$535,048Average Value$308Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
Rochester allows for a countryside home within commuting distance of Olympia
Rochester is a quiet, rural community that offers a peaceful place to call home in the greater Olympia area. "You get more bang for your buck. The price of homes down there is a little more affordable," says Jason Munoz, a Realtor and owner of Munoz Home Group with Keller Williams South Sound, who has over a decade of experience. "It's more rural and has more space. There are fewer people, so you have more of a small-town feel." The community is on U.S. Route 12 just off Interstate 5, offering convenient regional commutes. Nearby natural areas and recreation sites allow residents to escape into nature, while the spacious lots and tall pines provide a natural feeling at home.
Spacious lots provide room for gardens, farms and backyard activities
Homes in Rochester are often midcentury ranch-style or manufactured houses, although there are some vintage Craftsmans and bungalows from the early 1900s. There is little new development, but buyers can find some 21st-century homes. Properties are almost always a quarter-acre or more, with many being at least an acre. The lot sizes make it ideal for gardening, small-scale farming, or simply enjoying extra space. Some homes come with outbuildings like barns or workshops. Munoz says there are no homeowners associations in the area, so buyers can use their land however they want. The median sale price is around $550,000. The Black and Chehalis rivers pose a significant flood risk to the area. Rochester has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Craftsman homes are abundant in Rochester.
Spacious homes sit on woodsy lots in Rochester.
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Forests and wildlife areas offer hiking and hunting opportunities
Natural recreation surrounds Rochester. "There's a lot of hunting and fishing in the area. Actually, you can find pretty much whatever outdoor activity you want," says Larry Weaver, broker/owner with Dreamweaver Real Estate and fourth-generation area resident. "There's basically endless trails at Capitol State Forest, and it's an hour and a half to ocean beaches and an hour and a half to snow skiing in the Cascades." Capitol State Forest has over 100,000 acres of public land for hiking, horseback riding, camping and wildlife viewing. Wildlife areas like the Scatter Creek and Black River units offer more hiking options, plus hunting for pheasants and other birds. Rochester Park is a green space within the community with baseball fields, a playground and walking paths.
Explore miles of hiking and biking trails in Rochester's Capitol State Forest.
Rochester Community Park offers a playground and a walking trail.
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Highway 12 is the spot to be for shopping and dining in Rochester
Rochester's commercial activity is centered along Highway 12 and includes chain and locally owned businesses. Highway 12 Drive-Inn is an old-school fast-food spot serving burgers and milkshakes. Talking Cedar in nearby Grand Mound is a restaurant, distillery and brewery serving traditional pub food and house-made drinks. Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel has multiple dining options, plus slots and table games. Groceries are available at Bailey's IGA Market or Country Corner Market. Olympia and Tumwater have more shopping, including stores like Costco, Walmart and Home Depot on I-5.
Highway 12 Drive-Inn serves up burgers and shakes with a retro feel in Rochester.
Rochester residents frequent IGA Bailey’s for their grocery needs.
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Highways offer convenient commutes throughout Washington
Highway 12 and I-5 offer commutes throughout Washington, making Rochester a convenient spot for people working in the larger cities. "Most people in the area these days commute to Olympia, a few to Centralia," says Weaver. "There's hardly ever any traffic on the way to either town, so it's pretty easy to get around." Olympia is about 21 miles north via I-5, while Centralia is about 11 miles south. Rural Transit operates a bus route in the area that connects Rochester to Tumwater.
Rochester schools prepare students for careers
Rochester Primary School earns a B-minus from Niche, while Rochester Middle School and Rochester High School each receive a C-plus. The high school offers several career pathways, including agriculture and engineering and robotics. Students are required to take at least two semesters of career and technical education courses to graduate.
Rochester students begin their education at Rochester Primary School.
Students in Rochester continue their education at Rochester Middle School.
Rochester High School offers a variety of career pathways.
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Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Marcus Yzaguirre
Video By
Mallory Nolte
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cathlene Torgerson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Rochester, WA sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Rochester, WA over the last 12 months is $524,999, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled in the peaceful countryside of Rochester, this beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on a full acre of private land offering the perfect blend of comfort, updates, & space to roam. Step inside to discover a spacious, inviting living room filled w/ natural light t/o. The spacious country kitchen was thoughtfully updated two years ago & features sleek Corian countertops, an undermount
Brand New, fresh, clean and ready for move in by the middle of April. 3 Bdrm/2 bath home in an open country setting. This home is in a tiny little privately operated park off of Sargent Road near Scatter creek. Only 6 units total will ever be here. This is a 55 and older park. All nicely kept homes, all good tenants. Across the driveway from an open space farm area with views to Mt. Rainier. This
True end of the road privacy! It's a large home with 1944 sq ft and 3 bedrooms, plus two living areas to enjoy, connected by a galley kitchen with new tile floor and live edge laminate tops. Charming original cabinets, double sided brick fireplace with painted front and pellet insert in one room and original red brick and wood for the other. Fully fenced and gated for privacy and security.
Beautiful 5 acre rambler up for grabs! Michigan Hill property built in 2016 features 2 horse stalls and a fenced acreage. Enjoy privacy among picturesque and territorial views. The home features a covered porch, outdoor deck space, beautiful scenic windows, walk in pantry, utility room off the garage, propane fireplace, an open kitchen with quality cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
Charming rambler tucked away in a private cul-de-sac, .32 acre setting with wonderful neighbors and wildlife often passing through! With 3 bedrooms (plus office), and 2 baths, this home offers 1480 sq ft of comfortable living space, plus a 280 square foot bonus room having been added within the garage space, with thoughtful updates throughout. Enjoy new flooring, ceiling fans, and a beautifully
Nestled in the peaceful countryside of Rochester, this beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on a full acre of private land offering the perfect blend of comfort, updates, & space to roam. Step inside to discover a spacious, inviting living room filled w/ natural light t/o. The spacious country kitchen was thoughtfully updated two years ago & features sleek Corian countertops, an undermount
Home with huge 36' x 52' 4+ bay shop on an acre of paradise - Come experience the tranquility! Surrounded by beautiful landscaping and gardens this lovely home has been incredibly well maintained by its only owner - a retired military man, with an affinity for wood working, mechanics and gardening. This entire property is spacious (inside and out) and is filled with colorful blooms! Everywhere
Thoughtfully maintained one-level, 2-bedroom home, offering comfort, functionality, and thoughtful updates throughout. The light-filled main living area features vaulted ceilings, creating an open and inviting atmosphere. The updated kitchen boasts ample storage and flows seamlessly into the dining space—ideal for everyday living and entertaining. The spacious primary ensuite includes a 3/4 bath
Centralia Chehalis Vintage Auto Club presents a 2400 Sq Ft. shop/community building with full kitchen, 2 commercial type bathrooms with showers, meeting room including office space and storage. Building is 40 x 60 and in excellent condition. Property is serviced by a 400 amp distribution panel professionally installed. Additional buildings include a massive fireplace covered by a steel carport
Quality-built in 2022, this beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath rambler sits on a generous 1.19-acre lot in Rochester. Designed with comfort and functionality in mind, the home features an open-concept layout with vaulted ceilings that create a bright and spacious atmosphere. Enjoy efficient year-round comfort with forced air heating and a heat pump. The wood privacy-fenced backyard offers a perfect
Great investor opportunity! Seller is motivated! Discover Your Private 5-Acre Sanctuary! Escape the hustle and bustle and settle into this sprawling 5.3-acre property in the heart of Rochester. This 1,828 sq ft rambler features a functional 3-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom layout, offering a perfect canvas for your personal touches. Large windows throughout the home invite an abundance of natural light
Welcome to Whispering Woods Mobile Park, a quiet, owner-occupied community in Rochester, WA. This home has been rebuilt with care from top to bottom, offering a fresh, modern living space that’s easy to maintain and comfortable to live in. Inside, the layout feels bright and efficient, with nearly every system and surface replaced such as new water heater with warranty, new electrical panel, and
Have you been dreaming of living away from it all? Make this your next home. Shy 5 acres, fully fenced with pasture area for livestock or other animals. Large barn on site to store hay or house animals. Possibility to add more stalls than what is currently there. Barn has full length loft, power & water. 24x48 Shop on site has 2 roll up doors & power. Property has expansive yard space with a duck
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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