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Fremont

Fremont

4.3
$957,634 Average Value
$649 Average Price per Sq Ft
36 Homes For Sale

A funky, thriving Center of the Universe in north-central Seattle

Fremont in north-central Seattle has been described as "funky," "freaky" and "bohemian." A hippie haven in the 1960s, it still has a thriving arts community, indie shops and unique events. Community pride is evident in the neighborhood's nickname, the Center of the Universe. Highlights include parks, trails, quick commutes and top-rated schools in the Seattle Public Schools district, like Benjamin Franklin Day Elementary, Hamilton International Middle School and Lincoln High School. School choice by application is also an option.

The Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge is a staple art structure in the neighborhood.
The Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge is a staple art structure in the neighborhood.
The annual Fremont Oktoberfest takes place every September and offers up over 100 beers to try.
The annual Fremont Oktoberfest takes place every September and offers up over 100 beers to try.
B.F. Day Elementary School is where many Fremont students begin their education.
B.F. Day Elementary School is where many Fremont students begin their education.
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The Highway 99 Bridge connects Fremont to Queen Anne in Seattle.
The Highway 99 Bridge connects Fremont to Queen Anne in Seattle.

State Route 99, drawbridge waits and restricted parking zones

State Route 99 goes through the neighborhood as Aurora Avenue North. Its Aurora Bridge spans the Washington Ship Canal from North Queen Anne. The Fremont Bridge, to the west, is a drawbridge that can be opened on demand. "When the boats signal, traffic on the bridge stops for everyone: pedestrians, cyclists and cars," Pullin says. "It's not on a schedule. But they do limit it during rush hour." The wait is usually less than 5 minutes. Driveways, garages and street parking are available, though some areas are in Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ); residents can buy permits.

Plenty of public art, walkable, bikeable, and with bus service

"Fremont has a very counterculture culture — that's the whole point of it being the Center of the Universe," says Jim Pullin, managing broker at Skyline Properties. "Time is different here. 'Is it faster? Is it slower?' That's not the point. We're on Fremont time." Whatever the speed, it's easy to get around, with highly walkable streets, bike lanes and bus service. Fremont's tech presence includes Adobe; other companies have relocated. The commute to Downtown Seattle, about 4 miles south, takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Public art includes the Fremont Troll sculpture under the Aurora Bridge, with Troll's Knoll Park and a community garden beside it. The 53-foot Fremont Rocket bears a faux Latin motto, "De libertas quirkas" (Freedom to be peculiar), the J.P. Patches & Gertrude statue honors a famous clown and the Statue of Lenin anchors a corner.

The Fremont Rocket is a 53-foot tall landmark that sits at the heart of the neighborhood.
The Fremont Rocket is a 53-foot tall landmark that sits at the heart of the neighborhood.
Buses run day and night through multiple routes in the Fremont neighborhood.
Buses run day and night through multiple routes in the Fremont neighborhood.
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It's all about independently owned boutiques, restaurants and clubs

Locally owned businesses are key to Fremont's vibe. The Fremont Vintage Mall, a collective, is the place for all sorts of finds. Paseo infuses their sizable sandwiches with Caribbean and Latin flavors. Dreamland Bar & Diner hosts drag brunches, while The George and Dragon Pub is Seattle's original soccer hangout. PCC Community Markets is a co-op with organic goods. Nightlife picks include Nectar, the city's largest indoor/outdoor music venue, and Baila Bar, a Peruvian restaurant and club known for bachata, salsa and reggaeton.

The Fremont Vintage Mall hosts many local shops for residents to explore.
The Fremont Vintage Mall hosts many local shops for residents to explore.
Paseo in Fremont is famously renowned for its roasted pork sandwiches.
Paseo in Fremont is famously renowned for its roasted pork sandwiches.
The atmosphere at The George and Dragon's weekly Pub Quiz in Fremont is typically buzzing.
The atmosphere at The George and Dragon's weekly Pub Quiz in Fremont is typically buzzing.
Nectar is Seattle's largest indoor and outdoor music venue and is a great spot for nightlife in Fremont.
Nectar is Seattle's largest indoor and outdoor music venue and is a great spot for nightlife in Fremont.
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Waterfront parks and trails are well-used by residents

Top outdoor amenities in Fremont or within a few miles include:

  • Fremont Cut: used for kayaking, rowing, paddleboarding and includes a ship channel
  • Fremont Canal Park: features topiary dinosaurs, scenic views, benches and trail access
  • Burke Gilman Trail: connects to Gas Works Park and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
  • Hiram M. Chittenden Locks: AKA the Ballard Locks, lets boats through, includes a fish ladder
  • Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden: by the locks, with over 500 plant species, landscaping and pathways
"The main thing for people actually living here would be the commuting opportunity at the locks," Pullin says. Bike commuters have to walk their bikes across the locks.

The Fremont Canal Park is a great spot for bikers to take a ride in the morning.
The Fremont Canal Park is a great spot for bikers to take a ride in the morning.
The dinosaur garden in the Fremont Canal Park perfectly showcases the neighborhood's artistic vibe.
The dinosaur garden in the Fremont Canal Park perfectly showcases the neighborhood's artistic vibe.
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Solstice celebration, parades, beer and a year-round Sunday Market

Events held throughout the year showcase liveliness and creative spirit.

  • Fremont Sunday Market: year round from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Petit Troll Parade: Mardi Gras celebration in the streets
  • Fremont Fair: summer solstice with art, cars, music, parade with naked cyclists and giant puppets
  • Fremont Fridays: summertime crowds for live music, vendors and late-night silent disco
  • Fremont Oktoberfest: Seattle's largest fall beer festival with more than 50 breweries

Fremont Sunday Market is a great place to mingle with other residents in the neighborhood.
Fremont Sunday Market is a great place to mingle with other residents in the neighborhood.
The Solstice Parade is a festive celebration for all ages in the Fremont neighborhood.
The Solstice Parade is a festive celebration for all ages in the Fremont neighborhood.
Miniature floats process down the streets of Fremont each year for the Petit Troll Parade.
Miniature floats process down the streets of Fremont each year for the Petit Troll Parade.
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Craftsmans, contemporaries, condos and some floating homes

There's a mix of homes, including early 20th-century Craftsman bungalows. Single-family homes and townhomes with contemporary or modern styling date from the 1990s to the 2020s. Prices range from the high $500,000s to nearly $2 million. Condos can start under $300,000 and go over $1 million, depending on square footage and newness. Fremont's median sales price is in the low $900,000s.

Permanently moored floating homes are close to the Aurora Bridge. "There's not much turnover, but it's a great dock with 15 floating homes," says Molly Cartwright, a premier broker and Realtor with Windermere Real Estate Midtown. Eastlake, Westlake and Portage Bay have more docks and floating homes than Fremont.

Craftsman-style homes and bungalows come in many shapes and sizes in Fremont.
Craftsman-style homes and bungalows come in many shapes and sizes in Fremont.
Larger contemporary homes bring fresh modern appeal to the neighborhood.
Larger contemporary homes bring fresh modern appeal to the neighborhood.
Some of the more urban areas of Fremont have condominium options along majar corridors.
Some of the more urban areas of Fremont have condominium options along majar corridors.
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ADUs are popular, Fremont is a growth area for development

Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, have become popular due to zoning laws. Most single-family lots are allowed to have two ADUs added, though there are rules related to size, setbacks and spacing. ADU permits and construction can be streamlined with preapproved plans designed by the city.

Additionally, Seattle's comprehensive plan has marked core parts of the neighborhood as the Fremont Hub Urban Village, a growth area for mixed-use development and higher-density housing. This may include townhouses, apartments and micro-housing. Transit-related growth is expected to follow housing.

Robin Silberman
Written By
Robin Silberman
Erik Knudsen
Photography Contributed By
Erik Knudsen
Kyle Keyes
Video By
Kyle Keyes

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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International

31 min drive

Bus

Phinney Ave N & N 46th St

Bus

NW Market St & NW 48th St

Bus

Phinney Ave N & N 50th St

Bus

N 36th St & 1st Ave NW

Bus

Stone Way N & N 43rd St

Bus

Fremont Ave N & N 41st St

Bus

Fremont Ave N & N 39th St

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.3 23 Reviews
4.0 Niche User
7/19/2014 Niche Review
Beautiful old homes but it is a very desirable area that makes it hard for many to afford.
5.0 Current Resident
6/20/2017 Niche Review
I have lived in Fremont for the last 7 years and love it here. It is a really cool place to live because of the art, culture, and natural beauty. I would love to one day be able to buy a flat of my own here so that I can live here forever.
4.0 Niche User
5/24/2016 Niche Review
There are very few vacant lots in this area. It is overall a very well kept place.
5.0 Niche User
4/29/2014 Niche Review
Lots and lots of little stores, but you can get everything you need without having to walk/drive more than a mile.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Fremont US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
3,271
Number of Homes for Sale
36
Median Year Built
1968
Months of Supply
2.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,664
Below the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,531
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
945
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
628
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
535
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Mar 22
    12 - 2pm

    3936 Woodland Park Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

    $1,499,000

    • 6 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,730 Sq Ft
    • 3936 Woodland Park Ave N

    This is it! A remodeled Craftsman duplex in Fremont on a quiet street blocks from Stone, not far from the heart of Fremont with easy access to 99. Use as a duplex or as a single-family home as this home has a good layout with two bedrooms (or offices) on the main floor and two large bedrooms upstairs with bathrooms on each floor. But what makes it really special is the 1,120 square foot

    Matt Goyer Urban Living

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  • Saturday, Mar 21
    11am - 1pm

    3606 Francis Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

    $1,125,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 1,869 Sq Ft
    • 3606 Francis Ave N
    • New 4 days ago

    Acclaimed developer Halverson Design Build presents a classic New York City-style collection of residences, each featuring rare self-contained apartments on the first floors, ideally suited for rental, guest quarters, home offices, or live/work spaces. Modern design + a thoughtful layout highlight this sun-drenched Fremont townhome. Chef’s kitchen offers premier stainless appliances, quartz

    Junior Torres Windermere RE Greenwood

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  • Saturday, Mar 21
    10am - 12pm

    957 N 35th St, Seattle, WA 98103

    $1,185,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 1,785 Sq Ft
    • 957 N 35th St
    • New 15 days ago

    3.99% FINANCING AVAILABLE*. One-of-a-kind opportunity in the heart of Fremont. Welcome to AXIS by Greencity Homes—modern new construction in one of Seattle’s most coveted and walkable neighborhoods. With an exceptional WalkScore of 93 and BikeScore of 99, this home places you moments from Fremont’s vibrant cafés, restaurants, craft breweries, Gas Works Park, Lake Union, trails and convenient

    Grecia Thomas Real Property Associates

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
14,925
Median Age
35
Population Density
24 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
8.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$127,721
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$156,778

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.3%
College Graduates
78.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
83.4%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Moderately friendly

Bike Score®

70 / 100

Very friendly

Walk Score®

80 / 100

Moderately friendly

Transit Score®

70 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

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.

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
Fremont
Shelly Hu
Globenex Realty
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