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Downtown Kent

Downtown Kent

Suburban Neighborhood in Kent, Washington

King County 98032

$510,636 Average Value
$360 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

A lively, historic community in King County

Known for an eclectic mix of small businesses, eateries and public parks, Downtown Kent is a vibrant, walkable neighborhood located 20 miles south of Seattle. “It’s a different vibe when you live in a city with a historic downtown. If you want to live in one of the towns that popped up 20 or 30 years ago, you’ll have a lot of the amenities with malls and chain restaurants, but a core downtown gives you that town-square, local feeling,” says Gaila Haas, Executive Director of the Kent Downtown Partnership. She adds, “we emphasize small businesses and local restaurants on walkable streets. Moms are often spotted grabbing a coffee or pastry from one of our world-class bakeries and then sitting to watch their kids at the park.” Conveniently placed commercial businesses, public transportation options and frequent community events make Downtown Kent a lively gathering hub.

Downtown Kent's Page Turner Books is the ideal stop for folks looking to pick up a new book.
Downtown Kent's Page Turner Books is the ideal stop for folks looking to pick up a new book.
Retro Emporium is one of Downtown Kent's whimsical storefronts, offering records and comics.
Retro Emporium is one of Downtown Kent's whimsical storefronts, offering records and comics.
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Grab a coffee and browse local boutiques in Downtown Kent

Most of the city will drive to congregate downtown, but Downtown Kent residents are steps away from popular gathering areas. Locals start their day with a pastry in a cozy coffee shop like Wild Wheat Bakery Café and Restaurant or dig into a heartier breakfast platter from Maggie’s on Meeker. After work, residents enjoy authentic Kenyan dishes from Rafiki Restaurant and Lounge, where they can also return on the weekends for cocktails and lively DJ performances in a colorfully lit atmosphere. Those looking for a laidback environment to enjoy a few beers go to Airways Brewing Tap Room. A varied range of shops line the historic streets, so locals can stop by a Pilates studio, a used bookstore, a hair salon and a home goods boutique all in the same afternoon. Residents can walk a couple blocks north to the Kent Station shopping mall to browse chain retailers or catch a movie, and they can travel a mile west to go grocery shopping at Safeway.

At Wild Wheat in Downtown Kent, folks can be treated to delicious pastries and a tasty meal.
At Wild Wheat in Downtown Kent, folks can be treated to delicious pastries and a tasty meal.
At Maggie's on Meeker, Downtown Kent locals love the friendly service and tasty meals.
At Maggie's on Meeker, Downtown Kent locals love the friendly service and tasty meals.
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Support local vendors during Kent Cornucopia Days

“Downtown events add to Kent’s community. We have a cider ale trail and wine walks, but we also do more family-friendly activities like trick-or-treating and art installations,” Haas says. Locals experience Louisiana’s best flavors and energy from Washington at the annual summer Cajun Festival, and food and commercial vendors are packed downtown during Kent Cornucopia Days, which features one of the largest street fairs in the state. Neighbors come together to welcome the holiday season with a tree lighting and parade at Town Square Park.

Blast over to a space-themed public park

"A lot of people don't know that the Apollo Lunar Rovers were built at Boeing in Kent, and Blue Origin headquarters is here too,” Haas says. In keeping with the space theme, kids can play in a replica of the Apollo rover, climb on a landing space capsule, and learn about space with an augmented reality app called Space for Kidz at the recently upgraded Kherson Park. A couple of smaller parks offer pockets of green space downtown — residents can stroll through forested landscaping by a koi pond at Kaibara Park. If they’re looking for an indoor activity sheltered away from Washington’s frequent rain, residents can cheer on the Thunderbirds ice hockey team or the Tacoma Stars soccer team at the accesso ShoWare Center.

Kaibara Park is a beautiful Japanese garden in the heart of Downtown Kent.
Kaibara Park is a beautiful Japanese garden in the heart of Downtown Kent.
Kherson Park in Downtown Kent offers a magical interactive experience with space equipment.
Kherson Park in Downtown Kent offers a magical interactive experience with space equipment.
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20th century cottages on small lots

Since Downtown Kent is better known for its retail and restaurant offerings, housing stock is limited, though there are some senior living apartment complexes in the southwestern corner of the neighborhood. Available single-family homes are clustered in the southern portion of Downtown Kent and are in keeping with the early 20th-century architecture found throughout Downtown Kent. Cottages on small lots in need of renovations cost around $250,000, while similar homes that have been renovated cost $325,000. A five-bedroom Colonial Revival can cost around $400,000.

Modest traditional homes can be found along the wide streets of Downtown Kent.
Modest traditional homes can be found along the wide streets of Downtown Kent.
There are many apartments and condominiums throughout the Downtown Kent neighborhood.
There are many apartments and condominiums throughout the Downtown Kent neighborhood.
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Walkable streets and convenient bus stops

Sidewalk-lined streets make Downtown Kent highly walkable and bikeable, and those traveling out of the city have access to public transportation. The King County Metro buses pick up passengers throughout the neighborhood and take them 20 miles north to Seattle. The Sound Transit shuttles residents out of the city via light rail — the Kent Station stop is in the northeastern corner of Downtown Kent. An industrial train occasionally passes along the neighborhood's western edge, and the ramp to merge onto State Route 167 is just over the tracks.

Take a scenic bike ride along the Downtown Kent portion of the Interurban Trail.
Take a scenic bike ride along the Downtown Kent portion of the Interurban Trail.
The Kent Train Station connects folks looking to commute to and from Downtown Kent.
The Kent Train Station connects folks looking to commute to and from Downtown Kent.
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Career prep at Kent-Meridian High

Kids may begin learning at Kent Elementary School and advance Mill Creek Middle. Both schools have C ratings from Niche. Kent-Meridian High School, which has a B rating, serves the neighborhood’s high school students and allows them to begin preparing for future careers with career and technical education programs. Students can focus on agriculture, health sciences, business and more.

Kent Meridian High School.
Kent Meridian High School.
Mill Creek Middle School.
Mill Creek Middle School.
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Amanda Boivin
Written By
Amanda Boivin
Photography Contributed By
Landon Gauthier
Lucas Dyke
Video By
Lucas Dyke

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Schools

Source:
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

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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International

18 min drive

Train

Kent Station

Bus

5th Ave S & W Titus St

Bus

W James St & 1st Ave N

Bus

E Gowe St & Central Ave S

Bus

W Gowe St & 1st Ave S

Bus

Kent Sounder Station - Bay 9

Bus

W Gowe St & 2nd Ave S

Bus

W Temperance St & Ramsay Way

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Kent US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 9 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 9 4
Larceny 8 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Single Family Price
$595,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$360
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median List Price
$622,500

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
26
Median Year Built
1919
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,136
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,850
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Amanda Mannila, an experienced agent in this area.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,931
Median Age
39
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$62,078
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,503

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
84.7%
College Graduates
11%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.6%
% Population in Labor Force
54.1%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

84 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

95 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

53 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Kent