Seattle

Smart city ranking
55 Out of 141
38 out of 118 in 2021
BB BBB in 2021
Factor ratings
BB Structures
B Technologies
Group
2
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
737,015
(UN Data)
HDI
0.94
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left-hand, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
81.2%
road congestion
60.2%
security
55.2%
unemployment
39.6%
health services
39.4%
school education
28.2%
fulfilling employment
26.2%
public transport
23.5%
corruption
23.3%
basic amenities
17.3%
air pollution
16.2%
green spaces
15.5%
recycling
15.3%
citizen engagement
13.8%
social mobility
12.3%
% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
52.8%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
55.7%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
42.4%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
75.6%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
43.1
Recycling services are satisfactory
71.0
Public safety is not a problem
27.0
Air pollution is not a problem
43.6
Medical services provision is satisfactory
64.1
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
18.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
15.8
Public transport is satisfactory
54.4
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
64.9
Most children have access to a good school
61.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
63.1
Businesses are creating new jobs
61.6
Minorities feel welcome
61.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
64.3
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
78.1
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
63.8
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
41.5
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
49.5
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
61.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
43.0
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
60.5
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
44.3
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
37.8
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
43.0
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
67.6
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
40.9
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
40.1
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
37.8
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
54.9
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
57.8
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
66.9
IT skills are taught well in schools
47.0
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
40.9
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
64.1
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
71.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
34.3
Online voting has increased participation
52.8
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
43.9
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
51.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
737,015
(UN Data)
HDI
0.94
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

Priority Areas

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left-hand, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
81.2%
road congestion
60.2%
security
55.2%
unemployment
39.6%
health services
39.4%
school education
28.2%
fulfilling employment
26.2%
public transport
23.5%
corruption
23.3%
basic amenities
17.3%
air pollution
16.2%
green spaces
15.5%
recycling
15.3%
citizen engagement
13.8%
social mobility
12.3%

Attitudes

% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
52.8%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
55.7%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
42.4%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
75.6%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
43.1
Recycling services are satisfactory
71.0
Public safety is not a problem
27.0
Air pollution is not a problem
43.6
Medical services provision is satisfactory
64.1
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
18.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
15.8
Public transport is satisfactory
54.4
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
64.9
Most children have access to a good school
61.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
63.1
Businesses are creating new jobs
61.6
Minorities feel welcome
61.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
64.3
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
78.1
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
63.8
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
41.5
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
49.5
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
61.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
43.0
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
60.5
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
44.3
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
37.8
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
43.0
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
67.6
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
40.9
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
40.1
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
37.8
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
54.9
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
57.8
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
66.9
IT skills are taught well in schools
47.0
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
40.9
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
64.1
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
71.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
34.3
Online voting has increased participation
52.8
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
43.9
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
51.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max