Located just 10 miles from Tacoma and 35 miles south of Seattle, Puyallup is a city in Pierce County, Washington. Named after the Native American tribe of Puyallup, the city plays home to Washington’s largest fair every year in September. Originally an agricultural community, Puyallup continues to pay homage to its agricultural roots through fairs such as Daffodil Parade.

What is the community of Puyallup like?      

Situated at the base of the picturesque Mount Rainier in the scenic Puget Sound region, Puyallup is a thriving community that takes immense pride in its rich history and culture. Home to around 40,000 residents, Puyallup has evolved from a base agricultural locale to a vibrant city with a growing employment base, year-round festivals, and a unique shopping district. 
Among the myriad outdoor recreation offered by Puyallup, the Washington State Fair is the grandest. One of the ten largest U.S. state fairs, and the largest in Washington, the 21-day Washington State Fair attracts more than 1 million visitors each year in September and includes agricultural and pastoral displays and shows, amusement rides, and concert series. Another four-day Spring Festival – also part of the Washington State Fair – is held in April every year, and serves as an incredible opportunity for local businesses and restaurants.  
Home to an ‘old-fashioned’ downtown shopping district, Puyallup is known for its several antique stores that are located side-by-side on the main north-south street of Meridian. Besides, Puyallup also features two gorgeous parks – the Pioneer Park and the Bradley Lake Park. The Pioneer Park spans over two acres and is home to the elegant Pioneer Park Pavillion that is available for special events and weddings.  
The 59-acre Bradley Lake Park, on the other hand, has a plethora of amenities to offer including fishing areas, walking trails, a covered picnic area with 12 tables, 2 youth ballfields, an inclusive playground, and baseball and softball facilities.    

What is Real Estate like in Puyallup?     

Real estate in Puyallup has shown an average growth of 4.14% per year since the year 2000. Besides, since 2000, the prices of homes in Puyallup have appreciated by a strong 134.31%. National real estate firm, REAL, categorizes Puyallup’s housing market as ‘most competitive.' The sale prices of homes in Puyallup have experienced strong growth of more than 19.2% in March 2021 from the same month last year.   
The median home price in Puyallup is $450,000. Currently, there are 452 active homes for sale in Puyallup, and normally it takes just 36 days for a listed home to get off the market. Moreover, the average cost to rent a house in Puyallup is $1,817 per month. At present, there are 16,428 homes and apartments in the city, 51.3% of which are owned, and the remaining 48.7% are rented.      

How is the economic landscape of Puyallup?    

Puyallup enjoys an excellent quality of life, with desirable neighborhoods, excellent parks, and historic character. This, in conjunction with a well-regarded public school system, has over the years attracted residents and businesses, keeping the economy thriving. Some of the largest employers in Puyallup include Multicare/Good Samaritan Hospital, Fred Meyer Distribution Center, Comcast Cable, and Walmart.  
Over the last year, Puyallup’s job market has grown by 1.8%, while its job market is expected to grow by 42.9% in the next ten years. 
On average, a Puyallup resident earns around $31,000 per annum, slightly higher than the US average of $28500. The city’s median household income of almost $63,000 per resident is, however, decently greater than the US average of approximately $54000. Most of the residents of Puyallup work in construction, manufacturing, retail, education, accommodation services, and healthcare.    

How are the schools in Puyallup?     

Puyallup is covered by 2 school districts - Puyallup School District and Sumner School District -with Puyallup School District being the city’s major school district encompassing 39 schools and 21,097 enrolled students.  
Besides, Puyallup also lies in proximity to many colleges including Pierce College at Puyallup, Clover Park Technical College, Green River Community College, and Tacoma Community College.  
In addition, the residents of Puyallup enjoy easy access to the University of Washington (UW) Tacoma Campus that lies just 8 miles from Puyallup, as well as the UW’s main campus in Seattle that lies 37 miles from the city. Founded in 1861, and recognized for its high research activity, the University of Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. Known for its medical, engineering, and scientific research, as well as its highly competitive computer science and engineering programs, UW is presently home to 46,000 students. Its notable alumni include 21 Noble Laureates and several Pulitzer Prize Winners.   

Puyallup in a nutshell 

To sum up, Puyallup is a lively city that plays home to Washington’s grandest and finest festivals year-round. Despite growing tremendously over the years, the city has kept its historical roots intact through its unique events and antique downtown area. Thanks to the incredible educational facilities in its proximity as well as distinguished outdoor recreation, Puyallup would make an ideal hometown, should you decide to move to Washington.