Strategic Plan
Chapter 1: Introduction
A Growing, Diversifying Population King County is growing and changing. Between 2010 and 2019, the county gained nearly 300,000 new residents. 25 More than half of that growth occurred in dense job and residential areas that are well-served by transit. However, rising housing costs led to displacement of many low-income households to less-urban parts of the county. As described in the next topic, this population shift creates a need for new mobility solutions. Growth will continue. The Puget Sound region will likely grow to a total of 5.8 million people and 3.4 million jobs by 2050, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3
Historic and Future Growth, Puget Sound Region 26
King County expects more than 870,000 more people and 680,000 new jobs by 2050. 27 As a result, demand for a well-integrated network of mobility services will continually increase. King County has also become more diverse. Nearly one quarter of King County residents were born outside the United States, more than 10 percent have limited English proficiency, and 39 percent are people of color. From 2009 to 2017, King County gained 95,000 residents who are foreign born, which accounts for 40 percent
King County Metro Mobility Framework Report, Appendix A, Travel Trends. 2019. Available at: https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/transportation/metro/about/planning/mobilityframework/metro-mobility-framework-report.pdf 25
26
Figure is from Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050
Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050 growth projections (technically 872,000 people, 682,000 jobs from 2017-2050). 27
King County Metro
26
