Living in Renton WA is perfect for just about everyone! The Duwamish people lived in the Renton area for thousands of years before the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad was built in the 1870s. European settlers began moving into the area and setting up towns, including the town of Renton in 1875. The community was named after William Renton, a shipping merchant who lived in the area. Renton was then incorporated as a city in 1901.
Renton became a bustling coal, timber, and shipping city. The city continued to expand and redevelop through the 1900s, attracting major companies like Boeing and IKEA. Renton today is well-known for its connections to industries and its top outdoor activities, including fishing opportunities along the Black and Cedar Rivers.
Is Renton a good place to live? Yes, it’s a great place to live, with family-friendly things to do, delicious restaurants, and lavish real estate. But before you start moving to Renton, you must learn more about this quaint community.
Where Is Renton Washington?
Where is Renton Washington, and what county is Renton WA in? Renton is in King County, inside the Seattle metropolitan area. Renton is a suburb of Seattle popular amongst Seattle businesspeople; it is 12.5 miles from Renton to Seattle. Renton borders Bryn Mawr-Skyway, Tukwila, Kent, Fairwood, Maple Heights-Lake Desire, East Renton Highlands, and Newcastle.
Renton is mostly urbanized and developed, though it has some small parks and golf courses. Downtown Renton contains businesses and industrial centers, while northern and southern Renton are predominantly residential. Renton has a small shoreline on Lake Washington, and it contains the Black River Riparian Forest and Wetland.
King County Metro serves all residents living in Renton WA. The Renton Transit Center is a major public transportation center in King County Metro, with several bus lines stopping at the center. RapidRide F Line is a rapid-service line with connections to SeaTac Airport, Tukwila, and cities near Seattle. Route 101 and Route 102 provide direct access to Downtown Seattle. You can use the King County Metro map to see where all routes go in Renton. If you prefer to drive, the community is near various major roads, including State Route 169.
Are you ready to start living in Renton WA? Contact All Ready Moving and start your new life in this great community today!
Renton Population and Demographics
What is the population of Renton WA? The Renton population is 106,785, up by 17.4% since 2010. The Renton population density is 4,549.1 people per square mile, up by 15.7% since 2010. Renton is the fourth-largest city in King County. It’s also one of the most dense cities in the county, though its density is nearly identical to Federal Way, Bellevue, and other suburbs of Seattle.
Notable Renton residents include Jimi Hendrix, Brandon Roy, and Sally Jewell. Renton demographics include:
- 50.3% male, 49.7% female
- Median age: 37.2
- Racial and ethnic composition: 45.6% White (40.8% non-Hispanic), 26.2% Asian, 14.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% two or more races, 8.4% Black or African American, 0.9% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native
- Median household income: $92,292 (slightly higher than the Washington median)
- Educational attainment: 89.9% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 36.9% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population: 28.4%
WA Renton has a very diverse population. It is a hub for the Asian community in the Seattle metropolitan area, with a higher rate of Asian people than in Seattle or Washington State. It’s also a hub for foreign-born people in the Seattle area. 4,163 residents living in Renton WA were born in Mexico, 3,870 residents were born in Vietnam, and 3,772 residents were born in the Philippines. Over 18,000 children live in Renton, with 10,633 being under the age of 10.
Here are the latest Renton crime rates:
- Overall crime rate: 4,560 offenses per 100,000 people (17.1% lower than the Seattle crime rate, 50.7% higher than the Washington rate, 94.4% higher than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 338 crimes per 100,000 residents (15.1% higher than the state rate, 12.8% lower than the national rate)
- Property crime rate: 4,221 offenses per 100,000 residents (54.5% higher than the state rate, 115.6% higher than the national rate)
While Renton Washington has higher crime rates than the national average, you can find a safe residential neighborhood to live in. Most crimes in Renton are non-violent property crimes like shoplifting, which occurs in businesses, not homes. If you follow basic security measures like locking your doors at night, you can avoid crime while living in Renton WA. The Renton Police Department employs 120 sworn police officers who respond to all emergencies in Renton Washington.
Cost of Living in Renton Washington
Statistics for the cost of living in Renton Washington can be hard to find, but you can use Seattle cost of living figures to make a rough estimate. The Seattle cost of living index is 145.1, meaning items like groceries cost 45.1% more than the national average in the metro area. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four needs to earn $133,473 a year to cover the cost of living in the Seattle metro area. While this may be a high cost for a family, singles and couples can live more affordably. A couple without children needs only $79,513 a year. You can also save money by renting apartments or homes.
Renton real estate is fairly affordable, and you have many options for great homes. According to Redfin, Renton homes for sale have a median cost of $694,000 with an average cost per square foot of $400. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Renton WA amongst Renton apartments have an average cost of $2,138 a month.
Typical Renton Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $3.00
- 1 pound of white rice: $0.91
- 1 pound of bananas: $0.69
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.11
- Average Renton utilities per month: $194.25
- 1 pair of jeans: $46.67
- 1 pair of Nike running shoes: $75.00
Source: Numbeo
Are you ready to start moving to Renton and enjoying an affordable yet lavish life? Call 360-507-2447 to schedule an appointment with top Renton WA movers!
Renton Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Renton
Renton has a number of great neighborhoods you can choose from, including great places to live for commuters, renters, and shoppers. Here are the best neighborhoods for living in Renton WA.
Downtown Renton | Most Commuter-Friendly and Renter-Friendly Renton Neighborhood
Downtown Renton is the best neighborhood for commuters and people who need public transportation. It’s home to the Renton Transit Center, contains two other bus stops, and borders two more. The neighborhood contains a number of top restaurants, including Naan-N-Curry, a casual Pakistani-Indian restaurant. The neighborhood doesn’t have many Renton homes for sale, but you can find Renton apartments and townhomes. Burnett Station contains studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments in a retreat-style setting many outdoor enthusiasts will love.
The Landing | Best Renton Neighborhood for Shopping
The Landing is best known for its shopping complex, also called The Landing. The Landing contains dozens of restaurants and stores, including Staples, Cost Plus World Market, and AT&T. The community is also near the Boeing Renton Factory and other industrial centers, making it good for people looking for jobs. The neighborhood contains some of the most affordable Renton real estate. You can purchase two-bedroom condos covering 800 square feet for less than $400,000.
Renton Weather and Climate
Renton has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with short but warm and dry summers and cold, wet, and overcast winters. August is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 67 degrees and an average high of 78. Temperatures peak in early August and start to decline significantly during the fall. December is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 41 degrees and an average low of 37. January and February have nearly identical averages to December, and temperatures don’t rise significantly until April.
Summers are sunny, with August being the clearest month of the year with 70% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days. Nearly three-quarters of winter days are mostly cloudy and overcast. Renton receives 47.8 inches of rain on average every year. Does it snow in Renton Washington? Yes, Renton receives an average of 3.7 inches of snow annually. Over half of the days in the winter are rainy or snowy. Severe Renton weather can occur on occasion, including thunderstorms in the summer and blizzards in the winter.
The best time to visit Renton is August. It’s the driest and warmest month, yet temperatures are mild enough that you can relax in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. There is almost no humidity in August, so you don’t need to bring a bottle of water or an umbrella.
Ready to enjoy beautiful Renton weather with your friends and neighbors? Schedule an appointment with All Ready Moving today!
Things to Do in Renton
There are numerous top things to do in Renton, including outdoor attractions with natural beauty. In addition to The Landing, you can shop at the Renton Shopping Center, which includes a Fred Meyer grocery store and an O’Reilly Auto Parts outlet. You can also shop at Uwajimaya Renton Market, one of the top Asian grocery stores in the Seattle area.
Topgolf Renton
Topgolf Renton is a unique family-friendly point of interest that lets you play over a dozen different golf games. Topgolf Renton offers lessons so you can improve your game, including discounted courses for teenagers.
780 Logan Avenue North, Renton, WA, 98057, 425-517-0695
Regal The Landing
Regal The Landing is the top movie theater in Renton Washington. You and your kids can enjoy affordable tickets for blockbusters, foreign-language films, independent films, and screenings of classic movies.
900 North 10th Place, Renton, WA, 98057, 844-462-7342
Henry Moses Aquatic Center
Henry Moses Aquatic Center is a community-run water park with a wave pool, lap pool, and kid-friendly water play structure with water slides. Children and adults alike can take swim lessons during the summer and participate in water polo clubs and other groups.
1719 Maple Valley Highway, Renton, WA, 98057, 425-430-6780
Additional Things to Do in Renton WA
The Renton Parks and Recreation Department maintains public spaces in Renton and plans special events like July 4th parades, farmers’ markets, and family dance parties. You can use the Renton events page to find out more details about upcoming events.
Renton Restaurants
The Seattle area is well-known for its diverse cuisine with influences from all over the world, including Indigenous cuisines. You can find a wide range of incredible restaurants in Renton, including kid-friendly and cool eateries with great food you can’t find elsewhere.
Red House
Red House is a casual American restaurant with a seasonal dinner menu that includes brisket, burgers, and seafood. It’s one of the best restaurants in Renton for alcoholic beverages, with extensive cocktail, wine, and draft beer listings, including after-dinner drinks.
410 Burnett Avenue South, Renton, WA, 98057, 425-226-2666
Water’s Table
Water’s Table is a modern, farm-to-table restaurant that serves staple dishes from the Pacific Northwest. You can enjoy steak and seafood dishes, including shrimp linguini and bouillabaisse. While you’re eating, you can enjoy beautiful and romantic waterfront views.
1053 Lake Washington Boulevard North, Renton, WA, 98056, 425-207-2240
Salty Blue
Salty Blue is a quick-service eatery that specializes in Australian fish and chips, making it perfect for a unique and light lunch. You can also order burgers, clam chowder, and salads, and all dishes are halal.
601 South 3rd Street Suite D, Renton, WA, 98057, 425-264-5592
Do Renton restaurants sound perfect for you? Call 360-507-2447 for a free quote, and start moving to Renton now!
Jobs in Renton
58,081 people have jobs in Renton; the community has added nearly 10,000 jobs to the economy since 2013. Retail trade, manufacturing, and health care are the three largest sectors by employment, with each sector contributing at least 7,000 Renton jobs. Each sector has median earnings of over $85,000 a year, with manufacturing paying over $140,000 a year. According to Payscale, Renton jobs have an average base salary of $84,000 a year and an average base hourly rate of $23.79.
Major employers in Renton include Boeing, Valley Medical Center, and Renton School District. You can research and apply for jobs in Renton using Indeed, and you can apply for City of Renton jobs on the city government’s website.
Renton Schools
The Renton School District serves nearly all students living in Renton WA. The district contains dozens of public schools, including 16 elementary schools in Renton. US News considers Maplewood Heights Elementary School to be the best elementary school in Renton, ranking it in the top 250 elementary schools in Washington. 69% of Maplewood Heights Elementary students test at or above the proficiency level in reading and mathematics.
US News considers Mcknight Middle School to be the best middle school in Renton, ranking it in the top 200 middle schools in the state. Mcknight Middle School employs 45 full-time teachers, all of whom are professionally certified.
There are four high schools in Renton. US News ranks Hazen High School as the best one, placing it in the top 60 high schools in Washington. Hazen High School has a graduation rate of 91%, and 74% of students test at or above the proficiency level in reading.
Renton has a few private schools, including Renton Prep Christian School. The school has won awards for its use of technology, innovative courses, and YouTube videos. Renton Technical College is the only college located in Renton. It offers courses in the culinary arts, health and human services, and advanced manufacturing.
The Renton Library is the main public library in WA Renton. It’s a hub for book clubs, classes, and other special events.
Renton Statistics and Information
- County: King County
- Renton area: 25.23 square miles
- Renton zip codes: 98055-98059
- Renton area code: 425
- Renton elevation: 46-410 feet
- Renton time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Renton: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), 5.5 miles from Renton
Renton Map
Explore the best things to do in Renton WA, including restaurants and outdoor activities, using this Renton map.
There is so much to love about living in Renton WA! You can feel safe walking the streets, purchase great single family homes, and enjoy an easy commute to Downtown Seattle.
You can figure out moving to Renton in no time. All Ready Moving has a team of the best Renton movers, with over 20 years of moving experience. Call 360-507-2447 for a free quote now.
