In the middle of Pride Month, new Census data in the United States showed that Seattle has lost its title as the large-city with the highest share of same-sex couple households. While it ranked first a year ago with a figure of 3.2%, that result has improved to 3.7%—but neighboring Portland grew even more. In the “City of Roses,” the share of same-sex couples came to 3.8% of all households, which allowed it to top the ranking. The rivalry between the two cities has a long history reaching back to the 19th century, when both were vying for status as the economic hub of the Pacific Northwest. Today, it shows up in coffee culture—Seattle is known as the home of Starbucks, while Portland is known for micro-roasters; in music (grunge versus indie rock and jazz); and in approaches to urban development: Seattle builds more aggressively with skyscrapers and develops its techno-industrial sector, while Portland focuses on compact, walkable space and eco-friendly transportation. Even the football matches between the Sounders and the Timbers are considered among the most fiercely contested in MLS.
As of 2024, Seattle has about 14,300 same-sex couple households. That is a noticeable increase from 11,600 in 2023. But Portland also rose—from 3.1% to 3.8%—leaving Seattle in second place. San Francisco took third (3.5%), followed by Washington (3.2%), as well as Denver and Minneapolis (both 2.9%). The lowest figure was in Detroit—just 0.5%.
Notably, nearly all of Seattle’s growth in same-sex couple households came from couples who are not married. In 2024, out of 14,300 such couples, 8,000 (56%) were unmarried partners, and only 6,200 were spouses. That brings the situation back to what was seen before 2019, when married same-sex couples made up the majority (59%), but their share has since fallen to 44%. Experts link this pattern to the characteristics of the city’s tech environment: high employee mobility among Amazon, Microsoft, and startup workers—who often arrive temporarily or change employers—makes legal marriage less practical. Startup culture encourages flexibility and moving away from traditional institutions, and the high cost of housing pushes people toward cohabitation without formal registration to save money. In addition, for many LGBTQ+ people who were long denied the right to marry, having legal access does not necessarily mean using it—partnership without registration is seen as a deliberate choice.
This trend sets Seattle apart from the national picture. Across the United States, from 2019 to 2024 the number of same-sex married couples increased by 49%, while the number of unmarried partners grew by only 35%. Of the 50 largest cities, only 14 have unmarried, non-married couples making up the majority of same-sex couple households. Seattle is one of them, but in neighboring Portland it’s just 43%—surprising given the city’s lead. In Seattle itself, the historic center of LGBTQ+ life is Capitol Hill, where gay bars, clubs, bookstores are concentrated and where the city’s main Pride events take place. The neighborhood is known for its tolerant atmosphere, street art, and independent venues that draw young people and creative professionals.
Interestingly, a similar dynamic can be seen among heterosexual couples in Seattle: over the same period, the number of married couples rose by 6%, while the number of unmarried partners increased by 19%. Experts attribute this to a broad decline in the popularity of marriage, especially among younger people. For same-sex couples who only recently gained the right to marry, the national increase in the number of married couples may be a “catch-up effect,” but Seattle appears to be taking its own path—choosing partnership without formal registration ever more often.
Based on: Same-sex couple households surge, but Seattle still loses top spot