Separated from Yakima by Interstate 82 and the Yakima River, the unincorporated community of Terrace Heights is home to the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNUHS), which is a major draw and employer. Though Terrace Heights is more of a bedroom community, the surrounding Yakima Valley is best known overall for its agricultural output. “Hops are huge here,” says Kristi Foster, President and CEO of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce. “We also have apple orchards, cherries, pears and even spearmint.” The valley’s sunny weather and scenic landscapes are displayed at the over 260-acre Yakima Sportsman State Park. Larger lots and quieter streets tend to attract higher home values, and the Yakima Country Club is also popular among many residents. Locals typically drive into Yakima for most shopping and dining.
Look out over city of Yakima and the Yakima Valley from you property in Terrace Heights.
Terrace heights is supported by agriculture and has a high population of hops farms.
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Slightly larger lots and new development to the Northwest
Homes in Terrace Heights sell for a median price of $450,000, higher than Yakima’s median price of $365,000. Most properties consist of ranch-style homes and cottages on large lots built between 1930 and 1980. Development picked up in the early 2000s in the northwest part of town with new traditional homes, and it has continued into the present day with more new construction in the 2020s. There are also several 55+ manufactured home communities from the late 20th century, as well as a few recently built communities from the 2010s and 2020s.
Housing developments built in the early 2000s offer homes to many Terrace Heights locals.
Many Terrace Heights Ranch homes sit on Large properties with a lot of green space.
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Riverfront recreation at Yakima Sportsman State Park
Yakima Sportsman State Park spans over 260 acres on the banks of the Yakima River, making it a popular spot for fishing, hiking and birdwatching. The 117-acre Yakima Country Club is a draw for many Terrace Heights residents with a private 18-hole golf course surrounded by century-old trees and apple orchards. In addition to the golf course, the club also has a pool and a restaurant. Terrace Heights Memorial Park, the local cemetery, is over 90 years old and also serves a swan habitat.
Yakima Sportsman State Park in Terrace Heights features a pond, river access and a trail.
The Yakima Country Club offers a beautiful 117 acre golf course in Terrace Heights.
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Local eateries like Provisions Restaurant and Market
Dining options in Terrace Heights are limited to a few coffeeshops and fast-casual restaurants on Terrace Heights Drive, along with a couple pub restaurants near PNUHS. Provisions Restaurant and Market also has a small shop featuring beer, home décor and other products from local vendors. For grocery stores, retailers and more restaurants, locals head into Yakima.
Head the Provisions Market in Terrace Heights for a phenomenal local dining experience.
Area locals do most of their shopping in Yakima, only 10 minutes away.
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Traveling to the Tri-Cities on Interstate 82
Interstate 82 forms the border between Terrace Heights and Yakima, leading 80 miles south to the Tri-Cities of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland. There is no public transit in Terrace Heights, making residents mostly car-dependent. MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital is less than 6 miles away. Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field has commercial flight service to Seattle, 9 miles away. Tri-Cities Airport offers a broader flight service 85 miles away.
Nearby public schools and the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Terrace Heights is zoned for East Valley School District No. 90, which earns a B-plus from Niche. The district serves over 3,000 students across three elementary, one middle, and one high school, and offers classes in the agricultural sciences. Riverside Christian School is a highly regarded private school in the area, serving all grade levels. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, a private institution established in Terrace Heights in 2005, is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. “The local medical community has really grown thanks to the university,” Foster says. “It’s getting to be a larger piece of the economy here.”
Riverside Christian School sits aside a small pond in a scenic part of the Yakima Valley.
Take classes at Pacific Northwest University in Terrace Heights.
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Sunny weather and fire risk in the Yakima Valley
Set in the Yakima Valley, Terrace Heights has 300 days of sunshine a year, with some fog and rain in the winter. There is risk of flooding along the Yakima River, though flood zones rarely overlap with residential areas. There is also moderate to high risk of wildfires; Terrace Heights is located within the Yakima County Fire Protection District #4, served by the East Valley Fire Department. Terrace Heights is also served by the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, which reported an overall 14% decrease in crime from 2022 to 2023, according to the most recent annual report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
Recent plans for Yakima to annex parts of Terrace Heights
Terrace Heights is an unincorporated community; however, Yakima city officials are considering annexing portions of the suburb, including Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences and Sportsman Park. In September 2024, the council voted to approve the boundaries of the annexation. However, the city must now get 60% of Terrace Heights residents to sign a petition approving the measure to move forward. This process could take considerable time, and no updates have been publicly available since the council’s vote.
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.
