Aug 13, 2025 - News
Older Seattle renters on the rise
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Roughly 10.6% of Seattle-area renters were 65 or older in 2023, up from 9.4% a decade earlier, according to a report by rental listing site Point2Homes.
Why it matters: More older Americans are renting, trading ownership for flexibility.
By the numbers: Nationwide, the share of renters 65 or older rose to 13.4% in 2023 from 10.4% in 2013.
- That age group saw the biggest jump of any group: 2.4 million more renters over the decade, researchers found.
The big picture: Many older adults are on fixed incomes and stay in their homes because they're mortgage-free or have a low interest rate.
- But others are renting for less upkeep, to be closer to family, or for walkable neighborhoods.
- Many are also putting off retirement and want the flexibility to move for a job.
What we're watching: "With record numbers turning 65, the shift not only echoes the broader aging of the nation, but also may signal a new approach to housing," Point2Homes researchers wrote.