Figure 3 Historic and Future Growth, Puget Sound Region

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 Region26

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

25 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 26 Figure is from Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050 27 Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050 growth projections (technically 872,000 people, 682,000 jobs from 2017-2050).

of the County’s total population. 28 During the same time period, the total number of limited English speaking residents in King County increased by 26,500, though remained constant at 11 percent of total population during this period.29 The percent of the population that identifies as people of color increased from 34 percent in 2010 to 39 percent in 2017. 30 Compared to non-Hispanic white workers, these populations use transit more for work.

31 As King County has grown more diverse, racial disparities and injustices in Puget Sound and across the country have become more pronounced. Data show a strong connection between race, place, income, and health. Communities of color and lower-income communities in King County consistently showing worse health outcomes. 32 These include decreased life expectancy, increased rates of preventable hospitalization, diabetes, and obesity. COVID-19 exacerbated existing disparities, disproportionately impacting communities of color in King County. And the painful, chronic, and high-profile deaths of Black and brown people at the hands of law enforcement across the country have cast a spotlight on systemic racism and injustices. King County’s growing and diversifying population creates opportunities for Metro to build an equitable network of mobility services. By centering equity, Metro can strengthen communities where all residents have opportunities to access jobs, education, services, and more.

Transportation Challenges Resulting from Displacement

As demonstrated in Figure 4, data show that many low-income households in King County are being displaced from densely populated and expensive areas, such as Seattle and downtown Bellevue. As a result, they are moving into communities that are more affordable, such as those in south King County.

28 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 29 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 30 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 31 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 32 Link to King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan 2016 - 2022