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About Longview, WA

About Longview, WA

City of 38,000 containing the Port of Longview along the Columbia River

In southwest Washington and 54 miles north of Portland, Longview is a small city with an all-American, residential feel. Its gridded blocks extend out from the town square at the heart of the city, and its southern edge borders the Columbia River and the state of Oregon. Heading north, flat city blocks give way to hilly cul-de-sacs. Longview began as a 1920s lumber mill town and remains a manufacturing and shipping hub today. The closest major urban area is Vancouver, about 40 miles south. Affordability plays a role in attracting homebuyers to Longview: “There are people who left Vancouver because it’s more inexpensive up there [in Longview], and there are people who commute down here,” says Dylan Overton, Handris Realty broker with 20 years of real estate experience. A couple of miles east, Interstate 5 connects drivers to Vancouver and Portland. This highway stretches the length of the west coast, from Canada to Mexico. “In general, Longview has a small-town feel, even though it’s sprawling,” Overton says.

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Northlake-Corman is located directly across from Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview.
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Willow Grove is a recreational area 6 miles away with access to beaches.
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Prices in New West Side generally range from $265,000 to $422,000.
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Cascade-City View neighborhood features many tree lined streets.
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Homes in the heart of Longview or overlooking the city

As of 2024, Longview’s median single-family home price is about $380,000 – slightly less than the median price in the U.S., which is about $400,000. “In Longview, you can buy a home for $400,000 that’s pretty nice, whereas in Vancouver, $400,000 is kind of a dump,” Overton says. Some of Longview’s lowest home prices are in the Highlands neighborhood, which borders the industrial sector; here, Craftsman bungalows sell in the $100,000s. Old West Side has century-old, architecturally diverse options, many of which are two-story homes with basements and detached garages. In Cascade-City View and Longview Heights, multilevel and custom homes overlook the city and the Columbia River; from up high, residents can see smokestacks in the distance and catch the scent of pines in the breeze.

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Single-family home prices range from about $345,000 to $629,000 in Old West Side.
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Beautiful mid-century split levels have lush front yards in Cascade-City View.
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Longview Heights contains many new traditional style homes.
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Many colonial revival style homes in Old West Side feature stately shutters.
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The city’s beloved squirrels

Along the streets of Old West Side, squirrel bridges hang from tall oak trees. Ever since a local architect designed a bridge allowing squirrels to cross streets safely from treetop to treetop, Longview has adopted a strong love for the urban rodent. The first bridge has inspired the annual SquirrelFest celebration and the construction of more squirrel bridges. Every August, SquirrelFest gathers locals for family-friendly games, music and face painting at R.A. Long Square in the center of Longview.

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Residents of Old West Side and Longview look forward to Squirrel Fest every August.
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Between the trees, residents may spot a squirrel bridge which are unique to Longview.
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Might Oak trees line the streets of Old Town West
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Longview is known for its squirrel bridges which connect the tree tops across busy streets.
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Easy access to Interstate 5

Longview and its neighboring city, Kelso, blend together; only the Cowlitz River separates them. Kelso offers Interstate 5 access and the nearest Amtrak station; city buses take passengers throughout Kelso and Longview. Downtown Longview is walkable, and neighbors living near Lake Sacajawea Park can take shaded walks or bike rides to the park for events like the Fourth of July fireworks. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, the region’s only hospital for about 50 miles, is in the center of Longview. The nearest airport is Portland International, about 47 miles away.

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Lexington offers access to the Cowlitz River, where anglers can fish year-round.
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The Lexington Bridge crosses the Cowlitz River and connects the neighborhood to Interstate 5.
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Lake Sacajawea is a mile long man made lake stretching across several neighborhoods.
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Longview's PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center is located in New West Side.
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Walking the loop around Lake Sacajawea

Lake Sacajawea Park, the city’s largest park, borders multiple neighborhoods. When dog walkers and joggers take the loop around the lake, they pass by a Japanese garden, a covered basketball court and trees that turn vibrant colors in the fall. Golfers can choose between the public Mint Valley Golf Course or the private Longview Country Club. A short drive out of the city leads to Willow Grove, a peaceful recreation area along the Columbia River where anglers can launch their boats and fish for steelhead. Mountain bikers and hikers can drive to the trails around Mount St. Helens. This volcanic mountain last erupted in 1980, a historic event that dusted Longview with ash. Eruptions are hard to predict, but earthquake tremors could warn of impending geothermal activity.

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Old West Side has a desirable location because it borders Lake Sacajawea.
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Residents of Old West Side can stroll to and around Lake Sacajawea.
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Japanese Gardens can be found on a small island on the north side of Lake Sacajawea
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Lake Sacajawea is the corwn jewel of Longivew and is just south of Northlake-Corman.
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Small businesses and chain stores downtown

Downtown Longview offers a mix of shopping and dining. Commerce Avenue and surrounding streets are lined with locally owned boutiques and restaurants. The Cowlitz County Farmers Market hosts local businesses and musicians twice a week. The Triangle Center between Ocean Beach Highway and Washington Way contains chain retailers. The city also has a handful of dive bars that have been around for decades.

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Downtown Longview is nearby Beacon Hill and offers shopping and dining.
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The Cowlitz Community Farmers Market has served the area since 1979.
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Longview Heights residents can shop for clothing and home goods at nearby Marshalls.
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Columbia Heights East is a quick drive to Triangle Tavern.
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Longview School District’s community gardens

Longview School District is rated B on Niche. With the help of an organization called Lower Columbia School Gardens (LCSG), 19 public schools across Longview and Kelso have implemented their own community gardens. Students learn how to grow produce and distribute it to locals through these school gardens.

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R A Long High School
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Mark Morris High
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Cascade Middle school
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Northlake Elementary School
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Some neighborhoods have higher crime rates

Other than five months between 2021 and 2023, property and violent crime rates in Longview remained higher than state and national rates, according to FBI statistics. Neighborhoods with higher crime rates include Broadway, Third Avenue and Downtown Longview; several nonprofits in these neighborhoods support the city’s homeless population.

Laura Copan
Written By
Laura Copan
Brian Lee
Photography Contributed By
Brian Lee
Vladislav Sedykh
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh

Neighborhood Map

Longview by the Numbers

38,119
Population
$408K
Average Housing Value
46
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Longview, WA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary School
#1 Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary School
B-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Catlin Elementary School
#2 Catlin Elementary School
C+
Niche
Olympic Elementary School
#3 Olympic Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Wallace Elementary School
#4 Wallace Elementary School
C
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Mint Valley Elementary School
#5 Mint Valley Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Saint Helens Elementary School
#6 Saint Helens Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Columbia Heights Elementary School
#7 Columbia Heights Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Northlake Elementary School
#8 Northlake Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Robert Gray Elementary School
#9 Robert Gray Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Monticello Middle School
#1 Monticello Middle School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Mt. Solo Middle School
#2 Mt. Solo Middle School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Cascade Middle School
#3 Cascade Middle School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Huntington Middle School
#4 Huntington Middle School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Coweeman Middle School
#5 Coweeman Middle School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Kelso Virtual Academy
#6 Kelso Virtual Academy
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Longview Virtual Academy
#7 Longview Virtual Academy
3
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Mark Morris High School
#1 Mark Morris High School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Kelso High School
#2 Kelso High School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
R.A. Long High School
#3 R.A. Long High School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Discovery High School
#4 Discovery High School
B-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Kelso Virtual Academy
#5 Kelso Virtual Academy
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Longview Virtual Academy
#6 Longview Virtual Academy
3
GreatSchools
Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design
#7 Kelso Goal Oriented Learning Design
1
GreatSchools
Discovery High School - Achieve
#8 Discovery High School - Achieve

Best Private Schools

Three Rivers Christian School
#1 Three Rivers Christian School
B+
Niche
Big Leaf Montessori School
#2 Big Leaf Montessori School
Montessori Children's House of Long View
#3 Montessori Children's House of Long View
St. Rose School
#4 St. Rose School
Three Rivers Christian School
#5 Three Rivers Christian School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Nick Shivers
(971) 232-4415
Simply put, Nick and his team love people. Their passions are to SERVE unselfishly, GUIDE as if the client is a family member, and GIVE BACK generously. They understand that the purchase or sale of a home is the most significant investment many people make in their lifetime. They take that seriously, offering their very best from every team member to provide exceptional service. Although factual information and strategic negotiation are high priorities, so are helping set expectations and addressing emotions that can be experienced during the process.

Nick started his real estate career in 2000 with a desire to do things differently than the status quo. He wanted to create a place where the most incredible people wanted to work, and all of his energy would be put into helping them reach their dreams. Great people create positive energy, amazing ideas, sharpen each other's skills, and deliver world-class service. His team consists of generous, personable, skilled negotiators, incredible marketers, and an irreplaceable administrative staff that ensure details do not get missed. With over 6,000 clients served, Nick's mission of “Serving People, Saving Kids, all by Selling Real Estate” is going strong!
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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.