$1,034,917Average Value$580Average Price per Sq Ft47Homes For Sale
Rural island community between Seattle and Tacoma
On a forested island between the Kitsap Peninsula, Seattle and Tacoma, Vashon is an agricultural center untouched by mass commercialization. “As soon as you get off the ferry, Vashon says, 'Welcome home.' Whether you're simply visiting or looking for a new hometown, Vashon greets everyone with open arms; it’s the perfect blend of rural charm and urban vibe,” says Nichole Banducci, resident and Vashon-Maury Chamber of Commerce executive director. “On Vashon, we often use the term 'It Takes an Island.' As a community without bridges to the mainland or even traffic lights, islanders naturally rely on each other. We show up to our kid's sporting events, regularly support local arts, donate to important causes, and even offer to return your shopping cart with ours at the grocery store.”
The island’s economy is fueled by farming and tourism. The population is about 11,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and double that in the summer. With proximity to Seattle and Tacoma, employers in the technology, aerospace, and healthcare industries are nearby. “Many people come for [vacation rentals], and people looking to move to Seattle come for remoteness and quiet,” says Aaron Hendon, a local managing broker with Christine & Company for over eight years.
Outdoor recreation and Oscar the Bird King
Trailheads dot forested areas, including Maury Island Marine Park on the island’s east coast and Shinglemill Creek Natural Area on the west. The troll statue “Oscar the Bird King” at Point Robinson Park is part of a Seattle-based, six-troll project to promote watershed protection and habitat preservation in the Northwest region of Washington. Oscar is entirely made of recycled materials and bears a crown of birdhouses. Waterfront areas include various parks, rocky beaches and marinas.
Architectural variety from the waterfront to farmland
Homes here include Cape Cod cottages, ranch styles and traditional farmhouses throughout the island, from the waterfront to forested acres and farmland. Many low-bank waterfront properties have seawalls to guard against potential flooding, and property sizes vary from less than an acre to around 25 acres. The median home price is about $880,000, roughly double the national median. Vashon has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, while the national average is 4. According to the King County Sheriff’s Office of Vashon Crime Statistics, overall crime figures declined by 11% from 2022 to 2023. “It’s like living in Mayberry; it's very community friendly,” Hendon says, recalling when the sheriff took the time to return Hendon's child's bike home that had been left at the soccer fields.
Large homes sit on the bluff overlooking the water on Vashon Island.
Go sailing through Maury Island Aquatic Reserve in Vashon Island.
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Schooling on island and Links Alternative Learning
Vashon Island School District has three schools, serving kindergarten through 12th grade. The district also has the Links Alternative Learning school, where instruction is given outside traditional classrooms. Links Alternative Learning has a kindergarten through eighth-grade program and one for ninth through 12th grade. The district earns an A grade overall from Niche. “When we were first checking out the schools, the cafeteria had a salad bar and really good fresh food, not what you'd think of as cafeteria food,” Hendon says.
Farm stands, downtown and bulk buying off-island
Gift shops, boutiques and home supply stores comprise downtown Vashon. Various restaurants are based downtown, including pizzerias and a butcher shop-restaurant combination. This island center hosts most local events, including the Vashon Strawberry Festival in July and the bike decorating event, Stupid Bike Night, in September. Although national food delivery providers do not serve the island, the Vashon Eats website offers delivery from local restaurants. According to Hendon, weekly groceries can be purchased on the island at the local markets and farm stands, but bulk buying is typically done off-island. Galleries and the Vashon Heritage Museum are also located nearby. The Vashon Center for the Arts holds live theatrical performances and arts courses.
Highway cut-through and learning the ferry system
Vashon Highway, which has King County Metro bus stops, connects the North End Ferry Terminal and the Tahlequah-Point Defiance Ferry on the island’s southern tip. The northern ferry has routes to Fauntleroy, Southworth and Seattle. Although the island has medical centers, the nearest hospitals are located off-island in Seattle and Tacoma. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has domestic and international flights, about 15 miles off the Fauntleroy ferry. “Ferries are ridiculously different from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You could wait two hours in line to get on, and if you’re not on the 3 o'clock boat Fridays in summer, you could be stuck in Seattle,” Hendon says. With summertime traffic in mind, he adds, “You cannot move here because it is more convenient. You have to move here knowing it’s a bit exotic, an adventure and willing to give up convenience for a couple of acres.”
Written By
Lauren Melton
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
Video By
Mallory Nolte
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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On average, homes in Vashon, WA sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Vashon, WA over the last 12 months is $900,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Perched above Tramp Harbor in a private setting, this artful, unformulaic home offers over 3,200 sq.ft. of quality craftsmanship, strong connection to nature, & resort-style amenities. With a flexible floor plan, it’s designed for gathering, quiet retreat, work, & entertaining. The chef's kitchen features premium appliances, garden views, and a wood-burning fireplace. It opens to the dining area
Tucked into vibrant Burton, one of Vashon Island’s most beloved waterfront villages, this inviting 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers peak Mt. Rainier and Quartermaster Harbor views, a private wooded setting, and easy access to the best of island living. Solid hickory and pecan floors warm the main level, where the updated kitchen features Carrara marble, stainless appliances, newer cabinetry, and
Nicole Donnelly MartinVashon Isl. Sotheby's Int'l RE
This quintessential Northwest Contemporary delivers the waterfront lifestyle you've been looking for - with sweeping 180-degree views of Tramp Harbor, KVI Beach, the East Passage, SeaTac and the Cascades stretching across the horizon. Two separate tax parcels totaling 2/3 of an acre offer 150 feet of water frontage and a wonderful sense of privacy and seclusion. A step-less, covered entry opens
Facing Mt. Rainier, bounded by hundreds of acres of marine park, a step from the long, sandy beach, the uncomplicated livability of this waterfront home is unsurpassed! A wall of windows in the great room and primary suite offer a virtually unlimited view of the mountain, shipping lanes, Cascades and cities across the water. Every important living space overlooks the Sound and Mt. Rainier. A
Some properties are nearly impossible to capture in words, and this is one of them. Set across 4.77 acres on two parcels, each with its own District 19 water share, this private retreat is moments from town yet feels worlds away. Layers of beautiful shade trees, lush grasses and flowers, heritage orchard plantings, more than 500 varieties of dahlias, irrigated raised beds, a greenhouse, seasonal
Nicole Donnelly MartinVashon Isl. Sotheby's Int'l RE
Nestled along the shores of Inner Quartermaster Harbor, this beautifully updated medium-bank waterfront home captures exceptional sunrise views and the tranquil rhythm of harbor life. Thoughtfully renovated with modern finishes and inviting living spaces, this turnkey retreat seamlessly blends comfort and coastal charm. This inviting 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers exceptional versatility with a
Splendidly situated on Morgan Hill in the heart of Vashon Island, this extraordinary property unfolds across 15+ acres of cultivated gardens and towering forest. A true gardener’s paradise, the grounds feature hand-selected specimen trees, a picturesque pond, fruit trees, fertile beds, and a generous fenced in garden and chicken area, all graced by a serene stretch of Judd Creek meandering along
Perched above Tramp Harbor in a private setting, this artful, unformulaic home offers over 3,200 sq.ft. of quality craftsmanship, strong connection to nature, & resort-style amenities. With a flexible floor plan, it’s designed for gathering, quiet retreat, work, & entertaining. The chef's kitchen features premium appliances, garden views, and a wood-burning fireplace. It opens to the dining area
Quartermaster Harbor view cedar home on a sunny, west-facing half acre, offering sunset views, timeless craftsmanship, and beautifully updated interiors. Solid cedar construction with interlocking joinery, rich wood detailing, and warm cedar interiors give the home distinctive character and enduring quality, while thoughtful modern updates make it completely turnkey. With four bedrooms, an
Nicole Donnelly MartinVashon Isl. Sotheby's Int'l RE
Set against a sweeping backdrop of mountain, Sound and pastoral views, this 5-bedroom Maury Island farm offers a rare blend of beauty, privacy and true island utility. Just 7 minutes from town and schools, the 4.76-acre property feels worlds away, with nearby access to 800 acres of protected parks and open space, 12+ miles of trails, Puget Sound shoreline, beach access, boating, mountain biking
Nicole Donnelly MartinVashon Isl. Sotheby's Int'l RE
Set amongst a rare backdrop where beachfront meets lush forest, this west-facing waterfront home offers a blend of privacy, beauty, and coastal living, complete with two charming guest cottages! Nestled among evergreens and mature landscaping, the property enjoys 95 feet of waterfront frontage and views across Quartermaster Harbor. Expansive windows fill the home with natural light and frame the
Discover an extraordinary blend of refined luxury, architectural sophistication, and pristine natural beauty on 5.5 fully fenced and professionally landscaped acres in the heart of Vashon. Privately tucked behind a gated entry, this Northwest Contemporary estate offers serene island living with sweeping views of Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains, and Mt. Rainier. The setting is exceptionally
Tucked into vibrant Burton, one of Vashon Island’s most beloved waterfront villages, this inviting 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers peak Mt. Rainier and Quartermaster Harbor views, a private wooded setting, and easy access to the best of island living. Solid hickory and pecan floors warm the main level, where the updated kitchen features Carrara marble, stainless appliances, newer cabinetry, and
Nicole Donnelly MartinVashon Isl. Sotheby's Int'l RE
Offered for the first time, this custom high-bank waterfront home by renowned builder Peter Anderson showcases timeless craftsmanship and sweeping views of Puget Sound, city lights, and a picturesque glimpse of Mt. Baker. Situated at the end of a private lane in one of Vashon's most coveted neighborhoods, this 1890 inspired home captures abundant natural light and breathtaking marine vistas from
First time on market, this custom-built waterfront offers an extraordinary opportunity to own one of Vashon's premier lifestyle properties. Featuring 70 feet of waterfront, over 3,000 sqft, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, an attached garage, and a 630 sqft unfinished basement for storage or future expansion, this home pairs exceptional craftsmanship with breathtaking waterfront living. Wake to
Single small office OR combination of up to 3 offices in one suite with common kitchen, conference room, WIFI and exquisite 1928 construction with all finishes remodeled to "AS NEW" state or condition. Call your Broker for access to view. June 1st 2026 earliest available.Offices from $375 up to $2000 depending on which space(s) you choose. Broker/Owner. Have a suite of three offices available.
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