Downtown Seattle has momentum and challenges, according to ‘State of Downtown’ report

According to the report, more than 15 million people visited in 2025.

“Downtown Seattle has experienced a healthy amount of momentum over the past year,” Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) President & CEO Jon Scholes said. “More people are living here, visiting more often, and returning for arts, sports, and major events.”

Scholes said public safety trends are moving in the right direction.

“Violent crime declined to its lowest level since at least 2017 (excluding 2020), with a 14% drop year-over-year in the core and a 33% decline from the 2021 peak,” according to a DSA news release. “Fentanyl-related overdose deaths downtown fell 27% compared to 2024.”

Mayor, DSA president address safety gains and ongoing challenges

“My administration is focused on making our city safer, more affordable, and more welcoming by working in partnership with business and community leaders to open 1,000 new shelter beds and address gun violence,” Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said. “Seattle’s downtown is an extraordinary asset, an amazing place to visit and an incredible place to live. And this year it’s going to be better than ever.”

City and business leaders confirm their commitment to building on the momentum while confronting ongoing issues.

“We can’t ignore the real challenges we face — from job losses and office vacancy to homelessness,” Scholes said. “This is a defining moment to double down on what’s working, confront what isn’t, and ensure our urban core remains one of the most innovative and dynamic in the country.”

The office vacancy rate is at 25%.

Nearly 110,000 people now live in downtown Seattle. That is about one out of every seven Seattle residents, according to the report.

“Downtown’s residential population has grown 53% over the past decade and 80% since 2010,” the release said. “In 2025 alone, more than 1,600 multifamily units were delivered downtown, with another 3,300 under construction. Nearly half of all housing built in Seattle since 2019 has been concentrated in the city center.”

At its annual State of Downtown event Wednesday night, at the Convention Center, speakers said 2026 presents a unique opportunity for the city center.

An estimated 750,000 people are expected to visit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at Lumen Field. That should inject roughly $1 billion into the regional economy.

“Downtown Seattle is the region’s cultural, economic, and transit heart,” Scholes said. “2026 gives us the chance not just to propel our progress, but to accelerate it. If we stay focused, collaborative, and ambitious, the best days for downtown are still ahead.”

“King County will continue to be a strong partner in addressing the behavioral health, crisis response, and housing needs we see on our streets every day, while also investing in a strong transit network for commuters and visitors from around the world this summer,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay.