$665,054Average Value$197Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Bedroom community south of Seattle
South of Seattle and situated near the Puget Sound waterfront, North Hill is a small bedroom community and Des Moines suburb. Hilly streets make way for scenic views of the water, and some homes here even have a view of Mount Rainier in the distance. “North Hill is much more affordable than Seattle, so a lot of people who work in the city live in the neighborhood,” says Michelle Codd, real estate broker with Windermere Real Estate and a lifelong resident of the Seattle area. “This area is a great opportunity for first-time homebuyers – without traffic, commuters are about a 20-minute drive to Seattle and a 40-minute drive to Tacoma.” This neighborhood is also located less than a mile away from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also called SeaTac, but doesn’t have the same levels of noise pollution as other Des Moines neighborhoods: “One of the benefits of North Hill is that it’s not on the flight path, so there’s not as much airplane noise,” Codd says.
The North Hill neighborhood is uniquely placed for amazing views and access to Puget Sound.
A beautiful view of Downtown Seattle.
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Mid-century properties meet contemporary new builds
Single-family homes in North Hill reflect a mix of mid-century properties and newer construction, many of which sit along numbered streets in a grid-style pattern. “There are lots of ramblers here that were built in the 1950s and 60s,” Codd says, adding that a handful of these homes have seen recent renovations. Also common in this area are bi-level and tri-level properties built to accommodate the neighborhood’s hilly topography. Many of the new builds reflect contemporary-style architecture and feature elements such as low or flat roofs and asymmetrical compositions. Most homes here tend to range in price between $500,000 and $700,000, although newer constructions typically start higher at around $900,000.
This Rambler In North Hill Is Beautifully Kept And Maintained.
Homes in North Hill range from mid-century to modern construction.
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Students served by the Highline School District
K-12 students here can attend public schools within the Highline School District, which receives an overall C-plus rating from Niche. The B-rated North Hill Elementary is located in the middle of the neighborhood and offers kindergarten readiness and middle school readiness programs for primary school students. Codd says that middle school students attend Sylvester Middle School, which is located in nearby Burien and receives a C rating. Secondary students might go to the B-rated Mount Rainier High School, which is situated in Des Moines and was ranked No. 11 on Niche’s 2024 “Standout High Schools in Washington” list.
Sylvester Middle School is located in nearby Burien.
North Hill Elementary School is located in the middle of the neighborhood.
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Beaches and waterfront recreation at nearby parks
With proximity to Puget Sound, parks, hiking trails and beaches, residents of North Hill aren’t far from a variety of outdoor recreation activities. “Des Moines is a waterfront city with a yacht club and marina,” Codd says, adding that Marine View Park, a 27-acre natural land area along the shoreline, is a popular spot for its beachcombing and tide pools. Residents can also drive a couple of miles south to spend the day at Des Moines Beach, which serves as one of two trail endpoints for the Des Moines Creek Trail that stretches more than 2 miles. Water Tower Park is a small neighborhood green space with a playground and a shaded picnic area. Codd says that many locals also head to Saltwater State Park, a 3-mile drive away: “The state park has a large beachfront, forested trails and an underwater artificial reef that’s popular with scuba divers. It’s a great location for swimming, picnicking and exploring tidal pools.”
Des Moines mariner
Des Moines beach gives residents access to a wonderful beach and trail.
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Local eateries at Normandy Park Towne Center
“North Hill is right across the street from the Normandy Park commerce area, where Bistro Baffi is,” Codd says, referring to the Italian restaurant that features a full-service bar and two outdoor seating areas. This commerce area is also home to the Normandy Park Ale House, a family-friendly pub-style restaurant with classic American eats, TVs for watching sports and a patio. Residents can grab their morning coffee from North Hill Espresso, which also offers a drive-thru. For groceries, locals can drive approximately 2 miles to the Manhattan Village shopping center and do their weekly food shopping at QFC.
Find a new treasure at New 2 You Thrift Store next to North Hill.
QFC is the local grocery store in North Hill with lots of options.
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Catch a flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
For those who frequently have to catch flights, North Hill is conveniently located near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which boasts more than 90 direct domestic flights in addition to dozens of international flights. Washington State Route 509, also known as 1st Avenue, runs along the neighborhood’s western boundary and travels north into Seattle and south into Des Moines. Residents are also close to Interstate 5 and Interstate 405, which “travels through the east Washington area,” Codd says. King County Metro operates a fixed bus route with numerous stops along Route 509.
Seatac Airport is a major transportation hub near North Hill.
State Route 509 is a busy highway near North Hill.
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Waterland Festival is a popular summertime celebration
The North Hill Community Club hosts a number of seasonal events, including the June Community BBQ and a Christmas potluck. Every summer since 1959, Destination Des Moines, a local nonprofit organization, puts together an annual three-day celebration known as the Waterland Festival: “Parades, car shows, art exhibits, live music, food vendors and fun runs – the festival is a highlight of the summer in Des Moines, drawing in both visitors and locals for a festive atmosphere and beautiful waterfront setting,” Codd says.
The NHCC is also a rental hall with a large open room, attached full kitchen and tables.
North Hill Community Club Offers Many Fun Activities In The Summer.
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
Amanda Mannila,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Nature Trails Park
Trails
Hiking
Marine View Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Beach
Des Moines Park
Marvista Park
Picnic Area
Pool
Tennis
E.J. Nist Family Park
Trails
Playground
Parking Lot
Water Tower Park
Trails
Playground
Des Moines Creek Park
Transit
Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International
12 min drive
Bus
1st Ave S & S 213th St
Bus
S 200th St & Des Moines Memorial Dr S
Bus
1st Ave S & S 194th St
Bus
1st Ave S & S 199th St
Bus
S 216th St & 5th Ave S
Bus
1st Ave S & S 208th St
Bus
8th Ave S & S 192nd St
North Hill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North Hill, Des Moines sell after 93 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in North Hill, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $315,605, down 20% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier views headline this rare mid-century gem in coveted North Hill—perfect for 4th of July fireworks. Sun-filled main level features hardwoods, central A/C, gas fireplace, and a living room that opens to a Trex-style view deck. Wake to Sound views in the primary suite with private 3⁄4 bath. Finished lower level offers a huge pine-paneled rec room with mini-bar, large
Welcome home to this beautiful like-new home in Blueberry Lane with over $50,000 in upgrades. The open-concept layout includes a spacious great room, a chef’s kitchen with quartz countertops, SS appliances. Upstairs, a primary suite with a deluxe bath, walk-in closet, additional bedrooms and a loft space. The lower level serves as an en suite bedroom or large multi-use space. The covered
Enjoy stunning views of the Sound & Mt Rainier from your Graco deck this summer or cool off inside in the AC. Parking galore as the roundabout welcomes you w/ beautiful landscaping, established blueberry bushes, yummy plum tree & beds to garden. The main floor has 2 primary suites, laundry room, powder room & an updated kitchen, dining & living room offer year-round views. Downstairs will
Welcome to this beautifully updated one-story home in Des Moines' sought-after North Hill neighborhood. Freshly painted inside and out, it features a modern kitchen with new solid surface countertops and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy an open layout, a fully fenced corner lot, double carport, large shed, and plenty of parking. Close to parks, schools, shopping, and the waterfront—this
Prime Des Moines Buildable Lot – Utilities Onsite & Walkable Location! Seize the rare opportunity to own a level, lot in the heart of Des Moines! This single-family zoned parcel offers a generous building footprint with all utilities onsite or in the street—just bring your vision and your builder. Excellent options for shop/garage/ADU! Nestled in a vibrant, walkable neighborhood just minutes
45k price drop! Wake up to panoramic views of the Puget Sound and majestic Mt. Rainier! Perched on a quiet, tree-lined cul-de-sac, this cherished home has been loved by generations and is ready for its next chapter. $250,000 in upgrades, including a new roof, updated systems, and major improvements, make it move-in ready with room to add your personal touch. The spacious lower level features a
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amanda Mannila,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,011
Median Age
43
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$124,056
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$139,574
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.2%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
37%
Advanced Degrees
9.3%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
28/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
18/ 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.