The Seattle area is a wonderful place to live, to work, and to raise a family. Like any other city, however, raising a family can be complicated, and sometimes families need help finding a way forward. At Seattle Divorce Services, we help families find reasonable solutions to their problems by bringing an innovative approach to divorce, child custody, and other family law matters.
We’re proud of our city, and ultimately, we are pleased to be members of the Seattle community. For that reason, we believe it is important to understand who we share this city with and what their family situation is so that we can better serve our clients.
Seattle is Growing!
Now the 18th most populous city in the United States, Seattle’s population exceeds 747,300 people. This represents growth of 22% compared to the population in 2010. By comparison, King County grew by only 15% over the same period. This growth is likely driven by Seattle’s strong economy and attractive job opportunities, but it does put pressure on housing and other resources, especially for families and single-parent households.
Seattle is Prosperous
The median household income is approximately $85,500 compared to the national median income of $60,293. We also have a higher per capita income of $55,789 than the national per capita income of $32,621. Unfortunately, 11.8% of our neighbors live in poverty, which is slightly higher than the average percentage of 10.5%.
Households in Seattle
According to the most recent census data available, there are 351,503 households in Seattle, with 1,473,063 families in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area. Of those households, 50% consist of married couples.
The average size of households also appears to be increasing, from 2.06 to 2.12. The data concerning the age distribution of households is also interesting. The top three age ranges with the highest number of households are as follows:
- 25-34 years – 23.1%
- 35-44 years – 15.7%
- 45-54 years – 12.3%
People between these ages, particularly 25-44, are the people who most likely will have children. Seattle is a young city! As a result, households with children likely account for most households in the Seattle area.
One-Fifth of Seattle Households Are Headed by a Single Parent
However, it is interesting to note that when family households are considered separately, only 42% are married. As a result, 58% of family households are composed of people who have never married, are divorced, or widowed. Specifically, 12% of households are headed by divorced women, while divorced men head only 8% of households. Single parents often face a tremendous number of challenges. Thankfully, the state of Washington, King County, and the City of Seattle provide several resources to help single-parent families.
Approximately Half of Divorces Involve Children
The most recent divorce statistics reflect over 5,300 divorces in King County. 2,651 of those divorces were among couples with no children, which is approximately half of all divorces. This means that of the divorces granted in King County, at least half of those are families with children. Divorces involving children can be difficult. If you are contemplating divorce and have children, help is available.
Schools in Seattle
Seattle is the largest K-12 school district in the state of Washington and serves over 47,000 students. Seattle’s school system covers seven regions and includes 18 High Schools, 13 middle schools, and 82 elementary and K-8 schools. To find out which schools are near you, visit the Seattle public schools website.
Family Resources
The internet is an incredibly powerful tool, but sometimes you need to know where to look. To assist families in whatever way possible, we’ve compiled the following helpful resources:
Seatlechild.com – A source for news, weather, entertainment, and other resources for Seattle families.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) – The home page for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services provides access to housing assistance, food and medical services, mental health resources, and many other services.
DSHS Division of Child Support – Answers many questions about child support and provides links to additional information.
DSHS Division of Child Support – Child support payment portal allowing you to make or receive child support payments.
DSHS Resources of Parents and Families – A listing of state-provided resources for parents and children.
King County Superior Court, Family Division – The court that handles divorce proceedings for people living in Seattle and King County.
King County Superior Court, Family Law Facilitators – This program assists people with the divorce process who cannot afford a lawyer.
City of Seattle, Department of Education and Early Learning – News and resources provided to families and children by the City of Seattle.
City of Seattle, Department of Housing – Includes rental assistance programs, programs for low-income homeowners, and other resources.
City of Seattle, Department of Human Services – Links to several free and discounted programs and resources provided to the people of Seattle.
City of Seattle, Department of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs – Providing resources to immigrant families, including assistance in applying for citizenship, ESL services, and job training.
Seattle Public Library – The main library website providing access to the catalog, a listing of programs and other resources, and a listing of local branches.
Parks and Recreation – find a park, a program, or an event for you or your family.
The Seattle Center – The Seattle Center hosts concerts, festivals, and theatrical productions. The website also links to museums and cultural events.
Seattle Public Schools – Find news and resources related to Seattle public schools.
Northwest Justice Project – A nonprofit organization providing legal services to income-qualified people in the Seattle area. The website also includes self-help legal resources.
Contact Our Firm for Your Family Law Needs
We have decades of family law experience, handling everything from prenuptial agreements to complex divorces. No matter what your needs, even if you just need advice, we can help. Call us at 206-784-3049 or complete our online contact form to schedule an appointment with one of our family law attorneys today.