Ballard is a growing neighborhood which was incorporated as an independent city in 1890. It was annexed by Seattle in 1907, but has retained much of its old Scandinavian flavor. Its major landmarks include the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (locally referred to as the "Ballard Locks"), the Nordic Heritage Museum, and Golden Gardens Park.

Ballard is the traditional center of Seattle's ethnically Scandinavian seafaring community. For years, Ballard remained a cliche in local humor, especially its reputation for overly cautious, elderly drivers. The Seattle-based comedy show Almost Live! often made reference to Ballard. A recent trend of development in the area has greatly diversified it's population.

Ballard also contains Ballard High School, soon to be the largest in the district.

Ballard Avenue N.W. between N.W. Market Street and N.W. Dock Place was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.