Named for its location along the south side of the Puyallup River, the town of South Hill is a rapidly growing city in Washington with no signs of slowing down. It is often considered a bedroom community due to its close proximity to the city of Tacoma, also with easy access straight up the 167 Highway to Seattle.
Offering a calm, safe setting, more and more people are moving to South Hill for its convenient amenities, fun things to do, and good schools. Learn more about living in South Hill with this comprehensive guide that covers all the important details!
1. People of South Hill – Demographics & Population
With a median age of 34 years old, the South Hill population is currently 56,379. The area has seen impressive growth over the years as the population has nearly doubled since the turn of the century and is more than four times what it was in 1990. As South Hill has expanded it has also become more diverse with demographics of 67% Caucasian, 12% Hispanic or Latino, 7% Asian, and 4% African American.
Around town, women outnumber men with a gender ratio of 52% female and 48% male.
The majority of individuals living in South Hill are proud of their city and greatly enjoy the many amenities it has to offer its residents.
2. Top Things to Do in South Hill
Among the most interesting things to do in South Hill, a visit to the Puyallup Historical Society at Meeker Mansion is a great way to learn about some of the area’s local history and also stands as a popular wedding venue. The mansion was built back in 1886 and boasts spectacular hand-painted ceilings, antique decor, and stained glass windows, with monthly events as well as walking tours of the grounds.
More fun can be found in South Hill at Wildwood Park, which has 55 acres of natural forest space paired with another 25 acres of baseball fields, softball fields, picnic tables, a playground, hiking trails, and a walking track.
Puyallup Historical Society at Meeker Mansion
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Puyallup Historical Society at Meeker Mansion, 312 Spring St, Puyallup, WA 98372
Wildwood Park, 1101 23rd Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98371
You’ll love visiting the picturesque neighborhood area of South Hill Community Park on the weekends! It’s got something for the whole family with a dog park, playground, game field, and a one-mile paved walking path with acres of wetlands to admire.
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South Hill Community Park, 14201 86th Ave E, Puyallup, WA 98373 (253) 798-4049
Then, Regal Longston Place is one of the best things to do in South Hill for date night. Catch the latest releases at the top movie theater in South Hill.
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Regal Longston Place, 13317 S Meridian East, Puyallup, WA 98373 (844) 462-7342
3. Great Restaurants in South Hill
One of the best restaurants in South Hill is Karma Indian Cuisine & Lounge, a comfortable family-owned establishment offering traditional Indian-style dining experiences with a variety of curries for every taste. Another enjoyable place to get something to eat is at Hub South Hill, also known as Harmon Brewing Co, offering great bar food and refreshing craft beers on tap.
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Karma Indian Cuisine & Lounge, 12623 Meridian E Suite B3A, South Hill, WA 98373
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Hub South Hill, 214 39th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98373
Mazatlan is one of the top Mexican chain restaurants in South Hill. Diners can enjoy authentic dishes for lunch or dinner with an amazing bar menu that includes margaritas and signature drinks like Whipped Vitamin C.
Mazatlan Restaurant, 13024 Meridian E, Puyallup, WA 98373 (253) 770-8702
4. South Hill, WA Cost of Living
The cost of living in South Hill is nearly identical to the average across the state of Washington. But you can expect to pay less for both your local utilities and your housing costs as the real estate market offers lower than average prices.
Plan on buying a house in South Hill? At this time, the average price of a home in South Hill is $358,100. Those numbers have been on the rise lately as South Hill, WA homes for sale have increased in price 7.5% in the last year, with an expected jump of another 4.4% over the next 12 months.
Or do you prefer to join the 27% of people living in South Hill who lease their home or apartment instead? As you look through your options, you’ll find the average price of rent in South Hill os about $1,250 per month for a one-bedroom location up to around $1,887 per month for a four-bedroom house.
5. Clean and Comfortable Neighborhoods in South Hill, WA
South Hill neighborhoods span an area of about 18 square miles, offering residents safe places to live. A few of the top communities around town include Sunrise, Manorwood, Silvercreek, Lipoma Firs, and Gem Heights. Anyone moving to South Hill will surely find a neighborhood that fits their needs and lifestyle.
As a part of Pierce County, South Hill zip codes are 98338, 98360, 98373, 98374, and 98375. And local phone numbers most often end up with a 253 area code.
All across town you’ll find conveniently located stores like Safeway, the South Hill Goodwill, Walgreens, and South Hill Mall, giving you plenty of places to shop for everything you could possibly need. There are many other options all around town whether you need groceries, clothes, furniture, or other basics.
6. Reputable Schools in South Hill, WA
More than 11,770 young students between the ages of 5 and 17 live in South Hill, adding up to an impressive 21% of the city’s population. As members of the Puyallup School District, local South Hill schools provide parents with peace of mind thanks to their reliable teachers and effective curriculum. Some of the best schools in South Hill include Firgrove Elementary, Ridgecrest Elementary, Edgerton Elementary, Stahl Junior High, and Rogers High.
While there aren’t any colleges within the borders of South Hill, Pacific Lutheran University is located only about 8 miles away. While the Clover Park Technical College is also close by, about 13 miles away in the city of Lakewood.
7. Great Job Opportunities in South Hill, WA
Many people moving to South Hill plan on commuting to the big city for work but prefer to live in a smaller suburb. If this sounds like you, the trip from South Hill, WA to Tacoma is only about 19 miles, making for a fairly short and simple commute to your office or business.
With a median household income of $79,620, you’ll also have quite a few options for South Hill jobs right here in town. A few of the largest employers are the Puyallup School District, C. C. Edwards Construction, as well as MultiCare Health System hospitals and urgent cares. Along with some more commonly known household names like State Farm, Boeing, and Kaiser Permanente
8. Cool, Mildly Humid Weather in South Hill
After moving to South Hill, you’ll quickly realize there are lots of fun activities to do outside at places like Meridian Habitat Park, South Hill Community Park, and the nearby Bradley Lake Park. South Hill weather makes it easy to enjoy parks like these for the majority of the year.
With a cool, west coast climate, South Hill winters can get chilly with temperatures as low as the mid-30s to the mid-40s, paired with about 42 inches of annual rain. But as summer comes around, the warmer weather begins to come out and play with temps ranging from the 50s to the upper 70s.
Tips for Moving to South Hill, WA
- A great city of people that is growing more diverse with each passing year.
- Enjoy plenty of fun things to do and nice places to eat all over town.
- Make sure you can afford the cost of living in South Hill as it’s near-identical to the Washington average.
- Kids can attend any of the dependable schools in the city while workers have plenty of job options.
- Experience cool weather pretty much all year long.
For anyone who needs help with their upcoming transition, All Ready Moving is the best team of movers to handle the job. We’re the top moving company in South Hill and our hundreds of moving reviews speak for themselves.
Give us a call today at (360) 325-4513 to chat with a member of our staff and get additional information about our services. Or complete the Request a Quote form on this page to get a free moving estimate!
