Edmonds, Shoreline and North Seattle
The Charming Village by the Sea
Edmonds was originally settled by a logger from Ballard who was exploring the coast in a canoe and blown ashore near downtown. He bought 150 acres for $650 from the original claim holder and founded a city. Over the years, the Edmonds city leaders have kept Edmonds quaint by resisting intensive development near the city center and favoring traditional residential properties.
The downtown declined in the 70s as shoppers abandoned local shops for the more popular shopping malls. However, it has seen a strong comeback over the past several years. Edmonds has reinvented itself as a trendy town by the sea with scores of little shops and upscale restaurants.
The Edmonds Bowl, the scooped out area above town with views of Puget Sound, has become a prime target area for those seeking view property at a value price compared to Seattle. Have a coffee at the local Starbucks next to the round-about in the middle of town or hop on the ferry and head over to Kingston on the peninsula for lunch.
Come back in time for the annual Edmonds Art Festival in June. This once strictly local affair has grown into a grand presentation of hundreds of artists from around the region. After the fair, take in a musical by the Edmonds Driftwood Players at the Wade James Theater. So much to do!
Edmonds Features and Highlights
- 14 miles from Seattle.
- It’s home of Marina Beach Park, one of the public’s favorite park. Includes off-leash area for your ferry family members.
- Maplewood Parent Coop school highly ranked by Greatschools.org
- Home based of Rick Steves, popular because of his TV series Rick Steves’ Europe, and through his travel books.
Edmonds in Numbers
- Population 41,020 people
- Median age 47 years
- Median household income $78,181
- Poverty rate 7.1%
Shoreline
Shoreline began with the founding of the Richmond Beach community in 1890 in anticipation of the coming railroad. The ever growing population eventually incorporated the area as the City of Shoreline. Residents named it after the school district which went from the shore to shore (Puget Sound to Lake Washington) and from line to line (City limits of Seattle to the Snohomish County line).
Only 9 miles north of Seattle, Shoreline was soon connected to Seattle with a street car and then a major highway – now Aurora Avenue.
The Shoreline School District is still one of the best in the region and a major attraction for families with school aged children.
The construction of light rail stations in the next few years will make travel to the South Lake Union tech center quick and easy. Currently, the commute between Shoreline and Seattle is one of the most challenging in the country.
Visit the renowned Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, established by University of Washington professor Dr. Arthur Kruckeberg and his wife in 1958 to see a living example of a Northwest Woodland garden.
Shoreline Features and Highlights
- 10 miles from Seattle.
- Highland Terrace Elementary School in Shoreline and Brookside Elementary School in Lake Forest Park, both highly ranked by Greatschools.org
- Shoreline Community College , with about 10,000 students every year and 50 years of activity.
Shoreline in Numbers
- Population 55,021 people
- Median age 42.7 years
- Median household income $70,398
- Poverty rate 9.9%
Source : Census Bureau, 2016 yr. – www.Datausa.io
