City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

SeaTac, WA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for SeaTac - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

31,143
Residents
$76,517
Median income
$483,200
Median home
$2,031
Median rent (state)

SeaTac - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, SeaTac places in the 58th percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
84th
percentile, home value
84th
percentile, median rent
6th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: SeaTac, WA

SeaTac is a small city in Washington, home to 31,143 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $76,517 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.4%. Typical homes in SeaTac are valued around $483,200, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. About 26.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 375 residential building permits were authorized in SeaTac (Building Boom), up 2579% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. SeaTac's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4353.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Washington at 107.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,031 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Washington's average monthly utility costs around $188 (state average). Commute times here average 22.9 minutes, with 60.0% driving alone and 10.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 92.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

31,143 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$76,517 /yr

Poverty 8.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does SeaTac compare to other US cities?

Where SeaTac sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 84% pricier than other cities
Median rent 84% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Washington, SeaTac ranks #142 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares SeaTac against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Washington only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Washington-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places SeaTac toward the top of Washington's cities

Among the 599 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, SeaTac ranks #80 - the 75th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares SeaTac only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#325 of 565
42nd percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#80 of 599
75th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#210 of 565
63rd percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#201 of 598
66th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#286 of 599
52nd percentile in Washington

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Washington only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

58thIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

SeaTac's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

SeaTac's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 27 Avg. percentile National median
SeaTac's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How SeaTac's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$483,200 16th percentile more affordable than 16% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. SeaTac $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - SeaTac, WA SeaTac, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not SeaTac, WA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution SeaTac, WA median $76,517/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
SeaTac, WA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for SeaTac, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
31,143
Median Income
$76,517
Median Home Value
$483,200
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Labor force participation
63.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4353.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
410.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3943.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
31,000 residents32,000 residents33,000 residents34,000 residents35,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 31,394 residents 34,578 residents ▲ +10.1%
SeaTac's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
375
housing units authorized
Single-Family
20
detached homes
Multifamily
355
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
12
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 14
2020 25
2021 22
2022 699
2023 147
2024 375

Permit volume increased 2579% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.9 minutes
Drive Alone
60.0%
Carpool
15.7%
Public Transit
6.9%
Walk
4.3%
Work from Home
10.8%
Other
2.3%

Based on 14,896 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Washington - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Washington state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county SeaTac sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,031/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Pullman
31,939 people
Des Moines
32,545 people
Orchards
29,716 people
Walla Walla
33,766 people
Maple Valley
28,121 people
Spanaway
34,322 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to SeaTac's 31,143 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Haines City, FL
31,156 people
Port Chester, NY
31,162 people
Lawndale, CA
31,113 people
Santa Paula, CA
31,202 people
Jackson, MI
31,206 people
New Smyrna Beach, FL
31,212 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to SeaTac's $76,517 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Columbus Junction, IA
$76,518 median income
Boulevard, CA
$76,513 median income
The Villages, FL
$76,523 median income
Mary Esther, FL
$76,510 median income
Castroville, TX
$76,524 median income
Crescent Springs, KY
$76,530 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - SeaTac, WA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition SeaTac, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 31.3% 24.3% 15.8% 17.5% 9.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 22.8% White 31.3% Black or African American 24.3% Asian 15.8% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 1.5% Some other race 17.5% Two or more races 9.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How SeaTac compares to nearby Washington cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
SeaTac (this city) 31,143 $76,517
Pullman 31,939 $45,097
Des Moines 32,545 $89,787
Orchards 29,716 $96,893
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about SeaTac, WA?

What is the population of SeaTac, WA? +

The population of SeaTac, WA stands at 31,143 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in SeaTac, WA? +

SeaTac households earn a median of $76,517 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in SeaTac? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for SeaTac; the closest available measure is the Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

Is SeaTac, WA safe? +

SeaTac has a total crime rate of 4353.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in SeaTac, WA? +

A typical home in SeaTac is worth $483,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.