South Westside
Suburban Neighborhood in Olympia, Washington
Thurston County 98502
A wide variety of home styles
The neighborhood’s residential blocks were developed in stages over the 20th century, and as a result, the South Westside housing market is one of the most diverse in Olympia. Properties range from historic 1920s-era homes, including the Spanish revival-style Edward Anderson home, to midcentury cottages and contemporary two-story homes. Duplexes and smaller cottages in the neighborhood can go for as low as $250,000 to $350,000, while more spacious properties usually sell for $400,00 to $700,000. Residential streets in South Waterside form a grid, meeting at right angles and giving the area a slightly urban, planned feel. Alleyways cut behind many houses in the northern part of the neighborhood, and homes often have garages or carports in these alleys. This is less common in the southern part of the neighborhood, where most homes have open driveways. The neighborhood is green all over — evergreens and other trees are common, and most houses have grassy front and backyards. South Westside has a CAP Index Crime Score of 7 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4 out of 10.Capitol Lake running
Capitol Lake on the east side of the neighborhood is surrounded by some of Olympia’s most popular greenspaces, including Heritage Park and Marathon Park. Although swimming and boating in the lake are currently prohibited due to an infestation of the invasive New Zealand mud snail, the 1.7-mile loop trail around the lake is one of the most scenic running and walking routes in town and has great views of the Washington Capitol Building. Decatur Woods Park, located in the heart of South Westside, is home to the neighborhood’s only major playground, along with a few small athletic fields and walking trails.Highly rated middle and high schools
The public schools in South Westside are administered by the Olympia School District. Julia Butler Hansen Elementary has a B-plus rating on Niche, while both Thurgood Marshall Middle School and Capital High School have A-minus ratings. Both the middle and high schools offer a 1:1 Chromebook program, providing all students with their own Chromebook laptops free of charge to promote computer literacy among students.Capital Lakefair
The Capital Lakefair is held every July in Heritage Park, on the shores of Capitol Lake, and draws thousands of visitors from around the area. It features, rides, fireworks, live music and an Olympia-themed parade. Capitol Lake also hosts a number of running events throughout the year, including regular 5k and 10k races.U.S. Route 101
Harrison Avenue on the north side of the neighborhood connects South Westside to downtown and east Olympia, while U.S. Route 101 to the south of the neighborhood connects to Tumwater and Interstate 5. It’s a 4-mile drive to Tumwater, 30 miles to Tacoma, and about 55 miles to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the nearest major commercial airport. A number of bus routes, overseen by Intercity Transit, provide direct connections to downtown and west Olympia.Capital Mall and downtown Olympia
While South Westside itself is mostly residential, it’s bordered to the west by Olympia’s largest shopping centers, The Olympia West Center, Capital Mall and Capital Village Shopping Center. These centers are home to a wide variety of supermarkets, boutiques and big box stores, along with West Olympia’s only major movie theater, the Cinemark Century Olympia. There are also a number of eateries in the area, ranging from national fast-food chains to cozy spots like Mexican restaurant El Sarape. However, most locals will argue that the best dining in the area is actually found east of the neighborhood, in the Olympia Downtown Historic District. The historic district is home to dozens of bars, breweries and restaurants, from classic Pacific Northwest pub McMenamins to highly rated modern eateries like Octapas Cafe.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Jason Munoz
Keller Williams South Sound
(253) 201-3014
315 Total Sales
1 in South Westside
$420,000 Price
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Dan Russell
Lighthouse Realty
(720) 687-3349
18 Total Sales
1 in South Westside
$349,000 Price
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Laura Lundin
Abbey Realty Inc
(360) 529-5703
135 Total Sales
3 in South Westside
$255K - $765K Price Range
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Keenan French
Olympic Sotheby's Int'l Realty
(360) 529-5681
114 Total Sales
2 in South Westside
$551K - $713K Price Range
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James Doerfel
Responds QuicklyPrime Realty
(425) 243-0841
45 Total Sales
3 in South Westside
$434K - $735K Price Range
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Jillian West
Responds QuicklyeXp Realty
(360) 523-1625
36 Total Sales
1 in South Westside
$412,000 Price
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | South Westside | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 6 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
Robbery | 6 | 4 |
Burglary | 9 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 8 | 4 |
Larceny | 8 | 4 |
Crime Score | 7 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
South Westside Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Westside, Olympia sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in South Westside, Olympia over the last 12 months is $514,500, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 1410 - 11:30am
$570,000
- 3 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 1,938 Sq Ft
- 1709 Fern St SW
- New 2 days ago
Live close to it all in this well-appointed Olympia home; minutes to I-5, HWY 101, Capital Mall shopping, & downtown. This property backs to a greenbelt with mature trees that add beauty & privacy. Its low-maintenance front yard provides a stunning array of colorful blooms, while the backyard is a gardener’s oasis with raised garden beds & a covered patio that includes a built-in counter height
Jana Ross Windermere Abode
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Saturday, Jun 1412 - 1:30pm
$600,000
- 4 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 2,209 Sq Ft
- 2004 15th Ave SW
- New 2 days ago
Experience the best of Olympia in a home that’s well-maintained from top to bottom. Major updates in 2023 & 2024 include a new roof, water heater, furnace, heat pump/AC, appliances, garage door opener, LVP flooring, lighting, & more. A central stairway anchors the layout and creates an amazing flow between the home’s 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, generous kitchen, & dual living spaces while south &
Jana Ross Windermere Abode
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit 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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