Full History Of Seattle In Timeline From 1901

1901: Mansion fire

In 1901, the Seattle Public Library's mansion location burned down, destroying most of the 33,000 books in its collection.

1902: Alexander Pantages Opened Theaters

In 1902, Alexander Pantages began opening theaters in Seattle, exhibiting vaudeville acts and silent movies.

1906: Carnegie library building construction

In 1906, a Carnegie library building was constructed to replace the one that burned down, eventually known as the Seattle Central Library.

1907: Founding of American Messenger Company

In 1907, James E. Casey founded the American Messenger Company (later UPS) in Seattle, borrowing $100 from a friend.

1909: Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition

In 1909, Seattle held the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, which significantly influenced the layout of the present-day University of Washington campus.

1909: Completion of Harbor Island

In 1909, the artificial Harbor Island was completed at the mouth of Seattle's industrial Duwamish Waterway.

1911: City council election at large

From 1911, Seattle's nine city councillors were elected at large, rather than by geographic subdivisions.

1912: Virgil Bogue's City Development Plan

In 1912, Virgil Bogue's city development plan went largely unused in Seattle.

1917: Seattle Metropolitans win Stanley Cup

In 1917, the Seattle Metropolitans became the first American hockey team to win the Stanley Cup.

1918: Jazz Nightclubs on Jackson Street

Between 1918 and 1951, nearly 24 jazz nightclubs existed along Jackson Street, Seattle, from the current Chinatown/International District to the Central District, nurturing the early careers of musicians.

1919: Seattle General Strike of 1919

In 1919, Seattle experienced the Seattle General Strike, an early general strike in the country, following a shipbuilding boom during World War I.

1926: Seattle elects first female mayor

In 1926, Seattle became the first major American city to elect a female mayor, Bertha Knight Landes.

1926: 5th Avenue Theatre Built

The 5th Avenue Theatre was built in 1926 and stages Broadway-style musical shows featuring both local talent and international stars.

1927: Henry Art Gallery Opening

The Henry Art Gallery opened in 1927, becoming the first public art museum in Washington.

1929: End of Tacoma-Seattle railway service

Tacoma–Seattle railway service ended in 1929.

1933: It's Up to the Women Book

Eleanor Roosevelt's 1933 book, "It's Up to the Women", fueled a movement of women in Seattle during the Great Depression to seek recognition beyond their roles as housewives.

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1933: Seattle Art Museum Opening

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) opened in 1933.

1934: Maritime Strike of 1934

The Maritime Strike of 1934 caused Seattle to lose much of its maritime traffic, which was rerouted to the Port of Los Angeles.

1939: End of Everett-Seattle railway service

In 1939, the Everett–Seattle railway service came to an end, being replaced by automobiles.

1941: End of streetcars in Seattle

In 1941, the opening of the Seattle trolleybus system brought the end of streetcars in Seattle.

April 13, 1949: Strong Earthquake Occurred

On April 13, 1949, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 occurred in Seattle.

1951: Jazz Nightclubs on Jackson Street

Between 1918 and 1951, nearly 24 jazz nightclubs existed along Jackson Street, Seattle, from the current Chinatown/International District to the Central District, nurturing the early careers of musicians.

1953: State Route 99 ran through downtown Seattle on the Alaskan Way Viaduct

From 1953 to 2019, State Route 99 ran through downtown Seattle on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, an elevated freeway on the waterfront.

1956: Closure of coal gasification plant

In 1956, a coal gasification plant in Wallingford closed. The preserved superstructure of this plant is now a feature of Gas Works Park.

1960: International Style library design

In 1960, the Seattle Central Library building was replaced with an International Style design.

1960: Seattle Census Data

In 1960, white residents constituted 91.6% of Seattle's population.

1962: Century 21 Exposition

Seattle celebrated its restored prosperity and made a bid for world recognition with the Century 21 Exposition, the 1962 World's Fair, for which the Space Needle was built.

April 29, 1965: Strong Earthquake Occurred

On April 29, 1965, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 occurred in Seattle, causing three direct deaths and one more by heart failure.

1967: SuperSonics established

From 1967, Seattle was home to the Seattle SuperSonics of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

1969: Seattle Pilots awarded MLB franchise

In 1969, Seattle was awarded a Major League Baseball franchise, the Seattle Pilots.

March 20, 1970: Ozark Hotel Fire

On March 20, 1970, twenty-eight people were killed in Seattle when the Ozark Hotel was burned by an unknown arsonist.

1970: Establishment of Medic One

In 1970, Medic One was established in Seattle to provide modern paramedic services.

March 30, 1971: First Starbucks Coffee Location Opened

On March 30, 1971, the first location for Starbucks Coffee opened at Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle. It initially sold coffee beans but later expanded into cafes.

1974: Conditional expansion franchise

In 1974, Seattle was awarded a conditional expansion franchise in the National Hockey League; however, this opportunity did not come to fruition.

1974: Seattle recognized as "the best place in the world to have a heart attack"

In 1974, a 60 Minutes story called Seattle "the best place in the world to have a heart attack" due to the success of the Medic One paramedic system.

1974: NBA All-Star Game

In 1974, the NBA All-Star Game was held at the Seattle Center Coliseum.

1974: Founding of PNB School

In 1974, the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) School was founded, and it is now ranking as one of the top three ballet training institutions in the United States.

1974: Original Sounders team

The Seattle Sounders FC is a continuation of the original 1974 Sounders team of the North American Soccer League.

1976: Seahawks enter NFL

In 1976, the Seattle Seahawks entered the National Football League as an expansion team.

1977: Mariners began play

In 1977, the Seattle Mariners began play at the multi-purpose Kingdome.

1977: Thunderbirds in WHL

Since 1977, the Seattle Thunderbirds hockey team has represented Seattle in the Canadian major-junior Western Hockey League.

1977: Seattle Aquarium Opening

The Seattle Aquarium opened on the downtown waterfront in 1977.

1978: Burke-Gilman Trail Opens

In 1978, the Burke–Gilman Trail, which travels for 27 miles along the Ship Canal and Lake Washington between Ballard and Bothell, first opened on a former railroad.

1978: NBA Championship contender

The Seattle Supersonics contended for the NBA championship in 1978.

1979: Microsoft Moves to Bellevue

In 1979, Microsoft moved from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to nearby Bellevue, Washington, marking the beginning of a return to prosperity for Seattle.

1979: MLB All-Star Game

In 1979, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held at the Kingdome in Seattle.

1982: Seattle Nickname Change

In 1982, Seattle's official nickname was changed from the "Queen City" to the "Emerald City".

1983: Wah Mee Massacre

In 1983, the Wah Mee massacre occurred in Seattle, resulting in the killing of 13 people in an illegal gambling club in the Chinatown-International District.

1987: NBA All-Star Game

In 1987, the NBA All-Star Game was held at the Kingdome.

1990: Population Increase and Real Estate Costs

Between 1990 and 2000, Seattle experienced a population increase of almost 50,000, driven by technology companies, leading to some of the most expensive real estate in the country.

1990: Seattle Population Increase 1990-2000

Between 1990 and 2000, Seattle's population increased by almost 50,000 due to an economic revival led by new software, biotechnology, and Internet companies.

1990: Population Growth

Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, Seattle's foreign-born population grew 40%.

1990: Goodwill Games Held in Seattle

In 1990, the Goodwill Games were held in Seattle, attracting attention to the city.

1991: First openly gay black woman elected to public office

In 1991, Sherry Harris was elected as a Seattle city councilor, marking the first time in United States history that an openly gay black woman was elected to public office.

1991: SAM Moved to Downtown Location

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) moved to its current downtown location in 1991, with the original 1933 building becoming the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM).

1993: APEC Leaders Hosted in Seattle

In 1993, Seattle hosted the APEC leaders, further enhancing the city's profile.

1993: Movie Sleepless in Seattle

In 1993, the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" brought the city further national attention.

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1996: Seattle Reign played

From 1996 to 1998 the Seattle Reign, a women's professional basketball team, played in the rival American Basketball League.

1996: NBA Championship contender

The Seattle Supersonics contended for the NBA championship in 1996.

1997: Adam Smith becomes representative for the 9th congressional district

Since 1997, Democrat Adam Smith has represented part of southeastern Seattle in the 9th congressional district.

1997: Poetry Circus

The Seattle Poetry Festival launched first as the Poetry Circus in 1997 and has featured local, regional, national, and international names in poetry.

1998: Seattle Reign played

From 1996 to 1998 the Seattle Reign, a women's professional basketball team, played in the rival American Basketball League.

1999: Move to T-Mobile Park

In 1999, the Seattle Mariners moved to a purpose-built baseball stadium, T-Mobile Park (formerly Safeco Field).

1999: World Trade Organization Conference

In 1999, the World Trade Organization held its conference in Seattle, which was met with protest activity that overshadowed the conference itself.

2000: US Census on Single-Person Households

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Seattle had a high proportion of single-person households nationwide.

2000: Population Increase and Real Estate Costs

Between 1990 and 2000, Seattle experienced a population increase of almost 50,000, driven by technology companies, leading to some of the most expensive real estate in the country.

2000: Seattle Population Increase 1990-2000

Between 1990 and 2000, Seattle's population increased by almost 50,000 due to an economic revival led by new software, biotechnology, and Internet companies.

2000: Population Growth

Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, Seattle's foreign-born population grew 40%. According to the 2000 United States Census Bureau, Seattle had the highest percentage of self-identified mixed-race people of any large metropolitan area in the United States.

2000: Kingdome imploded

In 2000, the Kingdome was imploded.

2000: First MLS team to win a continental title

In 2022, the Sounders became the first MLS team to win a continental title since 2000 and the first to win the modern Champions League.

2000: Seattle Storm foundation

The Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association have played their games at KeyArena since their foundation in 2000.

February 28, 2001: Nisqually Earthquake

On February 28, 2001, the magnitude 6.8 Nisqually earthquake caused significant architectural damage in Seattle, especially in the Pioneer Square area, and resulted in one fatality.

2001: Boeing Moved HQ to Chicago

In 2001, Boeing separated its headquarters from its major production facilities, moving the headquarters from Seattle to Chicago.

2001: Seattle Hosted National Poetry Slam Tournament

In 2001, Seattle hosted the National Poetry Slam Tournament.

2001: Mardi Gras Riots and Nisqually Earthquake

In 2001, Seattle was impacted by the Mardi Gras Riots and then by the Nisqually earthquake the following day.

2001: Seattle Central Community College named community college of the year

In 2001, Time magazine selected Seattle Central Community College as community college of the year, citing its efforts to encourage diverse students to work together in small teams.

2001: Damage to Alaskan Way Viaduct during Nisqually earthquake

In 2001, the Alaskan Way Viaduct sustained damage during the Nisqually earthquake, which led to its eventual replacement.

2001: MLB All-Star Game

In 2001, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

2001: Mariners tie MLB record

In 2001, the Seattle Mariners tied the all-time MLB single regular season wins record with 116 wins.

2001: Dot-com bubble ended

The dot-com boom caused a great frenzy among the technology companies in Seattle, but the bubble ended in early 2001.

2002: BECU Opened to WA Residents

In 2002, BECU, Boeing's credit union for employees, opened its services to all residents of Washington.

2002: Move to Qwest Field

In 2002, the Seattle Seahawks moved into Qwest Field (now Lumen Field).

2003: Opening of McCaw Hall

McCaw Hall opened in 2003 on the site of the former Seattle Opera House at Seattle Center, hosting the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet.

2004: US Census on Single-Person Households

According to the 2004 U.S. Census interim measurements, Seattle had the fifth-highest proportion of single-person households nationwide among cities of 100,000 or more residents, at 40.8%.

2004: Increase in public transportation trips

From 2004 to 2009, the annual number of unlinked public transportation trips increased by approximately 21%.

2004: Koolhaas library design

In 2004, the Seattle Central Library building was replaced with a design by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

2004: WNBA championship

In 2004, the Seattle Storm claimed the WNBA championship.

September 2005: Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness

In September 2005, King County adopted a "Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness", which resulted in a shift of funding from homeless shelter beds to permanent housing.

2005: Forbes Ranking of Most Expensive American City

In 2005, Forbes ranked Seattle as the most expensive American city for buying a house based on the local income levels.

2005: Seattle ranked most literate city

In 2005, Seattle was listed as the most literate of the country's 69 largest cities in studies conducted by Central Connecticut State University.

2005: Super Bowl XL

In 2005, the Seattle Seahawks lost Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Detroit.

2006: UCLA Study on LGBT Population

According to a 2006 study by UCLA, 12.9% of Seattle residents polled identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, the second-highest proportion of any major U.S. city.

2006: American Community Survey Language Data

According to the 2006 American Community Survey, approximately 78.9% of residents over the age of five spoke only English at home.

2006: Team sale of the SuperSonics

Following a team sale in 2006, there was a failed effort to replace the aging KeyArena, and settlement of a lawsuit to hold the team to the final two years of its lease with the city.

2006: Seattle ranked most literate city

In 2006, Seattle was listed as the most literate of the country's 69 largest cities in studies conducted by Central Connecticut State University.

2006: Desire to Spark Economic Boom

In 2006, former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced a desire to spark a new economic boom driven by the biotechnology industry, leading to major redevelopment of the South Lake Union neighborhood.

2006: Population Growth Expectations

In 2006, regional planners expected the population of Seattle to grow by 200,000 people by 2040, after growing by 4,000 citizens per year for the previous 16 years.

2006: Storm sold to new ownership

In 2006, the Seattle Storm was sold to separate Seattle-based ownership.

2006: King County voters passed the Transit Now proposition

In 2006, voters in King County passed the Transit Now proposition, which increased bus service hours on high ridership routes and paid for five limited-stop bus lines called RapidRide.

2007: Seattle transit ridership reported

According to the 2007 American Community Survey, 18.6% of Seattle residents used public transit, giving it the highest transit ridership of all major cities without heavy or light rail prior to the completion of Sound Transit's 1 Line.

2007: Danny Sherrard National Poetry Slam Champ

In 2007, Danny Sherrard became the National Poetry Slam Champ.

2007: Seattle ranked second most literate city

In 2007, Seattle was ranked as the second most literate of the country's 69 largest cities in studies conducted by Central Connecticut State University.

2007: Seattle's racial tie-breaking system struck down

In 2007, Seattle's racial tie-breaking system was struck down by the United States Supreme Court, but the ruling left the door open for desegregation formulae based on other indicators (e.g., income or socioeconomic class).

2007: Rejection of roads and transit measure

In 2007, Seattle-area voters rejected a roads and transit measure.

2007: Seattle Aquarium Expansion

In 2007, the Seattle Aquarium was expanded with an auditorium, gift shop, and cafe alongside new exhibit spaces.

2007: Seattle Art Museum Expansion and Olympic Sculpture Park Opening

In 2007, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) was expanded and reopened. The Olympic Sculpture Park also opened on the waterfront north of the downtown piers in 2007.

2007: Move to ShoWare Center

Since 2007, the Seattle Thunderbirds have been based at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

2008: American Community Survey Language Data

According to the 2008 American Community Survey, approximately 78.9% of residents over the age of five spoke only English at home.

2008: SuperSonics relocated

Ahead of the 2008–09 season, the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2008: Danny Sherrard Individual World Poetry Slam Champ

In 2008, Danny Sherrard became the Individual World Poetry Slam Champ.

2008: Seattle-area voters passed a transit only measure

In 2008, Seattle-area voters passed a transit-only measure to increase ST Express bus service, extend the Link light rail system, and expand and improve Sounder commuter rail service.

2008: Seattle ranked most literate city

In 2008, a study conducted by Central Connecticut State University listed Seattle as the most literate of the country's 69 largest cities. A 2008 United States Census Bureau survey also showed that Seattle had the highest percentage of college and university graduates of any major U.S. city.

2008: Crime Rate in Seattle

In the period of 2008–2009, Seattle had approximately 6744 crimes per 100,000 people.

March 17, 2009: Seattle Post-Intelligencer switches to online publication

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, known as the P-I, published a daily newspaper from 1863 to March 17, 2009, before switching to a strictly online publication.

2009: Increase in public transportation trips

From 2004 to 2009, the annual number of unlinked public transportation trips increased by approximately 21%.

2009: MLS Cup 2009

In 2009, Lumen Field hosted MLS Cup, played between Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

2009: Link light rail line began service

In 2009, a Link light rail line (now the 1 Line) from downtown heading south to Sea-Tac Airport began service, giving the city its first rapid transit line.

2009: Downtown Population Increase

In 2009, the Downtown population crested to over 60,000, up 77% since 1990, indicating increasing downtown core growth.

2009: Crime Rate in Seattle

In the period of 2008–2009, Seattle had approximately 6744 crimes per 100,000 people.

2009: Sounders FC in MLS

Since 2009, Seattle Sounders FC has played in Major League Soccer.

February 2010: Climate Neutral City Commitment

In February 2010, the Seattle city government committed to becoming North America's first "climate neutral" city.

2010: Seattle Population Growth 2010-2020

Between 2010 and 2020, Seattle experienced a growth rate of 21.1%, making it one of the fastest-growing large cities in the United States.

2010: Seattle Gained Residents

From 2010 to 2015, Seattle gained an average of 14,511 residents per year.

2010: Gross Metropolitan Product

In 2010, Seattle's gross metropolitan product (GMP) was $231 billion, making it the 11th-largest metropolitan economy in the United States.

2010: U.S. Open Cup win

In 2010, the Seattle Sounders won the U.S. Open Cup.

2010: WNBA championship

In 2010, the Seattle Storm claimed the WNBA championship.

2010: Crime Rate in Seattle

In the period of 2010–2019, Seattle had approximately 6725 crimes per 100,000 people.

2011: U.S. Open Cup win

In 2011, the Seattle Sounders won the U.S. Open Cup.

March 2012: Top radio stations in Seattle reported

In a March 2012 report by the consumer research firm Arbitron, the top FM stations in Seattle were KRWM (adult contemporary format), KIRO-FM (news/talk), and KISW (active rock) while the top AM stations were KNWN (Formerly KOMO) (all news), KJR (AM) (all sports), KIRO (AM) (all sports).

June 2012: Seattle Great Wheel Opening

The Seattle Great Wheel, one of the largest Ferris wheels in the US, opened in June 2012 on the city's waterfront at Pier 57.

2012: United States Census Bureau Estimates on Same-Sex Households

According to 2012 estimates from the United States Census Bureau, Seattle had the highest percentage of same-sex households in the United States, at 2.6 percent.

2012: HistoryLink Study on Diversity

According to a 2012 HistoryLink study, Seattle's 98118 ZIP code was one of the most diverse ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in the United States.

2012: American Community Survey Racial Makeup

According to the 2012 American Community Survey, the racial makeup of Seattle was 65.7% White Non-Hispanic, 16.9% Asian, 6.8% Black or African American, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% Native American, 0.9% Pacific Islander, 0.2% other races, and 5.6% two or more races.

2012: Seattleites vote to legalize gay marriage and recreational cannabis

In the 2012 U.S. general election, a majority of Seattleites voted to approve Referendum 74 and legalize gay marriage in Washington state. In the same election, an overwhelming majority of Seattleites also voted to approve the legalization of the recreational use of cannabis in the state.

2012: Seattle Reign FC founded

Seattle Reign FC, a founding member of the National Women's Soccer League, was founded in 2012.

November 5, 2013: Ballot measure changes city council elections

On November 5, 2013, a ballot measure was passed to change Seattle's city council elections to a hybrid system of seven district members and two at-large members.

2013: Failed purchase of the Sacramento Kings

An effort in 2013 to purchase the Sacramento Kings franchise and relocate it to Seattle as a resurrected Sonics squad was denied by the NBA board of governors.

2013: Start of slow increase in crimes

From 2013 to 2018 there was a slow increase in crimes, however it dipped in 2020, before spiking up again in 2021 and 2022.

2013: Super Bowl XLVIII win

In 2013, the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII by defeating the Denver Broncos 43–8 at MetLife Stadium.

2013: Inaugural season

In the league's inaugural 2013 season, Seattle Reign FC played at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

2014: Pew Research Center study

According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, the largest religious groupings in Seattle are Christians (52%), followed by those of no religion (37%), Hindus (2%), Buddhists (2%), Jews (1%), and Muslims (1%).

2014: Pronto Cycle Share debuted

In 2014, a docked bikeshare system, Pronto Cycle Share, debuted in Seattle.

2014: Super Bowl XLIX loss

In 2014, the Seattle Seahawks advanced to the Super Bowl the following year, but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX on a last-minute play.

2014: MLS Supporters' Shield win

In 2014, the Seattle Sounders won the MLS Supporters' Shield.

2014: Home games in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC held their home games in Seattle from 2014 to 2018 and again since 2022.

December 2015: Original scheduled completion date for Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel

December 2015 was the originally scheduled completion date for the 2-mile Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel, at a cost of US$4.25 billion. However, the tunnel's opening was delayed.

2015: Seattle LGBT population in 2015

As of 2015, Seattle hosts the fifth-highest percentage of residents who identify as LGBT among major metropolitan areas in the U.S. (4.8 percent).

2015: Unemployment Dropped

From 2010 to 2015, unemployment in Seattle dropped from roughly 9 percent to 3.6 percent.

2015: Hybrid system of city council elections implemented

In 2015, Seattle implemented a hybrid system of city council elections with seven district members and two at-large members, as a result of a ballot measure passed in 2013.

2015: Port of Seattle Merger

In 2015, The Port of Seattle's maritime cargo operations merged with the Port of Tacoma to form the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

2015: Washington Global Health Alliance Count

In 2015, the Washington Global Health Alliance counted 168 global health organizations in Washington state, many headquartered in Seattle.

2015: Female majority on city council

In 2015, the majority of the Seattle city council was female.

2015: Gallup Poll Survey of LGBT Population

In a 2015 Gallup poll survey, Seattle ranked fifth, at 4.8% in terms of LGBT population.

2015: Mandatory curbside collection of food waste for composting

Since 2015, curbside collection of food waste for composting in Seattle has been mandatory to offer to all households.

March 2016: Link light rail extended north to the University of Washington

In March 2016, the Link light rail line was extended north to the University of Washington.

November 2016: Voters approved Sound Transit 3 package

In November 2016, voters in the Puget Sound region approved an additional tax increase, part of the Sound Transit 3 package, to expand light rail to West Seattle and Ballard as well as Tacoma, Everett, and Issaquah.

2016: American Community Survey Racial Makeup

According to the 2016 American Community Survey, the racial makeup of Seattle was 65.7% White Non-Hispanic, 16.9% Asian, 6.8% Black or African American, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% Native American, 0.9% Pacific Islander, 0.2% other races, and 5.6% two or more races.

2016: Apartment Boom in Seattle

In 2016, Seattle saw almost half the apartment completions that it would in 2017, as a construction boom began when Amazon moved its headquarters.

2016: MLS Cup title

In 2016, the Seattle Sounders won the first of their two MLS Cup titles, defeating Toronto FC 5–4 in a penalty shootout in Toronto.

2017: Pronto Cycle Share shut down

In 2017, Pronto Cycle Share was shut down due to low ridership numbers, and the city allowed privately operated dockless bicycles to operate as a pilot.

2017: Apartment Boom in Seattle

In 2017, Seattle completed almost 10,000 apartments, the highest number in any previous year, due to a construction boom initiated by Amazon's headquarters move.

2017: University of Washington Ranked Eleventh Worldwide

In 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Washington eleventh in the world.

2017: MLS Cup runners-up

In 2017, the Seattle Sounders finished as runners-up in a rematch against Toronto in MLS Cup.

2017: WHL championship

In 2017, the Seattle Thunderbirds won one WHL championship.

2018: ACS 1-year Estimates

According to the ACS 1-year estimates, in 2018, the median income of a city household was $93,481, and the median income for a family was $130,656. 11.0% of the population and 6.6% of families were below the poverty line.

2018: End of slow increase in crimes

From 2013 to 2018 there was a slow increase in crimes, however it dipped in 2020, before spiking up again in 2021 and 2022.

2018: Kraken Expansion Team

In 2018, a new Seattle-based group successfully applied for an expansion team in the NHL, which was named the Seattle Kraken.

2018: Seawolves begin play

In 2018, the Seattle Seawolves began play and won the league's inaugural championship.

2018: WNBA championship

In 2018, the Seattle Storm claimed the WNBA championship.

2018: Home games in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC held their home games in Seattle from 2014 to 2018 and again since 2022.

February 2019: Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel opening delayed

In February 2019, the opening of the 2-mile Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel was delayed due to issues with the tunnel boring machine "Bertha".

2019: Move to Tacoma

In 2019, Seattle Reign FC moved to Tacoma's Cheney Stadium.

2019: Second MLS Cup title

In 2019, the Seattle Sounders made their first-ever home-field appearance in MLS Cup, once again against Toronto FC, and won the game 3–1 to earn their second MLS Cup title in front of a club-record attendance of 69,274.

2019: Seawolves defend title

In the 2019 season, the Seattle Seawolves successfully defended their title.

2019: Crime Rate in Seattle

In the period of 2010–2019, Seattle had approximately 6725 crimes per 100,000 people.

2019: Paine Field opens as secondary passenger airport

Paine Field, a secondary passenger airport, opened in Everett, north of Seattle, in 2019.

2020: Rite Aid acquires Bartell Drugs

Bartell Drugs, a family-run pharmacy chain in Seattle, was acquired by Rite Aid in 2020.

2020: Seattle Population Growth 2010-2020

Between 2010 and 2020, Seattle experienced a growth rate of 21.1%, making it one of the fastest-growing large cities in the United States.

2020: Dip in crime rate

From 2013 to 2018 there was a slow increase in crimes, however it dipped in 2020, before spiking up again in 2021 and 2022.

2020: Majority owner

In 2020, OL Groupe, the parent company of French clubs Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, became the Seattle Reign FC team's majority owner and rebranded the club as OL Reign.

2020: Sea Dragons inaugural season

In 2020, the Seattle Sea Dragons played at Lumen Field in the league's inaugural season of the XFL prior to its suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: WNBA championship

In 2020, the Seattle Storm claimed the WNBA championship.

2020: Crime Rate in Seattle

In the period of 2020–2024, Seattle had approximately 6325 crimes per 100,000 people.

October 2021: Link light rail extended to Northgate

In October 2021, the Link light rail line was extended to Northgate.

2021: Port of Seattle Container Handling

As of 2021, the Port of Seattle was the fourth-largest port in North America in terms of container handling.

2021: Spike up in crime rate

From 2013 to 2018 there was a slow increase in crimes, however it dipped in 2020, before spiking up again in 2021 and 2022.

2021: Bruce Harrell elected mayor

In 2021, Bruce Harrell was elected as mayor of Seattle.

2021: CenturyLink stopped providing cable television service

In 2021, CenturyLink stopped providing cable television service in Seattle.

2021: Population Decline Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2021, Seattle experienced its first population decline in 50 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Kraken begin play

In 2021, the Seattle Kraken began play in the NHL.

2021: WNBA Commissioner's Cup win

In 2021, the Seattle Storm also won the first-ever WNBA Commissioner's Cup.

January 1, 2022: Bruce Harrell takes office as mayor

On January 1, 2022, Bruce Harrell took office as mayor, succeeding Jenny Durkan.

2022: Ballard FC founded

Ballard FC was founded in 2022 as an independent, semi-professional soccer team in the fourth-division USL League 2.

2022: Playoff drought ends

From 2001 to 2022, the Mariners failed to qualify for the playoffs, marking the then-longest active postseason drought in major North American sports, at 20 seasons.

2022: Spike up in crime rate

From 2013 to 2018 there was a slow increase in crimes, however it dipped in 2020, before spiking up again in 2021 and 2022.

2022: Fortune 500 Companies Headquartered in Seattle

In 2022, seven companies on the Fortune 500 list were headquartered in Seattle, including Amazon, Starbucks, Expeditors International of Washington, Nordstrom, Weyerhaeuser, Expedia Group, and Zillow.

2022: CONCACAF Champions League Final

In 2022, the stadium hosted the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Final, played in front of 68,741 to break the tournament attendance record.

2022: Seawolves runners-up

In the 2022 championship game, the Seattle Seawolves finished as runners-up.

2022: Home games in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC held their home games in Seattle from 2014 to 2018 and again since 2022.

2023: Violent crime rate in Seattle

As of 2023, Seattle had 5,000 violent crimes, with a rate of 683 per 100,000 people, and 5,174 property crimes per 100,000 people.

2023: Seattle Public Library Statistics

As of 2023, The Seattle Public Library system consisted of 27 branches with a combined total of 3,119,298 items.

2023: Seattle's electricity production sources

As of 2023, at least 88% of Seattle's electricity is produced using hydropower, with the remainder coming from wind power, nuclear power, and biogas.

2023: Ballard FC won first national title

In 2023, Ballard FC won its first national title.

2023: Record cruise passengers

In 2023, Seattle experienced a record total of 907,572 cruise passengers passing through the city, surpassing Vancouver, BC, as a major departure point for Alaska cruises.

2023: MLB All-Star Game

In 2023, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

2023: Sea Dragons returned

In 2023, the Sea Dragons returned alongside the XFL after the league's re-launch under new ownership.

2023: Seattle bans caste discrimination

In 2023, the Seattle city council voted to ban caste discrimination as part of the city's anti-discrimination laws. The ban is the first in the United States.

2023: Ranked eighth

The Trust for Public Land ranked Seattle eighth in the United States among municipal parks systems in 2023.

April 2024: 2 Line opened between Bellevue and Redmond

In April 2024, the 2 Line opened between Bellevue and Redmond.

August 2024: Link light rail extended to Lynnwood

In August 2024, the Link light rail line was extended to Lynnwood.

2024: New Seattle Aquarium Building Opening

A new, three-story building under the Overlook Walk opened in 2024 with tropical exhibits and a 500,000-US-gallon tank with sharks and rays from the Coral Triangle region of Southeast Asia.

2024: Seattle lacks 24-hour retail pharmacy

As of 2024, Seattle lacks a 24-hour retail pharmacy due to the closure of locations across several chains.

2024: Seattle Population in 2024

In 2024, Seattle's population reached 780,995, making it the 18th-most populous city in the United States.

2024: Household Pulse Survey

In 2024, a Household Pulse Survey from the United States Census Bureau estimated that 64 percent of adults in the Seattle area never attend religious services or attend less than once a year, the highest percentage among large U.S. metropolitan areas.

2024: Bikeshare and scootershare ridership and injuries in Seattle

In 2024, a total of 6.3 million trips on bikeshare and scootershare systems were taken in Seattle; there were also 163 serious injuries that year involving bikes and scooters.

2024: Opening of the Overlook Walk

In 2024, the Overlook Walk opened to connect Pike Place Market to the downtown waterfront via a set of overpasses that integrate with an expansion of the Seattle Aquarium.

2024: Seattle Reign name restored

In 2024, the Seattle Reign name was restored to Seattle Reign FC.

2024: West Seattle Junction FC joined USL League 2

In the 2024 season, West Seattle Junction FC joined USL League 2.

2024: Crime Rate in Seattle

In the period of 2020–2024, Seattle had approximately 6325 crimes per 100,000 people.

2024: Team folded

The Seattle Sea Dragons folded prior to the 2024 season during the XFL's merger with the United States Football League to form the United Football League.

2025: Population Surpasses 800,000

According to state estimates, Seattle surpassed 800,000 residents in 2025.

2025: Mariners Post-Season Drought Continues

As of 2025, the Mariners are the only modern Major League Baseball franchise to have never reached a World Series.

2025: Smallest Apartments in the U.S.

By 2025, Seattle's new apartments had become the smallest in the U.S., averaging 649 square feet among all unit types.

2025: Closure of Rite Aid pharmacies

In 2025, Rite Aid closed after acquiring Bartell Drugs in 2020.

2025: Planned extension of the 2 Line into Seattle

In late 2025, the 2 Line is planned to be extended into Seattle via the Interstate 90 floating bridge.

2025: Seattle Torrent founded

The Seattle Torrent was founded in 2025, and is one of the first two expansion teams in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

2026: FIFA World Cup

Seattle will be one of eleven US host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with matches played at Lumen Field and training facilities at Longacres in Renton, Washington.

2030: Climate Neutral Goal

In February 2010, the Seattle city government committed Seattle to become North America's first "climate neutral" city, with a goal of reaching net-zero per-capita greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

2040: Population Growth Projections

In 2006, regional planners expected the population of Seattle to grow by 200,000 people by 2040. Former mayor Greg Nickels supported plans that would increase the population by 60%, or 350,000 people, by 2040.