$645,958Average Value$436Average Price per Sq Ft40Homes For Sale
The nickname 'Rat City' does not refer to rodents
White Center is a community tucked between West Seattle and Burien. It was historically a streetcar-era suburb and became the site of a U.S. Army Relocation and Training Center during World War II. The area's nickname, "Rat City," includes an acronym for the relocation and training center rather than a reference to rodents. White Center has a developing business district, new construction and is known for its creative, indie vibe.
The name White Center came from a literal coin toss between the early-1900s developers in the area: Mr. White won over Mr. Green. "The mailing address is still Seattle, and people would say they live in Seattle," says Geoff Hill, managing broker and a top-producing agent with Keller Williams Greater Seattle. "It's more of a neighborhood than a town or city, and it's small enough that anyone outside of the greater Seattle area probably wouldn't know of it."
Single family homes make up the majority of houses in White Center.
White Center has big-city amenities with a smaller town vibe.
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Cultural diversity and a growing arts scene in White Center
A diverse population leads to a mix of cultural activities, educational opportunities and specialty businesses. Well-attended cultural events in White Center include Fiesta Mexicana hosted by Holy Family Catholic Church with food vendors, live music and equestrian performances. White Center draws creatives seeking an alternative to areas they've been priced out of. "It's becoming a hip place for artists and musicians who used to be able to afford Columbia City," Hill says, referring to a neighborhood about 6 miles to the northeast, which was altered by an influx of new residents and the addition of a light-rail station. "As always happens, the artists and musicians had to flee to a more affordable area." Debuting in August 2024, the Rat City Art and Food Walk is planned on the third Thursday of each month. Highlights include gallery shows, live art demonstrations and restaurant and bar promotions. The White Center Block Party, in August, is an event launched by small business owners seeking to promote local and regional businesses, artists and musicians.
Castillos Mexican Grocery in White Center adds to the international vibe of the neighborhood.
Come check out the monk blessing ritual during Annual White Center Khmer New Year.
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Eclectic retail and dining around 16th Avenue
The hub of White Center's retail, dining and social activity is along 16th Avenue and the surrounding streets. Most are locally operated and/or family-owned shops. "You could walk from one side of the White Center commercial district in 10 minutes: it's pretty small," Hill says. "But you can tell it's up-and-coming based on the number of bars and restaurants. There's a good number of awesome pho and bahn mi places, a Salvadorian baker and a ton of Mexican." Proletariat Pizza, which claims to have made White Center famous, is known for its extensive menu, including ham-and-egg and potato pizzas. Crawfish House's chef and owner, who moved here from Louisiana, brings his po' boys and seafood boil techniques along. Tomo, a high-end restaurant with chef-driven, Japanese-influenced cuisine, has been nominated by the James Beard Foundation for its wine program. Beer Star has a rotating tap list with dozens of craft brews.
Castillos Supermarkets has a restaurant in the back that is popular for its daily Mexican buffet. Shorewood Grocery and Safeway are other options. The Taste of White Center, a summer street fair, has dozens of restaurants serving popular menu items to benefit the White Center Food Bank.
White Center is full of sidewalks for residents to enjoy.
White Center's main area on 16th Avenue is a hotspot for restaurants, bars and shopping.
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Fun at Southgate Roller Rinks and Roxbury Lanes
The Southgate Roller Rink has a snack bar, a karaoke room and hosts a weekly drag cabaret. The Make it Loud! music series, affiliated with the White Center music festival Rat City Recon, brings bands to play live during designated 21-and-up skate sessions. Southgate was the launching spot for the Rat City Roller Girls, a league founded in 2004, which grew in popularity to the point they had to move their bouts to accommodate audiences in the thousands. In 2017, the league was renamed Rat City Roller Derby.
"One of Seattle's few remaining bowling alleys, Roxbury Lanes, is here as well," Hill says. Roxbury has a casino, over 40 arcade games and a bar and grill. Burger Planet, on 14th Avenue, hosts the monthly Rat City Bazaar, which features a rotating selection of creative goods and entertainment, plus gaming tournaments.
Folks congregate to Roxbury Lanes in White Center for action packed bowling and fun.
The Southgate Roller Rink in White Center is a popular roller derby amenity.
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White Center's ramblers, contemporary and modern homes
Single-family homes make up about half of the property mix in White Center. The oldest homes date to the 1910s, but a larger number are from the 1940s through the 1960s. Styles include bungalows, ramblers and daylight ramblers, which may be set into a hill, with basement windows that let in light from ground level. Twentieth-century homes can sell for $230,000 to $950,000, with the prices based on the house size, age and extent of upgrades.
Contemporary and modern-styled single-family homes and attached townhouses were built from the 2010s through the 2020s. Single-family homes cost $700,000 to $1.3 million. Townhouses are $550,000 to $760,000. Some homes come with monthly homeowners association fees of about $80 to $300. "It's still pretty affordable compared to other neighborhoods in the southwestern and southeastern parts of the city," Hill says.
Some White Center homes are larger and more expensive than others.
Rows of townhomes are common in White Center.
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Cox Memorial Park, disc golf and a bicycle playground
Steve Cox Memorial Park has a stadium, sports fields and courts, a playground and a foot reflexology walking path. Disc golf fans may travel to White Center just to play at the Ralph Williamson Memorial Disc Golf Course, previously known as the Lakewood King County Disc Golf Club. Nearby, in Dick Thurnau Memorial Park, formerly Lakewood Park, is the White Center Bicycle Playground, created as a safe place to learn to ride.
There's more to do in the areas surrounding White Center. "Just south, you have some really huge and very popular Puget Sound-adjacent parks," Hill says. "They all have hiking trails; at some, you can walk down to the beach and see views of the mountains. Salmon Creek Ravine and Seahurst Park are enormous areas with lots of trails."
Steve Cox Memorial Park hosts local youth leagues.
Dick Thurnau Park offers green space and the White Center Bicycle Playground.
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RapidRide H bus to Seattle, state Routes 509 and 99
Downtown Seattle is about an 8-mile drive north and it's roughly the same distance south to Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Bus routes for White Center stop along streets like 16th and 26th avenues: the RapidRide H Line runs from Burien to Downtown Seattle. There's also a Park and Ride on Olson-Myers Way. Major roads include state Routes 509 and 99 to the east.
The Rapid Ride H Line offers smooth transportation throughout the White Center neighborhood.
White Center sits about 8 miles away from SeaTac International Airport.
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Highline School District has dual language programs
Public schools in the Highline School District include White Center Heights Elementary and Cascade Middle School, which earn C-minus grades from Niche. The schools also offer dual language programs in Spanish and Vietnamese. In 2023, the elementary school added Somali language enrichment and also has a Somali heritage club. Evergreen High School receives a B-minus and has dual immersion in Spanish. The district also has various application-based choice schools, mainly at the secondary levels.
White Center Heights Elementary is where neighborhood children start their academic journey.
Cascade Middle School holds a C- grade from Niche.
Evergreen High School receives a B-minus from Niche.
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
Are you familiar with the White Center neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
White Center
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
White Center Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in White Center, Seattle sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in White Center, Seattle over the last 12 months is $645,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Where modern design meets timeless style in this stunning new construction home in West Seattle! This beautifully crafted residence features an inviting main level with a cozy fireplace, a sleek kitchen with quartz countertops, and an open dining area that flows seamlessly to a private patio—perfect for entertaining or relaxing. Upstairs, the second floor offers a luxurious primary suite with a
No offering a special 2.99% rate - 6.25% APR*!!! Welcome to Salmon Creek Townhomes! 12 sleek modern townhomes nestled on a quiet street in the growing SW Seattle neighborhood. Boasting floor plans that live large, with an abundance of natural light, four spacious bedrooms & generous 2-car garage. Open-style living with gorgeous kitchens featuring eat-in breakfast bars, quartz countertops,
20K Buyer Bonus available NOW!!! Welcome to Salmon Creek Townhomes! 12 sleek modern townhomes nestled on a quiet street in the growing SW Seattle neighborhood. Boasting floor plans that live large, with an abundance of natural light, four spacious bedrooms & generous 2-car garage. Open-style living with gorgeous kitchens featuring eat-in breakfast bars, quartz countertops, flattering SS
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A MASSIVE detached shop — close to 800 square feet — is the kind of workspace most homeowners only dream about. Whether you're a hobbyist, car enthusiast, contractor, or small business owner, this is the space to spread out, build, tinker, and store without compromise. Square footage like this in a shop this close to the city is almost unheard of — and it comes paired with a home that more than
Bright, spacious, and beautifully designed, this 4-bedroom home offers 1,970 sq ft of light-filled living with an ideal open-concept layout. Expansive windows flood the home with natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the main living, dining, and kitchen spaces perfect for both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The kitchen is well-appointed with stainless
Fall in love with where you live at Garden Pointe Apartments in vibrant Seattle, WAwhere comfort and community come together. Our modern 1- and 2-bedroom apartment homes feature stylish finishes and thoughtfully designed layouts, complemented by amenities that fit your lifestyle. Just minutes from local shopping, dining, and convenient transit, Garden Pointe makes city living easy and enjoyable.
Introducing Elevation16, where local charm meets modern sophistication. Be amongst the first to move into our new White Center apartment community in South Seattle! Brand new and ready to redefine the way you see apartment living, our pet-friendly homes will open our doors this Winter to our first residents. Discover for yourself our collection of stylish studios, open one-, one-,-or two-bedroom
You'll love your new home, with exceptionally tall ceilings, open floor plans, and lots of light! All apartment homes have wood laminate flooring in the main living area and carpeted bedrooms. The open kitchen has refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, range and built-in microwave! You'll love having your own washer & dryer in your unit! This building offers may amenities, to include private
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Located in the heart of White Center, Park Terrace apartments offer a perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience. With approximately 700-900 square feet of modern living space, this community has been thoughtfully designed to create a bright and inviting home.Step into spacious open-plan living areas. Large windows allow for plenty of natural light, enhancing the airy feel of the
DubSea Apartments is conveniently located in the West Seattle neighborhood, less than two miles from the shores of the Puget Sound, eight miles southwest of Downtown Seattle, and in close proximity to Burien and SeaTac. This prime location offers a unique blend of urban convenience and natural beauty, making it a popular place to live for those seeking a balance between city access and a more
This is a renovated ground floor apartment home in a small building, located close to everything you need! This unit has LVP flooring throughout, new paint, a large living room with fireplace (decorative only), kitchen with additional pantry space, separate dining area, and slider to your large patio!The Cameo Apartments provide free off-street parking, storage locker, and laundry
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