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Alki

Alki

Suburban Neighborhood in Seattle, Washington

King County 98116
Neighborhood Reviews
4.2
$1,261,805 Average Value
$286 Average Price per Sq Ft
26 Homes For Sale

Seaside vibes and Hawaiian appeal

Awash in sunshine and the scent of salt spray, this West Seattle waterfront neighborhood has a casual air about it. Alki is a place where communal togetherness and seaside town vibes stand out. “Locals like to say that Alki has a very laid-back Hawaii feel to it,” says Mark Bensadon, a Realtor with Keller Williams North Seattle who has lived in the Seattle area for 35 years. “It is very seasonal and catered to the weather. But even in winter the restaurants stay open, and there are always a lot of fun activities to do here, especially on the main boulevard, Alki Avenue.”

Alki was the first spot Euro-Americans settled in the Seattle area in 1835. Although most settlers eventually moved closer to where downtown Seattle is today, this area remained a small townsite. Today, with unparalleled views of Seattle’s skyline, the Space Needle and Bainbridge Island, the Alki neighborhood and its miles of beaches can feel worlds away from the city. Along Alki Beach, the Alki Point Lighthouse has been lighting the way for ships since the late 1800s.

Seaside views across the peninsula

Because Alki skirts a peninsula, many houses, condominiums and apartments have seaside views. Prospective homebuyers might choose an amenity-filled luxury condo on the harbor or a more pared-down beach cottage a block or two from the beach. They might discover the convenience of a midcentury bungalow or low-rise apartment building tucked along the waterfront. Home prices range from about $475,000 for a 2-bedroom condo a few blocks inland to more than $2 million for a 4-bedroom home overlooking the water.

A trio of top schools

Schools in the area are served by Seattle Public Schools. Alki Elementary, centrally located in the neighborhood, holds an A-minus rating from Niche. The school has a 17-1 student-teacher ratio. Madison Middle School is also rated A-minus and has a 19-1 student-teacher ratio. West Seattle High School, too, boasts an A-minus rating. The high school, which offers gifted and advanced placement programs, has an 89% graduation rate and an average SAT score of 1230.

Playgrounds, lighthouses and statues

When school and work are done, locals often head to Alki’s many parks and playgrounds. Alki Beach Park is home to Alki Beach, which was featured in the popular film, “Sleepless in Seattle.” The Statue of Liberty, a small-scale replica of New York City’s monument, has stood in Alki Beach Park since the Boy Scouts erected it in 1952. Me-Kwa-Mooks is a 20-acre park along the waterfront. While much of the park extends inland, the waterfront portion teems with marine life. During low tide, beachcombers can discover hermit crabs, limpets, sea stars and other tidal pool residents. Alki Playground and Whale Tail Park adjoins the elementary school and the Alki Community Center. The park offers a playground, soccer and softball fields and tennis courts. West Seattle Little League teams play at the two Bar-S Playground’s ballfields. The Alki Trail is a paved pathway that follows the waterfront for 4 miles.

Beachside businesses and restaurants

Facing the water, Alki Avenue is dotted with small businesses, retailers and restaurants. Alki Surf Shop carries everything necessary for a day at the beach. Alki Kayak Tours offers scenic sea tours via kayak of the Seattle waterfront. There are no grocery stores in the community, but just a mile or so inland, Trader Joe’s, Fresh Market and Metropolitan Market offer aisles of fresh produce, meats and household needs. The waterfront is home to many restaurants. Pepperdock serves fish and chips and other classic American eats. II Nido features Italian dishes with a modern twist.

Pirates and art fairs

Residents ring summer in with a bang during the yearly Seafair Pirates’ Landing in June; Alki Beach becomes a stomping ground for locals donning pirate garb and storming the land from their fictional sea voyages. In July, the Alki Art Fair highlights the creative bounty of the community with painters, ceramicists and more local talents, along with serenading live music performances.

Getting in and around town

Downtown Seattle is 7 miles northeast. Commuters and visitors cross the West Seattle Bridge or take the King County Water Taxi from the downtown Seattle waterfront to reach Alki. (The taxi service is for foot and bicycle traffic only.) The Seattle-Tacoma Airport is 15 miles south via Interstate 5. Bus service is available in this car-dependent neighborhood.

Robin Beres
Written By
Robin Beres
Erik Knudsen
Photography Contributed By
Erik Knudsen
Ellie Brown
Video By
Ellie Brown

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Yusef Nadir, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International

30 min drive

Bus

SW Admiral Way & 61st Ave SW

Bus

SW Genesee St & 55th Ave SW

Bus

55th Ave SW & SW Andover St

Bus

Alki Ave SW & 1000 Block

Bus

Alki Ave SW & Harbor Ave SW

Bus

55th Ave SW & SW Charlestown St

Bus

Alki Ave SW & 1700 Block

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.2 3 Reviews
5.0 Current Resident
8/22/2019 Niche Review
Fabulous mix of beach culture and old fashioned neighborliness. Great cafes such as C & P Coffee and a wonderful Sunday market.
Are you familiar with the Alki neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Alki Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$462,500
Median Sale Price
$610,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$489,990
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$284,900
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$249,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
40
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
26%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$286

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,742
Number of Homes for Sale
26
Median Year Built
1964
Months of Supply
7.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,086
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,720
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,296
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
833
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 2
    1 - 3pm

    1710 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

    $1,680,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 1,800 Sq Ft
    • 1710 Alki Ave SW
    • New 5 days ago

    Rare opportunity—Craftsman on coveted Alki with spectacular views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mtns. Directly across from Alki Beach coastline. This 3-bed, 2.5-bath Craftsman features a spacious upper-level primary suite with walk-in closet, primary bath and private balcony—perfect for coffee, meditation, or stargazing. The main floor includes a gas fireplace, open living/dining area and

    Daniel Lee Keller Williams Rlty Bellevue

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  • Friday, Aug 1
    3 - 5pm

    3633 Beach Dr SW Unit 402, Seattle, WA 98116

    $850,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 984 Sq Ft
    • 3633 Beach Dr SW
    • Unit 402
    • New 6 days ago

    Set on the top floor of an 8-unit building at the water’s edge, this west-facing penthouse captures an ever-changing panorama where Puget Sound meets the Olympic Mountains. Wake to the rhythm of waves and watch ferries, paddleboarders, and orcas drift by. A resident seal and visiting crane often perch on the jetty just beyond the balcony. Inside, a skylit kitchen with Bertazzoni gas range and

    Colin Dalrymple Windermere Real Estate/East

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  • Saturday, Aug 2
    12 - 2pm

    3410 61st Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

    $1,100,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,480 Sq Ft
    • 3410 61st Ave SW

    Live the Alki lifestyle in this beautifully maintained home just steps from the beach! Enjoy comfort year-round with central A/C and recently refinished hardwood floors that add warmth and character to the main level. The updated kitchen shines with new stainless steel appliances (2023). Downstairs, the fully finished basement offers a flexible layout with a kitchenette and full bathroom—ideal

    Billy Lam COMPASS

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Yusef Nadir, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
8,253
Median Age
47
Population Density
14 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$142,781
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$173,554

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.6%
College Graduates
70.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
8''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

93 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

70 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

33 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Alki