An inner-ring Seattle suburb close to Lake Washington
Renton is about 11 miles south of Seattle. It's on the Cedar River and adjacent to the southeastern edge of Lake Washington. The Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound are to the west, and the Cascade Mountains are to the east. It's considered an inner-ring suburb: a well-established area developed around a metropolis. Though the city maintains an urban feel, there are tastes of the country, too — including a berry farm in northern Renton.
This King County city has a population of about 108,000. "We have everything from waterfront properties and the Seahawks training facility to our treasured downtown core," says Kelly Affleck, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and owner of Tomato Tomato Creative, a craft store and workshop space in downtown Renton. "Overall, Renton is a beautifully diverse community that has a wonderful 'come as you are' vibe." According to the City of Renton, more than a third of residents have a first language other than English, and just under 30% of the population was born outside the United States. Renton is also known for the Jimi Hendrix Memorial. The final resting place of the Seattle-born rock star is at his family's plot at Greenwood Memorial Park & Funeral Home.
The Boeing Company's 737 factory in Renton spans over 1 million square feet, with approximately 12,000 employees. It produces about 30% of the jet fleet worldwide. Boeing has a presence in several locations across the Seattle metropolitan area. Other industries in Renton include technology and healthcare, like Valley Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente. It's also the birthplace of the card game Magic: The Gathering, made by Wizards of the Coast, which has been headquartered here since it was founded in 1990.
The Cascade mountains are visible from Renton on clear days.
The Boeing Company's 737 factory in Renton spans over 1 million square feet.
Renton is also known for the Jimi Hendrix Memorial of the locally born musician.
Valley Medical Center is the main local facility for the Renton area.
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Enhanced downtown Renton, the Landing
Originally established as a town in the late 19th century, Renton has seen much growth and development. People living downtown enjoy the walkability and opportunity to shop and dine close to home. Almost all the businesses are independently owned, many housed in buildings from the early 1900s. "On the top of one of the historic downtown buildings is dragon sculpture, Erasmus, that is a fun sight to see," Affleck says. "There are also incredible restaurants, coffee shops, 8 Bit [a retro arcade]; and retail that can keep the family busy for a full day."
The Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan has multiple projects in the works. "There's an excitement for things coming," says Amanda Free, the City of Renton's economic development acting director. We are doing quite a bit." One plan is to open a year-round market. "We are calling it the Heart Block. There will be two anchor tenants and over a dozen indoor vendors. We plan on having a diverse mix." Black River Culture Arts Center on Logan Avenue, which opened in 2024, was another action plan project. "We've been holding monthly art classes there each month; it's an education space for all ages," Free says.
The Landing, close to Lake Washington, is a shopping and entertainment district for Renton. There are stores, restaurants and a movie theater. A major draw in this area is Topgolf, which is a big deal in Renton, as it is the first to open in the state. Central Renton has retail areas conveniently accessed from Interstate 405. Stores include Walmart Supercenter, The Home Depot, and grocers Fred Meyer and Uwajimaya.
FBI data shows that the city's violent crime reports at the end of 2023 were 82 per 100,000, compared to a state rate of 89 and a national rate of 121.
The 8-bit arcade is a retro gaming paradise in Renton.
Erasmus, a dragon sculpture, perches atop a historic building in downtown Renton.
The Landing is the place to go for entertainment, food and fun in Renton.
Topgolf is a major draw in the area for golfing enthusiasts.
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Lower home prices in Renton than Seattle and Bellevue
The median home price in Renton — $740,000 in October of 2024 — is lower than the medians for Seattle and Bellevue. In Renton, more than 80% of residential sales are for single-family homes. Vintage styles include early 20th-century Craftsmans and midcentury ramblers. Contemporary and custom homes have been added over recent decades. "Given Renton's proximity to western Washington's major metropolitan areas and outdoor attractions, it has become a targeted area for many homeowners," says Ben Eklund, a broker with Skyline Properties Inc., who has frequently been named a Seattle Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent.
The city's eastern area, namely Kennydale and the Highlands, boasts the highest home prices. Free says smaller, older homes have been torn down and replaced with million-dollar homes. Central Renton and Sunset offer lower prices on average. Sunset, a large development near Sunset Park, has affordable housing and market-rate apartments. "There will be homeownership opportunities, too," Free says. Plans call for over 100 townhouses to be built there as well.
Modern homes sit beside older style homes in Renton.
In Renton, more than 80% of residential sales are for single-family homes.
Vintage styles feature early 20th-century Craftsman homes and midcentury ramblers.
The median home price in Renton is $740,000 in October of 2024.
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Interstates, Sound Transit and RapidRide buses
Interstate 405 north is the route to Bellevue and Redmond. The trip to Tacoma is south via Interstate 5 or state Route 167 and the opposite direction on I-5 leads to Seattle. Public transportation includes the Sound Transit Bus 560, Bellevue-West Seattle, which has a stop at Renton Transit Center. SeaTac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is less than 10 miles away. King County's RapidRide's F Line travels from Burien Transit Center to Renton, with stops at SeaTac and Tukwila stations along the way.
A transit-oriented district is planned for outside of the downtown area. "The goal is to redevelop into mixed-use. People will be close to transit but still have shopping and dining opportunities like in the suburbs," Free says. A new urban trail, the Renton Connector, is another action plan item being worked on.
Public transportation is provided by Sound Transit buses from the Renton Transit Center.
SeaTac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is less than 10 miles away from Renton.
Interstate 405 north is the route to Bellevue and Redmond from Renton.
Head along I-5 from Renton for a short trip to downtown Seattle.
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Salmon along the Cedar River, lakeside parks and more
Renton's waterways include the Cedar River, a route for sockeye salmon and other species during their spring-through-fall spawning season. Salmon viewing sites in Renton include Cedar River Park, Cavanaugh Pond, and Renton Library, which was built on girders over the Cedar River.
Lake Washington shoreside activities are popular at sites like Kennydale Beach Park, which has a pier and log boom bordering the swimming area, as well as a canoe and kayak launch. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park has a boat ramp, fishing pier and volleyball and tennis courts. About 8 miles northeast of downtown Renton, the 3,000-acre Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park has forests, wetlands, and 35 miles of trails.
Renton Library is built upon girders across the Cedar River.
Cedar River Park is a lovely place to walk and enjoy the fresh air.
Take your kayak out to Lake Washington from Gene Coulon Beach Park in Renton.
Try to catch a fish from Kennydale Beach Park in Renton.
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Renton River Days, wine walks and a farmers market
Events in the city include Renton River Days, a three-day festival in late July, with activities at various locations. Over 25,000 people attend, and there's a parade, along with the Summer Bazaar Arts & Crafts Show. Summerfest brings the community together for fun, and the Experience Renton Block Party is an end-of-summer treat.
The Renton Multicultural Festival goes on for two days in September. The Renton Farmers Market is held on Tuesdays, June through September. The historical Renton Civic Theater is the setting for the Main Street Pitch Competition, where entrepreneurs win prizes for the best innovations. Renton Wine Walks take place three times a year. Some of these and other events are held at the Renton Pavilion Event Center and the adjacent Piazza, in the area being developed as Heart Block.
15,000-plus students in Renton School District
The Renton School District earns a B grade from Niche. The district has more than 15,000 students and more than two dozen schools. High schools reporting 2023 graduation rates of over 86% are Hazen High and Lindbergh High. The district as a whole had a rate of about 80%. Renton Prep, a private, Christian establishment, is a Microsoft Showcase School and the state's first kindergarten through 12th grade school to earn a STEM certification from accreditation non-profit Cognia. Higher education options include Renton Technical College.
Hazen High School is rated above average for test scores and college readiness by Great Schools.
Students in the Lower Kennydale neighborhood attend Hazelwood Elementary.
Highlands Elementary School in the Sunset neighborhood.
At Risdon Middle School, students participate in lots of educational extracurricular activities.
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Seahawks for football fans; Sounders and Reign for soccer
The Virginia Mason Athletic Center, the practice facility of the Seattle Seahawks, is the second largest of its kind in the NFL. Seahawks fans are often called "the 12s" in tribute to their zealous support for the team, representing the "12th man," joining the other 11 on the field.
Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC and the National Women's Soccer League's Seattle Reign FC moved to their headquarters and training facility to Renton in 2024. They are still playing at Seattle’s Lumen Field, though discussion for a stadium move has been ongoing.
Soccer is influencing other endeavors in Renton, like Legacy Square, another project of the action plan. Community events will be hosted at Legacy Square, which will have a soccer pitch, large stage and jumbo screen. Free says they are planning to complete these projects by Spring 2026 in anticipation of the World Cup that summer. "Since the Sounders are headquartered in Renton, we hope to have one of the international teams based here for the World Cup. And we are vying to be a viewing location."
In 2024, the Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC moved their HQ and training to Renton.
Players practice at the Seattle FC fields in Renton.
The Virginia Mason Athletic Center sits on the shores of Lake Washington in Renton.
Seahawks fans, known as "the 12s," honor the "12th man" for their passionate support in Renton.
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