Seattle

Seattle, Washington is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. Its city population is about 780,000 as of 2024, and the greater Seattle metropolitan area totals roughly 4.02 million residents (15th largest in the U.S.). The city is growing rapidly (over 20% growth from 2010–2020). Seattle is more diverse than many U.S. cities: roughly 60% of residents are non-Hispanic White, about 17% Asian, and there are significant Black, Hispanic, and multi-racial communities. Households are prosperous: the median income is well above the national average (around $122,000), reflecting Seattle’s strong economy. Indeed, the region’s GDP is roughly $518 billion (2022), underpinned by major corporations. Seven Fortune-500 companies are headquartered in Seattle – notably Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Expedia and Zillow – and nearby suburbs host others like Microsoft and Boeing. Amazon and Boeing in particular have defined Seattle’s modern economy, while the Port of Seattle remains one of the busiest Pacific ports in North America.

Seattleites enjoy one of the highest costs of living in the country (housing prices rank among the top U.S. cities), but also one of the highest average incomes. Its educated workforce and global companies (Amazon is the world’s second-largest retailer) help sustain a dynamic economy. This prosperity translates into plentiful amenities and public services. Seattle’s demographics skew fairly young (median age in the mid-30s) and well-educated. The city is known for a large population of tech professionals and innovators – it is the birthplace or growth hub of companies like Microsoft, Amazon and numerous startups. In summary, Seattle is a large, ethnically diverse city with a booming high-tech and aerospace economy and high average incomes, surrounded by wealth of natural beauty.

Seattle sits on the continent of North America along the western Pacific coast of the United States. It is in the far northwestern state of Washington, on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. In geographic terms, the core of the city straddles Elliott Bay, an inlet of Puget Sound. The surrounding terrain is dramatic: immediately west are the steep hills and evergreen forests of the Olympic Peninsula, and to the east loom the peaks of the Cascade Range (Mt. Rainier rises over 14,000 ft about 60 miles southeast). Downtown skyscrapers cluster along the waterfront, but from many city viewpoints one sees water and mountains framing the skyline. Seattle’s climate is famously mild maritime: Winters are cool, long and wet, while summers are warm and mostly dry. It rarely gets extremely cold or hot. In practice this means soggy, gray winters with drizzle (roughly 150 days of measurable rain in a year) and short sunnier days, while summers (July–September) are generally sunny with temperatures often in the 70s–80s°F. Snow is occasional in the city proper, but the nearby mountains receive heavy snowfalls (often hundreds of inches per season), allowing year-round outdoor recreation. Overall, Seattle enjoys a lush, temperate environment with evergreen forests and mild oceanic breezes; visitors often remark on seeing Mount Rainier on a clear day.

Seattle’s history began long ago with Native American fishing villages (the Duwamish and other peoples) along Puget Sound. The city’s modern era dates from the mid-19th century. In 1851, the Denny Party (early pioneers) landed at Alki Point, then relocated east to Elliott Bay, founding “Seattle” (named for a local Native chief) in 1852. Early industries were logging and shipbuilding, taking advantage of the vast forests and deep-water port. The gold rush to Alaska in the 1890s made Seattle a gateway city, and in 1909 it hosted the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition, spurring growth on the University District campus. A massive boom came in 1962 when the city staged the Century 21 Exposition – the World’s Fair – which left as legacies the Space Needle, the city’s landmark observation tower, and the elevated Monorail. That era of optimism was followed by the rise of industry and technology: aerospace (Boeing dominated mid-century) and later software. In the 1970s and 1980s, companies like Microsoft (founded in nearby Redmond) and later Amazon (founded downtown in 1994) transformed Seattle into a tech powerhouse. These companies attracted a diverse workforce and global attention. In recent decades the city has continued to evolve – tech and biotech industries have boomed, international trade via the port has expanded, and urban development has remade neighborhoods (for example, South Lake Union has high-rise offices). Through it all, Seattle has blended its frontier roots with innovation. For example, the Space Needle’s construction for the 1962 fair remains a point of local pride, symbolizing that period’s vision for the city.

Seattle’s cultural character is a blend of outdoorsy liberalism and urban energy. The dominant language is English, reflecting the city’s Anglo-American majority, but one hears many other tongues: Vietnamese, Mandarin, Spanish, and Somali are common in neighborhoods. Seattle’s culture prizes both technological ambition and a love of nature. You will see professionals in casual attire (patagonia jackets, coffee cups in hand) commuting downtown, and kayakers and cyclists sharing the road on any pleasant day. There’s a pervasive “coffee culture”: Seattle is famously coffee-obsessed, home to Starbucks and countless independent cafes. Fresh-roast beans and artisanal latte art are everyday scenes. Music and arts have a special place in local life. The city’s historic jazz roots (Jackson Street clubs) eventually gave way to its 1990s role as the cradle of grunge rock – Seattle bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam defined a generation. Today, live music is ever-present: local neighborhood pubs host open-mic nights, the Benaroya Hall hosts symphony concerts, and venues like Neumos or The Crocodile see touring indie bands. Every spring brings the Seattle International Film Festival (a huge event), and summer brings cultural street fairs almost every weekend in various districts. For instance, on Memorial Day weekend one might enjoy the Northwest Folklife Festival (folk music and dance on University grounds) and Seafair (hydroplane races and parades) in July. Pride parades, ethnic street festivals (like Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Festival), and the Labor Day Bumbershoot arts festival all draw huge crowds.

Daily life here has a pragmatic, work-hard-play-hard quality. The typical Seattleite is polite but sometimes reserved – a test of patience at the doctor’s office might be common—but friendly once acquainted. Commuting often involves traffic or mass transit (many ride the Link light-rail or buses and ferries), so people tend to set aside tech time to read or drink coffee during their commute. After work, it’s common to see people exercising (running on Green Lake, hitting a climbing gym or local yoga studio), because Seattleites value physical fitness and a connection to nature. Evenings often find friends meeting for drinks or catching a sunset view of the Sound. In summary, Seattle feels urban and innovative during the day, yet when the sun sets (and lifts bloom from buildings), it retains an outdoorsy, easy-going mood that reflects its evergreen surroundings.

Seattle boasts many “must-see” spots. The most iconic is the Space Needle (completed 1962), a 600-foot-tall observation tower that offers 360° views of downtown and the mountains (especially magnificent on clear days). The Needle anchors Seattle Center, which also includes the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and the nearby Chihuly Garden & Glass. Close by is the historic monorail station (built for the fair) and the IMAX Pacific Science Center. Downtown’s Pike Place Market is another tourist magnet: a lively fish-and-produce market open since 1907, known for its “flying fish” fishmongers, flower stalls and the original Starbucks store. Nearby is the waterfront and Seattle Aquarium. Along the downtown art row is the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) with its Olympic Sculpture Park (outside, free to enter, overlooking Puget Sound). Pioneer Square, Seattle’s historic district, features 19th-century brick buildings, art galleries, and the unique Underground Tour (visiting buried storefronts). Other highlights include the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) at Lake Union, the futuristic EMP building (MoPOP), and the Seattle Public Library’s Central Branch (an architectural marvel). Natural attractions are never far: most visitors do not miss a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island for café views back at the city skyline, or a short trip to Kerry Park on Queen Anne hill for a postcard-perfect panorama (Space Needle in front, Mount Rainier behind). For sports fans, CenturyLink (Lumen) Field and T-Mobile Park host Seahawks, Sounders and Mariners games year-round. In short, Seattle’s attractions range from urban art and architecture to authentic marketplaces and easy access to water and mountain vistas.

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA, commonly called Sea-Tac) is the main gateway, with flights from around the world. Smaller Boeing Field (King County Airport) also handles some commercial and private traffic. Seattle is linked by Interstate 5 (north–south along the city) and I-90 (east to Bellevue and beyond). Amtrak’s national network stops at King Street Station downtown; the Cascades route serves Vancouver BC and the Starlight route connects to Los Angeles. Ferries from downtown’s Colman Dock sail to Bainbridge and Bremerton.

Seattle has extensive public transit. Link light rail connects North Seattle to the airport and Federal Way, with extensions to Bellevue opening soon. Buses (King County Metro and Sound Transit) cover the city widely. Monorail (built 1962) zips between downtown and Seattle Center. The street network is hilly – for example, Capitol Hill and Queen Anne rise steeply from downtown – but downtown itself is quite walkable (especially the 1st–3rd Ave corridor). The city is also very bicycle-friendly with many bike lanes and the Burke-Gilman Trail along Lake Washington. Driving is possible but be prepared for traffic congestion, especially on I-5 during rush hours. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful. Ferries to nearby islands and cross-Sound ferries (e.g., to Kingston) are a notable transit mode.

Currency is USD, language English. Seattle is famously tolerant and progressive; it is normal to encounter people of many backgrounds and political beliefs. Tipping in restaurants is customary (15–20%). Etiquette follows typical U.S. urban norms: doors held open, brief eye contact and a nod or “hi” on the street, polite table manners. Safety-wise, Seattle is relatively safe in tourist areas, but take usual city precautions at night (stay in well-lit areas, watch valuables). Winters can be dreary and occasionally icy, so bring layers. Locals often dress in layers and casual styles (jeans, sweaters, rain jacket, etc.).