$659,746Average Value$361Average Price per Sq Ft10Homes For Sale
Friendly, rural neighborhood along Yale Lake
Yale is a rural neighborhood between two lakes. To the east is Lake Merwin, where people camp in tents along the shore, and to the west is Yale Lake, a reservoir housing bull trout and kokanee salmon. “Neighbors know each other by name,” says Kesa Rooney, managing broker with NW Living Realty, who has over 11 years of experience. It’s a “welcoming environment for families, retirees and anyone looking for a slower pace of life.” It’s calm and quiet driving through the forests of Yale, but the area also has plenty of outdoorsy activities to keep neighbors busy.
Saddle Dam Park near Yale Lake and Lake Merwin allows a range of activities.
Yale is surrounded by heavily wooded areas.
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Outdoor recreation for all seasons
Yale is surrounded by lakes, making watersports and outdoor recreation part of everyday life. “All lakes are accessible to the public,” says Mary Meeker, managing broker at Woodland Real Estate with over 18 years of experience. “There is a lot of boating, and people can waterski or go camping. There’s not a lot of waterskiing other places nearby, but here it’s okay.” Yale Lake also allows fishing, kayaking and swimming. Saddle Dam Park offers lake access and clear views of Mount St. Helens, while Speelyai Bay Park offers more outdoor activities, including birdwatching. There’s also skiing nearby in the winter: “Snowpark at Swift is by the furthest dam upriver,” Meeker says. “It has a lot of cross-country skiing areas – it’s not a resort. People up there have off-grid cabins. There’s no power, but people use solar and generators.” On restful, rainy days, the newly opened Yale Valley Community Library welcomes bookworms to curl up with a book.
Speelyai Bay Park offers a boat rampo and access to Lake Merwin.
Mount St. Helens towers over Saddle Dam Park.
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Limited dining and no shopping in Yale
The only restaurant in the neighborhood is Frosty’s Broasted Chicken & Burgers, open Friday through Sunday. This independently-owned fast-food drive-through is known for its soft-serve ice cream. Otherwise, Cougar Bar & Grill is 6 miles away in Cougar, where diners can choose between its rustic interior ambiance or shaded outdoor seating. Bookshelves at the bar are filled with books and movies for guests to take and leave; this unique resource brings the remote, rural community a little closer together. For groceries, folks can head to Safeway in Woodland, about 20 miles west.
Cougar Bar and Grill is located in the nearby town of Cougar.
The Lone Fir Cafe is another dining option just east in Cougar.
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Homes surrounded by the forest or by the lake
Tree-lined roads cut through the forested neighborhood with no stoplights. Homeowners can opt for “a cozy cabin in the woods or a modern home with breathtaking views,” Rooney says. Most homes look toward the surrounding evergreen forests, though residents might also catch glimpses of elk or deer grazing in the backyard. New homeowners may start fresh on one of the land parcels for sale between 2 and 8 acres, or scope out manufactured homes between $375,000 and $615,000. Single-family home prices range widely, from $255,000 for a midcentury home to $1.35 million for a 21st-century build on the lakefront.
Cabin style homes can be found in Yale neighborhood.
Tale neighborhood offers a variety of lakefront homes.
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Driving out of the neighborhood
Yale is a car-dependent neighborhood with no public transportation. Route 503 is the main road; it leads west to Woodland, north to Cougar and south to Amboy. Yale is 23 miles from Interstate 5. Drivers use I-5 to get to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center 41 miles away, and to Portland International Airport, 50 miles away.
Route 503 is the main road in and out of the neighborhood.
Yale is 23 miles from Interstate 5.
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Woodland Public Schools
Yale Elementary School, rated B-minus on Niche, serves kindergarten through fourth grades. Woodland Middle serves grades 5-8 and is rated B. The middle school’s multi-language learner team supports 90 students who are less familiar with the English language. In 2024, a record number of Woodland Middle School students proved their English proficiency by passing the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment exam. Though the middle school serves about 700 students and the vast majority are native English speakers, Woodland schools ensure teacher-parent communications are provided in both English and Spanish. Woodland High School is also rated B.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Leah Higgins,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Portland International
63 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Yale
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Yale Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Yale, Amboy sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Yale, Amboy over the last 12 months is $555,000, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this charming 3 bedroom 2.5 bathroom home situated on 2.2 fully fenced serene acres in Arial, WA. Enjoy sweeping views from the wraparound porch, just minutes away from Lake Marwin and Yale Lake-perfect for outdoor enthusiasts! Step inside to find Cherry Wood floors, a thoughtfully updated kitchen with quartz countertops and newer appliances, and a functional layout. The daylight
Experience the serenity of nature without the burden of full acreage at this beautifully situated home on just under an acre in Ariel. Tucked among the trees, this property offers exceptional privacy, the peaceful sound of the creek that borders the eastern side of the property, and scenic views from nearly every room. Step inside to find bamboo flooring throughout the lower living area, leading
This charming bungalow on 1.85 park-like acres features a flat yard, peaceful creek, and mature walnut and fruit trees (apple, pear, Italian plum). The spacious interior includes a large kitchen, cozy family room, and sunroom with new flooring. A ductless heating system and high-speed internet provide year-round comfort. Recent updates include a new roof and UV water filtration. Enjoy an attached
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Leah Higgins,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,027
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$80,704
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$90,443
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.7%
College Graduates
16.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.5%
% Population in Labor Force
51.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
