times, which has been family-owned since 1896. Another historic paper, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, stopped printing daily newspapers in 2009 but continues online.
The city also has many other newspapers, magazines, and radio stations. Weekly papers include Seattle Weekly and The Stranger. Seattle has many radio stations, both commercial and non-commercial, including popular NPR stations like KUOW-FM and KNKX.
Infrastructure
Health systems
Main article: Medical facilities of Seattle
Seattle has many important hospitals and medical centers. The University of Washington is known for its medical research, especially in brain and nerve studies. It runs several hospitals, including Harborview Medical Center, the main hospital for emergencies in Washington and nearby states. Other big hospitals include Virginia Mason and Swedish Medical Center.
Seattle Children’s Hospital cares for young patients from the area and nearby states. There are also centers for cancer research and care, and a hospital for veterans.
Transportation
Main article: Transportation in Seattle
Further information: Street layout of Seattle
See also: List of bridges in Seattle
Seattle has many ways to get around. Buses, streetcars, and light rail help people move through the city and nearby areas. Ferries connect Seattle to islands and other places across the water.
The city also has an airport, Sea-Tac, which offers flights all over the world. Streets in Seattle are mostly laid out in a grid, making it easy to navigate, although some parts follow the shoreline.
Utilities
Main article: Utilities of Seattle
Seattle gets its water from rivers and snowmelt in the mountains. The city produces most of its electricity using water power, with some from wind, nuclear, and other sources. Trash, recycling, and composting are collected for everyone in the city. Companies provide telephone, cable TV, and internet services.
Crime
Seattle has seen changes in crime rates over the years. In 2023, the city reported 5,000 violent crimes and 5,174 property crimes per 100,000 people. From 2013 to 2018, there was a slow increase in crimes, but crime rates dipped in 2020 before rising again in 2021 and 2022.
Overall, crime rates per person in Seattle decreased slightly during the early 2000s. Even though the total number of crimes went up, the city's population grew faster. For example, there were about 6,744 crimes per 100,000 people between 2008 and 2009, and this number was around 6,325 for the period 2020 to 2024.
International relations
Seattle has many sister cities around the world. These partnerships help the city connect with people from different places and learn about each other's cultures.
Seattle's sister cities include:
- Beersheba, Israel
- Bergen, Norway
- Cebu City, Philippines
- Chongqing, China
- Christchurch, New Zealand
- Daejeon, South Korea
- Galway, Ireland
- Gdynia, Poland
- Haiphong, Vietnam
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Kobe, Japan
- Limbe, Cameroon
- Mombasa, Kenya
- Nantes, France
- Pécs, Hungary
- Perugia, Italy
- Reykjavík, Iceland
- Sihanoukville, Cambodia
- Surabaya, Indonesia
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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