Kingston, Washington, is a waterfront community that blends small-town charm with ferry-driven convenience.
Known as the “Little City by the Sea,” Kingston offers a unique mix of natural beauty, family-friendly living, and easy access to Seattle and the rest of Kitsap County.
This guide explores housing, schools, parks, businesses, and daily life in Kingston, providing a complete picture for anyone considering a move or simply wanting to learn more about this community.
Real Estate and Housing
Kingston feels small and friendly. Most homes sit near the waterfront, West Kingston Road, Miller Bay Road, Jefferson Beach Road, and side streets tucked under firs and maples.
You will find older ramblers, beach cottages, split levels, and newer builds on quiet cul-de-sacs. Pay attention to slope, drainage, and road noise near SR 104. Many properties use public water.
A few outlying pockets use wells or community water systems. Kitsap County handles land use and permits in the Kingston Urban Growth Area, so your due-diligence runs through the county’s planning pages.
For numbers, Kingston is a census-designated place, not an incorporated city. The latest Census Reporter profile is a good single stop for population, home value, and commute data.
It lists population, median age, and a median home value in the mid-$400k range. Use it when you want a neutral snapshot before making offers.
Things to Do and Attractions
Start at the Port of Kingston. Walk the docks at the marina, let kids scooter at Mike Wallace Park, and watch the Edmonds boat glide in. Summer weekends usually bring music, craft vendors, and market days right by the water. The port also posts moorage details and events on its site.
A few minutes up Little Boston Road sits Heronswood Garden, owned by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Foundation. It is an all-seasons botanical garden with special open days and plant sales that locals plan around. Check hours before you go.
If you like short, quiet walks, Carpenter Lake Natural Reserve has a boardwalk through a sphagnum bog. For longer loops, North Kitsap Heritage Park offers miles of forested trails between Miller Bay and West Kingston Road.
Demographics and Statistics
Kingston’s Census Reporter page shows basic population, age, housing, income, and commute patterns. It is helpful for new buyers, landlords, or anyone writing a grant or business plan. The commuting tab shows how many folks split travel between the ferry, highway, and local routes.
Best Restaurants, Food & Nightlife
For burgers and shakes, The Grub Hut on Highway 104 is a staple. It is walkable from the ferry with a big menu and a friendly vibe.
At the Point Casino and Hotel you will find multiple dining options like Kloomachin Kitchen, Dragon Eighty-Eight, Point Julia Cafe, and a late-night center bar. It is a short drive from the ferry and easy for big groups.
Seasonally, keep an eye out for local food trucks tied to Kingston’s former Mossback crew. They pop up with fermentation-forward menus and locally sourced specials.
City Services & Government Info
We are unincorporated, so Kitsap County provides most services. County Planning and Public Works pages cover permits, road projects, waste and recycling, and growth-area maps.
The Hansville Recycling and Garbage Facility on Ecology Road serves the north end, including Kingston.
For safety and emergencies, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue covers Kingston out of local stations. Law enforcement comes from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office North Precinct on Miller Bay Road.
Schools & Education
Kingston schools are part of the North Kitsap School District. The main secondary campus is Kingston High School. Younger students feed through Gordon Elementary, Wolfle Elementary, and Kingston Middle School.
The Kingston branch of Kitsap Regional Library is inside the Village Green Community Center and runs kid-friendly programs year-round.
Transportation & Commute
The Kingston-Edmonds ferry is our heartbeat. Crossing takes about 30 minutes, with frequent sailings most days. Foot passengers roll off right into downtown Kingston or Edmonds.
For Seattle commuters, Kitsap Transit runs the Kingston Fast Ferry on weekdays with a quick run to Pier 50. The same agency runs connecting bus routes that meet boats at the terminal, including Route 307 to Poulsbo and Route 302 to Suquamish. Check current timetables before you plan transfers. dvine-winebar.com
On the road, SR 104 runs through town to the terminal. WSDOT and Kitsap County are coordinating ferry-traffic upgrades such as a holding lane and signal improvements. If you commute at peak times, follow project updates to learn new patterns before they change.
Jobs & Economy
A lot of us work in service, healthcare, education, construction, and government. Many commute to larger employers in Silverdale, Bremerton, or to the eastside via ferry. Census Reporter’s income and industry tables give a clean view of how the local job mix looks at a glance.
The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe is a local economic driver with enterprises in hospitality and tourism. The Point Casino and Hotel and nearby attractions bring visitors who also shop our downtown.
Events & Local News
Summer weekends fill the waterfront with the Kingston Public Market at Mike Wallace Park. It usually runs May through early October with produce, crafts, and music. The market team posts current season details on their site and Facebook page.
Our biggest day of the year is the Kingston Fourth of July. The parade runs along Highway 104 through town, and fireworks cap the night at the port. Follow the official event site or the chamber listing for the year’s schedule and volunteer calls.
Parks, Nature & Outdoor Activities
Walk the pier at Mike Wallace Park and watch the ferry nose in. Head to Carpenter Lake for a quiet loop on the boardwalk. For trail miles, hit North Kitsap Heritage Park and link to neighboring green spaces. If you want a sandy lighthouse day, Point No Point in Hansville is a short drive and worth it.
Garden lovers should block a few hours for Heronswood. It is photogenic in spring and fall and teaches kids a lot about native plants.
Business & Industry
Kingston’s downtown is ferry-oriented with cafes, a bakery or two, taprooms, and service shops. The Port of Kingston supports marine trades and visitor moorage, which helps shoulder-season businesses. The Point Casino and Hotel adds event space and hospitality jobs.
If you are opening a business, start with Kitsap County permitting and the Port’s master plan pages to understand design standards in the UGA. The chamber and Village Green often host small business meetups.
Weather & Climate
Our climate is classic Kitsap. Winters are cool and wet, summers are dry and mild, and we rarely see extreme heat or cold. Weather Spark’s Kingston page has an easy month-by-month view of temperatures and rainfall, which helps plan garden beds and roof work.
Moving Guides
Make a ferry plan before you move. Create a WSF account, learn peak sailing windows, and subscribe to alerts. If you will bus-ferry to Seattle, study the Fast Ferry schedule and the 302 and 307 connections. For waste and recycling, check hours at the Hansville facility and learn which materials they accept.
For families, tour schools during the year, then stop by the Kingston Library inside the Village Green to sign up for cards and after-school programs.
Instagrammable Spots & Photography
Sunrise on the ferry dock, sunset from the breakwater at Mike Wallace Park, spring blooms at Heronswood, fall color on Village Green trails, winter waves at Eglon Beach, and foggy mornings in North Kitsap Heritage Park are local favorites.
Healthcare & Hospitals
For hospital care, most of us use St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale. There is walk-in and urgent care in Poulsbo, including MultiCare Indigo.
Kaiser Permanente also runs a medical center in Poulsbo for members. If you land in Edmonds off the ferry, Swedish Edmonds is nearby too.
Takeaway
Kingston, WA, is more than just a ferry town, it is a community with strong schools, active parks, local businesses, and welcoming neighborhoods.
Its location makes it a gateway between Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula, while its small-town character ensures residents enjoy a slower pace of life.
For families, retirees, or commuters, Kingston strikes a rare balance of convenience and comfort.
Kingston is one of many charming communities on the Kitsap Peninsula, nestled among both incorporated cities and other census-designated and unincorporated places.
While not a city in its own right, Kingston shares close ties with nearby hubs like Poulsbo, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, and Port Orchard, each offering its own unique character and services that complement life here.
This region-wide network of towns gives Kingston residents access to larger urban amenities, ferries, and cultural offerings, while still enjoying the small-town, seaside pace that makes Kingston feel like home.
Sources
- Census Reporter – Kingston CDP profile with population, housing, income, and commute data
- Washington State Ferries – Edmonds-Kingston route information, crossing times, and schedules
- Kitsap Transit – Kingston Fast Ferry to Seattle and local bus routes 302 and 307
- Port of Kingston – Marina services, Mike Wallace Park, moorage details, and community events
- North Kitsap Fire & Rescue and Kitsap County Sheriff North Precinct – Public safety services for Kingston
- Village Green Metropolitan Park District and Kitsap Regional Library – Kingston Branch – Community programs and facilities
- Kitsap County Parks – Carpenter Lake Natural Area Preserve and North Kitsap Heritage Park
- Heronswood Garden (Port Gamble S’Klallam Foundation) – Garden hours, location, and programs
- Kitsap County Public Works – Solid waste and recycling facilities for Kingston residents
- WSDOT and Kitsap County StoryMaps – SR 104 ferry-traffic improvement projects and design plans
- The Point Casino and Hotel – Dining, entertainment, and hospitality services
- The Grub Hut – Local restaurant and menu information
- Kingston Public Market – Seasonal farmers market and vendor listings at Mike Wallace Park
- Weather Spark – Climate and weather overview for Kingston
- St. Michael Medical Center, Indigo Urgent Care Poulsbo, Kaiser Permanente Poulsbo, and Swedish Edmonds – Healthcare and hospital services
- Kingston Fourth of July and Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce – Official community events and chamber listings