Have you been looking for a peaceful suburb with easy access to shopping, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community spirit? Then you might want to think about living in Covington WA.
A city in King County, Washington, Covington is known for its strong retail and healthcare centers, as well as its proximity to Seattle. Founded in 1900 at a stop on the Northern Pacific Railway, Covington quickly grew into a bedroom community of Seattle. Initially known as Jenkins Prairie, it was later renamed after Richard Covington, a railroad developer who helped build the line in the late 1880’s.
Today, Covington is a great place to live for those seeking a suburban ambiance, natural beauty, and rich history as a lumber producer. Think moving to Covington might be a good idea? Here are the advantages and potential drawbacks of living in Covington WA to help you decide if it’s the right place to start your new life.
Where Is Covington?
Covington is in King County, Washington, within the Seattle metro area, northeast of Tacoma at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. It’s surrounded by small parks and community lakes, including Lake Youngs, Lake Meridian, Pipe Lake, and Lake Sawyer. It’s also situated just below Shadow Lake Nature Preserve. The Green River flows close to the community, as it’s part of the larger Green-Duwamish watershed.
Living in Covington WA offers ample transportation options if you have a car. Routes 516 and 18 intersect in Covington, providing transportation to other parts of the state. Public transportation in the region is provided by the King County Metro, which helps reduce traffic congestion.
It’s a 24-mile or a 32-minute drive from Covington WA to Seattle.
Covington Population & Demographics
The Covington population is 20,957, ranking it 54th among Washington State’s municipalities. It’s a rapidly growing community, and the number of people living in Covington WA increased by 18.2% between 2010 and 2020, following a 27.5% increase in the previous decade. However, it still maintains a spacious suburban ambiance with a population density of 3,533 residents per square mile.
Covington is a very affluent community popular among growing families, thanks to its abundance of shopping and healthcare options. It has a median household income of $126,730, which is about 30% higher than the rest of Washington. In Covington, 25% of residents are under 18, and 32% are between 30 and 50.
It’s also a fairly diverse community with sizable Hispanic, Asian, and Black populations living in Covington WA. The racial and ethnic breakdown is 60% white, 13% Asian, 12% Hispanic or Latino, 6% Black or African American, and 9% two or more races.
Notable people who have had the pleasure of living in Covington WA include comedian Jeff Dye and MLB catcher Reese McGuire.
Other Covington demographics:
- The median age is 37.4 years old
- 51% of people living in Covington WA are men, and 49% are women
- 94.1% of people living in Covington WA have a high school diploma, and 35.9% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 17.6%
In general, Covington is safe. However, it does suffer from some minor property crime. The total crime rate is higher than both the statewide and national averages. However, the violent crime rate is fairly low, and the murder rate is zero. So make sure to lock your doors if moving to Covington is in your future. But otherwise, you shouldn’t have an issue.
Here is a look at how the Covington crime rate compares to the rest of the state and country:
- Total Covington WA crime rate: 4443 crimes per 100,000 people, 19.1% higher than the rest of Washington and 91.2% higher than the rest of the country
- Violent crime rate: 324 crimes per 100,000 people, 13.7% lower than the rest of Washington and 12.4% lower than the rest of the country
- Property crime: 4,119 crimes per 100,000 people, 22.7% higher than the rest of Washington state and 110.8% higher than the rest of the country
The Covington WA Police Department handles crime in the community with the assistance of 22 law enforcement employees, including 16 total officers and 6 civilian staff members.
Cost of Living in Covington WA
While the cost of living in Covington WA is higher than the national average, it’s reasonable for the Seattle area. One way to examine how much it costs to live in a place is to examine the cost-of-living index. It compares the prices of regular consumer goods to the rest of the US, which is represented by 100.
The COLI for the Seattle area is 145.6, which suggests living in Covington WA is about 46% more expensive than the typical US city. The Family Budget Calculator by the Economic Policy Institute is also a good resource. It suggests that the typical family of four with two adults and two kids would need to earn $156,415 to comfortably afford the cost of living in Covington WA.
Typical expenses of living in Covington WA:
- Meal at a mid-range restaurant: $25.00
- Regular cappuccino: $4.48
- 1 gallon of milk: $1.22
- 1 dozen regular eggs: $6.75
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $1.14
- 1 loaf of fresh white bread: $4.22
- Average Covington monthly utility bill: $203.67
Source: Numbeo
*numbers reflect the nearby city of Kent but will be similar for those living in Covington WA
The Covington housing market offers relative affordability for all the city has to offer. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Covington WA is $640,000. Although that’s 45% higher than the rest of the US, it’s 18% lower than Seattle. The median price per square foot of Covington, WA homes for sale is $318.
While most people living in Covington WA are homebuyers, a good percentage are also renters. Census data indicate that 79% of homes are owner-occupied and 21% are rented out. Rentcafe estimates the average rent in Covington is $2,328 per month.
Large-scale complexes with 50+ units make up 22% of rentals, while 29% are small-scale buildings and 48% are single-family homes. Rent prices in Covington start at $1,700 for a 1-bedroom and go up to $2,440 for 3 or more bedrooms.
The best apartment buildings in Covington include:
Older adults relocating to this community or another age-friendly residence can work with senior movers near Covington for assistance with packing, downsizing, transportation, and move-in setup.
Covington Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Covington
No matter where you ultimately choose to settle down, living in Covington WA offers suburban splendor and access to amenities. Although naturally, some areas have more to offer than others. Whether you’re looking for luxury estates or affordable housing, here are a few of the best places to live in Covington for any lifestyle.
Garrison Creek | A Peaceful Community With Park Access
Situated near the park of the same name, Garrison Creek is a residential community that offers a calm, suburban feel and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
Timberlane | An Established Community With Upscale Amenities
Comprising close to 1,000 homes on over 25 acres, Timberlane is a well-established community with an attentive HOA and amenities such as a swimming pool, clubhouse, and playground.
Highpointe | A Centrally Located Neighborhood With Access to Local Schools
Highpointe is a highly desirable community near Little Soos Creek in north central Covington that offers well-priced homes and close proximity to Kentwood High School.
Covington Weather & Climate
The Covington Washington weather is fairly typical of the Pacific Northwest. Covington has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen classification system. The temperature usually ranges from 36°F to 79°F, though it can drop to 26°F in winter and reach 89°F in summer. The ideal Covington WA weather is usually in July and August.
Being in Washington State, you can expect rain if you plan to move to Covington, and a bit of snow. It averages 45 inches of rain and 6 inches of snow per year. So make sure to bring an umbrella!
Things to Do in Covington
Covington is primarily residential, and you won’t find many nightlife or entertainment options in the community itself. Although you will find a few community centers and other activities in the surrounding areas.
You can find plenty of shopping options at Covington Esplanade, as well as big box stores and other retail outlets along 516, such as Marshalls, Home Goods, and Walmart.
Lake Wilderness Park is also worth exploring, offering disc golf, picnic areas, fishing sites, and a swimming beach. Outside of shopping and outdoor recreation, here are a few other fun things to do in Covington, WA.
Covington Community Park and Soccer Field
Covington Community Park and Soccer Field is a local green space with hiking trails, sports fields, a zipline, and a playground, making it ideal for families living in Covington WA.
17649 SE 240th St, Covington, WA 98042 (253) 480-2480
Covington Aquatic Center
Right across from the park is Covington Aquatic Center, a heated indoor swimming pool facility that’s famous for its inflatable octopus and features classes, clubs, lessons, and free swim hours.
18230 SE 240th St, Covington, WA 98042 (253) 480-2480
Muckleshoot Casino Resort
Located in the neighboring town of Auburn is Muckleshoot Casino Resort, an 18-story hotel and casino with over 300 slot machines, table games, luxury accommodations, live music, and diverse dining options.
2402 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA 98002 (800) 804-4944
Additional Covington Attractions
- Lake Wilderness Park
- Washington National Golf Club
- Emerald Downs
Searching for more fun things to do in Covington? The Covington Parks and Recreation Department has a list of public facilities, classes, and community events on its website.
Covington Restaurants
While it isn’t necessarily known as a culinary destination, you’ll still find a variety of good restaurants in Covington, WA. Here are a few of the best places to eat in Covington.
Bruchelle’s Bagel Bistro
Looking for a delicious breakfast? Bruchelle’s is one of the top restaurants in Covington, Washington, for bagels with lox spread, gourmet sandwiches, or iced coffee.
16340 SE 256th St, Covington, WA 98042 (253) 236-4373
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Prime Mexican Steakhouse
Prime is a bustling steakhouse and one of the best restaurants in Covington WA, if you want a dry-aged steak served with mouthwatering sides.
15423 SE 272nd St Suite 101, Kent, WA 98042 (253) 630-2333
Iron Grill
Iron Grill is a fantastic Covington, Washington restaurant if you want to build your own Mongolian BBQ dishes in a fast-casual setting.
17017 SE 270th Pl, Covington, WA 98042 (253) 631-0101
Jobs In Covington
Another fantastic benefit of living in Covington WA is the access to job opportunities. Most jobs in Covington WA, are in retail and healthcare. The city’s rapid population growth led to sizable development of the retail core along State Route 516 in the 2000’s. It’s also a regional medical hub in King County with notable facilities like MultiCare Systems and Valley Medical Center.
It has a growing economy spurred by retail expansion, high-wage employment growth, and the creation of new mixed-use developments. It’s also a short drive to Seattle, which also offers opportunities in tech, education, and other dynamic fields for commuters living in Covington WA.
Fortune 500 Companies in King County offering Covington Washington jobs:
Covington WA jobs tend to offer high compensation. Payscale estimates the average salary in Seattle is $96,000 per year. So anyone living in Covington WA can expect to earn about that much.
From oral surgeon to marketing manager, you’ll find a wide range of Covington jobs available. City of Covington jobs with the local government are likewise always open and offer competitive pay and benefits.
Covington Schools
Families living in Covington WA will be happy to hear their kids will attend quality schools. The city is within the Kent School District, which serves close to 25,000 students. The Kent School District is known for its rigorous academic standards, extracurricular activities, and commitment to student success.
There are four elementary schools in the Covington school district serving students in PreK-5:
- Cedar Valley Elementary
- Covington Elementary
- Crestwood Elementary
- Jenkins Creek Elementary
Students living in Covington WA, may also attend Maple View, Mattson, or Cedar Heights Middle School, depending on where they live. Kentwood High School is the primary high school in Covington. It’s a well-respected school that ranks 100th in the state of Washington with a 96% graduation rate.
Although some students living in Covington WA may attend Kentlake High School in Kent, depending on where they reside. While there are no private high schools in Covington, Kentwood Christian Academy and Sunshine Mountain Christian School both serve students living in Covington WA. Residents can also stop by the Covington Library for books and other media.
Covington Statistics & Information
- County: King County
- Covington area: 6.042 square miles
- Covington WA zip code: 98042
- Covington area code: 253
- Covington elevation: 384 ft
- Covington time zone: Pacific Standard Time (UTC-7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Covington: The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 26 miles away.
FAQ
Is Covington WA Expensive?
While living in Covington WA is more expensive than the national average, it’s reasonably priced for the Seattle area. The cost-of-living index suggests it’s about 46% more expensive than the typical US city. However, the median sale price of Covington real estate is 18% lower than in Seattle.
What Is the Crime Rate in Covington WA?
The crime rate in Covington is 4443 crimes per 100,000 people. That’s 19% higher than the rest of Washington and 91% higher than the national average. However, the violent crime rate is 13.7% lower than the national average. So as long as you lock your doors, living in Covington is perfectly safe.
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Covington WA?
There are many fantastic neighborhoods you may want to look at if you’re moving to Covington. Some of the most notable Covington WA real estate can be found in communities like Garrison Creek, Timberlane, and Highpointe.
Covington WA Map
Ready to See What Living in Covington WA Is Really Like?
Now that you know what living in Covington WA is like, you’re ready to decide if it’s the right place to live for you. When the time comes, you can trust the dependable Covington movers at All Ready Moving to make your relocation easy and efficient.
Whether you are relocating within Covington or coming from a nearby community, local movers serving southeast King County can coordinate packing, transportation, and delivery.
Call (360) 507-2447 for a free quote from our reliable Seattle moving company!
