On a clear day in Graham, a Pierce County city known for peaceful countryside living and large private lots, Mount Rainier can be seen standing tall in the distance. Graham is all homes and pine trees from the outside, but a closer look reveals its quirks. In 2017, an actual castle, complete with a dungeon and mini medieval village, went on the market here. “People have the space and freedom to do whatever they want with their properties,” notes Ellisa Greer, a Keller Williams Realty broker with 11 years of experience in the area. “They keep farm animals and tend large vegetable gardens – things you can’t really do in the busy city.” Some people here grow enough produce that they don’t need to go into town for groceries.
On the outskirts of town, residents spend their free time boating on lakes and exploring hiking trails. Each August, the Pierce County Fair is held in Graham’s Frontier Park, bringing in locals from across the state. Many residents commute 15 miles northwest to Joint Base Lewis-McChord or 24 miles north to Tacoma.
006_Spacious Lots with Mt.Rainier in the Distance.
A Charming Farmhouse Style Home in the Graham Neighborhood.
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Fairs and races at Frontier Park
The community comes together for special events at the 60-acre Frontier Park, which offers horse-friendly wooded trails, lodges, and a playground. The most popular events here include the Pierce County Fair, booming with live music and rides; the Little Wheels Race, where kids as young as 5 years old compete around a racetrack; and the Tacoma Highland Games, where Scottish culture is celebrated through piping and drumming competitions. Lake Kapowsin, located approximately 10 miles southeast of Graham, is a 512-acre freshwater lake that’s popular for sport fishing, waterfowl hunting, birdwatching, and boating.
Mt.Rainier National Park is about 30 miles south east of Graham.
Frontier Park has a large space to accommodate horse riding.
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Custom built homes on large lots
The median home price in Graham is about $570,000, higher than the national median of roughly $406,000. Home styles range from modest ranch-style and manufactured homes to custom-built rambler homes and two-story Craftsman-styles. Standout properties include log cabins and modern farmhouses, scattered throughout Graham’s hilly, heavily wooded landscape. On large open lots, it isn’t uncommon to see horses roaming neighbors’ backyards. Many newer homes developed within the past decade are located north of 208th Street; older properties with more acreage can often be found south of 224th Street. Riverfront properties near the Puyallup can be found in the Thrift neighborhood, but most homes have unobstructed views of Mount Rainier on clear days.
A beautiful red painted rambler home in the Graham neighborhood.
A row of stunning large family homes on Clear Lake in Graham.
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More shopping options in Puyallup
The city’s small shopping and dining scene is set on 224th Street and Meridian, lined with restaurants that serve up Italian cuisine, classic American comfort food and fast-casual dining. While residents can shop for weekly groceries on the corridor, there aren’t many retail options in city limits. “For major shopping, you’ll have to make a 10-mile drive to Puyallup,” says Shawn Maxey, Realtor at Terry Wise and Associates with 21 years of experience. In Puyallup, shoppers can find big retailers like Home Depot, Walmart Supercenter and the South Hill Mall, which has over 100 stores and restaurants.
Big Dadd's in Graham serves great burgers and fries.
Amici Italian Eatery in Graham town square.
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Sports, special clubs and college credit in Bethel School District
Local kids can attend schools in the Bethel School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Graham students can attend 22 different elementary schools, however, Nelson Elementary has the largest student body. Middle school can be completed at Frontier Junior High, which offers 11 activities and clubs, including robotics and weight training. Students typically advance to Graham-Kapowsin High, where students can participate in 14 different sports. For higher education, Pierce College is set on the same lot as Graham-Kapowsin, offers online and in-person courses in the late afternoon and evening.
Graham Kapowsin High School in the Graham neighborhood.
Nelson Elementary School in the Graham neighborhood.
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Between State Routes 161 and 7
State Route 161, also known as Meridian Avenue, is the main north-south thoroughfare through Graham, while State Route 7 (Mountain Highway) runs along the western edge of the community. State Route 512 is the primary east-west route, located about 8 miles north of Graham and leading to Tacoma in roughly 25 miles. Heavy rain and mountain snowmelt can cause flooding on local roads during winter and spring months. Pierce Transit provides bus service along Meridian Avenue, with routes connecting Graham to neighboring communities like Tacoma, Lakewood and Steilacoom. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is approximately 36 miles away. The nearest major hospital, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, is about 10 miles north of Graham.
The Tacoma Dome is a major architectural feature in Tacoma.
Downtown Seattle from across Elliot Bay.
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Higher crime rates in the northern part of the city
According to the most recent FBI statistics, the Pierce County Police Department reported higher violent crime rates than state figures in 2023, but lower rates than national figures. In the same year, property crime rates were on par with national figures, but lower than state figures. Generally, crimes tend to occur more frequently in the northern portion of the city.
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