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Kitsap County
is 36th in land area as compared to other Washington Counties but ranks as the second most densely populated county in the state with a 22 percent population growth in the last 10 years. Over the next five years, the population projections within a radius of 10 miles are expected to grow 3.8%.
Communities of Kitsap County:
Bainbridge Island
With only 8 percent of the county's population, Bainbridge Island accounts for nearly 20 percent of Kitsap County's land value. There is strong local support for the public schools, an active parks and recreation department funded by local taxes, and a strong commitment to open space and parks, including the purchase of Gazzam Lake as a nature preserve and the previous purchase of the Grand Forest. It also translates into a very literate population that justifies a top-quality bookstore in Winslow (Eagle Harbor Books) and the nearly new Bainbridge Performing Arts Center.
Major Attractions. Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Performing Arts Center, shops in downtown Winslow, Bainbridge Island Winery, island berry stands, Fort Ward State Park.
Homes on Bainbridge Island recently have been selling for a median price of about $528,000, up about 8% from a year ago. This market is considerably more expensive than the rest of Kitsap County, primarily because of the relatively easy commute from Bainbridge Island to downtown Seattle, which supports a wealth of higher paying jobs. Bainbridge Island is known for its high quality schools, its mixture of rural and developed properties, and its diversity of arts and culture in a relatively small community. Many Bainbridge waterfront homes now sell for more than $1 million.
Hansville
Hansville is located on the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula and is bounded by the waters of Puget Sound, Admiralty Inlet and Hood Canal. It is an informal geographic area north of Eglon and Little Boston and includes the communities of Point No Point, Foulweather Bluff, Driftwood Key, Shorewoods, and Cliffside. It is a semi-rural area abounding in open space, and made up mostly of single family full-time residences with a lesser number of recreational vacation homes. The predominant features of the area are extensive waterfront beaches and broad vistas of Whidbey Island, the Olympic Peninsula, Cascade Mountains, Olympic Mountains, expansive forest lands, sensitive wetlands, Buck Lake County Park, Point No Point County Park, beaver ponds, Foul Weather Bluff Nature Preserve and extensive marine recreational areas.
Indianola
Once upon a time in the not so distant past, Indianola was advertised as a summer community and lots were sold. At this time, there was only one route into and out of Indianola and that was by steamboat. The first dock, constructed in 1916 to accommodate prospective buyers, was only wide enough for people to walk up. In 1916 the brochure printed to advertise lots quoted: "You can live at Indianola Beach and work in Seattle." However, daily service didn't start until about 1918 when about a dozen people promised to buy tickets for a year.
Over the years, Indianola has slowly changed from a small summer community into a year round place to live. This has come about because "summer people" have decided to take up full-time residence, the children and grandchildren of the early residents have grown to love Indianola just as their grandparents did and many people have just "discovered" Indianola. However, the village still seems to retain its rustic character and there is a special '"something" about the people of Indianola.
Keyport
Keyport is a strong community with pride. There is virtually no crime - people still leave cars & homes unlocked with little worry. It boasts one of the best local restaurants (Whiskey Creek Steakhouse) and what some say is the best auto repair in Kitsap County. Many new upscale homes have been built in the last few years keeping a good mix of young families, retired folk, and professionals. Many of them are relocating from the East Side of the sound. And Keyport is very conveniently located with easy access to Poulsbo, Silverdale and Bremerton, the marina and boat launch make it a wonderful area for recreation.
Homes in Poulsbo recently have been selling for a median price of about $295,000. Average prices are up between 5% and 30% from a year ago, depending on the neighborhood. Poulsbo still enjoys a small town character that attracts buyers who work in Silverdale and Bremerton as well as commuters to Seattle or Bainbridge Island. Many areas around Poulsbo are rural, but the city itself enjoys the coordinated and planned services of a city. Poulsbo waterfront is extensive, including a long stretch of properties on the Hood Canal and the long shoreline of Liberty Bay, which winds in from the east.
Kingston
Much of Kingston's life has been centered on the ferry link, which makes Kingston a gateway for thousands of annual visitors to the Olympic Peninsula. Population remained small, however, until World War II, although Seattle residents occupied scores of summer homes and vacation cabins during the summer months. Completion of Interstate 5 in the eastern counties of Puget Sound in the 1960's created a new class of commuting Kingstonites. Establishment of the Trident Submarine Base at Bangor swelled growth further in the 1970's. The 1980's have been marked by mushrooming construction of new homes and businesses, and in organization of an array of new community activities.
Homes in Kingston and North Kitsap have been selling for prices similar to Poulsbo. Markets in the various neighborhoods are smaller and trying to compare statistics can be confusing. Generally these areas are more rural and remote, but Kingston has been rapidly upgrading its infrastructure to achieve the look of a developing town. It's ferry link to Edmonds across Puget Sound is a vital route for visitors en route to the Olympics and as an alternative to commuters not going to work downtown in Seattle. North Kitsap waterfront stretches all the way around the north end of the Kitsap Peninsula at Hansville from the Hood Canal to Puget Sound.
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