Economic Profile

Bellevue is a major regional job center, with more people (140,000-plus) working in the city than living in it. It is a leader in commerce, not only for the Eastside, but for the entire region. A diversified mix of businesses exists in Bellevue. Many businesses are small shops or small- to medium-sized service businesses, but Bellevue is also home to numerous companies with more than 1,000 employees, including about 150 company headquarters. More than 900 companies are involved in foreign trade.

Services and retail are the largest employment sectors, but the high-tech sector continues to expand and drive growth. Microsoft, T-Mobile, Northwest Labs and Expedia all have large offices in Bellevue. PACCAR, Symmetra Financial and Puget Sound Energy are based in Bellevue.

The maps, reports and statistics here offer a by-the-numbers look at Bellevue's business environment. The Planning & Community Development Department tracks general demographics, with U.S. Census and other population data related to Bellevue.

Bellevue trends and outlook (2009 Small Business Statewide Trade Conference Presentation)

Economic Outlook   provided by Matthew Gardner, Gardner Economics.   Real Estate Office Market Outlook  provided by Gary Guenther, GVA Kidder Matthews.  Both were presented at the Bellevue Downtown Association Annual Real Estate Forecast event June 25, 2009.

The Bellevue Economic Profile analyzes patterns and trends pertaining to Bellevue's economy. Information is included on employment by industry sector, wages and income, major employers and business patterns, commercial vacancy rates and demographics related to economic development. The Profile also discusses the role that Bellevue plays in the regional economy.

Key Facts about Bellevue's Economy:

• In the last 35 years, Bellevue has been transformed from a primarily residential community with about 20,000 jobs to a major regional economic and employment center with greater than 140,000 jobs and 143 headquarters. Services, a particularly strong sector, includes software, Internet, archicture, law, finance, enviromental management and engineering.
• Bellevue has a particularly strong employment base in new economy industries such as engineering and information technology and digital media. The percentage of jobs in Bellevue in these growing and well-paying industries is significantly higher than in the region as a whole.
• Large employers account for a substantial number of jobs locally and regionally. Entities employing 1,000 or more persons in Bellevue include Bellevue Community College, the Bellevue School District, the City of Bellevue, Boeing Shared Services Group, Expedia, Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Puget Sound Energy, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless.
• In 2008, 13 of the state’s 100 largest public companies and nine of the state’s largest private companies were headquartered in Bellevue.
• International diversity in business reflects the city's ethnic diversity and strong worldwide trade activity, especially with Asia and Europe.  Currently, there are more than 130 languages spoken in the metropolitan-county area.

The Office of Economic Development, dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the economic vitality of the city, provides a variety of services and resources to local entrepreneurs and to businesses located in or interested in coming to Bellevue.