Seattle ranks 5th in population growth as large U.S. cities see slow gains, some declines
KOMO • • health
Key Points:
- Seattle added 11,572 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, reaching an estimated population of 784,777, ranking it fifth nationally for numeric population growth among large cities.
- Despite a nationwide slowdown in population growth among big cities, Seattle remained a leading growth center, contrasting with the average growth rate decline from 0.9% to 0.3% in cities over 250,000 residents.
- Mason County and Shelton also experienced significant growth, adding over 1,400 residents, highlighting continued population increases in parts of Washington state.
- Nationally, housing stock grew by 1.4 million units in 2025, reaching a total of 148.3 million units, indicating ongoing expansion in residential development.
- Census Bureau officials noted that while many major urban hubs saw growth slow or decline, Seattle bucked this trend with robust population gains.