Downtown Tacoma
Celebrating art and culture with The Mosaic festival
Being a central neighborhood in a popular area means there's always something going on. Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church puts on the Tacoma Greek Festival every year. For three days every October, dancers perform, the church kitchen offers authentic Greek food like Souvlaki sausages and visitors sample handmade Greek pastries. The Tacoma Ocean Fest also brings locals together to celebrate art, community and conservation. The Mosaic: Art & Culture Festival makes Wright Park come alive with diverse celebrations and vendors selling items that represent their heritage.
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Recreation blooms at Wright Park
Tacoma residents looking for a place to relax might visit Jack Hyde Park. This waterfront park features picnic tables and the Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park. Visitors can walk under the pavilion and enjoy the beautiful Fuzhou Ting or Chinese open pavilion. The W.W. Seymour Conservatory welcomes visitors to stop by and smell the flowers throughout the arboretum and Wright Park. The park was designed and built in the 1880s, but a modern playground and splash pad wait for younger visitors to enjoy.Locals who want a fun day indoors can stop by theatres and museums. Families spend the day at the Tacoma Children's Museum or laugh all night at Tacoma Comedy Club, which features local and big-act comedians from around the country. After crossing the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, visitors stop by the Museum of Glass to see glass blowers creating stunning pieces or explore the permanent exhibits.
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Students and Seattle transplants choose Downtown Tacoma
Washington University attracts most new residents to the area. “There’s also the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University in the area,” says Joy Heritage, a local and broker with Windermere Real Estate/West Campus. Most Downtown Tacoma residents rent condos with views of the city or apartments that overlook Commencement Bay and Mount Rainier. Some locals purchase condos with two bedrooms for $400,000 and $600,000. "Prices are incomparable here—you cannot get a waterfront property for that price in Seattle," Dagan says. Those with a higher budget can get roomier condos for $800,000 to $950,000. A handful of single-family homes sit south of the downtown center. These homes feature Cape Cod designs, limited yard space and concrete steps leading to the front doors. Future homeowners can expect to pay between $415,000 and $475,000. Downtown Tacoma has a 9 out of 10 CAP crime rate, with 10 being the highest. The national average is 4.
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Cheering on the Tigers at Stadium High
Parents in Downtown Tacoma often send their kids to Stanley Elementary School, which gets a B-plus from Niche. Students later transition to the C-rated Hilltop Heritage Middle School. Stadium High School draws a crowd during football season when families and alums come to watch the Tigers play. Stadium Bowl has views of Commencement Bay and was where “10 Things I Hate About You” was filmed. Niche gives Stadium High School an A-minus.
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Taprooms and local bars near the water
Downtown Tacoma has plenty of restaurants, cafes and taprooms for locals. Some start their days at Campfire Coffee Co., a coffee shop and micro-roastery that partners with the community to get diverse groups out in nature. On the weekend, patrons let out their inner child at Dorky's Arcade, a colorful 21 and older arcade with video games, pinball and a full-service bar. Those in the mood for a sit-down dinner with a view grab a table at Rock The Dock Pub & Grill. When it’s time to stock up on essential groceries, locals stop by the Safeway on South 11th Street or Stadium Thriftway. While in the area, Heritage recommends waterfront restaurants like Duke’s Seafood Tacoma or Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern in Ruston Way.Listen to traffic hum
Residents can hop on a Pierce bus or the light rail to get around town. Interstate 705 runs along the shore and gives commuters on their way to Seattle a connection to Interstate 5. Those who live closer to I-705 and the museums can expect to hear traffic moving outside their windows. St. Joseph Medical Center sits between South I Street and J South Street. Locals can visit for outpatient care, see a specialist or get treatment at the emergency room.Tucoma Aroma
Downtown Tacoma residents can sometimes notice a smell in the city after it rains and the humidity rises. The nearby paper mill, originally cited as the source of the smell, closed in September 2023.
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Written By
Rylee Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
Video By
Jahlil Harris
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Tim McKeown
Tim McKeown
Engel & Voelkers Chambers Bay
(253) 525-6072
181 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Tacoma
$510K - $835K Price Range
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Jessica Taylor
Jessica Taylor
Real Broker LLC
(253) 900-2208
32 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Tacoma
$685,000 Price
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Lawrence Huffines
Lawrence Huffines
Better Properties N. Proctor
(253) 201-8214
26 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Tacoma
$350,000 Price
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Greg Pubols
Greg Pubols
Responds QuicklyCentury 21 Blue Chip
(253) 237-8321
129 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Tacoma
$400,000 Price
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Roger Bintner
Roger Bintner
Responds QuicklyWindermere RE West Campus Inc
(253) 465-2937
61 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Tacoma
$398,000 Price
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Christopher Seim
Christopher Seim
eXp Realty
(253) 300-0532
167 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Tacoma
$293K - $1.3M Price Range
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Edna Travis Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
Thea's Park
- Boating
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Wright Park
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
- Lake
Peoples Park
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
- Picnic Area
McKinley Park
- Skateboard
- Trails
- Playground
Neighbors Park
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
- Trails
Transit
Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International
35 min drive
Train
Tacoma Dome Station
Subway
Theater District/South 9Th
Subway
Convention Center/South 15Th
Subway
Union Station/South 19Th
Subway
South 25Th
Bus
Jefferson Ave & S Fawcett Ave
Bus
13th St S & Market St
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Tacoma | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 6 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 4 |
| Burglary | 8 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 9 | 4 |
| Larceny | 8 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 8 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Tacoma Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Tacoma, Tacoma sell after 98 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Tacoma, Tacoma over the last 12 months is $213,000, down 52% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$347,900
Median Sale Price
$213,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$353,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
7
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-52%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$188
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
994
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
2006
Months of Supply
3.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,446
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,690
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,346
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
892
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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$295,000
- 1 Bed
- 1 Bath
- 610 Sq Ft
- 1501 Tacoma Ave S
- Unit 509
- New 7 days ago
Welcome to The Marcato – Downtown Tacoma Living at Its Finest! Your new condo offers unbeatable access to the city’s best shops, restaurants, the light rail link, and the UW Tacoma campus. Inside your new home, you'll find elegant finishes, including solid wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and radiant floor heating, for year-round comfort. This exceptional community
Carrie Jakeman Park 52, Inc.
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$485,000
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,136 Sq Ft
- 708 Market St
- Unit 711
- New 11 days ago
Stylish Urban Living in the Heart of Downtown Tacoma! Experience the best of city living in this beautifully updated condo at The Roberson! Updates include Quartz counters, high end SS appliances, blackout shades, custom built shelving w/ hidden computer space. Nestled in the vibrant heart of downtown Tacoma, this sleek and modern residence offers open-concept living, high-end finishes, and
Tami Wooding Berkshire Hathaway HS NW
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$429,950
- 2 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 1,268 Sq Ft
- 2107 Tacoma Ct
- New 19 days ago
City Views & Mt Rainier, Modern Comfort—Welcome to a sought-after neighborhood. This stunning townhouse offers the perfect blend of style, space & sweeping city views all from the comfort of your own home. Step inside to find a beautifully maintained interior with an open-concept layout, fresh finishes & abundant natural light. Kitchen is built to feature sleek countertops, stainless steel
Mahlet Altaye KW Greater Seattle
Homes for Rent
-
$1,495 - $3,750 per month
- Rook Apartments
- Studio-2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 392+ Sq Ft
- 1502 Fawcett Ave
- Tacoma, WA
-
$1,500 - $2,599 per month
- Bella On Broadway
- Studio-2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 450+ Sq Ft
- 436 Broadway
- Tacoma, WA
-
Condo Buildings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
13,064
Median Age
38
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,544
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$74,602
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.8%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
32.4%
Advanced Degrees
14.2%
% Population in Labor Force
54.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
97
/ 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.
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