The Decline of the Suburbs
Hot Topic – Seattle Population Growth
For about a century (starting since 1910), population growth was faster in surrounding King County than it was in Seattle proper. In 2016, the tables turned and “the suburbs experienced their slowest population gains in more than a decade.”
Gene Balk of The Seattle Times explains how this changed happened. Last year, Seattle had its 5th consecutive year of faster growth. On a broader scale, “Seattle’s population has increased by 15.4% since the start of the decade. The rest of the county? Just 8.9%.” In addition to the faster rate, Seattle outgrew the surrounding areas in numbers of citizens alone. If we’re comparing percentages again, that’s 3.1% population growth in Seattle compared to just 1% outside of the city.
Balk has a great breakdown of the factors involved in this shift. There’s been a shift in attitude toward cities, particularly among young people who are attracted to urban lifestyles and walkable neighborhoods. Also, explosive job growth in central Seattle has stimulated a boom in residential development in the city’s core.
On a micro level, that’s what makes areas like downtown Bellevue so popular. You can have the best both worlds in some of our favorite Eastside neighborhoods!
Read the full article for more information from Gene Balk of The Seattle Times.
particularly among young people who are attracted to urban lifestyles and walkable neighborhoods. Also, explosive job growth in central Seattle has stimulated a boom in residential development in the city’s core.
On a micro level, that’s what makes areas like downtown Bellevue so popular. You can have the best both worlds in some of our favorite Eastside neighborhoods!
Read the full article for more information from Gene Balk of The Seattle Times.