Downtown Seattle visitors rebound to 2019 levels, but workers lag behind

Key Points:

• Downtown Seattle's residential population reached a record 109,800 in 2025, with visitor numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels at 102% of 2019 figures, signaling strong tourism and event attendance.
• Local visitor foot traffic remains below 2019 levels at 92%, though it is gradually increasing, highlighting an opportunity to boost downtown's appeal to nearby residents for retail, dining, and cultural activities.
• Worker foot traffic and office jobs have not fully recovered, with weekday worker presence at 64% of 2019 levels and a slight decline in total downtown jobs due in part to competition from Bellevue and Seattle's employer tax policies.
• Retail jobs have declined significantly, down 14% from 2010 levels, reflecting ongoing challenges in the retail sector despite strong performances from key anchors like Nordstrom and Pike Place Market.
• Public safety is improving overall with violent crime in the downtown core decreasing and police hiring rising, though certain neighborhoods like Belltown and the Chinatown-International District continue to experience higher crime rates.