Grant County agricultural hub with a bit of shopping and dining
Ephrata, the county seat of rural Grant County, is a small city in the heart of Washington. Founded in 1909, the city began life as an agricultural hub and remains one to this day. Irrigation in the area, which is technically high desert, is due entirely to the New Deal-era Columbia Basin Project, which redirected waters from the Columbia River to the area. The city has grown steadily over the years and serves as a major shopping and dining hub for much of Grant County. “A small-town lifestyle, that’s what you get here,” says Broker Kim Randolph-Meaney of Keller Williams, who has lived in the area for over 30 years. “It’s quiet, there’s decent shopping, some nice restaurants, and a lot of nature nearby. What more can you ask for?”
Ephrata is largely an agricultural hub with a few small town amenities.
Ephrata has lots of local restaurants in the downtown area.
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Midcentury and modern homes
Ephrata’s housing market is almost entirely made up of single-family, single-story homes. Midcentury ranch-style homes and contemporary bungalows can both be found around town, along with a few scattered two-story properties. The median home sale price in town is $350,000, significantly lower than in cities along the coast. The city’s relative affordability has led to a slow but steady influx of remote workers relocating from western Washington.
Two story homes are commonly found in the city of Ephrata.
Ephrata is getting some new construction homes built in the city.
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A few big shops and a quaint downtown
Basin Street and state Route 282 are the town’s major thoroughfares and retail corridors. The town is home to multiple supermarkets, a Walmart and a selection of smaller local shops and chain retailers. Locals looking for more extensive shopping options typically head to Moses Lake, where they can find a number of big-box stores and local retailers. Ephrata’s quaint downtown area is home to a number of highly rated local restaurants, including the well-loved Bookery cafe, a longstanding local bookstore and coffee shop.
Downtown Ephrata provides lots of local retail shops.
Ephrata provides lots of public amenities such as a transit stop and library.
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Nearby Beezley Hills mountain biking trails
City parks with well-maintained playgrounds and athletic fields can be found throughout town, and many are walkable from homes. The city is also home to a multifield soccer complex, a dog park and a swimming pool. Most homes on the west side of town are within walking distance of the Beezley Hills Recreation Area, which features over 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails and offers great views of the city. Fishing is also a popular pastime in the area. “The Lower Grand Coulee around Soap Lake is great for fishing and hiking,” says Randolph-Meaney. “There’s some absolutely beautiful scenery.” A number of protected wilderness areas are within a 30-minute drive of town, including Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park and Stratford Wildlife Recreation Area.
The Beezely Biking Trails are a popular spot to go biking in Ephrata.
Ephrata has lots of open athletic fields for kids to enjoy.
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Ephrata School District
The Ephrata School District oversees the city's public schools and has a B grade on Niche. Students at Ephrata High can take college-level courses at Big Bend Community College, which is located southeast of Ephrata in Moses Lake.
Ephrata features several public schools near the downtown area.
Ephrata High School has a small parking lots for students in front of the school.
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Grant County Fair
The Grant County Fair, held annually at the state fairgrounds in nearby Moses Lake, draws attendees from across the region for livestock shows, carnival rides and live entertainment. The Soap Lake Food and Folk Festival celebrates folk music every year just a few miles north of Ephrata.
The Grant County Fairgrounds is a short drive from Ephrata.
Ephrata provides quick access to the Grant County Fairgrounds.
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The Amtrak Empire Builder
Ephrata’s main roads are state Route 28 and state Route 17, which connect the city to Moses Lake, Soap Lake and other parts of central Washington. Amtrak’s Empire Builder line stops in Ephrata, connecting the city to Seattle and Spokane. It’s a 20-mile drive to both Moses Lake and Interstate 90, and 50 miles to Wenatchee, the nearest city with a commercial airport.
The Ephrata Amtrak station also is the main hub for busses coming in and out of Moses Lake.
Ephrata has an Amtrak station that runs a few times each day.
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Desert climate and the Ephrata Police Department
The area is semi-arid, with warm-to-hot summers and cold winters. While the town itself isn’t prone to wildfires, smoke from West Coast fires has been an occasional issue for residents in recent years.
The Ephrata Police Department serves the city, but recent crime stats are not available.
The Ephrata police department works closely with the nearby sheriffs department.
Ephrata has lots beautiful nature nearby.
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Written By
Benji Anklam
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Wong
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ryan Jarman,
an experienced agent in this area.
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