History of Seattle in Timeline
Seattle, situated on the West Coast of the US, is the largest city in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. As of 2022, its population reached 749,256, ranking it the 18th most populous city nationwide. The Seattle metropolitan area, encompassing 4.02 million residents, is the 15th largest in the US. Notably, the city experienced a remarkable growth rate of 21.1% between 2010 and 2020, making it one of the fastest-growing major cities in the country.
1902: Alexander Pantages Opens Theaters in Seattle
Starting in 1902, entertainment impresario Alexander Pantages established numerous theaters in Seattle, showcasing vaudeville performances and silent films.
1907: Founding of UPS
James E. Casey, at the age of 19, started the American Messenger Company, later known as UPS, in 1907 with a $100 loan.
1909: Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition took place in 1909 and played a significant role in shaping the present layout of the University of Washington campus.
1909: Harbor Island Construction
The artificial Harbor Island in Seattle, located at the mouth of the Duwamish Waterway, was completed in 1909, significantly altering the city's topography.
1911: Seattle Adopts At-Large City Council Elections
Seattle implemented an at-large election system for its nine city council members.
1912: Virgil Bogue's City Development Plan
Virgil Bogue created a development plan for Seattle in 1912, but it was largely ignored.
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, Seattle's Jackson Street was home to nearly two dozen jazz nightclubs. This scene helped develop the early careers of notable artists like Ray Charles and Quincy Jones.
1918: Rise of Seattle's Jazz Scene
From 1918 onward, Seattle saw a flourishing jazz scene that nurtured many renowned artists.
1919: Seattle General Strike
The Seattle General Strike of 1919, an early instance of a general strike in the US, occurred due to economic downturn following WWI.
1926: Bertha Knight Landes Elected Mayor
Bertha Knight Landes made history as the first female mayor of a major American city when she was elected in Seattle.
1926: Opening of 5th Avenue Theatre
In 1926, the 5th Avenue Theatre was built in Seattle, staging Broadway-style musical shows and featuring both local and international talent.
1927: Opening of Henry Art Gallery
In 1927, the Henry Art Gallery opened as the first public art museum in Washington state, marking a significant milestone in Seattle's cultural history.
1929: End of Tacoma-Seattle Railway Service
The Tacoma-Seattle railway service ceased operation in 1929.
1933: Opening of Seattle Art Museum
In 1933, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) opened, contributing significantly to the city's cultural landscape. Its original building later became the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
1933: Women's Movement in Seattle
Influenced in part by Eleanor Roosevelt's book "It's Up to the Women," a women's movement emerged in Seattle during the Great Depression, advocating for women's recognition beyond traditional roles.
1934: Maritime Strike Impacts Seattle's Shipping
The Maritime Strike of 1934 resulted in significant violence and led to the redirection of much of Seattle's maritime traffic to Los Angeles.
1939: End of Everett-Seattle Railway Service
The Everett-Seattle railway service ended in 1939, replaced by automobiles using the newly developed highway system.
1941: End of Streetcars in Seattle
The era of streetcars in Seattle came to a close in 1941 with the introduction of the Seattle trolleybus system. This left privately owned buses (later becoming public) as the primary mode of mass transit within the city and the surrounding region.
April 13, 1949: Earthquake Strikes Seattle
On April 13, 1949, a significant earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Seattle.
1951: End of Jazz Nightclub Era
By 1951, the vibrant era of nearly two dozen jazz nightclubs along Jackson Street in Seattle, which had fostered the careers of artists such as Ray Charles and Quincy Jones, had come to an end.
1951: Decline of Seattle's Jazz Era
By 1951, the vibrant jazz scene on Jackson Street, with its numerous nightclubs, had faded.
1953: Alaskan Way Viaduct Opens
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, an elevated freeway on Seattle's waterfront, opened in 1953 and served as a major route through downtown.
1956: Closure of Gas Works Plant
The coal gasification plant that would later become Gas Works Park closed in 1956.
1960: Seattle Census Shows Predominantly White Population
The 1960 census showed that Seattle's population was predominantly white, making up 91.6% of the city's residents.
1962: Century 21 Exposition (World's Fair)
Seattle hosted the Century 21 Exposition, a World's Fair, in 1962, during which the iconic Space Needle was built.
April 29, 1965: Deadly Earthquake in Seattle
On April 29, 1965, an earthquake measuring 6.5 magnitude hit Seattle, resulting in three direct fatalities and one death from heart failure.
1967: Seattle SuperSonics Established
The Seattle SuperSonics joined the National Basketball Association in 1967.
1969: Seattle Pilots MLB Franchise Awarded
Seattle was awarded a Major League Baseball franchise, the Seattle Pilots, in 1969. The team only played one season in Seattle at Sick's Stadium in Mount Baker before relocating to Milwaukee and becoming the Milwaukee Brewers.
March 20, 1970: Ozark Hotel Fire
On March 20, 1970, a fire at the Ozark Hotel, caused by arson, resulted in the tragic loss of 28 lives.
1970: Medic One Established
Seattle witnessed a significant development in modern paramedic services with the establishment of Medic One in 1970.
1974: Seattle: "Best Place in the World to Have a Heart Attack"
In 1974, a 60 Minutes segment highlighted the success of Seattle's then-four-year-old Medic One paramedic system, dubbing the city "the best place in the world to have a heart attack."
1974: Founding of PNB School
In 1974, the Pacific Northwest Ballet School was founded. It is now recognized as one of the top three ballet training institutions in the United States.
1974: Seattle Denied NHL Expansion Team
Seattle was initially awarded a conditional expansion franchise in the National Hockey League, but it ultimately fell through.
1974: NBA All-Star Game at Seattle Center Coliseum
The first NBA All-Star Game held in Seattle took place at the Seattle Center Coliseum.
1974: North American Soccer League Sounders
The original Seattle Sounders were a part of the North American Soccer League in 1974.
1976: Seattle Seahawks Established
The Seattle Seahawks joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1976.
1977: Seattle Thunderbirds Join WHL
The Seattle Thunderbirds hockey team began representing Seattle in the Western Hockey League.
1977: Seattle Mariners Begin Play
The Seattle Mariners played their first season in 1977 at the Kingdome.
1977: Seattle Aquarium Opens
The Seattle Aquarium opened on the downtown waterfront in 1977.
1978: SuperSonics in NBA Finals
The Seattle SuperSonics were contenders in the NBA Finals in 1978.
1979: Microsoft Moves to Bellevue
In 1979, Microsoft relocated its operations from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the Seattle suburb of Bellevue, Washington.
1979: MLB All-Star Game at the Kingdome
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held in Seattle at the Kingdome.
1982: Seattle's Nickname Change
Seattle's nickname was officially changed from "Queen City" to "Emerald City" in 1982.
1983: Wah Mee Massacre
The Wah Mee massacre, a horrific act of violence that took place in 1983, claimed the lives of 13 people in Seattle's Chinatown-International District.
1987: NBA All-Star Game at the Kingdome
Seattle hosted the NBA All-Star Game for a second time, this time at the Kingdome.
1990: Growth in Seattle's Foreign-Born Population
Between 1990 and 2000, Seattle's foreign-born population experienced a significant increase of 40%, reflecting the city's growing international diversity.
1990: Start of Seattle's Population and Housing Cost Surge
Between 1990 and 2000, Seattle's population increased by almost 50,000, driven by the success of the tech industry, leading to a surge in housing costs.
1990: Goodwill Games in Seattle
Seattle hosted the Goodwill Games in 1990, attracting national attention.
1990: Downtown Seattle Population Surges
Seattle's downtown population reached over 60,000 residents in 2009, reflecting a significant 77% increase since 1990 and indicating a trend of increasing urbanization.
1990: Beginning of Seattle's Economic Revival
The influx of tech companies in the late 20th century led to an economic boom in Seattle starting in 1990.
1991: SAM Moves to New Downtown Location
In 1991, the Seattle Art Museum moved to its current downtown location, expanding its presence and influence in the city's cultural scene. The original 1933 building was repurposed as the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
1991: Sherry Harris Elected to City Council
Sherry Harris became the first openly gay Black woman elected to public office in the United States when she won a seat on the Seattle City Council.
1993: "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Frasier" Boost City's Image
In 1993, the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" and the sitcom "Frasier" further increased the national attention the city was receiving.
1993: APEC Leaders Hosted in Seattle
Seattle hosted the APEC leaders in 1993, marking an important international event for the city.
1994: Amazon Founded in Seattle
Jeff Bezos established the online retailer Amazon in Seattle in 1994.
1995: Mariners Playoff Run
Between 1995 and 2001 the Seattle Mariners experienced a period of success, appearing in the MLB playoffs multiple times.
1996: Seattle Reign Established
The Seattle Reign, a women's professional basketball team, began play in the American Basketball League in 1996.
1996: SuperSonics in NBA Finals
The Seattle SuperSonics were contenders in the NBA Finals in 1996.
1997: Congressional Representation
In 1997, Democrat Adam Smith began representing part of southeastern Seattle in the 9th congressional district.
1997: Launch of Seattle Poetry Festival
In 1997, the Seattle Poetry Festival, initially launched as the Poetry Circus, began its biennial celebration, featuring poets from local, regional, national, and international backgrounds.
1998: Seattle Reign Folded
The Seattle Reign folded in 1998.
1999: World Trade Organization Protests
The World Trade Organization held its conference in Seattle in 1999, which was met with significant protests that overshadowed the event itself.
1999: Mariners Move to T-Mobile Park
In 1999, the Seattle Mariners moved from the Kingdome to a new baseball stadium, originally named Safeco Field, and now called T-Mobile Park.
2000: Seattle's Population Growth During Tech Boom
Between 1990 and 2000, Seattle's population increased by 50,000, a testament to the city's economic revival driven by tech companies.
2000: Peak of Seattle's Tech Boom and Housing Cost Increase
By 2000, Seattle had become a hub for technology companies, resulting in a significant population influx and making its real estate among the priciest in the nation.
2000: High Proportion of Single-Person Households
In 2000, Seattle was noted for having a high number of adults living alone, with a significant 40.8% of households being single-person, according to the U.S. Census interim measurements. This marked Seattle as having the fifth highest proportion of such households among large U.S. cities.
2000: Last MLS Team Wins Continental Title
Prior to the Seattle Sounders' 2022 victory, no MLS team had won a continental title since 2000.
2000: Kingdome Imploded
The Seattle Seahawks played at the Kingdome until its implosion in 2000.
2000: Seattle Storm Established
The Seattle Storm were established in 2000 and joined the Women's National Basketball Association.
2000: Growth in Seattle's Foreign-Born Population
Between 1990 and 2000, Seattle's foreign-born population experienced a significant increase of 40%, reflecting the city's growing international diversity.
February 28, 2001: Nisqually Earthquake Damages Seattle
On February 28, 2001, the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually earthquake caused significant architectural damage in Seattle, particularly in the Pioneer Square area, highlighting the city's vulnerability to seismic activity.
2001: Mariners Tie Wins Record
The Seattle Mariners tied the MLB record for single regular season wins in 2001 with 116 wins.
2001: Seattle Central Community College Recognition
Time magazine named Seattle Central Community College the "Community College of the Year" in 2001, praising its efforts in fostering collaboration among diverse students through small team projects.
2001: Dot-com Boom and Bust Impacts Seattle
The dot-com bubble, which had fueled growth in Seattle's technology sector, burst in early 2001.
2001: Nisqually Earthquake Damages Alaskan Way Viaduct
The Alaskan Way Viaduct suffered damage during the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, ultimately leading to the decision to replace it with a tunnel.
2001: MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Field
Seattle hosted the MLB All-Star Game for the second time, this time at T-Mobile Field (then known as Safeco Field).
2001: Host of National Poetry Slam Tournament
In 2001, Seattle hosted the national Poetry Slam Tournament, bringing together poets from across the country and further solidifying the city's role in the spoken word community.
2001: Mardi Gras Riots and Nisqually Earthquake
In 2001, Seattle experienced two major events: the Mardi Gras Riots and the Nisqually earthquake, which occurred on consecutive days.
2001: Boeing Relocates Headquarters
Boeing moved its corporate headquarters from Seattle to Chicago in 2001, although it retained major production facilities in the Seattle area.
2002: BECU Opens to Washington Residents
Originally Boeing's credit union, BECU expanded its membership to include all Washington state residents in 2002.
2003: Seahawks Move to Lumen Field
In 2003 the Seattle Seahawks moved to Qwest Field, later renamed Lumen Field, on the same site as the former Kingdome.
2003: Opening of McCaw Hall
In 2003, McCaw Hall was opened on the site of the former Seattle Opera House at Seattle Center. It became the performance venue for the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
2004: Single-Person Household Statistics
By 2004, Seattle continued to maintain a high rate of single-person households, with 40.8% of households consisting of individuals living alone, according to the U.S. Census interim measurements. This statistic placed Seattle fifth among U.S. cities with 100,000 or more residents.
2004: Start of Seattle Public Transportation Increase
From 2004 onwards, Seattle began a shift towards increased reliance on mass transit, leading to a rise in the annual number of unlinked public transportation trips.
2004: Storm Win WNBA Championship
The Seattle Storm won the WNBA Championship in 2004.
September 2005: King County Adopts Plan to Address Homelessness
In September 2005, King County, which includes Seattle, implemented a "Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness." This plan aimed to address the growing issue of homelessness by shifting funding from temporary shelter beds to more sustainable permanent housing solutions.
2005: Super Bowl XL
The Seattle Seahawks lost Super Bowl XL in Detroit in 2005 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2005: Literacy Rankings
Seattle earned the top spot as the most literate city among the 69 largest in the US in 2005, according to studies conducted by Central Connecticut State University.
2005: Most Expensive City for Buying a House
In 2005, Forbes ranked Seattle as the most expensive American city for buying a house based on local income levels, largely due to the rapidly increasing cost of living in the area.
2006: High LGBT Population
In 2006, a UCLA study revealed that 12.9% of Seattle residents identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, the second-highest proportion among major U.S. cities, only behind San Francisco.
2006: Seattle's Biotechnology Industry
In 2006, former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced plans to boost the city's economy through the biotechnology industry, leading to major redevelopment efforts in the South Lake Union neighborhood.
2006: Seattle Anticipates Population Growth and Housing Needs
In 2006, regional planners projected Seattle's population to increase by 200,000 residents by 2040, prompting discussions on accommodating the expected growth while preserving the city's character.
2006: King County Approves Transit Now Proposition
King County voters approved the Transit Now proposition in 2006, which led to increased bus service hours on busy routes and the establishment of five RapidRide limited-stop bus lines.
2006: Literacy Rankings
Seattle maintained its position as the most literate city in the US for the second consecutive year in 2006, as per studies by Central Connecticut State University.
2006: American Community Survey Highlights Language Diversity
The 2006–2008 American Community Survey indicated that while 78.9% of Seattle residents aged five and older spoke only English at home, a significant portion of the population spoke other languages, highlighting the city's linguistic diversity.
2006: Seattle Aquarium Renovation
The Seattle Aquarium underwent a renovation in 2006.
2006: Seattle Storm Sold
The Seattle Storm, originally a sister team to the Seattle SuperSonics, were sold to separate Seattle-based ownership in 2006.
2006: SuperSonics Sold
The Seattle SuperSonics were sold in 2006.
2007: Thunderbirds Move to ShoWare Center
The Seattle Thunderbirds relocated to the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington.
2007: School Desegregation and Supreme Court Ruling
In 2007, the United States Supreme Court struck down Seattle's racial tie-breaking system for school desegregation. However, the ruling allowed for desegregation methods based on factors like income or socioeconomic class.
2007: High Public Transit Ridership
The 2007 American Community Survey revealed that 18.6% of Seattle residents utilized one of the city's three public transit systems. This gave Seattle the highest transit ridership among major cities without heavy or light rail before the completion of Sound Transit's 1 Line.
2007: Literacy Rankings
In 2007, Seattle secured the second-place ranking for literacy among the largest U.S. cities, according to studies by Central Connecticut State University.
2007: Opening of Olympic Sculpture Park
In 2007, the Seattle Art Museum opened the Olympic Sculpture Park on the waterfront, providing a new cultural space for the public and enhancing the city's artistic offerings.
2007: Seattle-Area Voters Reject Roads and Transit Measure
In 2007, a roads and transit measure was rejected by Seattle-area voters, demonstrating a preference for alternative solutions or a need for a revised proposal.
2007: Danny Sherrard's National Poetry Slam Championship
In 2007, Danny Sherrard, a Seattle performance poet, won the National Poetry Slam Championship, further establishing Seattle's reputation in the national spoken word community.
2008: High Educational Attainment
A 2008 United States Census Bureau survey revealed that Seattle boasted the highest percentage of college and university graduates among major U.S. cities.
2008: Seattle-Area Voters Approve Transit-Only Measure
Following the rejection of a combined roads and transit measure in 2007, Seattle-area voters approved a transit-only measure in 2008. This measure aimed to enhance ST Express bus service, extend the Link light rail system, and improve Sounder commuter rail service.
2008: Individual World Poetry Slam Championship
In 2008, Danny Sherrard from Seattle won the Individual World Poetry Slam Championship, showcasing the city's prominence in the performance poetry scene.
2008: Cruise Industry Growth
In 2008, Seattle experienced record-breaking numbers of cruise passengers, with 886,039 people passing through the city. This surpassed Vancouver, BC as a major departure point for Alaska cruises.
2008: American Community Survey Highlights Language Diversity
The 2006–2008 American Community Survey indicated that while 78.9% of Seattle residents aged five and older spoke only English at home, a significant portion of the population spoke other languages, highlighting the city's linguistic diversity.
2008: SuperSonics Relocate to Oklahoma City
The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.
March 17, 2009: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Goes Online
After serving as a daily newspaper since 1863, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (P-I) transitioned to an exclusively online publication on March 17, 2009.
2009: MLS Cup 2009 at Lumen Field
Lumen Field (then known as Qwest Field) served as the neutral site for MLS Cup 2009, which saw Real Salt Lake face off against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
2009: Seattle's First Light Rail Line Opens
Marking a significant development in Seattle's public transportation system, the city's first light rail line, now known as the 1 Line, commenced service in 2009. This line initially connected downtown Seattle to Sea-Tac Airport.
2009: Downtown Seattle Population Surges
Seattle's downtown population reached over 60,000 residents in 2009, reflecting a significant 77% increase since 1990 and indicating a trend of increasing urbanization.
2009: Seattle Sounders FC Join MLS
The Seattle Sounders FC joined Major League Soccer in 2009, a successor to the 1974 Sounders team of the North American Soccer League.
2009: End of Seattle Public Transportation Increase
By 2009, the annual number of unlinked public transportation trips in Seattle had increased by about 21% from its 2004 levels, indicating a successful shift towards mass transit.
February 2010: Commitment to Climate Neutrality
In February 2010, Seattle's city government committed to making the city North America's first 'climate neutral' city, aiming for zero net per capita greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
2010: Sounders Win US Open Cup
In 2010 the Seattle Sounders won the U.S. Open Cup.
2010: Seattle's Metropolitan Economy
In 2010, Seattle's economy was significant with its gross metropolitan product (GMP) reaching $231 billion, making it the 11th largest metropolitan economy in the U.S. The Port of Seattle played a crucial role in trade with Asia and cruises to Alaska.
2010: Rapid Population Growth and Housing Challenges
Starting in 2010, Seattle began experiencing significant population growth, averaging 14,511 new residents per year for the next five years, leading to challenges in accommodating the influx of people and its effects on housing affordability.
2010: Seattle Census Shows Changing Demographics
The 2010 census revealed that Seattle's population was becoming more diverse, with the white population decreasing from 91.6% in 1960 to 69.5% in 2010.
2010: Storm Win WNBA Championship
The Seattle Storm won their second WNBA Championship in 2010.
2010: Start of Seattle's Population Boom
This year marked the beginning of a period of rapid population growth for Seattle.
2011: Sounders Win US Open Cup
The Seattle Sounders won the U.S. Open Cup in 2011.
March 2012: Arbitron's Radio Station Report
According to a March 2012 report by consumer research company Arbitron, KRWM (adult contemporary), KIRO-FM (news/talk), and KISW (active rock) were the top FM stations. The leading AM stations were KOMO (all news), KJR (AM) (all sports), and KIRO (AM) (all sports).
June 2012: Seattle Great Wheel Opens
The Seattle Great Wheel, one of the largest Ferris wheels in the United States, opened on the Seattle waterfront in June 2012 at Pier 57.
2012: Seattle Votes for Marriage Equality and Cannabis Legalization
Seattle residents voted in favor of Referendum 74, legalizing gay marriage in Washington state, and also supported the legalization of recreational cannabis use.
2012: Seattle Reign FC Founded
Seattle Reign FC was established as a founding member of the National Women's Soccer League.
2012: American Community Survey Shows Seattle's Racial Makeup
According to the 2012–2016 American Community Survey, Seattle's racial makeup was 65.7% White Non-Hispanic, reflecting the city's diverse population.
2012: HistoryLink Study Highlights Diversity in Seattle's Columbia City Neighborhood
A 2012 HistoryLink study identified Seattle's 98118 ZIP code, located in the Columbia City neighborhood, as one of the most diverse ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in the United States.
2012: Highest Percentage of Same-Sex Households
According to 2012 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Seattle had the highest percentage of same-sex households in the United States, with 2.6%, surpassing San Francisco.
November 5, 2013: Ballot Measure Passes for Hybrid City Council System
Seattle voters passed a ballot measure to change the city council election system to a hybrid model.
2013: Effort to Purchase Sacramento Kings
An attempt to bring a basketball team back to Seattle by purchasing and relocating the Sacramento Kings was denied by the NBA board of governors.
2013: Start of Slow Increase in Crime in Seattle
From 2013, Seattle observed a gradual increase in crime rates over the subsequent years.
2013: Seahawks Win Super Bowl XLVIII
In 2013, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8 to win Super Bowl XLVIII.
2013: Reign FC's Inaugural Season
The Reign FC played their first season in the National Women's Soccer League, playing at Starfire Sports Complex.
2014: Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX
The Seattle Seahawks returned to the Super Bowl in 2014 but lost to the New England Patriots in a last-minute play.
2014: Sounders Win Supporters' Shield and US Open Cup
The Sounders won both the MLS Supporters' Shield and the U.S. Open Cup in 2014.
2014: Reign FC Moves to Memorial Stadium
The Reign FC began playing their home games at Seattle Center's Memorial Stadium after a season at Starfire Sports Complex.
2014: Pew Research Center Study on Religion
In 2014, a Pew Research Center study found that the largest religious group in Seattle was Christians at 52%, followed by 37% with no religion. Hindus and Buddhists made up 2% each.
December 2015: Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Tunnel Initial Completion Date
The Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel, a project with a budget of US \$4.25 billion, was initially slated for completion in December 2015.
2015: Seattle's LGBTQ+ Community
By 2015, Seattle was recognized as having the fifth largest LGBTQ+ community in the United States.
2015: Female Majority on Seattle City Council
For the first time, the majority of Seattle City Council members were women.
2015: Global Health Hub
In 2015, Seattle was recognized as a global health hub with 168 global health organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Many of these organizations are headquartered in Seattle, driving significant contributions to global health initiatives.
2015: Northwest Seaport Alliance Formation
In 2015, the Port of Seattle's maritime cargo operations merged with the Port of Tacoma to form the Northwest Seaport Alliance, enhancing its capacity and operational efficiency.
2015: Implementation of Hybrid City Council System
The hybrid city council election system, with seven district members and two at-large members, went into effect.
March 19, 2016: Link Light Rail Extension to University of Washington Opens
On March 19, 2016, Seattle's Link light rail system expanded with the opening of an extension connecting downtown to the University of Washington.
November 2016: Voters Approve Sound Transit 3 Package
Voters in the Puget Sound region approved the Sound Transit 3 package in November 2016, securing funding for a significant expansion of the light rail system.
2016: American Community Survey Shows Seattle's Racial Makeup
According to the 2012–2016 American Community Survey, Seattle's racial makeup was 16.9% Asian, reflecting the city's diverse population.
2016: Sounders Win MLS Cup
The Seattle Sounders won their first MLS Cup title in 2016, beating Toronto FC in a penalty shootout.
2017: University of Washington Ranking
U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Washington eleventh globally in 2017.
2017: Record Apartment Construction in Seattle
Seattle saw the completion of almost 10,000 apartments in 2017, the most in any previous year and nearly double the number built in 2016, fueled by the city's economic recovery from the Great Recession.
2017: Thunderbirds Win WHL Championship
The Seattle Thunderbirds secured their first WHL championship title.
2017: Sounders in MLS Cup
The Seattle Sounders were runners-up in the MLS Cup Final in 2017, losing to Toronto FC.
2018: Seattle Awarded NHL Expansion Team
A new Seattle-based group successfully applied for an expansion team in the NHL, later named the Seattle Kraken.
2018: End of Slow Increase in Crime in Seattle
By 2018, the slow increase in crime rates that Seattle had been experiencing since 2013 came to an end.
2018: Storm Win WNBA Championship
In 2018, the Seattle Storm won their third WNBA Championship.
2018: American Community Survey Reveals Seattle's Median Income
The 2018 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates showed that the median income for a household in Seattle was $93,481, providing insights into the city's economic landscape.
2018: Seattle Seawolves Begin Play
The Seattle Seawolves, Seattle's Major League Rugby team, played their inaugural season in 2018, winning the league championship.
2018: Reign FC's Last Season at Memorial Stadium
This year marked the end of Seattle Reign FC's time at Memorial Stadium.
February 2019: Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Tunnel Opens
After facing delays due to issues with the "Bertha" tunnel boring machine, the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel finally opened in February 2019.
2019: Reign FC Relocates to Tacoma
The team moved to Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington, under new management.
2019: Paine Field Airport Opens
Paine Field, a secondary passenger airport, commenced operations in 2019. Located in Everett, 25 miles (40 km) north of Seattle, it primarily serves Boeing and their large assembly plant in the vicinity.
2019: Seawolves Win Second Championship
The Seattle Seawolves won their second Major League Rugby championship in 2019.
2019: Sounders Win Second MLS Cup
In 2019, The Sounders won their second MLS Cup title, defeating Toronto FC 3-1.
2019: Seattle Times Remains Major Daily
As of 2019, the Seattle Times remained the city's primary daily newspaper.
2020: Seattle's Population Growth Peaks
By 2020, Seattle had experienced a 21.1% population increase since 2010, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the US.
2020: OL Groupe Becomes Majority Owner
OL Groupe, the parent company of Olympique Lyonnais, became the team's majority owner, rebranding the team as OL Reign.
2020: Dip in Seattle Crime Rates
Seattle saw a decrease in crime rates in 2020, offering a temporary respite from the upward trend observed in previous years.
2020: Seattle Sea Dragons Begin Play
The Seattle Sea Dragons (originally the Dragons) began playing at Lumen Field in the XFL's inaugural season.
2020: Storm Win WNBA Championship
The Seattle Storm won the WNBA Championship for the fourth time in 2020.
October 2021: Northgate Extension of Seattle's Light Rail Opens
The Link light rail system in Seattle further expanded in October 2021 with the opening of the Northgate extension.
2021: Storm Win Commissioner's Cup
The Seattle Storm won the first-ever WNBA Commissioner's Cup in 2021.
2021: Seattle Kraken's Inaugural Season
The Seattle Kraken, Seattle's NHL expansion team, began playing in 2021.
2021: Port of Seattle's Ranking
In 2021, the Port of Seattle ranked as the fourth largest in North America for container handling.
2021: First Population Decline in 50 Years
In 2021, Seattle experienced its first population decline in half a century, marking a significant demographic shift for the city.
2021: Bruce Harrell Elected Mayor
Bruce Harrell won the Seattle mayoral election, defeating M. Lorena González.
2021: Seattle Crime Rates Spike Upwards
After a dip in 2020, Seattle experienced a sharp increase in crime rates in 2021.
January 1, 2022: Bruce Harrell Takes Office as Mayor
Bruce Harrell assumed the role of mayor of Seattle, succeeding Jenny Durkan.
2022: Seattle Population Growth
In 2022, Seattle's population reached 749,256, making it the most populous city in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest.
2022: Seven Companies on Fortune 500 List
In 2022, seven major companies headquartered in Seattle were listed on the Fortune 500, including Amazon and Starbucks. This highlighted Seattle's role as a significant hub for large corporations in the U.S.
2022: Mariners Playoff Drought
In 2022, the Seattle Mariners reached a 20-season playoff drought, the longest in major North American sports, after their last playoff appearance in 2001.
2022: Reign FC Returns to Seattle, Plays at Lumen Field
The Reign FC returned to playing home games in Seattle, settling at Lumen Field.
2022: Seawolves in Championship Game
The Seattle Seawolves were the runners-up in the 2022 Major League Rugby championship game.
2022: Sounders Win CONCACAF Champions League
The Seattle Sounders became the first MLS team to win a continental title since 2000, defeating Pumas UNAM in the CONCACAF Champions League Final in 2022.
2022: Seattle Crime Rate Continues Upward Trend
The upward trend in crime rates in Seattle persisted into 2022, following the spike observed in the previous year.
2022: Ballard FC Founded
Ballard FC, a semi-professional soccer team representing the Ballard neighborhood, was established and joined USL League Two.
2023: Sea Dragons Return with XFL Relaunch
The Sea Dragons returned to the field following the XFL's relaunch under new ownership.
2023: MLB All-Star Game Returns to T-Mobile Field
The MLB All-Star Game returned to Seattle, taking place at T-Mobile Field.
2023: Seattle Bans Caste Discrimination
In a groundbreaking move, the Seattle City Council voted to prohibit caste discrimination, becoming the first city in the United States to do so.
2023: Seattle Crime Rates
In 2023, Seattle experienced 5,000 violent crimes, resulting in a violent crime rate of 683 per 100,000 people. The city also recorded 5,174 property crimes per 100,000 people.
2023: Ballard FC Wins National Title
Ballard FC won its first national championship in USL League Two.
2024: Household Pulse Survey
A 2024 United States Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey estimated that 64% of adults in the Seattle area rarely or never attend religious services. This was the highest percentage among large U.S. metropolitan areas.
2024: Ballard FC's Temporary Relocation and New Rival
During renovations at Interbay Soccer Stadium, Ballard FC will temporarily play at Memorial Stadium. Additionally, a new team, West Seattle Junction FC, will join USL League Two, creating a new rivalry in Seattle.
2024: Sea Dragons Fold After XFL Merger
The Seattle Sea Dragons folded as a team after the XFL merged with the United States Football League to create the United Football League.
2024: Seattle Reign Name Restored
The team's name was changed back to Seattle Reign FC from OL Reign.
2026: Planned Light Rail Extensions in Seattle
Ambitious plans are underway to further expand Seattle's light rail network by 2026, aiming to connect Lynnwood to the north, Federal Way to the south, and Bellevue and Redmond to the east.
2026: Seattle to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup Matches
Seattle was selected as one of eleven host cities in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with matches to be played at Lumen Field.
2040: Seattle Anticipates Population Growth and Housing Needs
In 2006, regional planners projected Seattle's population to increase by 200,000 residents by 2040, prompting discussions on accommodating the expected growth while preserving the city's character.