The Ultimate DuPont Neighborhood Guide
Moving to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and wondering where to live? You’re in the right place.
(DuPont Gate)
When we first moved to Washington, we were constantly looking for new trails to walk our dog. One day, we ended up in DuPont, and that was it. The trail that runs along the Puget Sound felt like something out of a storybook. Trees curved overhead, sunlight filtered through the branches, and below the cliffs the water shimmered with views of the Olympic Mountains in the distance. Seals popped up along the shore, bald eagles flew overhead, and we knew right then that we’d found our favorite place.
We started coming back every weekend. The more we explored, the more we realized how walkable the whole town was: parks tucked into every corner, trails connecting every neighborhood, and the ability to just step outside and go for a walk without loading up the car. That wasn’t something we had where we lived at the time, and it quickly became the reason we decided to make DuPont home.
If you’re PCSing to JBLM and wondering what everyday life in DuPont really feels like, here’s a look at what it’s like to call this little corner of the South Sound home.
Where DuPont Is Located
DuPont sits right off I-5 between Tacoma and Olympia, tucked along the southern edge of Puget Sound. It’s in Pierce County, but it borders the base and you can literally see JBLM from parts of town.
The DuPont Gate is the closest access point, just five minutes from most neighborhoods. The Main Gate takes about eight to ten minutes, depending on traffic. There’s also a morning entrance (5–8 a.m.) and an afternoon exit (3–7 p.m.) through the RCF Gate that leads directly to Center Drive, which is a lifesaver when the DuPont Gate is backed up.
From here, you’re about: (without traffic of course)
➜ 15 minutes to Lakewood
➜ 20 minutes to Lacey or Olympia
➜ 45 minutes to Sea-Tac Airport
DuPont may be small, but that’s part of its charm. It’s easy to navigate and make everyday life simpler; something every military family can appreciate during a move.
The neighborhoods of dupont
DuPont is made up of two main areas: the original Historic Village, built in the early 1900s, and Northwest Landing, a newer master-planned community developed in the 1990s that now covers most of the city. Together, they create a mix of old and new, where historic homes, tree-lined streets, and modern neighborhoods all connect through parks and trails.
I’ve walked through every part of DuPont (stroller, dog leash, coffee in hand) and here’s what you can expect as you explore:
Historic Village
This is where DuPont began: a grid of early 1900s homes built for workers from the original DuPont company plant. Streets are lined with big old trees and Craftsman cottages, and the DuPont Museum sits right in the middle. You can easily walk to Seller’s Park or stop by the Clocktower green for community events.
Northwest Landing
Northwest Landing makes up most of modern DuPont. It’s a master-planned community with connected neighborhoods, parks, and trails. Most homes were built between the late 1990s and early 2000s, and you’ll find a mix of single-family houses, townhomes, and a few condo communities.
Inside Northwest Landing you’ll find areas like Palisade Village, Hoffman Hill, Bell Hill, and Edmond Village, each with its own layout but all linked through the same network of sidewalks, greenbelts, and trails.
The Neighborhoods of Northwest Landing
Northwest Landing Residential Owners Association
Northwest Landing is overseen by the Northwest Landing Residential Owners Association (ROA), which maintains the shared parks, landscaping, and trail system. Some condo and townhouse communities within Northwest Landing have their own smaller HOAs for building maintenance and amenities, but they’re still part of the larger community layout.
Palisade Village
Palisade Village sits in the center of DuPont, close to neighborhood parks and trail connections that make it easy to walk or bike anywhere in town. Homes here include a mix of single-family houses, townhomes, and condos built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The neighborhood is also just a short walk to Chloe Clark Elementary and the small downtown area along Wilmington Drive.
Hoffman Hill
Hoffman Hill sits on the south side of DuPont and is one of the higher spots in town. You’ll definitely notice the hills on your walks or bike rides. The neighborhood has two main parks: Chief Leschi Park, with a playground and open fields, and Hoffman Hill Neighborhood Park, where the big hillside slides are always a hit. We like walking the Hoffman Hill trails with our dog as they’re quiet, shaded, and just the right length for a daily walk.
Bell Hill
Bell Hill is tucked on the northeast edge of DuPont, accessed by looping in from Steilacoom-DuPont Road. It doesn’t connect directly to the rest of town, which gives it a more private feel. The neighborhood has around 80 single-family homes built in 2008 and 2009, many backing up to wooded greenbelts and trails. Bell Hill has two main parks: Bell Hill Neighborhood Park, and Bell Hill Community Park, home to the big hillside slides. My son never gets tired of them! Trails link Bell Hill to the Historic Village, Palisade, and Edmond neighborhoods, so even though it feels tucked away, it’s still connected to the rest of DuPont and only a short drive to downtown and JBLM.
Edmond Village
Edmond Village sits on the northwest side of DuPont and is accessed from Center Drive. The neighborhood borders the city’s light industrial area, where you’ll find buildings like the Amazon fulfillment center. It’s somewhat tucked away from the rest of town because of Edmond Marsh, which wraps around the neighborhood, giving it a more private feel. Trails connect Edmond to Bell Hill and Palisade Village, and it’s also close to the Sequalitchew Creek Trail, one of the most popular walks in DuPont. Homes here are mostly single-family houses built in the mid-2000s, many backing up to green space or marshland views.
schools & education
DuPont is part of the Steilacoom Historical School District, the oldest in Pierce County.
Public Schools:
➤ Chloe Clark Elementary (K–3), DuPont
➤ Saltar’s Point Elementary (4–5), Steilacoom
➤ Pioneer Middle School (6–8), DuPont
➤ Steilacoom High School (9–12), Steilacoom
You can find all the official details on the Steilacoom Historical School District website.
Early Childhood Care:
For families with little ones, DuPont has two main childcare centers right in town.
Cadence Academy Preschool offers programs for infants through pre-K, with an engaging curriculum and daily communication through their app. We’ve had an amazing experience with them. The staff is warm and professional, and they host regular family events.
Nearby, The Children’s Courtyard of DuPont provides early education and childcare for infants to school-age kids, with structured learning and outdoor play areas.
Both centers are located within a few minutes of most DuPont neighborhoods, making drop-offs and commutes to JBLM convenient for military families.
Commute & Accessibility
If your family’s stationed at JBLM, living in DuPont makes the daily routine a lot simpler. The DuPont Gate is the one we use most often, and it’s just a few minutes from home.
When Bond was active duty, he sometimes biked to work through Integrity Gate, which connects to North Fort — a great option on those clear summer mornings.
I’m often on base for commissary/PX runs, the library, swim lessons, or the children’s museum. Depending on where you’re headed, you can usually reach most parts of JBLM within 10 to 15 minutes.
DuPont also sits right along I-5, which makes it easy to get anywhere — north toward Tacoma and Seattle or south to Lacey and Olympia. Traffic in this area can be unpredictable (especially on the 5), but having direct freeway access helps avoid the long detours that come with living farther from base. It’s one of those small conveniences you end up appreciating every single day.
things to do in Dupont
Even though DuPont is small, there’s no shortage of things to do outdoors. My list below includes just a few of my favorites, but there are plenty of other parks and trails worth exploring throughout the city.
• Sequalitchew Creek Trail: a must-do walk to the Puget Sound. It’s flat, stroller-friendly, and ends at the beach with incredible views.
• PowderWorks Park: DuPont’s largest park, with playgrounds, sports fields, picnic tables, and a dog park.
• Clocktower Park: the center of community life. It’s where you’ll find summer farmers markets, outdoor concerts, and local events throughout the year.
• Bell Hill Community Park: a favorite in our house with giant hillside slides (kids love it).
• DuPont Library and Community Center: a cozy spot for storytime, indoor play, or community movie nights in winter.
Even though it’s a small city, there’s a real sense of community here. The longer you live here, the more familiar faces you see, and the more you realize that life in DuPont moves at a pace that makes room for the things that matter.
Food & Coffee
DuPont has a handful of local restaurants that we enjoy. Farrelli’s Pizza and McNamara’s Pub & Eatery are our easy go-tos, but you’ll also find a few other pizza spots, a Thai restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, and a couple of smaller places for takeout or casual dining, and Bliss Small Batch Creamery is our favorite treat stop.
Some good news for coffee lovers: The Hive Market just opened downtown and plans to add a café soon, so my wish for a local coffee spot has finally come true. Until then, Starbucks is still the go-to option for a quick caffeine fix before school drop-off or trail walks.
Events
DuPont has a full calendar of community events year-round. We love the farmers market in summer, the Fourth of July celebration, the Halloween trick-or-treat downtown, and the Christmas tree lighting at Clocktower Park. There’s also a contest for the best-decorated house every Halloween, and it’s always fun to drive around and see the winners. You’ll also see creative displays again at Christmas and even Easter.
living in Dupont
Most homes in DuPont were built in the 2000s, with a mix of single-family houses, townhomes, and condos. You’ll also find a few older homes in the original Historic Village. Everything connects through sidewalks and trails, so it’s easy to get around on foot or by bike.
There’s no big grocery store in town yet, but Lakewood and Lacey are about 10 to 15 minutes away with Costco, Target, and just about everything else. We also make a trip to Trader Joe’s in University Place every now and then. It’s about a 30-minute drive, but it’s such a pretty route through Steilacoom that I never mind the extra time. Many military families also use the JBLM commissary for weekly shopping.
For me, living here feels balanced. Quiet mornings, trail walks, and being close enough to base that we don’t have to plan our whole day around traffic. It’s a small, calm, connected kind of place; the longer you live here, the more you appreciate it.
Pros and Cons of Living in DuPont
What I Love
• Proximity to JBLM: You can’t beat the commute. It’s so close that my husband used to bike to work some days.
• Walkability: Trails, sidewalks, and parks everywhere. You can actually live here without needing to drive for every little thing.
• Community Feel: Seasonal events, playgrounds full of kids, and neighbors you start seeing at the farmers market.
• Nature Access: Forest trails, Puget Sound views, and Mount Rainier peeking out on clear days.
• Clean and well-planned: DuPont was designed with intention. Everything from greenbelts to alley garages makes it feel organized and easy to navigate.
Things to Keep in Mind
• Limited shopping: There’s no big grocery store in town (yet). You’ll drive 10–15 minutes to Lakewood or Lacey for larger errands.
• Traffic at gates: The DuPont Gate can back up during rush hour, though the afternoon exit from RCF Gate helps.
• Small-town pace: If you love nightlife or big-city energy, you’ll probably head to Tacoma or Olympia.
• Turnover: Because so many military families live here, homes rent and sell frequently, which can mean neighbors come and go every few years.
FAQs
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