Buckley is a beautifully quaint and picturesque city in the state of Washington. Otherwise known as “The City of Good Water” due to its high-quality H20, the city of Buckley boasts an incredibly safe and homey environment centered around community and tradition. Buckley WA is best known for its captivating mountain views, small-town charm, and abundance of community events–particularly the annual Log Show. Residents living in Buckley can also appreciate the city’s lovely shops and restaurants, excellent schools, popular event venues, peaceful walking trails, and historical museums. You’ll also be close to parks, skiing, lakes, water activities, and beautiful hikes just outside the city’s borders. As such, Buckley is a good place to live.
Where Is Buckley Washington?
Buckley is in Pierce County and is nestled between the base of Mount Rainier and the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The areas encompassing the Buckley are situated on the rich agricultural and forested land of the Pacific Northwest. As a city in Pierce County, Buckley is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metro Area and is a suburb of Tacoma.
Cities and towns closest to Buckley include Enumclaw, Bonney Lake, and Wilkeson. If you are looking for a quick day trip, you can drive 23.7 miles northwest to get from Buckley WA to Tacoma WA. You can easily commute to and from surrounding areas by taking Enumclaw Buckley Rd. 410, which runs directly through the city.
Although the best way to get around Buckley is by car, you can take advantage of the King County Metro bus system, which has ten stops near Buckley. The closest stop is in Enumclaw, which is just a five-minute drive north of Buckley.
Buckley Washington Population & Demographics
Buckley, Wa, 98321 📸🔥🐗 pic.twitter.com/H7OOU0b4sZ
— Xean Tañala (@XeanTanala) April 3, 2018
Dispersed over 3.86 square miles, Buckley provides a relaxed suburban feel with a population density of 1,324.9. The Buckley population is 5,114, which is a decent jump from the 2010 population of 4,354. Buckley is the 192nd most populated city in the state of Washington (out of 634 cities). Among this population, there are 54.4% females and 45.6% males. Only 2.8% of the inhabitants are from an outside country, and 75% own their own homes– that’s 11.4% more than the rest of the state.
Residents here are considered to be high-earning, with the median household income in Buckley WA at $115,245. This exceeds the state median by nearly 40%.
The Buckley crime rate is low, making it a safe place to live and raise children. With a crime rate of 1,536 crimes per 100,000 people, Buckley is 49.2% safer than the state and 34.5% safer than the United States. When living in Buckley, the ten sworn police officers of the Buckley Police Department have your back.
Additional Buckley Demographics:
- Mean commute time to work: 38.1 minutes
- Median age: 40.4
- Educational level: 29.8% of residents have earned their Bachelor’s degree
- Notable residents: Country music artist Blaine Larsen, and rock band Fences.
- Racial diversity: 88.5% White (85.6 non-Hispanic), 4.9% two or more races, 1.7% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% Black or African American
Cost of Living in Buckley Washington
From the high household incomes to a cost of living that’s well above the national average, it’s safe to say that Buckley is expensive. The Buckley Cost of Living Index is 126, making the city 26% more expensive than the rest of the nation. This higher cost of living is a result of Buckley’s housing, grocery, and transportation expenses increasing over the past few years. Pierce County also has some of the highest median property taxes in the nation. For the Tacoma metro area, the Economic Policy Institute recommends that a household of four make roughly $93,003 a year.
Curious about Buckley WA real estate? According to Redfin, the average price of homes for sale in Buckley WA is $603,900. Buckley real estate prices are up 5.0% from last year. More and more people are moving to Buckley from outside states. Some of the top cities where people are moving from include Louisville, KY, San Francisco, CA, and Chicago, IL.
If you’re more interested in Buckley WA apartments, some of the most popular complexes include Kenyon House Apartments and Colonial Circle Townhomes. According to RentCafe, rent in Buckley starts at $1,350 and goes all the way up to $3,996.
Buckley WA Typical Living Expenses
Here’s what Payscale has listed for everyday costs in Buckley:
- Average Buckley utilities per month: $175.23
- Doctor’s visit: $160.01
- Hamburger: $6.24
- Carton of eggs: $2.74
- Gallon of gas: $3.98
Buckley Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Buckley
The quiet city of Buckley in Washington State is home to a tight-knit community, a family-friendly atmosphere, and strong housing. Most streets have sidewalks and street lights, and there’s even a lovely paved trail that goes from one end of town to the other.
Buckley has everything from luxurious villas to quaint farmhouse properties with miles of peaceful green meadows and forests. If you’re moving to Buckley, you can look forward to an excellent selection of different home styles–modern, traditional, you name it! The ages of houses for sale in Buckley, WA here mostly range from the 1980s to present day.
The northeast part of Buckley is usually the most sought after compared to the other areas of town. Homes here can sell for up to $2,000,000, as many are situated on large plots of gorgeous land. You’ll be close to several outdoor amenities, such as horseback riding, Pinnacle Peak Park, the Mount Peak hiking area, a golf club, and the Enumclaw Expo Center– featuring highland games and shows.
With many homes costing below $600,000, the western regions of Buckley are considered to be the most affordable. This part of town is where residents living in Buckley can enjoy nearby access to several restaurants, The Five2Five Wedding & Event Venue, sports facilities, shops, restaurants, and hotels for visiting families.
Buckley Washington Weather & Climate
Those living in Buckley are accustomed to a dry and sunny Mediterranean climate year-round. The Buckley climate is characterized by hot and dry summers and cool and wet winters. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect from Buckley, Washington weather:
- Winter low: 35°F
- Summer high: 76°F
- Buckley annual snowfall: 5 inches
- Buckley annual rainfall: 49 inches
- Sunshine: 140 days a year
If you have family coming into town, take note that the most comfortable months to visit Buckley, WA are July, August, and September. Buckley sees the fewest wet days in August, with an average of 3.6 days of precipitation.
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Things to Do in Buckley WA
Buckley has several wholesome sporting events, activities, and things to do for people of all ages. When you’re not busy attending the famed Buckley Log Show or other Buckley Washington events, you can visit Mount Rainier National Park– about an hour’s drive south. You can complete your grocery shopping at Buckley Foods or Rainier Fresh. Retail shopping can be completed at nearby malls such as the Pioneer Village Shopping Center and The Quad Shopping Center. Here are a few more of the best things to do in Buckley, Washington.
Fright Factory Haunted House
Looking for the top haunted house in Washington? Look no further! This scary yet fun attraction is bound to make your heart skip a beat!
2000 Collins Rd, Buckley, WA 98321, (206) 419-3217
Buckley Skatepark
Skateboarding isn’t the only feature this skatepark offers. Your family can also enjoy the playground, walking trail, sports field, basketball court, drinking fountains, and more!
Foothills Historical Society
The Foothills Historical Society is one of the best things to do in Buckley. If you’re interested in learning about the history of Buckley and surrounding areas, this museum is the perfect place to visit!
130 River Ave, Buckley, WA 98321, (360) 829-1291
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Additional Attractions in Buckley WA:
The Pierce County Parks and Recreation runs several parks in the area and is in the process of developing more. Buckley WA news and events can be found on the City of Buckley website.
Buckley Restaurants
Hungry? There are many incredible restaurants in Buckley, WA for you to choose from. Here are just a few.
Wally’s Drive-In
This retro-style hamburger restaurant has everything from tasty burgers to fish ’n’ chips.
282 WA-410, Buckley, WA 98321, (360) 829-0871
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Hacienda Tequila Mexican Restaurant
Hacienda Tequila is a delicious Mexican restaurant serving up enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, margaritas, and more.
29401 WA-410, Buckley, WA 98321, (360) 761-7329
Bootleggers Bar and Grill
Bootleggers Bar and Grill is one of the most popular Buckley restaurants. This family-owned bar and grill features class American fare as well as domestic and craft beers.
29285 WA-410, Buckley, WA 98321, (360) 829-5060
Jobs in Buckley WA
Because of its close proximity to Tacoma, many people commute for work. Tacoma is home to many large companies, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord (54,000 employees), MultiCare Health System (8,264 employees), and the State of Washington (7,859 employees).
The Buckley job market is slowly but surely becoming more successful. The market has experienced a 1.8% growth over the past year and is expected to experience growth that exceeds the U.S. average by 7.8% in the next year. According to PayScale, the average salary in Buckley is $53,481, and the average hourly rate is $20.95. Some of the top employers in the area include The Boeing Company, The Furniture Medic, and PLATT.
Here are just a few common jobs in Buckley, as well as their average salaries (according to the BLS):
- Childcare workers: $39,390
- Transportation workers: $50,750
- Sales representatives: $81,790
- Firefighters: $84,270
- Chiropractors: $90,610
- Paramedics: $106,790
You can easily find jobs in Buckley, Washington on Indeed or by visiting the city’s official website.
Buckley WA Schools
With ten schools and 4,331 students, the White River School District serves families living in Buckley. This Buckley school district proudly boasts a 95.9% graduation rate, and 78% of high school students tested above the proficient level for reading (compared to the Washington average of 59%). According to Public School Review, the district’s average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public schools in Washington.
Are you curious about private schools in Buckley, WA? Although there are no private schools in the city limits, nearby options include Booney Lake Christian Academy and Global Minds Montessori School.
The Buckley Pierce County Library is available for students and residents six days a week.
Buckley Washington Statistics & Information
- County: Pierce County
- Buckley area: 3.973 square miles
- Buckley WA zip code: 98321
- Buckley area code: 360
- Buckley WA elevation: 725 feet
- Buckley time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest major airport to Buckley: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)– 35 miles north of Buckley
Buckley WA Map
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