About 9 miles south of Tacoma, Summit is a rural area with 8,000 people and farmland that stretches over the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, giving homes ample acreage for raising cattle and horses. "Summit has longtime residents looking for more space outside of the big city," says Brian Solinsky, an area local and managing broker at Keller Williams Realty. This quiet landscape may feel removed from urban conveniences, but it's surrounded by nearby shopping plazas. Many residents commute to Tacoma for jobs in healthcare and education, while some work at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, 12 miles southwest.
Summit View
Summit View
The High Point Equestrian Center offers many horse services such as boarding and lessons.
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Spacious and eclectic properties with potential
Summit's median home price is $595,000, higher than the national media and Tacoma's $482,000. According to Solinsky, Summit has more space than Tacoma, where neighborhoods are often densely packed. "It has diverse homes with new construction," Solinsky says, "and farm-type properties with more acreage."Minimal traditional and ranch-style homes from the 1940s through 1970s are common throughout Summit, while there are some 21st-century new traditional homes in subdivisions like Three Cedars. Summit Puyallup has acre lots with room for gardens and horses, while the hilltop Summit View has mostly farmhouses and undeveloped land. Crime statistics specific to Summit are not readily available.
Summit View
Many homes in Summit Puyallup utilize their large lots to build expansive garage space.
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The South Hill Mall is just minutes from Summit
Summit Country Center is home to Summit's dining scene, featuring American pubs and Vietnamese and Thai places. Canyon Road, a major local thoroughfare, is lined with coffee shops, pharmacies and supermarkets. About 3 miles east, the South Hill Mall has over 120 retailers, as well as a bowling alley, arcade and Regal movie theater. Near the mall, Meridian, a major roadway also known as Washington Route 161, is lined with shopping centers, national chains and big-box stores.
Near Summit Puyallup is a retail core with lots of shops such as O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Groceries such as fresh produce are easy to find at the Albertsons near Summit Puyallup.
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B-minus rated Franklin Pierce schools
The Franklin Pierce School District is rated B-minus by Niche, and serves 7,000 students across eight elementary, two middle and three high schools. Elementary and middle schools offer a Spanish dual language program, and high schools provide college credit opportunities in the Running Start program.
The front entrance to Midland Elementary School.
The front entrance to Morris Ford Middle School.
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The Orangegate trail and turf fields at Heritage Park
Orangegate Park has a roughly 2-mile loop trail that winds through a forest and is popular with horse and dog owners, while Dawson Playfield has a baseball diamond and basketball courts. The 40-acre South Hill Community Park includes a playground and the paved Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail, which connects to Heritage Park and its turf fields for soccer and softball. About 4 miles east, Bradley Lake Park is a 60-acre reserve with paved hiking trails and a fishing lake.
Pipeline Road East near Orangegate Park in Summit Puyallup has a really striking view.
Orangegate Park in Summit Puyallup has quite a few trails for folks to walk along.
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Pierce Transit and various routes along 512
Summit sits right on Washington Route 512, which leads about 6 miles west to Interstate 5; heading north on I-5, it's about 12 miles to downtown Tacoma and 37 miles to downtown Seattle. Pierce Transit, the local bus system, makes stops in Summit along 112th Street. St. Clare Hospital, about 9 miles west, is the closest emergency room and one of the area’s largest employers. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is about 25 miles away.
Rainfall and environmental risks
Like much of the Pacific Northwest, Summit has a temperate climate and wet winters that bring frequent rainfall. Traffic noise may affect properties near WA-Route 512. Most of Pierce County, including Summit, may experience earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis caused by movement along the Tacoma Fault.
Written By
Jackson Hardy
Photography Contributed By
Landon Gauthier
Video By
Lucas Dyke
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cathlene Torgerson,
an experienced agent in this area.
NO HOA! Prime investment opportunity—3-bed rambler with carport and garage located on 2.58 usable acres in Puyallup with flexible zoning that allows up to **two 1,000 sq ft ADUs**. Ideal for rental income, multi-generational living, or future development. Home features custom cabinets, wood trim, vaulted ceilings, and large windows for great natural light. This home has both a Wood-burning and
Welcome to this well kept turn key home with a bright layout! Enjoy a spacious living area with fireplace to spend holidays. Freshly updated and truly turn-key. This home also features private yard for relaxation and entertainment with added detached garage. Conveniently located near schools, shopping centers and commuter routes.
45 years of pride of ownership in this Rambler with large level lot on quaint dead end street. Freshly painted exterior, recent roof, updated windows & electrical panel means no worries about big ticket items. Laminate hardwoods through out from spacious living room with wood stove and stone surround to adjacent to formal dining room and into kitchen with eating space and large pantry. Turn key
$500 OFF MOVE INS!!!! (Must Move In By 8/15)This could be your new home! Apply now!Look no further for great apartment home living because you've found it at Canyon Ridge! Our beautiful community is located in scenic Tacoma, Washington. Enjoy the convenience of being close to everything with easy access to shopping, dining, schools, and entertainment. If convenience and location
Discover the perfect pairing of luxury living and affordability at The Summit Apartments in Tacoma, Washington. Our community offers a range of customized 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartment homes designed to fit your every need. Whether you desire large closets and additional storage or a relaxing spot by the pool to soak up the sunshine, The Summit has it all at the most competitive prices in the
You'll find plenty of space in Summit Puyallup, especially if you love horses. It's an area known for large lots of land, and residents use that space for their equine companions to trot around. There are plenty of places in Summit Puyallup that are more traditional neighborhoods, too, so there is something for everyone looking for some room to stretch out their elbows.<br><br>Homes in Summit Puyallup start at around $550,000 and can reach up to nearly $1.5 million. Properties in this area tend to have a rustic vibe, and many cross between craftsman and ranch homes and use exposed wood on the facades. You'll also be able to find plenty of land on the lots in the area; half an acre is a standard size for properties in this area. The streets run in long, straight lines gridded on the rural landscape. You'll find wooden fence posts marking property lines or trees and shrubs delineating one yard from another, creating a sense of space and privacy.<br><br>Students in the area are part of the Franklin Pierce School District. Rated in the top 10 school districts in Pierce County, it has a B-plus rating on Niche and is known for highly rated college prep programs. The area's youngest learners begin their academic journey at Midland Elementary School with a B-minus rating on Niche. It's mainly known for compassionate teachers. In September 2023, one teacher at the school won a service learning award for his curriculum focused on critical life skills and knowledge. Students continue at C-plus-rated Morris Ford Middle School. Students have fun after-school activities to choose from at the school, like yearbook, chess and outdoor clubs. Learners wrap up their secondary academic journeys at Franklin Pierce High School with a B rating on Niche. The school is known for its unique programs, like the sports medicine club, which competed in a state sports medicine competition in May 2022, which tested the students on anatomy exercise science and pitted them against one another in competitions like speed ankle taping.<br><br>There's no competition when it comes to the outdoors in Summit Puyallup; locals love Orangegate Park. This quiet 160-acre forest is closed to motorized vehicles but wide open for equestrians, joggers and dog walkers. It's a great area to spend hours hiking through and getting lost (but not literally) in the environment. <br><br>Located in a sweet spot between Tacoma and Seattle, this area has easy access to I-5 or Route 512, called the 5-12 by locals. Most people drive in the area, so walkability is a small part of transit but a big part of recreation in areas like Orangegate Park. While you may be tempted to ride your horse to the grocery store, you'll want to stick to the car for getting around.<br><br>Most locals eat and shop at a cluster of shops off the 5-12. Safeway or Albertsons, a local chain, are popular places to load up on groceries for the week. For a bite to eat, head to San Blas Mexican Restaurant in the same shopping area as the grocery stores. With a rustic interior defined by smooth archways in-between dining areas and hues of blue, green and beige, it's a fun place to grab a meal after work.<br><br>For a resident looking to join a community that offers proximity to major roadways and plenty of space on its lots, Summit Puyallup is an option worth considering.
You'll have plenty of nature to look at in Summit View, from tree-lined streets to a modestly-sized pond in the center of the neighborhood. This rural neighborhood between Tacoma and Seattle draws residents who love open spaces and covet easy access to major roadways.
Homes in Summit View start at around $350,000 and top out near $1.25 million. It's a spacious area, with properties starting with around half an acre of land, convenient for residents who keep horses, common to many folks in Summit View. Properties at the top of the price range are ideal for horses because they often have 5-plus acres. Styles tend to be rustic, with wood and siding commonly used as building materials. Styles in the area are normally a cross between ranch and craftsman homes. You'll find large fields marked by wooden and wire fences and trees lining the streets in looping subdivisions off of the thoroughfares stretching through the neighborhood.
Students in the area are part of the Franklin Pierce School District. Rated in the top 10 school districts in Pierce County, it has a B-plus rating on Niche and is known for highly rated college prep programs. The area's youngest learners begin their academic journey at Collins Elementary School with a B-minus rating on Niche. It's mainly known for focusing on student experience. The school implements student-led parent-teacher conferences to ensure student needs are met. Students continue at C-plus-rated Morris Ford Middle School. Students have fun after-school activities to choose from at the school, like yearbook, chess and outdoor clubs. Learners wrap up their secondary academic journeys at Franklin Pierce High School, which has a B rating on Niche. The school is known for its unique programs, like the sports medicine club, which competed in a state sports medicine competition in May 2022, which tested the students on anatomy exercise science and pitted them against one another in competitions like speed ankle taping.
Located in a sweet spot between Tacoma and Seattle, this area has easy access to I-5 or Route 512, called the 5-12 by locals. Most people drive to get around in Summit View, so walkability only extends to walking to your neighbor's house.
Summit View neighbors a shopping area off the 5-12. Locals can pick up their groceries at Safeway or Albertson's, a local grocery chain. For a bite to eat, head to Summit Pub. This casual spot has high tables and a full bar. You'll find drink specials and brews on tap in neat handwriting on a chalkboard hung next to the bar; it's a popular place to gather on game night and relax with family and friends.
Heritage Recreation Center is a hub of activity right near the neighborhood. Locals flock to the facility for baseball games, soccer practice and a children's play area. There's also an indoor concessions area so you can keep up for an all-day tournament, and if sports aren't your or your family's focus, hop on the Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail for some laid-back exercise.
For a homebuyer looking for a rustic community that boasts plenty of space in its lots, Summit View is an option worth considering.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Summit Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,837
Median Age
43
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$99,625
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,905
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.8%
College Graduates
22.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.3%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
33°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
12/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.