Welcome to Hillyard
Located in the northeast corner of Spokane, Hillyard is a neighborhood with a rich history rooted in the railroad industry and an evolving commitment to community-driven revitalization.
A Town Within a City
Established in 1892 to serve the Great Northern Railway, Hillyard grew rapidly as a working-class community for railroad workers and their families. The town was annexed by the City of Spokane in 1924, further integrating it into the region’s urban framework.
The neighborhood’s historic charm is so well preserved that the Hillyard Business District, also known as the Market Street District, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Developed between 1901 and 1948, the district’s buildings reflect its railroad-town heritage while embracing modern revitalization.
The annual Hillyard Festival and Hi-Jinks Parade, held along Market Street, foster a sense of pride and identity among residents. Meanwhile, local businesses, community organizations, and historical preservation initiatives have helped the neighborhood redefine itself amidst economic and industrial challenges.
From its railroad-era architecture to its thriving local businesses and festivals, Hillyard embodies the enduring spirit of Spokane’s northeast corner.
Learn About the Neighborhood
From its founding to its cultural fabric, Hillyard illustrates how the present is shaped by the past. These snapshots bring the spectrum, some going back more than a century and others sharing the dynamic now.
Life in the Neighborhood
The best sense of Hillyard comes from inside. This space is an ever-evolving library of personal stories from the people who make the neighborhood.
- Stories from Hillyard
Subject 1. Audio and video clips featuring residents and business owners will be added periodically, allowing them to share their experiences and ideas in their own ways.
- Stories from Hillyard
Subject 2.
- Stories from Hillyard
Subject 3.
Neighborhood Snapshot
Data provided by the City of Spokane Office of Neighborhood and Planning Services. Updated February 2020.
Demographics
| Renter households | 47.4% | 45.3% |
| People age 19 and under | 27.6% | 21.9% |
| People age 65 and over | 10.7% | 14.5% |
| Persons of color (3) | 14.1% | 15.1% |
| Median household income | $35,256 | $44,768 |
| High school diploma only | 37.2% | 24.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 10.6% | 29.5% |
| Unemployed | 7.3% | 6.5% |
| Students on free or reduced lunch (4) | 76.4% | 54.5% |
Population and Households
National Origins and Top Foreign Born Countries (3)
| 93.5% | Born in the U.S.A. or U.S. territory |
| 0.6% | Born as a U.S. citizen in a foreign country |
| 2.5% | Born in a foreign country, naturalized |
| 3.6% | Born in a foreign country |
| 38.5% | Born in Ukraine |
| 14.9% | Born in Marshall Islands |
| 11.2% | Born in Vietnam |
| 9.5% | Born in Russia |
Ancestry / Ethnicity % (1)
(1) Buxton Demographic Summary, 2017 Estimates
(2) American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2013-2017
(3) Statistical Atlas Neighborhood Data
(4) Washington Public School Free and Reduced Lunch Enrollment, 2017-2018
Neighborhood Points of Interest
Want to hop off the trail and explore? Get to know and support this community? Select an icon on the map below for a taste of real-life Hillyard.
Additional Resources
Visit these websites to learn more about Hillyard.