Section Image

Useless Bay

Useless Bay

Neighborhood in Langley, Washington

Island County 98260

$882,513 Average Value
$381 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

Quaint country club communtiy

Built around the Useless Bay Golf & Country Club, Useless Bay is a coastal community on South Whidbey Island that feels much further removed from civilization than it actually is. Just 2 miles down state Route 525 from the town of Freeland, Useless Bay is suffused with outdoor recreation opportunities, both natural and manmade. “People move there for the golf course, obviously, but there’s a lot more to the neighborhood than that,” says local broker Dan Fouts of Windermere Real Estate, who has lived in the area for over 16 years. “It’s next to some of the nicer beaches on the island, and you’re close to shops in Bayview and Freeland.”

Craftsman-style homes

While Useless Bay’s homes do exhibit some architectural uniformity, they’re more in keeping with Whidbey Island’s rustic aesthetic than one might expect. Craftsman-style homes dominate the neighborhood, but midcentury ranch-style homes, split-levels and larger cliffside properties are present as well. Inland homes generally sell for $500,000 to $900,000. The larger homes perched on the cliffs on the south side of Soundview Drive, meanwhile, generally go for $1 million to $3 million and offer great views of Useless Bay and Puget Sound.

Find your slice of paradise in the heart of Useless Bay Beach with this remarkable house.
Find your slice of paradise in the heart of Useless Bay Beach with this remarkable house.
Find your oasis of calm and comfort in this meticulously crafted Useless Bay Beach home.
Find your oasis of calm and comfort in this meticulously crafted Useless Bay Beach home.
1/2

Useless Bay Golf Club and Deer Lagoon

The Useless Bay Golf & Country Club is the centerpiece of the neighborhood, featuring an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a swimming pool and a clubhouse with dining facilities. The golf course is known for its challenging layout and beautiful scenery, attracting golfers from all over Greater Seattle. Not all of Useless Bay’s outdoor amenities are manmade — on the south side of the neighborhood, Deer Lagoon Preserve offers some of the best birdwatching on the island. The tidelands and mud flats that make up the preserve are home to over 200 bird species, more than any other location on the island. Just south of the lagoon, Double Bluff Beach offers residents a pristine stretch of sand and tidal flats, perfect for beachcombing and dog walking. Additionally, the Double Bluff County Park features picnic areas and trails.

Play a round of golf with friends at Useless Bay Country Club in Useless Bay Beach.
Play a round of golf with friends at Useless Bay Country Club in Useless Bay Beach.
Go for a beautiful hike surrounded by nature at Deer Lagoon in Useless Bay Beach.
Go for a beautiful hike surrounded by nature at Deer Lagoon in Useless Bay Beach.
1/2

Freeland and Bayview shops and restaurants

While Useless Bay itself is primarily residential, it is located directly between the village of Bayview and the larger town of Freeland. Both towns are a 1.5-mile drive from Useless Bay, and both are home to a selection of shops and restaurants, though they have very different vibes. Freeland, while not huge, is the largest retail hub in South Whidbey Island and is home to Payless Foods supermarket, multiple thrift shops and hardware stores and over a dozen cafes, bars and restaurants. Bayview is smaller but features some of the most popular restaurants in the area, including Flower House Cafe and The Taproom at Bayview Corner, as well as the Bayview Farmers Market, which is held every Saturday from April through October.

Bayview Garden in Useless Bay Beach has all your garden needs and more.
Bayview Garden in Useless Bay Beach has all your garden needs and more.
Enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee at Flower House Cafe in Useless Bay Beach.
Enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee at Flower House Cafe in Useless Bay Beach.
1/2

South Whidbey’s public schools

Most children in the neighborhood attend the local public schools, which are overseen by the South Whidbey School District. South Whidbey Elementary has a 6 out of 10 rating on GreatSchools, while Langley Middle School has a 7 out of 10 rating on the site. South Whidbey High School has an impressive 9 out of 10 rating and offers college credit through its Running Start program. There aren’t any colleges on the island, so students generally choose to take online courses through the program rather than making the trek to the mainland for in-person instruction.

South Whidbey Elementary School shapes the minds of the youth for a better tomorrow.
South Whidbey Elementary School shapes the minds of the youth for a better tomorrow.
South Whidbey High School prepares students for graduation and beyond.
South Whidbey High School prepares students for graduation and beyond.
1/2

Getting around Whidbey Island

State Route 525 connects Useless Bay to communities throughout Whidbey Island, including Freeland and Bayview. It runs all the way to the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry terminal, an 8-mile drive east of the neighborhood. This ferry service is essential for residents who need to travel to the mainland, offering regular crossings to Mukilteo and connecting them to the Greater Seattle area. While Useless Bay residents are within a short drive of most essential services, it’s worth noting that the nearest emergency room, at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center in Coupeville, is a 20-mile drive from the neighborhood. There is bus service in the neighborhood — though it’s hourly — and cycling is an increasingly popular means of getting around the island.

Andrew Moreno
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Jake Chaplin
Photography Contributed By
Jake Chaplin
Joey Kaigler
Video By
Joey Kaigler

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Colleen Thorsen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Seattle Paine Field International

46 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Useless Bay US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$910,000
Median Single Family Price
$930,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$381
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
14
Months of Supply
3.40
Median List Price
$925,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
29%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
261
Median Year Built
1992
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,314
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,995
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,134
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,018

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Colleen Thorsen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
533
Median Age
63
Population under 18
13.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
47.3%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$102,564
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$135,468

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.8%
College Graduates
48.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.3%
% Population in Labor Force
54.3%
Below the national average
65.1%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

33 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

8 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Useless Bay neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Useless Bay