A peninsula southwest of downtown across Elliott Bay, West Seattle has its own weather system — socially, at least. Locals joke it's an island, and the laid-back, fiercely local character makes the joke stick.
This collection of neighborhoods runs from the historic Admiral District and the sandy shores of Alki Beach to the tree-lined streets of Gatewood and Arbor Heights, all anchored by the West Seattle Junction commercial core. Seattle's first settlement landed at Alki Point in 1851, and the Admiral District's stately older homes and wide streets still carry that deep history.
West Seattle runs on neighborhood pride. Residents champion independent businesses over chains, fill the year-round Sunday Farmers Market, and defend their peninsula's character with affection. Weekends mean the 2.5-mile Alki walkway — joggers, cyclists, and sunset watchers with the downtown skyline and Olympics across the water — or forest trails and saltwater swims in the parks.
The commute is part of the identity: the Water Taxi from Seacrest offers a scenic downtown crossing, and the West Seattle Bridge — rebuilt and reopened in 2022 — carries RapidRide's C Line and drivers into the city.
The West Seattle Junction along California Avenue SW is the retail and dining core: family-owned Bakery Nouveau (famous for twice-baked croissants), Mashiko — Seattle's first sustainable sushi bar — Ma'ono's Hawaiian-Korean fried chicken, and Itto's Tapas, plus the year-round Sunday Farmers Market.
The Alki waterfront lines up Duke's Chowder House, Salty's, The Alki Cafe, Pegasus Pizza, and Sunfish Fish & Chips, with Luna Park Café on Avalon Way. The historic Admiral Theater anchors the Admiral District, and the Fauntleroy ferry dock sails to Vashon Island and Southworth.
Alki Beach Park is the peninsula's front porch — a sandy beach with a 2.5-mile walkway, skyline and Olympic Mountain views, a six-foot Statue of Liberty replica, and free tours of the Alki Point Lighthouse. Lincoln Park's 135 acres deliver forest trails, sports fields, tennis courts, rocky beaches, and the saltwater Colman Pool at Point Williams — plus Una, the resident Thomas Dambo troll sculpture.
Schmitz Preserve Park winds old-growth forest trails through a 1908-donated preserve, Hamilton Viewpoint Park offers some of the most direct skyline views anywhere in the city, and Lowman Beach Park pairs a waterfront with tennis courts. Sound Transit's West Seattle Link light rail extension is in development, targeting a 2035 opening.
Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of . All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by the broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.
62,506 people live in West Seattle, where the median age is 42 and the average individual income is $85,055. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around West Seattle, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Mobil, Papa Tony's Hot Sauce, and T's Messy Potatoes.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 0.5 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.89 miles | 2 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.89 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.33 miles | 19 reviews | 4.3/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.68 miles | 2 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.44 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.3 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.41 miles | 34 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.54 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.85 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.87 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.87 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.97 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.98 miles | 138 reviews | 3.7/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.01 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.17 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.27 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
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West Seattle has 29,443 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in West Seattle do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 62,506 people call West Seattle home. The population density is 10,471 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
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Without Children:
Marital Status
Blue vs White Collar Workers
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