Located on the Kitsap Peninsula, Port Orchard is a quiet but growing waterfront city bordering the Sinclair Inlet of the Puget Sound. In 2023, the city’s population reached just under 18,000, double what it was in 2009. With a small town feel and proximity to the outdoors that lends to an idyllic atmosphere, Port Orchard has also become a popular retirement destination in Washington. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard sits directly across the inlet, heavily influencing Port Orchard’s manufacturing and defense industries. Seattle is located about 20 miles east and is accessible by ferries crossing Puget Sound. However, driving to the Emerald City consists of a 60-mile trip through Tacoma, resembling a massive U-turn shape on the map. Many of the city’s locally owned stores, restaurants, and small businesses are situated along Port Orchard’s waterfront between several large marinas.
The Port Orchard Foot Ferry runs a regular schedule every day to Bremerton.
Sunny days in the McCormick Woods neighborhood can be spent by the water.
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Range of housing options
In Port Orchard, buyers can find a variety of architectural styles lining the city’s sloping, curved streets. Coastal cottages and Craftsman-style homes built during the 20th century mostly cost between $250,000 and $600,000. However, most homes are in planned subdivisions developed after the turn of the century. Many of these newly built homes have contemporary motifs and modern farmhouse influences, and their prices range from approximately $400,000 to $950,000. The median home price in Port Orchard is $550,000, significantly lower than Seattle’s median home price of approximately $850,000. As the city’s population continues to grow, plans for additional housing developments and apartment complexes are underway.
A lush garden hides a beautiful rancher home in the McCormick Woods neighborhood.
You would be hard pressed to find a home in McCormick Woods that isn't amazing.
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Students served by South Kitsap School District
South Kitsap School District serves all kindergarten through 12th-grade students in Port Orchard and receives an overall B-minus rating from Niche. Primary students are zoned for three main elementary schools: Sidney Glen Elementary, East Port Orchard Elementary and Orchard Heights Elementary. Port Orchard students in grades six through eight are split between Cedar Heights Middle and Marcus Whitman Middle School. South Kitsap High School serves ninth through 12th grade and earns a B-minus rating. Secondary students here can also enroll in the Discovery Alternative High School or the Explorer Academy.
Signage welcoming you to East Port Orchard Elementary School.
Marcus Whitman Middle School in Port Orchard.
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City parks and recreation on the Sinclair Inlet
There are six total parks overseen by the City of Port Orchard, all with open lawns and picnic areas. Three parks – Central Park, Givens Park and Van Zee Park – have playground equipment and athletic facilities. Within the Port Orchard city limits, Kitsap County manages two major parks – Veterans Memorial Park and South Kitsap Regional Park. Veterans Memorial Park is a 48-acre outdoor space with half a dozen fields that community groups can rent for little league, soccer and baseball. South Kitsap Regional Park sprawls across more than 200 acres and is home to numerous recreational trails, including the Forest Explorer Trail, an interactive pathway for kids. Adjacent to the South Kitsap High School is the South Kitsap Community Pool, an indoor swimming pool with designated lap and recreation times. Locals can enjoy seasonal fishing and boating excursions on the Sinclair Inlet, which connects to the rest of Puget Sound.
Take your kids the playground at South Kitsap Regional Park near Bethel.
South Kitsap Regional Park is a major recreational park in Port Orchard.
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Shop, dine and explore in downtown Port Orchard
Port Orchard’s waterfront is home to a burgeoning downtown district; several small businesses, local eateries and specialty stores line Bay Street, which weaves along the Sinclair Inlet’s shoreline. Popular dining spots in this downtown area include Brickhouse 714 Bar + Grill, a family-owned dining spot hosting live music on weekends, and Peninsula BevCo, a local brewery and bottle shop that began its operations in 2019. Trinket shops, antique stores, clothing retailers, bakeries and homemade candy boutiques can all be found along the waterfront. Also in downtown Port Orchard is the Sidney Museum and Arts Association, a creative space and nonprofit organization. The city is currently working on developing the South Kitsap Community Events Center, which will be a multi-purpose venue in the downtown area. Grocery stores, chain eateries and big box retailers can be found further inland in shopping malls like Town Square Port Orchard and High Point Shopping Center, which sit just across from each other along State Route 166. Across from the High Point Shopping Center is Family Pancake & Dinner House, a Port Orchard mainstay and family-owned restaurant that’s been serving patrons since 1963.
Josephines Mercantile has an amazing eclectic collection of household items
Stop by Colello’s Farm Stand for locally sourced produce in Bethel.
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Getting around Port Orchard and the Kitsap Peninsula
State Route 166 – or Bay Street – is the main thoroughfare passing through Port Orchard and connecting to other major highways across the Kitsap Peninsula. Another busy thoroughfare within the city's vicinity is Route 16, which travels approximately 28 miles south to merge with Interstate 5 in Tacoma. Kitsap Transit operates local bus routes and foot ferries between Port Orchard, Annapolis and Bremerton – from Bremerton, travelers can access the Bremerton-Seattle ferry into Seattle. Eight miles east of Port Orchard is the Southworth Ferry Dock, where people can catch the Southworth-Fauntleroy ferry or the Southworth-Seattle fast ferry. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a 48-mile drive away.
The Southworth Ferry is a minutes away from the East Port Orchard neighborhood.
Kitsap Transit serves the community with bus stops all over the neighborhood.
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Crime and safety in Port Orchard
According to the Port Orchard Police Department, there was a 10.7% increase in violent crimes between 2020 and 2021. Violent incidents make up approximately 28% of the city’s crime. In Port Orchard, violent crime happens at a rate of 93.3 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the state average rate of 62.58 violent crime incidents per 1,000 residents. Of all the city’s property-related crimes, larceny and theft offenses were by far the most common, followed by destruction of property.
Port Orchard residents are reminded to properly dispose of their garbage and leftover food products in the spring and fall seasons to avoid attracting black bears. This part of the Pacific Northwest is notorious for its bear population, and although the bears are not usually aggressive, food can increase the risk of human-bear conflict.
Written By
Hayley Simms
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
Video By
Luke Basinger
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Port Orchard, WA sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Port Orchard, WA over the last 12 months is $579,950, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Fall in love with this beautifully refreshed home in one of the most desirable neighborhoods — where stunning views of the ocean, mountains, and Seattle skyline greet you every day. With fresh cosmetic updates throughout, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath gem offers a spacious bonus room, a huge den, and thoughtful upgrades for modern living. Enjoy the convenience of RV parking with a plug, an electric car
Welcome to your 3,402 sq ft dream home in McCormick Woods! Just a block from the golf course, clubhouse, restaurant, and year-round events. This modern, light-filled home features upscale finishes, cozy fireplaces, custom window treatments, blackout blinds, smart switches throughout, EV charging, and magnetic doorstops. Set on a beautifully landscaped lot with forest views, it also offers large
Warm and inviting two-story, 4 bedroom/2.5 bathroom home in a desirable neighborhood near Kitsap Park, trails, schools, and shops. The spacious floor plan is perfect for entertaining, featuring a stunning 16ft foyer with a curved staircase. The living and dining areas flow seamlessly with expansive windows. In 2024, all windows were upgraded ($50K+ value). The kitchen offers stainless steel
This timeless, Craftsman-style home has all of the charm and character that you just won't find in today's homes! With two right-sized bedrooms on the mainfloor and the huge upstairs Primary, you have flexible space for everything you need! The additional bonus space in the Primary bedroom could be a home office, a giant walk-in closet, or even a cozy retreat. The private, fully fenced yard
All of the space you've wanted with the mainfloor living to match! You will love the layout of this McCormick Woods home! Entertain in the large great room and kitchen before retreating to the private Primary bedroom to relax in the jetted tub of the spacious bathroom. The two bedrooms at the other end of the home are the perfect space for long-term guests, and work from home in the convenient
Exceptional horse farm in the PNW—now under $2M! This 14-acre dream property near Gig Harbor has everything a horse lover could want: a remodeled home, top of the line barns, grass turnout fields, trails and a salmon bearing creek. Over $700K in upgrades were added in the past few years, including a brand new 9-stall barn with runs, fans, auto waterers, tack room and office with cameras. You will
Plisko Place is a modern apartment community in the heart of Port Orchard, offering thoughtfully designed homes with comfort, style, and sustainability in mind. Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood with views of the Olympic Mountains, Plisko Place features spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with private balconies, radiant heating, and premium Samsung
Welcome to this charming rambler available for rent in Port Orchard, WA! This cozy home features 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, perfect for those seeking a comfortable living space. The property includes a garage, fenced-in back yard, back yard patio, and off-street parking for your convenience. Enjoy the extra storage space for all your belongings and the plank flooring throughout the home. Relax on
Exciting News for Port Orchard!We’re thrilled to announce that we are NOW leasing units in our highly anticipated Phase II at Pottery Creek!This new phase boasts modern, sophisticated finishes and a host of luxurious amenities that will make Pottery Creek the place to be. Plus, we’re proud to be the first community participating in the Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE)
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