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West End

West End

$729,135 Average Value
$367 Average Price per Sq Ft
16 Homes For Sale

West End, close to the Tacoma Narrows, is a well-established community

West End is a hilly community next to the Tacoma Narrows, a Puget Sound waterway crossed by twin suspension bridges. There are well-established residential streets, some winding, perched on the bluffs or with cul-de-sacs. Though many streets have sidewalks, not all do. Residents enjoy close access to beaches, forests, waterfront trails and Tacoma Community College. The West End Neighborhood Council, one of eight neighborhood councils in the city, represents the community.

Some West End properties have landscaped yards.
Some West End properties have landscaped yards.
Your West End home may have a garage and driveway.
Your West End home may have a garage and driveway.
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From Craftsmans and Foursquares to midcentury homes

The West Slope is an elevated portion of the peninsula adjacent to the Sound. "It's not a huge hill but has enough of a slope that homes going from the top and down have a view: Downtown Tacoma, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains," says Davey Wilde, a Realtor with Compass.

Wilde says West End is close enough to Downtown Tacoma for convenience but sufficiently separate enough for it to feel suburban. "It's a different vibe living here; it's a lot more residential and has more space compared to other parts of Tacoma."

Not all streets in West End have sidewalks.
Not all streets in West End have sidewalks.
Prairie-style architecture is one of the vintage options in West End.
Prairie-style architecture is one of the vintage options in West End.
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Higher prices than parts of Tacoma, affordable in terms of the county

Early to mid-20th-century homes, like Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquares, ramblers and split levels are common in West End. There are also some contemporary homes, mostly built from the 1980s to the 2000s. Single-family homes fall between the low $400,000s and $1.7 million, though the median sales price is in the low $700,000s. According to Wilde, the West End's prices are on the higher side for Tacoma. "It's not really entry level, but for the whole county, it's still affordable." There are some larger-than-average parcels. Condos and townhouses, which are fewer in number, range from the low $200,000s to mid $400,000s.

Things to know about the Tacoma Narrows Bridges

The twin suspension bridges that connect to the Gig Harbor peninsula are known as the Tacoma Narrows Bridges or Narrows Bridges. There's some history connected to this crossing:

  • A wobbly bridge nicknamed Galloping Gertie opened in 1940, it collapsed 4 months later in a windstorm.
  • In 1950, a new, more aerodynamic bridge opened; some dubbed it Sturdy Gertie.
  • Another bridge opened in 2007, adding four lanes and allowing for a directional traffic split.
The newer bridge, which is for eastbound traffic, also features a wide, multi-use, two-way path that's an extension of the Scott Pierson Trail. A concrete barrier and railings separate the path from cars and the outer edge.

Several parks are close to home, Point Defiance has lots of features

Outdoor sites close to West End homes include:

  • Titlow Park: beaches, marine preserve, trails, a sprayground
  • West End Playfield: skate park, athletics courts and fields, playground
  • War Memorial Park: plaques, artifacts, access to the Scott Pierson Trail
  • China Lake Nature Area: undeveloped evergreen forest, looped lakeside path
The sprawling Point Defiance Park, several miles away in North Tacoma, includes the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Rhododendron Garden and Owen Beach, popular for kayaking, picnicking and beachcombing.

A paved walking trail runs beside the train tracks at Titlow Beach.
A paved walking trail runs beside the train tracks at Titlow Beach.
Family Fun Day is packed with activities for everyone.
Family Fun Day is packed with activities for everyone.
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Waterside spots, Mildred Street and Sixth Avenue shops and food

Among the waterfront establishments at the Narrows Marina are Boathouse 19 restaurant and Narrows Brewing. It's also home to Tacoma's branch of the Carefree Boat Club of Seattle, a members-only club. Other retail and dining options are found inland around Mildred Street, on both sides of South 19th Street. There's everything from locally owned restaurants to fast food and Fred Meyer for groceries. The Highland Hill Shopping Center, off Sixth Avenue, offers additional stores. Toward the east is The Ave, otherwise known as the Sixth Avenue Business District, a lively commercial stretch. To the north is the Proctor District, which hosts the Proctor Farmers Market on Saturdays year round, though not every week. Ruston, a very small, separate city adjacent to Point Defiance, is known for the mixed-use Point Ruston district.

Residents can head to Fred Meyer for their grocery needs.
Residents can head to Fred Meyer for their grocery needs.
There's a YMCA in the area.
There's a YMCA in the area.
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Geiger Montessori is among Tacoma Public Schools' option schools

The Tacoma Public Schools district covers the area, with schools like Henry Foss High School, the sole public school in Tacoma with International Baccalaureate programs. Choice options, generally by application during open enrollment, are also available. One of the option schools, Geiger Montessori School, serves prekindergarten through fifth grade and is in West End. Enrollment is by lottery, with entry preference given to siblings of current students. The Science and Math Institute (SAMI), a magnet high school in Point Defiance, is subject to a regional lottery.

Hunt Middle School is within the Tacoma Public Schools system.
Hunt Middle School is within the Tacoma Public Schools system.
Henry Foss High School is the sole public high school in Tacoma with an International Baccalaureate program.
Henry Foss High School is the sole public high school in Tacoma with an International Baccalaureate program.
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Bus service, Seattle commutes via I-5 or the Tacoma Dome Station

Though some people work in Downtown Tacoma or at the Port of Tacoma, Wilde says Seattle is a common destination for commuters. From West End, state Route 16 connects on the east to Interstate 5; the commute to Seattle typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), a military installation and major employer, is roughly 20 miles to the southwest. "It's pretty easy to get to the Sea-Tac airport, South Tacoma and everything in between," Wilde says.
Pierce Transit has a bus route that goes through West End, while Tacoma Dome Station, about 5 miles away, offers Seattle-bound Sound Transit Express buses and Sounder S Line commuter rail. There's also access to the Tacoma-only Sound Transit Link light rail T Line. Plenty of free parking is available around the station.

Robin Silberman
Written By
Robin Silberman
Kristinah Archer
Photography Contributed By
Kristinah Archer
Colleen Carey
Video By
Colleen Carey

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

41 min drive

Bus

12th St S & Whitman St

Bus

19th St S & Contra Costa Ave

Bus

Tcc Tc - Zone E

Bus

19th St S & 70th Ave W

Bus

19th St S & Columbia St

Bus

Mildred St S & S 12th St

Bus

Mildred St S & James Ctr Plaza

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West End US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
2,120
Number of Homes for Sale
16
Median Year Built
1965
Months of Supply
2.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,967
On par with the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,206
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,209
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
664
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,712

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

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
5
Median Rent
$1,895
Median Condo Rent
$1,895
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,845

Demographics

Total Population
10,331
Median Age
42
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$87,042
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$106,688

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.8%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
43.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.7%
% Population in Labor Force
64.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

40 / 100

Fairly walkable

Walkability®

50 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit®

20 / 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
West End