Bigelow Highlands is characterized by its pedestrian-friendly roads. The journey from Downtown Olympia to Bigelow unfolds seamlessly along State Street, with its extended sidewalks guiding the way. The neighborhood's proximity to Puget Sound and preservation of historic homes also defines its charm. “Bigelow is a great place to walk,” says Matt Murray, decades-long resident and Realtor with Van Dorm Realty, Inc. “You can walk from the Washington State Capitol grounds to the neighborhoods and look at the large trees and cool historic homes. It’s a fun place to walk.”
Downtown Olympia capital building.
The friendly people of Bigelow Heights.
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The Bigelow House
One of the more notable historic sites in the city is The Bigelow House, named after Olympian and public figure Daniel Bigelow. The Bigelow House Museum is dedicated to preserving Olympia's early history as the oldest residence in the city and one of the earliest still standing in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, the home dates back to the 1850s.
he Bigelow House Museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the early history of Olympia
Historic Bigelow House placard.
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Historic homes and neighborhood pride
In addition to the historic homes, the primarily residential neighborhood displays charming ramblers and bungalows. Most homes offer between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet of interior space. Homes along the secondary roads sit back from the street, featuring considerable front lawns that allow passersby to admire the properties. “Many of these eye-catching historic homes rarely hit the market,” explains Murray. “Not many go up for sale because people buy and stay in them.” Bungalows and ramblers range in cost from $300,000 to $630,000. Prices vary depending on the home's condition, with lower prices for those needing some TLC and higher prices for those that have undergone recent renovations and have more square footage. All homes in the neighborhood lie within walking distance of Downtown Oly. “Washington reminds me of a rainforest,” Murray says. “Many of the homes are separated by trees and bushes. We get a lot of rain, but the tradeoff is the beautiful landscape you can see while walking around the city.”
The Bigelow Neighborhood Association (BNA) beautifies Bigelow Springs Park through consistent community cleanups. BNA hosts picnics, barbeques?and an Annual Block Party where neighbors mingle and kick back. BNA offers a public list of historic homes for self-guided walking tours. While exploring, Zoe Juice Bar has refreshing drinks to accompany a stroll through the neighborhood to admire the well-preserved homes. Zoe Juice Bar opens at 6 a.m., providing fresh fruit drinks and acai bowls, including the signature Oly Bowl filled with berries, apple Juice, and almond milk, and topped with granola and spices.
Bigelow Highlands features some amazing historic homes.
Some cozy homes on a hillside street in the Bigelow Highlands neighborhood.
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Juice bars, pastries and a place to unwind after work
More than a sandwich place, 5th on 4th Sandwiches serves old-school milkshakes and salads and has a convenient drive-thru for lunch on the go. The classic club sandwiches and their signature fry sauce are a hit. State & Central lives by the motto: “Meet. Eat. Drink.” This neighborhood gem dishes out classic pub fare and features a rotating beer menu in a rustic chic setting. Left Bank Pastry serves delicious French treats like croissants, brioche and macarons. In addition to the Olympia Farmers Market, Ralph’s Thriftway provides fresh produce and grocery needs. For additional shopping and dining options, Downtown Oly is a short bike, walk or drive going west on State Avenue.
Delicious pastries to try at Left Bank Pastry.
A family enjoying their meal at 5th on 4th Burgers.
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Community events in the park and views of East Bay
Bigelow Springs Park spans close to 1.5 acres and offers stunning views of East Bay, a part of Puget Sound. It's also a popular sledding hill, although snow days are rare. Like in other parts of the city, Bigelow Springs Park features an artesian well providing free-flowing fresh water. Vast grassy areas in the park are ideal for picnics with friends, lounging with pups or reading a book. In addition to BNA-sponsored events, the park hosts other activities such as Big Little Yoga, where little ones and their guardians can participate in singing, stretching and deep breathing.
Bigelow Springs Park is a beautiful park.
Overlooking Puget sound from Bigelow Heights.
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Top-rated schools and student activism
Education can begin at Roosevelt Elementary and continue at Reeves Middle. Both schools earn an A grade on Niche. Avanti High receives a B-plus and provides students with volunteer opportunities with Olympia Film Society and Harlequin Productions. Students can also participate in community activism through local political parties and Thurston County Food Bank.
Reeves Middle School was opened in December 1970.
Roosevelt, formerly Roosevelt Middle School, opened as an elementary school in September 2007.
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Far-free transit and I-5 access
State Avenue NE runs the length of the community and serves as the main thoroughfare hosting Intercity Bus stops conveniently positioned in front of homes and businesses. Getting around town is made accessible via the Intercity Transit bus, a fare-free transit system to hop on and off the bus without reaching for a wallet. The I-5 expressway provides a convenient way to travel north to Tacoma and Seattle.
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
Matt Clark,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Dog Park
Bigelow Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bigelow Highlands
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bigelow Highlands, Olympia sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Bigelow Highlands, Olympia over the last 12 months is $397,684, down 7% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$380,000
Median Single Family Price
$380,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$392
Last 12 months Home Sales
13
Median List Price
$385,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-12%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
341
Median Year Built
1929
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,315
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,934
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Matt Clark,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
944
Median Age
42
Population under 18
18.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$74,337
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$88,406
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
59.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.7%
% Population in Labor Force
67%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
5''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
94/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
77/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
43/ 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.
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.
