Youth in School or Working

Racial inequities lead to differences in access to school and employment for young people.

Photo courtesy of COO/BSK: Youth learn about career opportunities and pathways at the Diversity in Tech event at the SeaTac community center

From 2019-2023, 91.7% of youth and young adults in King County aged 16-24 were either employed or enrolled in school. Working or being in school may help to reinforce social connections among youth and young adults within their communities. 

• Age: Youth between the ages of 16-18 (96.5%) were more likely to be employed or in school than young adults aged 19-24 (89.4%).  

• Race: American Indian/Alaska Native (80.6%) and Black (85.5%) youth and young adults were less likely than other groups in King County to be in school or employed. Asian (95.8%) youth and young adults were more likely to be in school or employed than other race/ethnicity groups in King County.  

• Region: Youth and young adults in Seattle (94.0%) were more likely to be in school or working than youth and young adults residing elsewhere in King County (90.3%). 

• Trends: After increasing slightly from 89.4% in 2014 to 93.2% in 2016, the proportion of young people either in school or working has not changed meaningfully in recent years, at 93.3% in 2023.