November marks Native American Heritage Month. For this month's Puget Sound Trend, PSRC has examined demographic data of Native Americans in the region.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, two of the largest Tribal groupings in the central Puget Sound region consist of the Puget Sound Salish, with 7,640 residents, and Mexican American Indian, with 2,990 residents.
Even though we have seen a growth in the Indigenous population in Puget Sound, economic and wealth disparities still exist within the region. Between 2015 and 2021, incomes grew for both American Indian and Alaska Native households, but the income disparity still exists. In 2021, American Indians had a $48,000 median household income, compared to $97,000 median income for white households.
According to the federal poverty level, Native households also experience poverty at 2.3 times the rate white households experience it. In 2021,15% of American Indian and Alaska Native households experienced poverty, which is 9% more than white households.
Income disparities have a large impact on home ownership. In 2022, 45% of American Indians and Alaska Natives owned their home, compared to 66% of white residents in the region.
Wealth and income disparities are exacerbated by decades of systemic racism within the region have led to the lack of access and barriers. PSRC’s VISION 2050 plan works to dismantle systems of racial inequity. For more information on disparities that exist, check out our Puget Sound Trends.