Published October 18 2016
For the first time, Bellevue's population is evenly split between non-Hispanic whites and people of a minority race or ethnicity, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Census Bureau released data in September from its 2015 American Community Survey that indicate minorities comprised 50 percent of Bellevue's population last year, up from 41 percent in 2010, 28 percent in 2000 and 15 percent in 1990. Nationally, minorities are not projected to become the majority until 2044.
"It's not the same Bellevue it was a few years ago," Mayor John Stokes said. "We really are a global city now."
The demographic trend is not surprising, considering that since 2000, Bellevue's foreign-born population has accounted for about 93 percent of the city's population growth. Other drivers of the growth include a thriving employment market and Bellevue's reputation for good schools, parks and safe neighborhoods.
"Cultural diversity broadens our possibilities for shared learning, strengthening Bellevue's place as a hub of knowledge and innovation in all areas, including technology, arts and business," said City Manager Brad Miyake. "This ongoing growth of individuals from all backgrounds speaks to Bellevue's desirability as a community people want to live and work in."
In 2015, about 39 percent of Bellevue's population were foreign-born, two-thirds of them from Asia. Over a third of Bellevue's population was Asian as of last year.
The city tracks demographic data related to ethnicity, age, household type and size, along with many other characteristics, as part of a continuous effort to ensure its services match the needs of residents. The American Community Survey estimates don't describe every resident, foreign- or native-born, but they help us anticipate changing needs for housing, schools, communication and transportation. Other estimates from the ACS include:
- About 86 percent of Bellevue's foreign-born population speak a language other than English at home, compared to 13 percent of the city's native-born population. Residents citywide who speak a language other than English at home rose from 14 percent in 1990 to 42 percent in 2015;
- Income distribution for Bellevue's foreign-born households is much the same as the distribution for native-born households, both having median incomes just over $90,000;
- 70 percent of Bellevue's foreign-born adults are married, compared to 49 percent of the city's native-born population;
- The foreign-born population here has an average household size of 2.72 versus 2.46 for Bellevue's native-born population; and
- Despite having larger households, Bellevue's Asian population is more likely to live in multifamily housing -- 59 percent versus 40 percent for the non-Hispanic white population.
In late 2014, the city launched a Diversity Advantage initiative, which recommended more than 60 actions to improve services to Bellevue's growing population and help all residents make the most of living in a multicultural city.
Since then, the city hired a team to help implement the initiative, which includes training for employees on cultural competence and broadening its recruitment efforts. The city has invited residents to serve in the Bellevue Diversity Advisory Network, a panel that will advise the city on how to best serve and communicate with all segments of the community.
"Diversity has become one of the cornerstones of our identity," said Mark Manuel, diversity outreach and engagement administrator for the city. "It is a great asset we can leverage."