• Acres in Forest and Farm Land --- King County has maintained its forest and farmland with very little change in total acreages since 1995.  (view data graph)

• Acres of Urban Parks and Open Space --- Following a dip in the late 1990's, there has been an increase in urban parks and open space acreage per King County resident over the last 10 years.  (view data graph)

• Adequate Food --- Previous surveys carried out from 1995 to 1999 showed a much lower rate of concern among King County residents over having enough food than did the 2003 survey findings on whether household food money lasted. As the survey questions differed, trend data are not available. In 2003, King County had a lower rate of food insecurity than the state average of 11.9%, and Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap Counties had rates equal to or higher than the average (Children’s Alliance, Hungry in Washington, 2006).   (view data graph)

• Mortality Causes by Race/Ethnicity and Income --- Among the racial/ethnic groups, the total mortality rate between 1990 and 2003 in King County declined significantly for all but American Indian/Alaska Natives but disparities in the age-adjusted death rates between different racial/ethnic groups in King County remained the same.   (view data graph)

• Urbanization and Impervious Surface Changes --- The number of acres of urban land, clear-cut, and regenerating forest have increased in King County since 1986. Acres of grass and deciduous, mixed and coniferous forest have decreased. Acres of rural forests and privately owned working forests have declined in recent years  (view data graph)

• Infant Mortality Rates --- Infant death rates declined throughout the 1980s and 1990s but in more recent years appear to have leveled off for most of King County and for most race/ethnic groups. The rate in Seattle continues to decline.   (view data graph)

• Land Use Mix --- The data for this indicator was taken from a snapshot study of King County.

• Participation in Life-Enriching Activities --- In 2004, 85% of King County adults were "very active" or "somewhat active" in at least three different activities. The increases in this indicator between 1999 and 2001 and 2001 and 2004 are not statistically significant.   (view data graph)

• Physical and Mental Health Restrictions --- There has been an increase in the percentage of King County adults with 3 or more restricted activity days from 1993 to 2004. This local increase corresponds to worsening trends nationally.  (view data graph)

• Teen Birth Rates --- Teen birth rates declined from 2001-2003 in each of the four King County regions and for all income and race/ethnic groups with the exception of Hispanic/Latina teens.   (view data graph)

• Vehicle Miles Traveled --- In 2007, VMT for the Puget Sound region increased by 0.6 percent over 2006, continuing an almost 30-year trend. Annual VMT has decreased only three times since 1980 when the first estimates became available.  (view data graph)

• Walkability Index --- In 2005, King County finished a major study called “Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality and Health” (which led to the current program HealthScape), that measured how specific land use and transportation actions affect air quality, mobility, congestion, and public health. No trend data are yet available.   (view data graph)

There are currently no published Downstream Indicators.

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health problems. Walkability, one key element of liveable communities, promotes fitness. Responsible land use includes planning communities to ensures there are facilities to maintain a healthy lifestyle such as health food shops, walkable streets and exercise facilities such as parks and gyms.

• Food Security

• Health Equity

• Healthy Living Choices

• Responsible Land Use

• Sustainable Transportation