Lakeside homes, waterfront parks and suburban subdivisions are woven between thick stands of evergreens in Bonney Lake, a small city situated on the banks of Lake Tapps. Located about 15 miles east of Tacoma, it’s one of the last stops on State Route 410 before the suburbs give way to the vast Pacific Northwest forests. “It’s close enough to get to Tacoma and Seattle, but it’s also a gateway to the Cascade Mountain Range. It’s only an hour to Mount Rainier and Crystal Mountain ski resort,” says Realtor Shawn Maxey of Terry Wise & Associates, who grew up in Bonney Lake. The city's location between big cities and natural scenery has helped put it on the map in recent years. “It was pretty rural when I was growing up. Now it’s a bit busier,” Maxey says.
Stunning estate home on the shores of Lake Tapps in Bonney Lake.
Lake Tapps Park North offers unprecedented views of Mt.Rainier for Bonney Lake residents.
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Waterfront parks and proximity to Mount Rainier
Bonney Lake sits at the southern edge of Lake Tapps, a chilly, glacier-fed reservoir. Activity around the lake livens up in the summer as people head to the waterfront for boating, fishing, swimming and water-skiing. Allan Yorke Park sits right on the water’s edge and features walking trails, a playground and a skate park. The city is 25 miles from Mount Rainier National Park, a massive wilderness park that’s situated around the tallest peak in the state.
The Edge's skatepark in Bonney Lake is friendly for skateboarders of all ages.
Lake Tapps Park is the perfect summer hangout in Bonney Lake.
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Midcentury and contemporary homes
The city features a diverse array of architectural styles, with everything from modest midcentury designs built between the 1950s and 80s to brand-new, contemporary homes. Many of the community’s older homes sit near the Lake Tapps shoreline, including some that look directly out across the water. Newer subdivisions are also available, the largest of which is Tehaleh, a sprawling master-planned community still being built out. When it’s complete, it will have more than 6,000 homes in addition to its own schools, grocery stores and shops. “You won’t have to leave the neighborhood. Everything you need will be right there,” Maxey says. The median price for a single-family home in Bonney Lake is $700,000, markedly higher than in nearby Tacoma.
Rows of new construction homes in Peaceful streets in the Bonney Lake neighborhood.
Newly built homes in Bonney Lake go for the more modern aesthetic.
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Big box stores and restaurants on Route 410
Commercial strips are found along State Route 410 in Bonney Lake, including a wide range of big box and grocery stores. Costco, The Home Depot, Walmart, Safeway, Fred Meyer, Target and Lowe’s are all found here. Restaurants include a mix of chains like Chick-fil-A and Denny’s alongside local favorites like Happy Pho Time, Trapper’s Sushi and Sumalee’s Thai Cuisine. For a wider selection, Tacoma’s dining scene is about 30 minutes away.
Bonney Lake residents can get their groceries done at Fred Meyer.
Trapper's Sushi has some amazing rolls to try in Bonney Lake.
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Highly rated Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
Students attend schools in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. It’s rated among the top districts in Pierce County and is one of the reasons for Bonney Lakes rise in popularity. “The school district is phenomenal,” says Realtor John Hurlbut of Keller Williams Realty, a longtime resident of neighboring Puyallup.
Bonney Lake Elementary School Signage at front.
Older students move onto Bonney Lake High School that serves grades 9-12.
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Getting around Bonney Lake and greater Tacoma
Residents will likely need a car in Bonney Lake. The city has no bus service, and it’s about 15 miles to Tacoma and 37 miles to Downtown Seattle. Traffic heading into both cities is notoriously heavy, so residents may need to plan accordingly. State Route 410 is the major thoroughfare in the city, and Interstate 5 is about 12 miles northwest. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 28 miles away. Bonney Lake has emergency room services, but the closest major hospital is about 8 miles west in Puyallup.
Low crime rates
Bonney Lake’s violent and property crime rates are well-below the state and national averages, according to FBI stats. The city’s violent crime rates have fallen slightly over the past decade despite adding thousands of new residents.
Written By
Daniel Berti
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
Video By
Jeffrey Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracy Croshaw,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Bonney Lake, WA sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Bonney Lake, WA over the last 12 months is $686,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful 5-bedroom, 2.75-bath home in Bonney Lake with a versatile bedroom on the main level and a 3/4 bathroom! This thoughtfully designed home features an open-concept great room with French sliding glass doors leading to a covered patio complete with a cozy fireplace—perfect for year-round entertaining. Recessed lighting throughout and central A/C provide comfort and modern convenience. The
Welcome to active 55+ Trilogy in Tehaleh. Resort type living with access to the Mantle restaurant, pickle ball, fitness center and miles of groomed, walking trails. This 2bd 2bth, rambler, sports, real wood floors, tile in the bathrooms, quartz countertops, SS Cafe appliances with gas range and a brilliant floor plan that separates the 2 bedrooms. This turn key gem only needs your furniture to
Welcome to beautiful and gated Bohemian Estates in Lake Tapps, a lovely maintained home that blends comfort, space, and everyday convenience in one of the area’s most desirable communities with private park. With 4 spacious bedrooms and 2.5 baths, this layout is designed for the way you live—whether you’re hosting friends, working from home, or simply enjoying room to spread out. The heart of the
Beautiful 5-bedroom, 2.75-bath home in Bonney Lake with a versatile bedroom on the main level and a 3/4 bathroom! This thoughtfully designed home features an open-concept great room with French sliding glass doors leading to a covered patio complete with a cozy fireplace—perfect for year-round entertaining. Recessed lighting throughout and central A/C provide comfort and modern convenience. The
Stunning Lake Tapps Luxury Waterfront Retreat! Welcome to a breathtaking waterfront estate offering 77 feet of prime Lake Tapps shoreline, a private dock, & a boat lift—all w no HOA! This 3-bedroom, 5-bathroom home showcases vaulted ceilings & gourmet kitchen, perfect for entertaining. Indulge in luxury living w tiered home theater featuring six recliners, a full bar, & a wine cellar. The
Be ready to hold your breath when you see Mt Rainier out of the back windows of this home. The view is everything and more than you could imagine. This is a truly a special find. You have no neighbors on the back side of the property except for the occasional deer or rabbit that stops by. The primary suite is located on the main level, with the other two bedrooms and full bath upstairs. Vaulted
Custom-built and thoughtfully designed, this exceptional home sits directly across from the Church Lake area of Lake Tapps and includes coveted boat launch and beach rights. Quality craftsmanship is evident throughout, with bamboo floors, real fir doors and trim, soundproofed walls, and generator with gas already in place. The open-concept layout is ideal for both daily living and entertaining.
Take advantage of this affordable building lot in highly desireable Bonney Lake! This 15,935 sqft lot sits at the end of the cul-de-sac of a clutch of 15 homes. Homes in Indigo Ridge are custom construction, valuing in the $700,000s. All utilities are in the street for easy connections, the flag lot sits back providing more privacy, best suited for a daylight basement style build. Beautiful
Very Affordable 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Marlette Model Home. Totally Updated and Move in Turn Key Ready. Open Bright Kitchen with New Cabinets, Granite Counter Tops, New Appliances including Microwave. All New LED Lighting, Vinyl Plank Flooring Through Out. Huge Living Room & Dining Room. Spacious Master Bedroom with Walk In Closet. Primary Master Bath with New Tile Floor, New Granite Vanity, Toilet,
Better than new and move-in ready! Experience the peaceful charm of 55+ resort-style living in Trilogy at Tehaleh, featuring tree-lined streets, nearby parks, and scenic trailheads. Residents enjoy exclusive access to the Seven Summits Lodge, offering award winning dining, a state-of-the-art swimming facility, fully equipped fitness center, virtual golf simulator, game rooms, shuffleboard,
Welcome to active 55+ Trilogy in Tehaleh. Resort type living with access to the Mantle restaurant, pickle ball, fitness center and miles of groomed, walking trails. This 2bd 2bth, rambler, sports, real wood floors, tile in the bathrooms, quartz countertops, SS Cafe appliances with gas range and a brilliant floor plan that separates the 2 bedrooms. This turn key gem only needs your furniture to
Thoughtfully designed for comfort and connection, the open-concept layout features warm engineered hardwoods, a spacious great room with gas fireplace and custom built-ins, and a gourmet kitchen with quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, gas range, walk-in pantry, and large island with seating. A main-floor office, built-in mudroom storage, custom blinds, A/C,
55+ Community, Single Story Rambler Design, Large Kitchen with Expansive Island, Spacious Great Room, Covered Patio, Den/Office, Spacious Primary Bedroom with Walk-In Closet, Optional Guest Suite, Optional Study, Optional Powder Room, Optional Multi-slide Door at Great Room, Optional Service Door at Garage, Optional Fireplace, This Plan is Modeled at: Sunstone, Design Joy - Our Curated Package
Privately set against lush greenbelt in Sky Island, this exceptional MainVue residence provides the perfect backdrop to modern luxury. $230K+ in selective upgrades; blending sophisticated design, automated technology & everyday comfort. Smart home lighting, motorized window coverings, advanced air purification, water filtration/softening & security system enhance modern living. A covered front
55+ Community, Single Story Rambler Design, Large Kitchen with Expansive Island, Spacious Great Room, Covered Patio, Spacious Primary Bedroom with Walk-In Closet, Den/ Office , Optional Extended Patio, Optional 15' Multi-Slide Door at Dining Area, Optional Fireplace at Great Room, This Plan is Modeled here and at: Polo Club, Ocala, & Sunstone, Design Joy - Our Curated Package Program;/
Convenient to Highways 410, 167, 512 and prime shopping, dining and entertainment locations, Renwoods garden style setting features spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartment homes featuring airy, open floor plans, gourmet kitchens, and full sized washers and dryers. With a large seasonal pool, outdoor community area, a modern fitness center, playground, BBQ, business center, and luxurious community
Beautiful Bonney Lake home with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Located in the blossoming Tehaleh community, this home features a large primary suite with large walk-in closet, primary bathroom, stainless steel appliances, LARGE fully-fenced yard and spacious one car garage. Easy commute to Lake Tapps, Auburn, Tacoma, and SeaTac Airport. This ALMOST new, single-family home boasts 3 spacious bedrooms,
Fall in love with the luxury and charm of your new home at Greenwood Heights Apartments. Located in Bonney Lake, WA Greenwood Heights Apartments is tucked away from big city life offering quiet and peaceful residential living in the Summit neighborhood. However, you will never find yourself too far from dining and convenient shopping locations including Target, Red Robin, Marshalls and Sonic
Welcome to this charming 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment nestled in a quiet, well-maintained apartment community in Bonney Lake, WA. The interior features a bright and open floor plan with large windows allowing natural light to fill the space. The living room is ideal for relaxing or entertaining. The kitchen includes modern stainless steel appliances complemented by ample cabinet storage and
Four Lakes is the newest premier luxury apartment community in the beautiful Lakeland Hills, just a stone's throw away from Lake Tapps. Convenient to Highway 167 and prime shopping locations, Four Lakes features spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, some with attached garages, some with views of Mt. Rainier, and all with microwaves, washers & dryers, and extra storage. The deluxe clubhouse and state
Offering spacious homes with stunning views of Mount Rainier and proximity to neighborhood entertainment, Prairie Ridge is an excellent choice for buyers looking to live close to the great outdoors. This spacious suburban community has mountain and valley views with a wide variety of home styles, providing an assortment of homebuying options at entry-level prices for the area. "Many residents are working-class and young families," says Caryl Forbes, a Broker at eXp Realty. "Because of remote work, people are moving out of cities for more space at a lower cost." The neighborhood is entirely residential, giving it a small and intimate feel. It is home to a Recreation Hall, a Community Service Center and an involved neighborhood association.
Farmhouses with big porches are perfect for relaxing on summer evenings alongside ramblers and ranches with expansive views of Mount Rainier. There are also some newly constructed planned communities and gated developments for those seeking luxury interiors in the area. Lush green lawns bordered by towering pine and fir trees are typical in Prairie Ridge, and many residents take advantage of their private backyards with sitting areas, workshops or above-ground pools. Most homes range in price from $350,000 to $680,000, with the median price at $500,000. Sidewalks are nonexistent in Prairie Ridge, but the quiet and strictly residential streets bustle with neighbors going for a run or walk.
With all the natural beauty in the area, there is no shortage of ways to get outdoors. Those willing to take the hour-long drive to Mount Rainier can expect to hike through meadows of lupines, fly-fish on the White River or ski on fresh powder in the Cascades. Locals can also find a few small outdoor recreation spots closer to home. Allan Yorke Park has basketball and tennis courts, a skatepark and baseball diamonds. Lake Tapps runs along the park, providing residents with a roped-off swimming area, fishing docks and a boat launch. The park is also home to many community events throughout the year. Kids Club takes place on Mondays in the late summer and has children-focused musical performances. The annual Taste of Tapps food truck festival also takes place at the park, bringing in food trucks from local businesses for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods to try and support.
Schools in the area include Liberty Ridge Elementary School, which offers preschool and kindergarten prep programs. Rated a B by Niche.com, the school also provides a family resource center for children in underserved areas. At Mountain View Middle School, rated a B-plus, there are many associated student body clubs for students, including a jazz band, game club and recycling club. Many athletic opportunities exist for students to participate in, like volleyball, cross country and basketball. Bonney Lake High School is rated a B and offers over two dozen programs of study for students to choose from as an academic focus, including performing arts, journalism and biotech.
Prairie Ridge is a residential community with no eateries or shops. Still, it is close to plenty of dining, retail and entertainment. "There has been commercial growth over the past few years with more restaurants and shops popping up in nearby Bonney Lake," Forbes says. Along 410 are local grocery stores, big box stores and chain eateries such as Walmart, Target and Marshalls. One of the standout local spots is Lamppost Coffee Roasters. The women-owned micro-roastery serves house-roasted espresso drinks, bagels and ice cream. Glow Martini Lounge has a 4.6-star rating and a swanky industrial interior. With an ornate glass chandelier as the centerpiece, the bar serves nearly 20 martinis, curated cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list. This restaurant is a wonderful choice for date nights or special occasions with tapas-style small plates.
Sitting just 20 miles from downtown Tacoma makes for a 30-minute commute from Prairie Ridge. The neighborhood is very car-dependent because of the area's minimal sidewalks and public transportation. The Seattle-Tacoma airport sits 45 minutes north.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Bonney Lake Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
22,915
Median Age
39
Population Density
37 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$112,332
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$131,831
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.2%
College Graduates
27.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.7%
% Population in Labor Force
72.6%
Above the national average
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
33°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Somewhat friendly
Bike Score®®
20/ 100
Somewhat friendly
Walk Score®®
20/ 100
Not friendly
Transit Score®®
0/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
