Tukwila's crossroads of commerce, interstate and industry
The Duwamish tribespeople named Tukwila after the land’s abundant hazelnut trees. Later, the city would evolve into a “Wild West” frontier fort, a farming town and a rail suburb of Seattle by the 1920s. The mid-twentieth century saw the birth of major shopping malls that now dominate downtown Tukwila’s geography and significantly influence its character. “Tukwila is a rather small city; the main reason why there’s such a small population is because there are businesses everywhere,” says Andrey Gulyy, a broker for John L. Scott Real Estate. Today, several companies have global headquarters in Tukwila, including Boeing, METRO, Seattle Chocolates, Group Health and Red Dot Corporation. According to Derek Speck, an Economic Development Administrator for the city, Tukwila's newest and most promising project is the Prato District: "It's going to bring in 10 million square feet for new development including advanced manufacturing, research and development, entertainment and mixed-use housing."
The King County Metro System headquarters in Tukwila employees many residents.
Group Health is one of the large employers in Tukwila.
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Westfield Southcenter and a huge collection of retail options
The city boasts a diverse culinary scene with menus that draw inspiration from around the world. For example, Spice Bridge is a unique food hall that features woman-owned businesses offering international cuisines. Tukwila is also home to Westfield Southcenter, the largest indoor shopping mall in the Pacific Northwest and home to over 180 stores, several restaurants and a movie theater. Many national retailers and restaurants surround the mall, making Tukwila a destination for shopping and dining.
Stop by the South Center Mall for all of your retail needs in Tukwila Urban Center.
Westfield Shopping Center is a large mall just outside of the Thorndyke neighborhood.
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Tukwila's local events
“The Tukwila area is the life of south King County; it’s where everybody gathers. The weekends are packed, there’s so much to do here,” Gulyy says. Events like the Backyard Wildlife Festival in May include arts and crafts vendors and native and garden plants. Family 4th at the Fort is the city's Independence Day celebration at Fort Dent Park, which has fireworks, live music, inflatable bounce houses and slides.
Try one of the farm stands at the Tukwila Village Farmers Market.
In Boulevard Park, the community gets together to clean up Hilltop Park for Green Burien Day.
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Where to play sports, golf and attend rec programs in Tukwila
Not only has Tukwila been a Tree City USA for several years running but it has several parks and river access. Fort Dent Park is the largest in the city, offering soccer fields, picnic tables and a playground. The long-established Foster Golf Links offers an 18-hole course along the Duwamish River, which can also be accessed from Duwamish Gardens. Starfire Sports is a large athletic complex and also serves as the training ground for local rugby team the Seattle Seawolves. The Tukwila Community Center includes places to exercise indoors or out, and the indoor Tukwila Pool is 25 yards long and includes six lanes for swimming laps, as well as a shallow pool for aquatic programs.
Stop by Fort Dent Park with your kids for some fresh air in Tukwila.
Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila is a training center for athletes of all ages and skill.
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Owning a home in Tukwila
The city's housing market is incredibly competitive both thanks to a dearth of housing options within the immediate downtown area and the city’s hilly geography. Many nearby homes line cliffsides and offer commanding views of the sprawling retail center below. Tukwila’s houses – varying from condos and townhomes to ranch-styles and bungalows – have a median home price of $613,000, well below King County's average of $800,000. It takes about 26 days for a property to sell. The different neighborhoods around Tukwila have different benefits. For example, the Riverton neighborhood is especially close to the Sea-Tac airport (though homebuyers should be aware of how this can attribute to noise.) Another example is the Southard neighborhood, which is designed for eco-conscious residents and features several cottage homes outfitted with solar panels.
The residential parts of Tukwila offer a quiet and calm environment with many home types.
Tukwila offers a wide variety of architectural style from Ranch homes to Cottages.
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The Tukwila School District
The city is served by the Tukwila School District, which earns a B-minus from Niche. It provides public education for over 2,700 students.
Foster High school offers students a large and modern campus in the Cascade View neighborhood.
Showalter Middle School is located in the Foster Heights neighborhood of Tukwila.
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Multi-interstate access and air travel at Sea-Tac Airport
Seattle-bound commuters live within 13 miles of Seattle and 3.5 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, offering opportunities for both local and international travel. Amtrak offers rail service with its own station in Tukwila.
Tukwila International Blvd runs through the city and provides access to the surrounding area.
Take a convenient five minute drive
from Riverton to Sea-tac Airport to catch your flight.
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Tukwila's climate risks and crime trends
First Street reports that Tukwila has moderate risks for floods, wildfires and intense heat. It also has a severe risk for poor air quality. The city has seen some increases in crime activity. According to FBI data via the Tukwila Police Department, there was a 44% increase in violent crime and a 31% increase in property crime in 2023.
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.
