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Columbia City

Columbia City

Neighborhood Reviews
3.8
$861,323 Average Value
$548 Average Price per Sq Ft
25 Homes For Sale

Columbia City, a lively neighborhood

Columbia City is ideal for Seattle residents who desire a convenient commute to the downtown but also appreciate walkable access to a wide variety of parks, restaurants and boutique stores. “The best word to describe the area is ‘neighborly.’ There are so many opportunities to socialize and meet people,” says Real Estate Broker Julia Freilinger, who sells homes in Columbia City with Redfin. “The neighborhood is pretty unique and therefore highly sought after. Unlike South Seattle and Georgetown to the west, it isn’t industrial. And unlike Lakewood to the east, you can actually walk to local businesses.” Columbia City offers a mix of townhouses and historic homes, many of which have views of Lake Washington.

Small details, like this pink clock, add charm to the neighborhood of Columbia City.
Small details, like this pink clock, add charm to the neighborhood of Columbia City.
Check out the local stores in Columbia City, Seattle, WA.
Check out the local stores in Columbia City, Seattle, WA.
Columbia City has rolling hills throughout the neighborhood.
Columbia City has rolling hills throughout the neighborhood.
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Bungalows and townhouses

Columbia City is primarily made up of craftsman-style homes built between the 1910s and the 1940s. A three-bedroom pre-war bungalow sells for between $780,000 and $840,000. Four-bedroom post-war bungalows sell for between $900,000 and $1 million. Condos and townhouses are being built in the area. Two-bedroom newly built townhouses sell for between $560,000 and $770,000. Three-bedroom townhouses sell for between $920,000 and $960,000.

A small bungalow in the heart of Columbia City.
A small bungalow in the heart of Columbia City.
A single-story ranch-style home in Columbia City.
A single-story ranch-style home in Columbia City.
Many homes in Columbia City also have solar panels to take advantage of sunny days.
Many homes in Columbia City also have solar panels to take advantage of sunny days.
Condos are also a popular housing option in Columbia City, Seattle, WA.
Condos are also a popular housing option in Columbia City, Seattle, WA.
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Local public schools

Many kids start their educations at Hawthorne Elementary School, with a B-plus Niche rating and a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Aki Kurose Middle School has a B-minus Niche rating and a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Many teens move on to Franklin High School, which has an A-minus Niche rating and an 88% graduation rate. The school offers a slate of Advanced Placement classes. Seattle’s downtown is home to the University of Washington, which has about 49,000 students.

Outdoor recreational opportunities

Residents walk to the public recreational spaces that are interspersed throughout the community. Rainier Community Center offers two full-sized gyms, a multipurpose room, a commercial-grade kitchen and a number of meeting rooms. The center is next to Rainier Playfield, which has three softball fields, a playground, benches, picnic tables, two basketball courts and four tennis courts. Columbia City has a branch of the Seattle Public Library that offers homework help to local children, story times and book clubs for adults. People drive 1 ½ miles northwest to hit the fairways of Jefferson Park Golf Course. Folks travel about a mile east of Columbia City to enjoy Seward Park, 300 acres of land on Lake Washington. Some residents fish and boat on the lake. Residents play soccer and take their pets to the dog park at Genesee Park and Playfield.

Genesee Park and Playfield has plenty of soccer fields.
Genesee Park and Playfield has plenty of soccer fields.
The playground at Rainier Community Park is popular among the kids of Columbia City.
The playground at Rainier Community Park is popular among the kids of Columbia City.
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Popular restaurants and boutique shopping

Rainier Avenue offers an eclectic selection of shopping and dining options that are all reachable on foot. Geraldine’s Counter is popular for its all-day breakfasts. “Geraldine’s Counter often has a line out the door on Saturday and Sunday,” Freilinger says. Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max serves Pacific Rim cuisine in the style of its namesake. When residents crave a fusion between the cuisines of the Pacific Island and the bayou, they go to Island Soul Bar & Soul Shack. The staff at Tutta Bella knows there is only one way to cook a pizza – wood-fired. Clara’s Books is a popular leftist bookstore. Folks purchase pre-owned women’s clothing at Gather Consignment. Most locals buy their groceries at Columbia City Market on Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Geraldine's Counter is popular for its breakfast
Geraldine's Counter is popular for its breakfast
Bring back a present from the gift shop Andaluz
Bring back a present from the gift shop Andaluz
Columbia City has plenty of dining options.
Columbia City has plenty of dining options.
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Community organizations and entertainment

Ark Lodge Cinemas on Rainier Avenue is a historic theater that shows new film releases. Some residents join the Columbia City Gallery, where local artists can display their work and attend exhibits with fellow creatives. Royal Esquire Club on Rainier Avenue is a private African American men’s club that has been integral to the community’s social fabric since 1947. Members enjoy R&B, soul, jazz, gospel and comedy performances at the club. It also holds regular happy hours. Columbia City residents often attend Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners games.

Ark Lodge Cinemas
Ark Lodge Cinemas
Royal Esquire Club has live music and a rotation of bands for locals in Columbia City to enjoy.
Royal Esquire Club has live music and a rotation of bands for locals in Columbia City to enjoy.
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Residents can walk or drive to reach shopping and dining options.
Residents can walk or drive to reach shopping and dining options.

Various transportation options

Locals take Alaska Street and Columbian Way 2 miles west to access Interstate 5. Downtown Seattle is 5 miles northwest of Columbia City via Interstate 5. “There are plenty of sidewalks, and many of the residents don’t even own cars,” Freilinger says. On Martin Luther King Jr. Way, the Columbia City light rail station connects residents to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Downtown Seattle. The city offers a bus service with stops on Columbia City streets like Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Rainier Avenue.

Micaela Green
Written By
Micaela Green
Perry Cucinotta
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
Mallory Nolte
Video By
Mallory Nolte

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

25 min drive

Subway

Columbia City

Subway

St Light Rail & Columbia City Station (Nb)

Bus

Rainier Ave S & S Kenny St

Bus

Rainier Ave S & S Genesee St

Bus

Martin L King Jr Way S & S Graham St

Bus

Rainier Ave S & S Alaska St

Bus

Rainier Ave S & S Brandon St

Bus

Martin L King Jr Way S & S Edmunds St

Bus

Martin L King Jr Way S & 37th Ave S

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.8 37 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
8/8/2014 Niche Review
The residential areas are well maintained and are visually appealing but the main streets sometimes have houses and apartment buildings that might look a bit run down but usually in god condition. Aside from that the neighborhood is really beautiful.
5.0 Current Resident
7/4/2017 Niche Review
I've lived there a long time and have seen a lot of changes. What has stayed the same has been the cute quaint shops and diversity.
4.0 Niche User
3/1/2015 Niche Review
Lam's Seafood is the go-to grocery store for fresh fruits and vegetables. Offering a range of local and international fruits from all over the world at a reasonable price.
4.0 Niche User
3/1/2015 Niche Review
Compared to other places, the Northwest and Seattle are absolutely the best. I love the weather and how we are so close to nature.
Are you familiar with the Columbia City neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Columbia City Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$825,000
Median Sale Price
$829,975
Median Single Family Sale Price
$875,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$717,475
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$610,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
126
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$548

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,181
Number of Homes for Sale
25
Median Year Built
1952
Months of Supply
2.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,613
Below the national average
1,925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,609
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
842
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
599
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Sep 14
    12 - 2pm

    4723 S Findlay St, Seattle, WA 98118

    $699,950

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,130 Sq Ft
    • 4723 S Findlay St
    • New 3 days ago

    Delightful Craftsman near Columbia City, move-in ready with tall ceilings and laminate hardwoods throughout. Enjoy an open floor plan, covered front porch, and 2 bedrooms with a spacious bath featuring a double vanity. Updates include new double-paned vinyl windows, water heater, furnace and roof! Permitted new electrical wiring, and plumbing. Sun-drenched back deck overlooks a fenced yard,

    Agent Photo
    Victoria Loder
    Heaton Dainard, LLC
    (206) 589-5563
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  • Sunday, Sep 14
    12 - 3pm

    2811 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108

    $800,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,510 Sq Ft
    • 2811 S Columbian Way
    • New 3 days ago

    Step inside this Columbia City townhome where modern design shines, and neighborhood perks—cafes, parks, and markets—are just outside your door. The chef’s kitchen makes cooking a joy, flowing into open living spaces anchored by a striking wood-and-concrete staircase. A vaulted ceiling crowns the upstairs bedroom, while the primary offers double closets and direct access to a stylish 3⁄4 bath.

    Ellie Winter KW Greater Seattle

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  • Sunday, Sep 14
    1 - 4pm

    4430 Renton Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108

    $1,100,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,000 Sq Ft
    • 4430 Renton Ave S
    • New 2 days ago

    Luxury 5-Star Built Green home by Dwell Development. Surrounded by gardens, both evergreen and perennial, this free-standing corner home is an oasis in the city. Standout features include polished concrete floors, mini-split AC, HRV system, radiant heating, triple pane windows, 2 parking spaces, 240V EV charging outlet, and new roof terrace membrane installed in 2023. The gourmet island kitchen

    Franz Diessner Coldwell Banker Bain

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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

Demographics

Total Population
15,730
Median Age
38
Population Density
19 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$111,510
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$140,906

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.6%
College Graduates
57.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
8''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

82 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

92 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

64 / 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.

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
Columbia City