How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted growth within the region? In our new Puget Sound Trends, PSRC has examined the population and growth rates in the cities and towns within our region.
In 2019, the region received 73,279 net new residents. During the pandemic, the population growth slowed, with only 37,114 new residents, a decrease of 49.3%. However, there has been a slow increase in population growth since 2022.
There were 46,800 net new residents this year. That's 26% more than were added in 2021. King County accounted for 65% of the region's growth in 2024. Snohomish County followed with a 16% share, and Pierce and Kitsap trailed with 16% and 6% of the growth.
When examining population in cities, Seattle added the greatest number of people between 2023 and 2024, with 18,500 new residents, but in terms of rate of growth was thirteenth, adding 2.4% of its population.
Even though there has been an increase in growth since 2022, the region still has not returned to pre-pandemic growth rates. Eight of the cities on the 2023-2024 Top 15 Cities by Population Growth Rate list have designated regional growth centers and/or high capacity transit station areas, which are places that are planning to accommodate a substantial share of the region’s future growth. For more information, check out the Puget Sound Trends.