Locals around Keyport know the rhythms of the pier, the rush of tide through Liberty Bay, and the school buses that fill the museum parking lot.
The town may be small, but it carries a warm, friendly character that makes it easy to fall in love with. For anyone considering a move, planning a visit, or just curious about life here, this guide paints the full picture.
Real Estate & Housing
Keyport is an unincorporated census-designated place on a little peninsula between Poulsbo and Silverdale. Most homes sit on quiet streets a short walk from the water.
You’ll find older cottages, compact ramblers, and a few view homes on the bluff. We are not a big subdivision town, so inventory is usually tight and each property is a little different.
The community sits at the eastern end of State Route 308, which means a quick drive to SR-3 for errands in Silverdale or a run to the ferries.
If you track data while house hunting, note that Keyport is officially a small CDP. Demographic snapshots show a few hundred residents, so you should compare trends with nearby Poulsbo or Silverdale to understand prices and turnover.
Things to Do & Attractions
Start with our pride and joy, the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum. It’s free, kid-friendly, and packed with artifacts from submarines and undersea research, including pieces from Trieste II and excellent STEM programs on select Saturdays. Hours are straightforward and parking is easy.
Keep walking and you’ll reach Keyport Saltwater Park, a small shorefront spot for picnic tables, beachcombing, and winter storm watching. It sits along WA-308 and is open year-round.
If you boat, the Port of Keyport has guest moorage, a friendly vibe, and a front-row seat to sunsets across Port Orchard Bay.
Demographics & Statistics
Because we’re small, the best quick read on Keyport’s population, age mix, income, and commute habits is the Census Reporter profile. Use it for a base picture, then compare with Kitsap County or the Poulsbo area for context.
Best Restaurants, Food & Nightlife
Keyport itself has very limited dining, so most of us hop five to ten minutes to Poulsbo. Locals line up at Sluys Poulsbo Bakery for morning pastries, then meet friends at Valhöll Brewing for a pint.
The Port of Poulsbo area on Front Street stacks a lot of solid choices in a walkable stretch by the marina. Always check hours before you go, especially off-season.
City Services & Government Info
We’re unincorporated, so services come from Kitsap County. Law enforcement is the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. Fire and EMS are handled by the Poulsbo Fire Department, which lists Keyport in its service area and is building capacity to cut response times on our side of town.
Schools & Education
Keyport is within the North Kitsap School District. Use the district’s interactive boundary map to see which schools serve your exact address.
Families often connect with Poulsbo Elementary, Poulsbo Middle, and either North Kitsap High or Kingston High, depending on the boundary. Always verify with the district before enrolling.
Transportation & Commute
SR-308 is our main road. It runs about three and a half miles from SR-3 to the base gate and makes it simple to reach Silverdale shopping or continue north and south on the highway.
Kitsap Transit routes serve the SR-308 corridor and connect to hubs in Silverdale, Poulsbo, and ferry terminals. For cross-Sound trips, the closest big terminals are Bainbridge to Seattle and Kingston to Edmonds.
Kitsap Fast Ferries also run passenger boats from Kingston and Bremerton on weekday schedules.
Jobs & Economy
The nearby Navy presence shapes a lot of local employment. Keyport hosts part of Naval Base Kitsap facilities and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport.
Many residents also work at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, schools, retail centers in Silverdale, or commute to shipyards in Bremerton.
Events & Local News
Watch the Naval Undersea Museum’s calendar for Science Saturdays and occasional concerts or talks. Community events pop up through local clubs and sponsors, including past Keyport Fest gatherings supported by area banks.
For day-to-day updates, most of us follow regional outlets in Poulsbo and Kitsap County.
Parks, Nature & Outdoor Activities
Keyport Saltwater Park is our quick nature fix. On clear days you can spot the Olympics beyond the bay. Kayakers like the protected water around the peninsula when tides behave.
Hikers and trail runners take short drives to North Kitsap Heritage Park or county trails mapped in the parks guide. Always check tides before beach walks and watch for slippery algae in summer.
Business & Industry
We’re a tiny commercial scene anchored by maritime and military activity. The Port of Keyport supports visiting boaters and small businesses that benefit from moorage traffic. Most shopping, medical offices, and larger employers sit in Silverdale, Poulsbo, and Bangor just up SR-3.
Weather & Climate
Keyport has a mild marine climate. Winters are cool and wet. Summers are dry and comfortable. Kitsap averages show winter highs in the 40s and summer highs in the 70s, with most rain falling from late fall through early spring. Bring layers, good rain gear, and shoes that can handle slick docks.
Moving Guides
If you’re moving here, plan your commute around SR-308 and SR-3. Check school boundaries with NKSD before you pick a place. Get on the Sheriff’s Office site for local contacts and save the Poulsbo Fire Department page.
If you boat, read the Port of Keyport rules and guest moorage info before peak season. For daily living, most errands are ten minutes away in Silverdale or Poulsbo, which keeps life simple.
Instagrammable Spots & Photography
The museum’s torpedo garden and the entry plaza are fun backdrops. The pier and park shine at golden hour, especially when a low tide reveals ripple patterns in the sand.
Morning fog rolling over Liberty Bay makes great shots from the park benches. Please respect posted signs near Navy property.
Healthcare & Hospitals
The nearest full-service hospital is St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale. Naval Hospital Bremerton serves eligible military families. For clinics, urgent care, and specialists, most options cluster in Silverdale and Poulsbo.
Sources
- U.S. Naval Undersea Museum – Official site with details on hours, exhibits, and events.
- Wikipedia – Keyport, Washington overview and SR-308 endpoint.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) – State Route 308 facts and corridor information.
- Census Reporter – Demographic and statistical profile for Keyport CDP.
- Port of Keyport – Information on moorage and facilities.
- Sluys Poulsbo Bakery and Valhöll Brewing – Local dining options in nearby Poulsbo.
- Port of Poulsbo – Dining and marina context in the Poulsbo waterfront area.
- Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (kitsap.gov) – Law enforcement services for Keyport.
- Poulsbo Fire Department (poulsbofire.org) – Fire and emergency medical services coverage.
- North Kitsap School District (nkschools.org) – Boundary maps and school information.
- Kitsap Transit (kitsaptransit.com) – North Kitsap service booklet and routes.
- Washington State Ferries (wsdot.wa.gov/ferries) and Kitsap Fast Ferries (kitsaptransit.com) – Ferry schedules and routes.
- Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (kitsapeda.org) – Climate and economic overview of Kitsap County.
- Keyport Saltwater Park – Location and access details (kitsap.gov/parks).
- St. Michael Medical Center (vmfh.org) – Hospital and medical services in Silverdale.
- Naval Hospital Bremerton (bremerton.tricare.mil) – Healthcare services for military families.