Have you been searching for a charming and historic neighborhood with great bars and restaurants, lush green spaces, and a tight-knit community? Then, perhaps living in North End Tacoma may be a dream come true.
The North End is a bustling region located on the banks of Commencement Bay and the Puget Sound that’s known for its waterfront parks and delicious restaurants. It encompasses several smaller neighborhoods, each with a unique identity and character. Are you convinced that this may be the ideal community for you? Here is everything you need to know before moving to North End Tacoma.
Where Is North End Tacoma?
The North End occupies the northeastern part of the city of Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington. It’s conveniently located between the surrounding neighborhoods of Central Tacoma and the West End, as well as the Puget Sound and the independent city of Ruston, which lies directly across from Vashon Island.
Tacoma’s North End has both formal and informal boundaries. It’s generally defined as the area north of 6th Ave and Division Ave and south of North 46th Street, between the Puget Sound and PT Defiance Park.
Some consider Tacoma’s West Slope and the Bridges neighborhood to be a part of the community, although according to the city planning board, this is not North Tacoma, and the boundary between them is Orchard Street.
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There are several smaller North Tacoma Washington neighborhoods within the North End, including North Slope, Old Tacoma, the Proctor District, Yakima Hill, and parts of the Stadium Business District.
Public transportation is available to residents living in North End Tacoma through the Pierce County Transit System, which operates local bus routes. Connections are also available to the Sound Transit System, a light rail line offering regional transportation options to Seattle and beyond. The primary North End Tacoma zip codes are 98406 and 98407.
Map of North End Tacoma
Explore neighborhoods in Tacoma and other popular attractions in the North End with this map.
North End Tacoma History & Overview
The history of the North End, Tacoma dates back to 1868, when Union Army veteran Job Carr established a 168-acre settlement in the area that is now Old Town and became the first person living in North End Tacoma. Carr’s original cabin has been preserved and now stands as a museum dedicated to local history and Tacoma culture, located near its original site in Old Town Park.
Carr was a major promoter of Tacoma as a potential terminus for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which arrived in the Old Town Area in 1873. The growth of the local timber industry attracted a diverse community of immigrants from Eastern Europe who quickly settled the area.
The founding of the University of Puget Sound in 1888 coincided with the development of the Proctor District, attracting wealthy businessmen and intellectuals to the area. Over the years, the North End of Tacoma has become famous for its historic homes, beautiful waterfront parks, and bustling shopping districts.
WA North End Tacoma Demographics
- North End population: 27,424 people
- Average individual income: $64,447
- Median age: 40 years old
- Racial and ethnic breakdown of people living in North End Tacoma: 70% white, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 3.5% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 1.1% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, and 9.5% two or more races.
- Educational attainment among those living in North End Tacoma: 34% have a bachelor’s degree, and 28% have a master’s degree or higher
What’s It Like Living in North End Tacoma?
Living in North End Tacoma offers a great blend of suburban tranquility with all the attractions and amenities of a city. You’ll find a great mix of historic single-family homes and modern condos for sale in Tacoma’s North End. Its tree-lined streets, peaceful atmosphere, and trendy bars and restaurants attract growing families, retirees, and working professionals alike.
It’s famous for its gorgeous waterfront parks, where you’ll often see residents living in North End Tacoma jogging or walking the dog. It’s an affluent area that isn’t overly flashy or extravagant, making it a desirable neighborhood for residents from all walks of life.
It’s full of smaller neighborhoods, each with its own distinct flavor. Old Town is one of the oldest areas in Tacoma, Washington, featuring cobblestone streets and stunning estates overlooking the water. The Proctor District is known for its “urban village” vibe, featuring numerous coffee shops, restaurants, trendy boutiques, and a regular farmers’ market that’s often frequented by residents living in North End Tacoma.
The North Slope Historic District is a primarily residential neighborhood known for its diverse range of architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Craftsman, Tudor Revival, and Mission Revival homes. The area around the University of Puget Sound (often referred to as the UPS neighborhood) is known for its collegiate atmosphere and charming tree-lined streets. Whether you’re seeking residential bliss, shopping options, or quality schools, living in North End Tacoma has something for everyone.
Things to Do in North End Tacoma
Residents living in North End Tacoma will find no shortage of interesting activities and great places to eat.
Corbeau is one of the best restaurants in the North End Tacoma, offering fine French cuisine with a Pacific Northwest twist. Asado is another top North End restaurant in Tacoma if you’re in the mood for Argentinian cuisine with chophouse-style cooking and meat grilled over a mesquite fire, as well as an extensive list of wines and specialty cocktails. Dirty Oscars is a popular North End bar in Tacoma serving eclectic New American cuisine such as chicken and waffles and elk meat sliders.
Looking to do some shopping while living in North End Tacoma? You’ll find plenty of trendy boutiques along the charming street of 6th Avenue. Sixth Avenue Plaza is a local outlet mall featuring a mix of local businesses and larger retailers.
Westgate North Shopping Center is another bustling business center featuring an assortment of banks, fitness centers, art house cafes, service businesses, and North End Tacoma restaurants. Metropolitan Market is a gourmet supermarket selling fresh produce, everyday essentials, and pre-made meals.
Point Defiance Park is a popular attraction among those living in North End Tacoma, with a beach, rose garden, aquarium, dog park, and more. Jefferson Park and the Ruston Way waterfront are also popular green spaces in the community.
Located on the University of Puget Sound campus, the Puget Sound Museum of Natural History is one of the premier museums in the Pacific Northwest, boasting an extensive collection of over 100,000 bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, and fossil specimens. Regardless of what you’re into, the Tower Lanes Entertainment Center is one of the best things to do while living in North End Tacoma, with indoor mini golf, bowling, arcade games, and a bar and restaurant.
Here’s where to find these top attractions and activities while living in North End Tacoma
- Corbeau 3819 N 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98407
- Asado 2810 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406 (253) 272-7770
- Dirty Oscar’s Annex 2309 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403 (253) 572-0588
- Sixth Avenue Plaza 5401 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406
- Westgate North Shopping Center 2601 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407 (253) 759-4750
- Metropolitan Market Tacoma 2420 N Proctor St, Tacoma, WA 98406 (253) 761-3663
- Point Defiance Park 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407 (253) 305-1000
- Puget Sound Museum of Natural History 1517-1565 N Union Ave, Tacoma, WA 98416 (253) 879-3356
- Tower Lanes Entertainment Center 6323 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406 (253) 564-8853
Schools In North End, Tacoma
Families moving to North End Tacoma will be pleased to hear that the area offers great schools. It’s within the Tacoma School District, which often ranks above average in test scores and other important metrics. There are eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and three public high schools serving students living in North End Tacoma. Lowell Elementary is considered one of the better schools in the area and ranks 29th in Washington State.
Stadium High School and Silas High School are the two public high schools serving students living in North End Tacoma in grades 9-12. Tacoma’s Stadium High School is generally considered the better of the two and features a 90% graduation rate and 52% AP participation rate. The Annie Wright School and Saint Patrick Catholic School are two notable private schools open to students living in North End Tacoma.
The University of Puget Sound, a private liberal arts college offering a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, is also located in the neighborhood. Residents living in North End Tacoma are also welcome to check out the Main Branch of the local public library system for books and other media.
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Is North End Tacoma Safe?
Living in North End Tacoma is safe. While it has a higher crime rate compared to the national average and the Washington state average, it’s considered one of the safer areas of Tacoma. The crime rate in the North End is considerably lower than the overall Tacoma crime rate, especially with regard to violent crime.
The total North End crime rate is 4526 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 98% higher than the national average but 47% lower than the citywide crime rate. Here’s how violent crime and property crime compare to the rest of the city, state, and country.
- Violent crime: 324 crimes per 100,000 people, 74% lower than the rest of Tacoma, 9% lower than the Washington crime rate, and 11% lower than the rest of the US
- Property crime: 4202 crimes per 100,000 people, 43% lower than the rest of Tacoma, 31% higher than the Washington crime rate, 119% higher than the rest of the US.
Your odds of being the victim of a crime while living in North End Tacoma are 1 in 23, and it’s safer than 52% of cities in Washington. So while it’s always smart to lock your doors and invest in a security system if you plan on moving to North End Tacoma, in general, crime isn’t a major issue.
The Tacoma Police Department handles crime for those living in North End Tacoma with the assistance of 350 commissioned officers and 40 civilian staff members.
North End Tacoma Real Estate
Real estate in Tacoma, WA’s North End ranges from historic mansions to modern luxury homes. Most North Tacoma WA houses for sale are Victorians, historic craftsman-style Bungalows, or classic 20th-century designs, such as American Four Squares or Colonial Revivals.
You can also find more homes for sale in North End Tacoma, WA, with more contemporary designs, including open-concept layouts, stainless steel appliances, and large windows. While not quite as common, you can also find a few examples of mid-century modern houses for sale in North Tacoma, WA.
Overall, the cost of living in Tacoma is reasonable, although real estate tends to be pricier in the North End than in other parts of the city. According to Redfin, the median listing price of North End Tacoma homes for sale is $690,000, which is 42% higher than the median in Tacoma. Tenants will also find numerous high-quality apartments for rent in North End of Tacoma.
According to Rentcafe, the average rent in the North End is $2192. Prices for North End Tacoma apartments for rent start around $1850 for a 1-bedroom and go up to $2,050 for two or more bedrooms.
A few popular places to find North End apartments in Tacoma, WA:
Find Out For Yourself What Living in North End Tacoma Is Like
Thinking about moving to North End Tacoma? When you’re ready to plan your relocation, you can trust the dedicated North End WA movers at All Ready Moving and Storage to make the journey as efficient as possible. Call (253) 255-1216 today for a free quote from the best Tacoma moving company.
