The city of Pullman is known as “the Pulse of the Palouse” and for good reason. Its topography was carved by prehistoric glacial floods, creating its incredible display of sloping hills. It’s set in a remote and rural location that hugs the eastern border of Washington, but along with residents, many students and faculty from Washington State University call this city home. In addition to its beauty, Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County and has a population of over 34,000 residents. The city’s industry includes a significant engineering presence, with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories being its largest employer. In the coming years, Pullman hopes to improve its technology, education and overall quality of life but it faces certain challenges among its contemporaries. “We’re the largest city in the state that’s not in a major metropolitan area, so we’re like the biggest player at the kid’s table at Thanksgiving. We try to be with the big guys, even though we have different needs,” says RJ Lott, resident and Community Development Director.
Highway 195 connects Pullman to other cities like Spokane and Coeur D'Alene.
Pullman is a small town that is supported by the local university.
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Public schools and Washington State University
Pullman Public Schools serve the city, with a population of over 2,700 students. The district receives an A-rating from Niche and is also named the no. 1 school district in Whitman County. The city is also quite well-known for Washington State University (WSU), one of the oldest land-grant campuses in the West and whose Cougar football games are a beloved pastime. “We’re a friendly town and we’re open to different perspectives. The university plays a big role in that,” Lott says. “We’re also probably one of the only cities in the state that’s quiet and peaceful in the summer because where other parts of Washington get flooded with tourists, the students go home.”
Washington State University is one of the largest attractions in Pullman.
Pullman High School sits tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Pullman.
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Shopping and dining in both Pullman and Moscow, ID
Downtown Pullman has lots of restaurants, bars, breweries and specialty shops. The nightlife is quite active at places like Rico's Pub, a local restaurant that's been around since 1909 and hosts live performers and the city's longest running trivia series. Wheatland Shopping Center includes several spots to browse and Lott says that residents often make the short drive across the state border to access Moscow’s amenities as well.
Pullman has several nearby specialty shops like B&L Bicycles.
Porch Light Pizza is a local favorite place in Pullman for a slice of pizza.
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Pullman's exciting events
Because the larger Palouse region is rural, it suits the residents to celebrate its rich agricultural roots. Enter the National Lentil Festival, when Pullman celebrates every year with a 5k fun run, sports tournaments, live music and lentil chili. The Pullman Winter Farmers Market runs from January to April, and supplies the community with fresh produce, baked treats and gardening items. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art features rotating exhibitions. There's also the Palouse Discovery Science Center, and the Chinook Village Community Center for more events throughout the year.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art offers a free place to view and enjoy art in Pullman.
Martin Stadium hosts WSU football games that attract lots of people to WSU.
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Pullman's parks
Each of Pullman’s parks provide a unique opportunity for recreation. Kamiak Butte County Park gives stunning views of the landscape. Bill Chipman Palouse Trail’s 7 miles connect Pullman to the nearby city of Moscow. Reaney Park has a lap pool, splash pad and playground. Kruegel Park encourages outdoor play and relaxation with its soccer and baseball fields as well as its picnic shelter. Palouse Ridge Golf Club’s offers stunning views along its 18-hole championship course.
Pullman has lots of outdoor recreation a short drive from the city.
Locals can ski in local parks when there is enough snow in the city.
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Simple homes and the city's housing goals
Homes are typically built with simple, unassuming styles, be it condos, ranch-styles or Craftsmans. The average price is $525,000 and average home values have been steadily increasing since 2020 and are currently plateauing at $450,000. It takes about 64 days for a home to sell, compared to the national average of 44 days. As for the city’s plans for housing, Lott says the number one goal at city hall is to build new units. “We’re open to any, whether that’s single-family homes, apartments, duplexes or townhomes. We’re dealing with what I like to call the three challenges outside of the scope of what we do at city hall. There’s the availability of raw land to build upon, the availability of building materials and availability of talent to assemble those materials into a home. Those aren’t items that city staff can easily rectify but we’re working on it,” Lott says.
New construction communities are becoming more prevalent in Pullman.
Craftsman Bungalows like this make up a majority of the homes in Pullman.
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Interstates and airports near Pullman
The steep hills in Pullman can make it hard to walk around the city, so cars are ultimately the best travel option for everyone. State Route 27 at N Grand and Route 270 at E Main Street overlap and wind throughout the city. The city sits about 70 miles from Interstate 90, the longest interstate highway in the United States. Pullman Transit buses provide public transportation. The city lies just near the Washington state border, right across from Moscow. Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport and Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport both provide airline connections.
Locals can use highway 195 to commute to and from Pullman.
The Pullman Moscow regional airport provides flights to and from Seattle from Pullman.
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Crime and climate trends for Pullman
According to FBI data reported by the Pullman Police Department, violent crime experienced a 22% decrease and property crime saw a10% increase. Conversely, violent crime offences are lower than the national rates while property crimes are about the same. Data from First Street suggests that Pullman is at a moderate risk for floods, wildfires and heat, as well as a severe risk for air quality.
Written By
Julia Concepcion
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Wong
Video By
Christine Tranchina
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Pullman, WA sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Pullman, WA over the last 12 months is $464,500, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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