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Rooted In · South King County

Living in Covington, Washington

Newer neighborhoods, everyday convenience, parks and community events, with Kent, Maple Valley and Black Diamond close enough to borrow whenever the mood strikes.

Explore Covington HomesExplore the Rooted Series →
A Covington story

Apparently all my friends figured it out before I did.

I lived in Covington years ago, and if I’m being completely honest, two of the biggest selling points were having Costco close by and easy access to Trapper’s Sushi. Priorities.

Back then, Covington still had a little bit of that “way out there” reputation. It was definitely much more country and pretty sure most wouldn’t call it a city at all.

Fast forward, and somehow all of my best friends now live within about a mile of each other in Covington. And yes, I’m a little jealous.

The city has grown up right along with the people who moved here. There are more restaurants, shopping, neighborhoods and amenities, but it still has that slightly removed-from-the-city feel that made it appealing in the first place. Covington is booming, and apparently all my friends figured it out before I did.

So, what’s all the Covington hype about? Let’s dive in…

Historic South King County mill workers and machinery
The roots

Prairie, rail lines and a city of its own.

The land around present-day Covington was home to the Stkamish, Smulkamis and Skopamish peoples, whose communities were connected to this region’s waterways and prairies. Later known as Jenkins Prairie, the area became a Northern Pacific Railway stop around the turn of the twentieth century.

Lumber mills rose near Jenkins and Soos creeks; dairies and berry farms carried the community into its next chapter. Covington grew for decades without city limits of its own before residents chose incorporation, officially forming the city in 1997.

Its roots are rural, practical and community-minded, qualities that still show up in the pace of life here.

Read Covington’s history →
21,496Population
7,377Households
$134,502Median household income
78.9%Homeownership rate
$637,300Median home value
$2,232/moMedian rent
2.87Average household size
23.6%Under age 18
5.93Square miles
3,503People per sq. mile
33.4 min.Average commute
+3.5%Growth since 2020
21,496Population
7,377Households
$134,502Median household income
78.9%Homeownership rate
$637,300Median home value
$2,232/moMedian rent
2.87Average household size
23.6%Under age 18
5.93Square miles
3,503People per sq. mile
33.4 min.Average commute
+3.5%Growth since 2020
Coffee · before work, after work & on the go

Coffee, bagels and absolutely no judgment.

Foss Grocery and Deli in Covington

Foss’ Grocery & Espresso

Who hasn’t stopped by Foss for a beverage? It gives those small-town vibes you just want to support.

Map it →
Covington definitely understands the quick-coffee lifestyle. It may not have an abundance of coffeehouses where everyone spends three hours working on a screenplay, but the morning commute is very well covered.
Nikki's Restaurant and Lounge in Covington
The local diner

Nikki’s Restaurant & Lounge

This is where you go when drive-through coffee isn’t enough and you actually want eggs, hash browns, pancakes and a server who keeps the coffee coming.

Nikki’s is the classic Covington sit-down breakfast spot and a longtime local gathering place.

Visit Nikki’s
Local food favorites

Worth putting in the rotation.

The longtime favorite

Trapper’s Sushi

A familiar South King County sushi favorite with a Covington location, and yes, proximity to Trapper’s once counted as a legitimate housing criterion around here.

Visit Trapper’s Sushi

Pupusas Locas

Salvadoran food, pupusas and dishes you won’t find at every other restaurant in town.

Visit Pupusas Locas →

Iron Grill

Build your bowl questionably high and hope your engineering holds up on the walk to the grill.

Find Iron Grill →
Also worth a stop:Legendary DoughnutsAnd the burger debate? Maple Valley has Burger Buds, Crockett’s Public House and longtime local favorite Village Inn.
Drinks · pick your mood

Local-ish, because city lines are suggestions.

Neighborhood
dive

Pla-Mor Bar & Grill

Casual, unpretentious and the true longtime neighborhood-bar experience.

Find Pla-Mor →
Date-night-ish

Grill in the Woods at Druids Glen

Dinner or drinks overlooking the golf course, with the kind of scenery that makes an ordinary night out feel like a little getaway. The course is also known for its spectacular Mount Rainier views.

Visit Druids Glen →
Brewery run

Big Block Brewery

Head toward Black Diamond for a brewpub, restaurant and an easy change of scenery.

Visit Big Block Brewery →

And when the mood calls for a change of scenery, Maple Valley and Black Diamond are right there.

Covington outdoors

Parks, play and pool days.

Covington Community Park

Covington Community Park

Sports, recreation, concerts, movies and some of the city’s biggest summer activities.

Play area at Covington Community Park

Made for community days

Recreation at Covington Community Park

Room to move

Pool days

Covington Aquatic Center

Swim lessons, open swim and birthday parties, the kind of practical family amenity that earns repeat visits.

Visit the Aquatic Center →
Things to do & annual events

Somebody is usually planning something.

Covington may not have 47 places to go on a Saturday night, but the community calendar stays busy.

Covington Days

One of the city’s biggest annual traditions, with a parade, live entertainment, food, vendors, kids’ activities and community events.

KidsFest

A free annual event at Covington Community Park focused completely on kids, with activities, entertainment and community organizations.

Summer concerts & outdoor movies

Outdoor concerts and Movies Under the Stars take over Covington Community Park during summer. Check the city calendar for current dates.

Covington Makers Market

Local makers, artists, creators, bakers, crafters and businesses, brought together through the Covington Chamber of Commerce and the City.

What’s coming to Covington

LakePointe Urban Village

If you’ve driven Highway 18 through Covington and wondered, “Are they ever going to do something with that giant gravel pit?”, the answer is yes. Or at least, that’s the plan.

LakePointe Urban Village is the massive mixed-use development planned at Covington’s northern gateway. The approximately 214-acre master-plan area is envisioned to include:

  • Residential neighborhoods
  • Commercial and mixed-use development
  • Shopping and restaurants
  • Public gathering spaces
  • Parks and trails
  • A central lake/pond feature
  • Office space
  • Entertainment uses

The water feature is envisioned as a major public amenity surrounded by places where people can gather, walk, dine, shop and live.

But if LakePointe ultimately comes together anywhere close to the vision, it could completely change the dining, shopping and entertainment side of Covington.

Shopping, fitness & medical care

Life is close to home.

One of Covington’s biggest practical advantages is that everyday errands rarely require a cross-county expedition. Groceries, home projects, fitness, pharmacy runs and medical care are all close by.

CostcoHome DepotFred MeyerWalmartSafewayLA Fitness

Costco gets the punchline, but Covington’s full collection of big-box stores and daily services is what makes life genuinely convenient.

A real regional medical hub, not just a clinic or two.MultiCare Covington Medical Center is a community hospital with a 24-hour emergency department, inpatient and surgical care, a family birth center, imaging, lab, pharmacy and specialty services. Valley Medical Center also operates care facilities in town. Explore MultiCare Covington →
Costco and everyday shopping in Covington, Washington
Living in Covington

What your housing dollar can do here.

Covington offers a pretty broad mix of housing, from established neighborhoods and cul-de-sacs to newer subdivisions, townhomes and brand-new construction.

And one of Covington’s biggest draws? Your housing dollar can stretch a little further here.

Home prices tend to come in below nearby Maple Valley and many parts of Renton, which can mean more square footage, a newer home, a bigger yard or simply more options within your budget.

Of course, “cheaper” is relative. Covington is still King County. But if you’re comparing what $650K, $750K or $850K buys you across Renton, Kent, Maple Valley and Covington, this is where Covington can get really interesting.

Add in Highway 18 access, shopping five minutes away and Maple Valley, Kent and Black Diamond right next door, and the real question becomes:

Does Covington give you the best combination of house + location for your budget?

That’s where knowing the neighborhoods, commute patterns and surrounding South King County market really matters.

More from the journal

Read the Journal

Explore the Rooted Series

See every city guide, side by side, and find the one that fits how you actually live.

Read the guide →

A Practical Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

A simple room-by-room routine for keeping any home running smoothly, whatever the season.

Read the checklist →

The Sunday Home Reset

A calmer, more intentional way to reset your home and your week.

Read the article →
Current Covington Listings

See what’s on the market right now.

A snapshot of homes currently for sale in Covington. Want the full details on any of these, or something that isn’t listed yet? Let’s talk.

For Sale19463 SE 267th Street, Covington, WA

19463 SE 267th Street, Covington, WA

$419,950 · 2 Bed · 1 Bath · 840 SqFt

For Sale17720 SE 261st, Covington, WA

17720 SE 261st, Covington, WA

$549,900 · 3 Bed · 1.75 Bath · 1,550 SqFt

For Sale25846 185th Place SE, Covington, WA

25846 185th Place SE, Covington, WA

$599,950 · 3 Bed · 2.5 Bath · 1,660 SqFt

For Sale18215 SE 261st Court, Covington, WA

18215 SE 261st Court, Covington, WA

$649,950 · 4 Bed · 2.5 Bath · 1,770 SqFt

For Sale17914 SE 265th Street, Covington, WA

17914 SE 265th Street, Covington, WA

$779,950 · 4 Bed · 2.5 Bath · 2,380 SqFt

For Sale25409 161st Avenue SE, Covington, WA

25409 161st Avenue SE, Covington, WA

$829,950 · 4 Bed · 2.5 Bath · 3,070 SqFt

For Sale16921 SE 257th Place, Covington, WA

16921 SE 257th Place, Covington, WA

$969,995 · 4 Bed · 2.75 Bath · 3,001 SqFt

For Sale18222 SE Wax Road, Covington, WA

18222 SE Wax Road, Covington, WA

$1,345,500 · 5 Bed · 4 Bath · 1,950 SqFt

Listings courtesy of NWMLS. Prices and availability subject to change, contact Tanya for the latest.

Ask About These Homes

Quick Links

More Ways to Explore Covington

Covington Chamber of Commerce

Local business directory, events, and community resources.

covingtonchamber.org →

City of Covington

City services, permits, parks, and local government info.

covingtonwa.gov →

Rotary Club of Covington

The local service club supporting youth and community causes.

Find the club →

Covington Days Festival

The city’s flagship summer festival, parades, vendors, and family fun.

covingtonwa.gov/covingtondays →
Local guidance, rooted here

Thinking about making Covington home?

Suburban convenience, growing neighborhoods and everything you need close to home.

Whether you’re moving in, moving across town or comparing South King County communities, Tanya can help you sort through the options without the pressure.

Ask Tanya about Covington

Keep Exploring the Rooted Series

Rooted in Kent → Rooted in Maple Valley → Rooted in Issaquah → Rooted in Renton → Rooted in Newcastle → Rooted in Ravensdale → What’s Rooted →