South Hill
Suburban Neighborhood in Bellingham, Washington
Whatcom County 98225
Well-maintained homes from the late 19th and early 20th century
Homes in South Hill are generally built into the steep hillside, with views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. In 2010, South Hill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places to protect its character from extensive remodeling. Houses facing uphill are set close to the street and have large back decks overlooking the water; those facing downhill toward the bay are set farther back, with wide stone staircases leading to their main entrances. The neighborhood's oldest homes date from 1890 to 1950, a mix of meticulously cared-for examples of Queen Anne, Craftsman, American Foursquare and Tudor Revival; peppered among them are ranch-style homes built between 1950 and 1980 with attached garages. Smaller bungalows and ranch-style homes in need of some updates can sell for $700,000 to $1 million, while larger, recently renovated properties go for $1 to $1.5 million, depending on lot size. Closer to the waterfront, condo complexes from the 1970s offer two-bedroom units for between $500,000 and $800,000, while three- and four-bedroom units sell for $850,000 to $1 million.Given the age of most properties in this area, house inspections can become a sticking point in the buying process. "It's important to get the sewer lines checked," says Julian Friedman, owner and real estate agent with Julian & Company, powered by the Muljat Group. "A lot of homes are old, and the lines are old. If something happens, it can become a pretty big expense, so it's better to check."
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Scenic views from the boardwalk at Boulevard Park
Set right on the waterfront, Boulevard Park is a popular spot to watch the sunset over the San Juan Islands, with a narrow stretch of rocky beach, and a wooden boardwalk that extends over the bay for a 1/4-mile. Adjacent to Western Washington University, Sehome Hill Arboretum offers miles of unpaved trails and a tall watchtower set among pine and redwood forests.
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Extracurriculars at nearby Bellingham schools
Niche gives the local Lowell Elementary School a B-plus and ranks it the second-best public elementary school in Whatcom County; the active Lowell PTA organizes events throughout the year, including a used book fair and talent show. Fairhaven Middle School is also rated a B-plus and offers over a dozen after-school athletic programs, including wrestling, track & field, and basketball. The A-rated Sehome High, which moved to a newly constructed building in 2019, includes a 400-seat theatre, two gyms and a library.
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Summer concert series next to the water at Boulevard Park
Every fourth Friday in June, July and August, the city hosts a free concert at the stage in Boulevard Park. Locals can bring a picnic blanket or dance around with their neighbors while enjoying tunes by local and area musicians.
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Bike lanes on State Street
Interstate 5 is found a few miles east and runs north-south through Bellingham, traveling 91 miles south to Seattle and 41 miles north to the Canadian border. Fairhaven is 1 mile south, and downtown Bellingham is 2 miles north; most South Hill residents live within walking distance of one or the other. Locals can bike to either location via the bike lanes on State Street, and the Whatcom Transportation Authority’s Route 1 bus makes stops in Fairhaven, on State Street and in downtown. Train tracks run along the bayfront and lead to the Fairhaven Amtrak Train Station about a mile away; passing trains can be heard throughout the day. In addition to noise pollution from the train, locals have recently been complaining about excessive noise from a nearby shipping terminal on the water, especially late at night. To help mitigate this, the city passed an ordinance that stops industrial work at midnight, though the issue is ongoing as of summer 2024. Peace Health Saint Joseph Medical Center is 4 miles away, while Bellingham International Airport is 7 miles away.Walking distance to Fairhaven and downtown Bellingham
South Hill's located between two large shopping and dining corridors, Fairhaven Village and Downtown Bellingham. “South Hill is very quaint, but it’s sandwiched between these two growing areas,” Harrison says. Fairhaven offers cafes and locally owned bookstores housed in 19th-century brick buildings; residents can head to Haggen for groceries or fuel up at the Filling Station, a burger joint decorated with vintage license plates and gas station signs. Downtown Bellingham is densely packed with boutiques, coffee shops and eateries amid office buildings and colorful murals. Horseshoe Café has been serving classic American fare, all-day brunch and specialty cocktails here since 1886, and down the street, the Bellingham Farmers Market is open every Saturday from April through December.
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Written By
Andi Sink
Photography Contributed By
Carter Rogers
Video By
Luke Basinger
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Sean Hackney
Sean Hackney
NextHome Northwest Living
(360) 685-7871
81 Total Sales
1 in South Hill
$1,545,000 Price
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Ryan Kent Smith
Ryan Kent Smith
John L. Scott Anacortes
(360) 979-1326
94 Total Sales
2 in South Hill
$900K - $1.8M Price Range
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Brad Burdick
Brad Burdick
Coldwell Banker Bain
(360) 594-0321
22 Total Sales
2 in South Hill
$135K - $810K Price Range
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Rob Weston
Rob Weston
Windermere Real Estate Whatcom
(360) 594-3997
165 Total Sales
6 in South Hill
$297K - $666K Price Range
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Ashleigh Abhold
Ashleigh Abhold
Hansen Group Real Estate Inc
(360) 685-8093
133 Total Sales
1 in South Hill
$485,000 Price
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George Geer
George Geer
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Bain
(360) 685-7252
85 Total Sales
1 in South Hill
$300,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sehome Hill Arboretum
Forest & Cedar Park
Laurel Park
Fairhaven Village Green
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Boulevard Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | South Hill | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
South Hill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Hill, Bellingham sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in South Hill, Bellingham over the last 12 months is $935,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$899,000
Median Sale Price
$935,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,100,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$674,800
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
49
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$540
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,273
Number of Homes for Sale
16
Median Year Built
1956
Months of Supply
3.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,088
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,432
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,383
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
752
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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$1,795,000
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,595 Sq Ft
- 251 N Garden St
- New 4 days ago
Fairy-tale South Hill home on two lots with a detached ADU! Peace and tranquility surround you as lush landscaping leads to this beautifully remodeled Tudor. Tastefully updated by Moceri Construction in 2008, the home blends original character with modern comfort. The main level features artistic leaded glass built-ins, a cozy fireplace, French doors to a large view deck, an updated kitchen with
Galen Hirss COMPASS
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$755,000
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,174 Sq Ft
- 201 S State St
- Unit B
- New 5 days ago
Experience elevated South Hill living in this fully renovated Bayview condo. Updated top to bottom in 2024 with new roof, windows, siding, mini splits with a/c and complete interior rebuild from the studs out with custom cabinets, quartz counter tops and LVP flooring. Perched above State Street, enjoy breathtaking views of Bellingham Bay from your deck, patio, or living room—perfect for sunset
Rom Hirss COMPASS
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$717,000
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,174 Sq Ft
- 201 S State St
- Unit A
- New 5 days ago
Experience elevated South Hill living in this fully renovated Bayview condo. Updated top to bottom in 2024 with new roof, windows, siding, and complete interior rebuild from the studs out with custom cabinets, quartz counter tops and LVP flooring. Perched above State Street, enjoy breathtaking views of Bellingham Bay from your deck, patio, or living room—perfect for sunset evenings and cozy
Rom Hirss COMPASS
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,032
Median Age
48
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31.4%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$109,876
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$137,685
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.5%
College Graduates
72.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
36.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
73°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
56
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
29
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
41
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Happy Valley
Densely packed residential community next to Western Washington University
City Center
Bellingham's downtown district packed with dining and entertainment options
Fairhaven
Highly sought-after Bellingham area with lots of shops and restaurants
South Bellingham
Community with lots of trails and a rural feel on the southern edge of Bellingham
Sehome
Densely populated neighborhood within walking distance of downtown Bellingham
York
Residential enclave next to downtown Bellingham popular families and students
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