Seattle Real Estate Spotlight: Mt Baker
Mt. Baker is a residential neighborhood in southeast Seattle that sits on a hill above the shores of Lake Washington. Sitting astride the I-90 bridge, it is bordered by the Seward Park neighborhood to the south, Leschi to the north, and the Rainier Valley to the west. Centrally located, Mt. Baker residents enjoy close proximity to downtown, Capitol Hill, and mass transit. Many homes here have views of the Cascades and Lake Washington to the east, or the Olympics and Puget Sound to the west.
History
The Mt. Baker neighborhood was named for its stunning views of the mountain rising in the distance to the northeast. Residential development began in 1905 after developer J.C. Hunter commissioned the Olmsted brothers to create a string of parks along Lake Washington. Hunter reserved land for the Mt. Baker Community Club, which has served the neighborhood for more than a century. Mt.Baker also has a place in Seattle baseball history, as it was once home to Sick’s Stadium and the Seattle Rainiers.
Points of Interest
While predominately residential, Mt. Baker has two small commercial areas, on South McClellan Street and on 31st Avenue South, both home to small neighborhood restaurants and retailers. Mount Baker Park is popular with families, as it has a kids play area and tennis courts; and Colman Park is a peaceful area that winds from the top of the hill down to Lake Washington. Mt. Baker has been home to the annual Seafair celebration and hydroplane races since the 1950s.
Demographics
| Mt Baker | Seattle | |
| Median Household Income | $53,005 | $45,736 |
| Single Males | 18% | 23% |
| Single Females | 19% | 18% |
| Median Age | 37 | 37 |
| Homes With Kids | 28% | 18% |
| Average Household Size | 2 | 2 |
| Average Commute Time (Minutes) | 28 | 26 |