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South Kent

South Kent

Neighborhood in Kent, Washington

King County 98032

$490,888 Average Value
$494 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

South Kent is a place to live and work, close to the Green River

South Kent, about a mile from downtown, may appeal to homebuyers whether they'll work in the city or commute elsewhere. "There's definitely lots of industry in this area. Probably the biggest benefit is you are close to two freeways; there's super easy access for commuters," says Bart Chmielewski, a real estate agent with Windermere Real Estate/PSK Inc. Kent is south of Seattle and north of Tacoma, in the Green River Valley. Over half of South Kent is industrial or commercial, and about a third is residential, with a balanced mix of single-family homes and apartments. Manufacturing facilities and other businesses are close to home, and it's a short compute to major employers. "Kent has big companies like Blue Origin, for instance, and a giant Amazon fulfillment warehouse," Chmielewski says. The headquarters for space technology company Blue Origin is about 4 miles north of the area.

Numerous spaces in the Kent Station retail core provide spaces to hang in Downtown Kent.
Numerous spaces in the Kent Station retail core provide spaces to hang in Downtown Kent.
Downtown Kent is a historic neighborhood with nice walkability and tons of local charm.
Downtown Kent is a historic neighborhood with nice walkability and tons of local charm.
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Commuting options include several freeways, rail from Kent Station

For people who commute farther than a few miles, state Routes 167 and 516 are close, and Interstate 5 is several miles to the west. "You may be commuting in traffic to take the freeway, but there are some backroads, too," Chmielewski says. Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue are each within a drive of about 20 miles. The King County Metro bus stops along Central Avenue, and it's about a mile to Kent Station for Sound Transit buses and commuter rail service on the Sounder S Line. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, commonly known as Sea-Tac, is about 8 miles away.

It's about half-and-half single-family homes and apartments

Most homes are one- or two-bedroom bungalows or ramblers built in the 1920s to 1940s. Listings are limited: five homes had sold over a year as of March 2025. The median price was about $412,000. "You're far enough away from Seattle that you're not paying double the price," Chmielewski says.

A pair of cute bungalows on a sunny South Kent stree.
A pair of cute bungalows on a sunny South Kent stree.
The median price for homes in South Kent is about $412,000.
The median price for homes in South Kent is about $412,000.
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There are tot lots, community parks and trails in the area

The two Kiwanis tot lots on West Crow Street, less than a quarter mile apart, have playgrounds. Riverview Park, west of the freeway, includes part of the Green River Trail, which extends northward to the edge of Seattle. In Foster Park, adjacent to Riverview, the Green River Trail meets the Interurban Trail, which continues on a bridge across the Green River

The Green River runs to the sough of the neighborhood.
The Green River runs to the sough of the neighborhood.
The Interurban Trail is the perfect place to enjoy the scenery and South Kent.
The Interurban Trail is the perfect place to enjoy the scenery and South Kent.
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Shops and restaurants are nearby on Central Avenue or downtown

Central Avenue, to the east, offers some businesses, many of which provide automotive services. For food and fun, there's La Chapanita, a Mexican restaurant and nightclub with live music acts and karaoke nights. Cloud 9 Bar and Grill also has karaoke, themed music nights, and dart and pool tournaments. There's much more to choose from downtown, where Kent Station shopping mall has about 50 businesses, including restaurants and an AMC movie theater. The Kent Farmers Market at Town Square Plaza downtown is on Saturdays during the summer. Kent's multicultural vibe is apparent, with Hong Kong Market, Public Halal Market and La Huerta Mexican & Latin Market all about a mile from South Kent homes. There's also a Safeway nearby.

Enjoy some great beer and better company at Airways Brewing Bar and Pub in Downtown Kent.
Enjoy some great beer and better company at Airways Brewing Bar and Pub in Downtown Kent.
The Ram Restaurant & Brewery in Downtown Kent has patio space where you can soak up the sun.
The Ram Restaurant & Brewery in Downtown Kent has patio space where you can soak up the sun.
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Public schools include Kent-Meridian High School

Public schools include Scenic Hill Elementary School, which earns a C-plus grade from Niche, and Mill Creek Middle School, which receives a C. Kent-Meridian High School, rated B-minus, stands out for the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, which hosts student and company productions.

East Hill students may attend 
Mill Creek Middle School, a public school in Kent.
East Hill students may attend Mill Creek Middle School, a public school in Kent.
Kent Meridian High School is a public high school located in the East Hill neighborhood.
Kent Meridian High School is a public high school located in the East Hill neighborhood.
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Green River flooding, highway and rail noise and city crime

There is a risk of flooding, though the residential streets are farther from the river than the industrial section is. Additionally, the city has flood abatement procedures in place. South Kent residents living closest to rail lines and the freeway may sometimes experience noise issues. South Kent has a CAP Index Crime Score of 9 out of 10; the national average is 4. However, in January 2025, Police Chief Rafael Padilla reported a 5-year low for crime in the city. Crime reduction measures include maintaining a more visible and proactive police presence.

There are various events, concerts and games to attend in Kent

Events in the city include the month-long Kent Winterfest, Kent Kids Arts Day in March and the Fourth of July Splash. Talent Quest, previously known as Kent Has Talent, took on the new name in 2025 to include surrounding communities in south King County. People head to accesso ShoWare Center, which is north of downtown, for concerts and events like high school graduations. Fans of the minor-league hockey team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, and The Tacoma Stars, a professional indoor soccer team, are at all the home games. Pacific Raceways, about 8 miles to the southeast, has motocross and drag racing.

Robin Silberman
Written By
Robin Silberman
Perry Cucinotta
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
Stewart Taveras
Video By
Stewart Taveras

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International

18 min drive

Bus

Central Ave S & E Russell St

Bus

Central Ave S & S 259th St

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$366,500
Median Single Family Price
$430,000
Median Townhouse Price
$312,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$325,250
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$494
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Months of Supply
3.00
Median List Price
$405,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
12%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
212
Median Year Built
1942
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,226
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,355
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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 Renters

Demographics

Total Population
966
Median Age
39
Population under 18
23%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$66,428
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,729

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
84.1%
College Graduates
5.2%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.5%

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®

87 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

61 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

44 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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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
South Kent