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
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an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Bonney Lake, WA sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Bonney Lake, WA over the last 12 months is $690,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Picture morning coffee in your kitchen, then stepping onto your covered patio for fresh mountain air. Upgraded finishes throughout four true bedrooms, a bonus loft, & office. The open concept flowing from kitchen to living room to dining room make for effortless entertaining. You'll love the 5 piece en-suite off the primary. And the front patio is great for evening talks w/multiple parks nearby,
Award-winning 2003 Street of Dreams Custom Home, the builder’s own, showcases sweeping views of Orting Valley to Commencement Bay. Main-floor primary suite with fireplace, soaring 2-story great room, gourmet kitchen with commercial refrigerator opening to a covered terrace, and private office with separate entrance. Features include bonus/media room, loft with dual balconies, AC, security system,
Model address is: 20416 145th Street Court E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391. The main floor of the inviting Coronado plan offers an open layout with a spacious great room, an impressive gourmet kitchen & a bright dining area. A main floor bedroom with an adjacent 3/4 bathroom. Upstairs, you'll find the laundry, a versatile loft, & three more generous bedrooms, including a lavish owner's suite with an
Formal Living room with gas fireplace welcomes you inside this 3 bedroom and 2.5 bathroom home. Gorgeous tile flooring with radiant heat takes you through the main level. Enjoy quartz counters, ss appliances and the eating bar, open to the Dining nook with slider to fenced yard. Soaring vaulted ceilings in the Primary Suite, with skylights bringing natural lighting into the attached bathroom
Exquisite craftsmanship & thoughtful updates define this stunning well kept home just moments from Lake Tapps. Nearly half an acre, this home features a sophisticated open layout, designer chef’s kitchen, stainless appls, granite counters, huge island, and upscale finishes throughout. King sized primary suite w/ double sink granite vanity & tile up shower and custom dual closets! Big windows
Enjoy the ease of rambler-style living w/ added bonus of rare upstairs loft in sought-after 55+ Trilogy at Tehaleh! Two main-floor primary suites w/private baths. Upstairs, a spacious bed/bonus room & full bath offer endless possibilities—guest suite/office/hobby. Expertly remodeled w/ high-end finishes. Fully updated kitchen/baths/laundry feature custom white oak cabinets & Quartz countertops.
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
So much to love about this Mountain Vista home, just blocks from coveted Lake Tapps. Greeted by soaring ceilings & walnut plank flooring that flows thru living & dining, into the renewed tiled kitchen w/updated counters, freshly painted cabs, stainless apps, breakfast bar, dining nook AND pantry. Adjacent family room w/beautiful tiled FP. PLUS main floor guest bed/office. Upstairs offers more
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
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
$71,702
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
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
33°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
30/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
7/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the 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.
