98101 ZIP Code — Seattle, WA

King County, Washington

ZIP code 98101 is located in Seattle, Washington, within King County. It covers approximately 0.53 square miles and serves a population of 16,302 residents. This is a standard ZIP code in the Pacific (PT) timezone, served by area code 206/253/360/425/564.

About ZIP code 98101

The housing stock consists of a significant share of large multi-unit buildings. Much of the housing stock is relatively new, reflecting recent development activity. Median home value is $773,200. Renters make up the majority at 84%, typical of denser urban areas.

The gap between median ($111,099) and mean household income suggests income inequality — a small number of higher earners pull the average up.

The dominant occupation class is management, business, and professional, with professional and management as the leading industry. The average commute of 23 minutes is near the national average. Remote work is prevalent — 31% of workers work from home.

Educational attainment is high — 68% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33%.

Overall, ZIP code 98101 reflects a community defined by a highly educated population and a high rate of remote workers.

16,302
population
0.53
sq mi land
Standard
ZIP type
Pacific (PT)
timezone
98101 ZIP code map

Seattle, WA 98101: Downtown Seattle

Seattle's 98101 zip code is a significant and vibrant part of the city, encompassing the heart of downtown Seattle. This area is known for its bustling urban landscape, iconic landmarks, and diverse array of activities. Here's a closer look at Seattle, WA 98101: Downtown Seattle.

Geographic Location

Located in the northern part of downtown, zip code 98101 is home to many of Seattle's central business and cultural districts. It extends from the shores of Elliott Bay to the edges of Interstate 5, encompassing a diverse range of neighborhoods and landmarks.

Key Features:

Pike Place Market: One of the city's most famous landmarks, Pike Place Market, is a bustling hub for fresh produce, artisan goods, and lively street performances.

Retail and Shopping: Downtown Seattle offers an array of high-end boutiques, department stores, and shopping centers, including Pacific Place and Westlake Center.

Cultural Attractions: The 5th Avenue Theatre, Benaroya Hall, and other cultural venues are within easy reach, offering world-class performances and entertainment.

Cultural Attractions: Zip code 98101 includes the iconic Space Needle, a symbol of Seattle recognized worldwide, and the Seattle Center, home to numerous cultural institutions.

Diverse Dining Scene: From food trucks to upscale restaurants, downtown Seattle's dining scene caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Business District: The zip code is a central business district with a concentration of corporate offices, making it a vital economic hub in the region.

Waterfront Views: The location along the waterfront provides stunning views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

Residential and Lifestyle

While downtown Seattle is largely a commercial and cultural district, there are residential pockets in 98101, including luxury condominiums and apartments. Residents enjoy the convenience of living within walking distance of their workplaces, cultural events, and a wide range of amenities.

Transportation

Downtown Seattle is well-connected with public transportation options, including buses, light rail, and the Seattle Center Monorail. It's a transit-friendly area, making it easy for residents and visitors to navigate the city.

Overall, Seattle, WA 98101 is a dynamic and lively zip code at the heart of the city. It combines a rich mix of business, culture, and residential living, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Seattle skyline and waterfront. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, downtown Seattle offers an abundance of experiences and opportunities to explore.

Cities in ZIP code 98101

Below are the cities the US Postal Service accepts for ZIP code 98101. Using any city not on this list may result in mail delivery delays.

City Status
Seattle Acceptable
Seattle Preferred
Nearby ZIP codes
98154 Seattle (0.3 mi) 98129 Seattle (0.3 mi) 98191 Seattle (0.3 mi) 98185 Seattle (0.3 mi) 98181 Seattle (0.3 mi) 98170 Seattle (0.3 mi) 98190 Seattle (0.3 mi) 98164 Seattle (0.3 mi) 98174 Seattle (0.4 mi) 98104 Seattle (0.7 mi) 98121 Seattle (0.7 mi) 98161 Seattle (0.7 mi)
Demographics updated 06/2026
Population
Total population 16,302
Population density 30,758 / sq mi
State FIPS 53
County FIPS 033
Geography
Land area 0.53 sq mi
Water area 0.11 sq mi
Latitude 47.6110
Longitude -122.3335
Timezone Pacific (PT)
Area code 206/253/360/425/564
Total population by age
Gender
Race & ethnicity
Economics updated 06/2026
Household income
Income range This ZIP County avg State avg
Under $50k 28.6% 24.4% 31.7%
$50k – $100k 25.8% 25.9% 30.6%
$100k – $200k 30.1% 30.8% 27.1%
Over $200k 15.6% 18.9% 10.6%

Demographics & statistics

16,302
Population
30,758
People per sq mi
34.7
Median age
$111,099
Median household income
$104,261
Per capita income
$773,200
Median home value
$2,393
Median monthly rent
15.9%
Home ownership
12.8%
Poverty rate
3.0%
Unemployment
3,599
Housing units
67.5%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
151
Under 5
116
81
5–9
62
35
10–14
27
108
15–19
83
1,010
20–24
780
3,274
25–34
2,528
1,240
35–44
958
946
45–54
730
451
55–59
349
601
60–64
464
474
65–74
366
631
75–84
488
197
85+
152
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 185293.2%
18 and over15,77396.8%
65 and over2,30814.2%
Median age34.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 52%
Asian 30%
Black or African American 6.9%
Two or more races 6.1%
Hispanic or Latino 3.4%
Other race 1.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
GroupCount%
White8,77152%
Asian5,06930%
Black or African American1,1666.9%
Two or more races1,0366.1%
Hispanic or Latino5783.4%
Other race2081.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native520.3%

Household income

Income range This ZIP County avg State avg
Under $50k 28.6% 24.4% 31.7%
$50k – $100k 25.8% 25.9% 30.6%
$100k – $200k 30.1% 30.8% 27.1%
Over $200k 15.6% 18.9% 10.6%
Under $10k 8.4%
$10k–$15k 3.6%
$15k–$25k 3.7%
$25k–$35k 3.0%
$35k–$50k 7.9%
$50k–$75k 10.2%
$75k–$100k 9.3%
$100k–$150k 16.7%
$150k–$200k 13.0%
$200k+ 24.2%
Range% of households
Under $10k8.4%
$10k–$15k3.6%
$15k–$25k3.7%
$25k–$35k3.0%
$35k–$50k7.9%
$50k–$75k10.2%
$75k–$100k9.3%
$100k–$150k16.7%
$150k–$200k13.0%
$200k+24.2%
Median income$111,099

Housing

Home values

$200k–$300k 4.3%
$300k–$500k 19.8%
$500k–$1M 39.0%
$1M+ 37.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$773,200
Median rent / month$2,393
Owner occupied15.9%
Renter occupied84.1%
Vacant14.2%
Single-family detached1.4%
Large apartment buildings95.7%
Mobile homes0.0%
Median rooms2.4
Avg household size (owned)1.57

Year built

Era%
2020 or later1.4%
2010–201927.8%
2000–200913.7%
1990–199912.8%
1980–198910.7%
1970–19796.2%
1960–19695.0%
1950–19595.3%
1940–19491.7%
1939 or earlier15.4%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)30.0%
1 bedroom42.7%
2 bedrooms24.6%
3 bedrooms1.9%
4 bedrooms0.3%
5+ bedrooms0.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle51.6%
1 vehicle40.0%
2 vehicles7.7%
3 or more0.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas14.3%
Electricity80.2%
Propane / LP gas0.6%
Fuel oil0.8%
Wood0.2%
No fuel used2.7%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family1,96817.8%
Cohabiting couple7086.4%
Male householder, no spouse5,01045.2%
Female householder, no spouse3,39330.6%
Households with children under 183983.6%
Households with seniors (65+)1,68815.2%
Average household size1.41

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married68.3%49.3%
Married24.9%33.9%
Separated0.9%0.5%
Widowed1.1%7.1%
Divorced4.7%9.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.7%
Some HS, no diploma 1.7%
HS graduate 7.7%
Some college, no degree 16.4%
Associate's degree 4.1%
Bachelor's degree 32.9%
Graduate / professional 34.6%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher95.6%
Bachelor's or higher67.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool907.1%
Kindergarten413.2%
Elementary school13510.6%
High school836.5%
College / grad school92072.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Professional & management 30.4%
Retail trade 15.9%
Information 10.8%
Education & healthcare 10.7%
Arts, food & hospitality 10.3%
Finance & real estate 8.0%
Manufacturing 3.0%
Transportation & utilities 2.9%
Construction 2.6%
Other services 2.5%
Public administration 2.3%
Wholesale trade 0.5%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts72.2%
Service11.9%
Sales & office11.8%
Natural resources & construction0.9%
Production & transportation3.2%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector89.5%
Government6.1%
Self-employed4.4%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone18.3%
Carpool1.1%
Public transit17.2%
Walk31.2%
Work from home30.5%
Other means1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)23.0

Poverty

All people 12.8%
Under 18 years 3.1%
18 and over 13.1%
Married-couple families 2.4%
Female-led households 14.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security16.6%
Retirement income12.4%
Supplemental Security4.6%
Cash public assistance2.6%
Food stamps / SNAP8.3%

Health indicators

Condition%
Obesity21.1%
High blood pressure27.8%
High cholesterol29.3%
Diabetes7.0%
Heart disease5.0%
Stroke2.4%
Asthma8.9%
Arthritis19.6%
Kidney disease2.5%
Pulmonary disease3.9%
Cancer6.6%
Behavior / access%
Smoking9.1%
Binge drinking18.8%
No physical activity12.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep26.0%
Depression22.1%
Fair or poor health9.6%
Poor mental health12.1%
Poor physical health7.6%
No health insurance8.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)68.6%
Visited dentist72.7%
Cholesterol screening88.9%
Teeth loss6.8%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans4773.0%
Disability%
Any disability14.8%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years10.2%
65 and over46.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance80.4%
Public insurance24.4%
No insurance3.2%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only16,03598.4%
Spanish1,0456.5%
Other Indo-European1721.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander2091.3%
Other languages5793.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)10,30563.2%
Born in same state9,98661.3%
Born in different state2,91717.9%
Foreign born3192.0%
Naturalized citizen5,99736.8%
Not a US citizen2,20336.7%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French1,5059.2%
Italian1,4188.7%
English2921.8%
Polish2901.8%
Arab1681%
AncestryCount%
Dutch740.5%
German450.3%
Irish130.1%
Norwegian130.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access68.0%
Internet access93.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions about ZIP code 98101

What city is ZIP code 98101 in?

ZIP code 98101 is primarily assigned to Seattle, Washington.

What county is ZIP code 98101 in?

ZIP code 98101 falls within King County, Washington.

Is ZIP code 98101 mostly rentals?

84% of occupied units in ZIP code 98101 are renter-occupied.

How educated is the population of ZIP code 98101?

68% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher — well above the national average of ~33%, reflecting a highly educated population.

What is the typical home value in ZIP code 98101?

The median home value in ZIP code 98101 is $773,200.

What is the median household income in ZIP code 98101?

The median household income in ZIP code 98101 is $111,099, above the national median of ~$75,000.

What timezone is ZIP code 98101 in?

ZIP code 98101 observes the PST timezone.

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