Census shows Asians driving Sammamish’s population growth

Sammamish’s population grew rapidly over the last decade, with the burgeoning Asian population accounting for most of that growth, according to the latest release from the 2020 Census.

The U.S. Census Bureau released 2020 population counts for cities on Aug. 12, which included data on total population and breakdowns by race in Sammamish. The results paint a clear picture that Sammamish has become more diverse since the previous census was taken in 2010.

Sammamish’s overall population grew by 19% in the past decade to a total 67,455, when adjusted for the annexation of Klahanie in 2015. During this period, the city’s Asian population increased by 112%. Asians now account for nearly 36% of the city’s overall population.

In contrast, the city’s White population has declined by 15% since 2010, and now makes up 53% of Sammamish’s total count. In 2010, the White population accounted for 74% of the city’s total count.

Other racial groups also grew, but still represent a relatively smaller proportion of the total population. The Black and Hispanic populations represent 1% and 5% of the city’s total population, respectively. Those who identify as two or more races now make up 9% of the city’s population.

The chart below provides more detailed data on race from the 2020 Census.