Seattle's diversity, high quality of life and range of local activities have made it one of the most desirable places in the country to live. As the country's 24th largest city, approximately 570,000 people call Seattle home. The population of greater Seattle increased 21.4% since 1990, compared to 15.6% for the United States as a whole. Downtown Seattle is the center of the region's economic activity with over 5,300 businesses and approximately 45 million square feet of office and retail space.
Seattle's skilled work force, manufacturing capability and high levels of education add to the stability of our economy. Nearly 50% of all Seattle adults have a bachelor's degree or higher, 
the highest total in the country. With over $800 million in sponsored research, the University of Washington is the premier public research university in the United States. Seattle has grown from a hidden gem to become a world-class city that is home to some of America's most successful and innovative companies. Seattle has status as a leader in trade with Asia, a number of world-class medical centers and, with an increasing number of wealthy individuals, a generous, growing philanthropy. It's common knowledge that Seattle is home to REI, Costco, Weyerhaeuser, Nintendo, Starbucks, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Amazon.com, RealNetworks and Microsoft. But not everyone realizes that some of the world's most dynamic new companies are spinning out of the Puget Sound area, which is naturally the nation's leader in internet business start-ups, but also a leader in business start-ups in general.
Seattle's cultural scene continues to flourish with nationally respected opera, ballet, art galleries, museums, festivals, and theater. In fact, Seattle boasts more theaters than any comparably sized U.S. city, and the number of total performances ranks second only to New York. Seattle is one of only six American cities with resident major symphony, opera and ballet companies. Music ranges from a lively club scene to a vital jazz community to the internationally acclaimed Seattle Symphony.