Kent, Washington Explained

Official Name:Kent, Washington
Settlement Type:City
Image Blank Emblem:Logo of Kent, Washington.svg
Blank Emblem Type:Logo
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Washington
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:King
Government Type:Mayor–council
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Dana Ralph [1] [2]
Established Title:Incorporated
Established Date:May 28, 1890
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[3]
Area Total Km2:89.12
Area Land Km2:87.63
Area Water Km2:1.51
Area Total Sq Mi:34.41
Area Land Sq Mi:33.83
Area Water Sq Mi:0.58
Population As Of:2020
Population Est:133378
Pop Est As Of:2023
Population Total:136588
Population Density Km2:1,534
Population Density Sq Mi:3,970
Population Rank:US: 216th
WA: 6th
Timezone:Pacific (PST)
Utc Offset:–8
Timezone Dst:PDT
Utc Offset Dst:–7
Elevation M:13
Elevation Ft:43
Elevation Max M:152
Elevation Max Ft:500
Elevation Min M:0
Elevation Min Ft:0
Coordinates:47.3828°N -122.2269°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Codes
Postal Code:98030, 98031, 98032, 98035, 98042, 98064, 98089
Area Code:253
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:53-35415
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:1530952

Kent is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metropolitan area and had a population of 136,588 as of the 2020 census,[4] making it the 4th most populous municipality in greater Seattle and the 6th most populous in Washington state. The city is connected to Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma via State Route 167 and Interstate 5, Sounder commuter rail, and commuter buses.

Incorporated in 1890, Kent is the second-oldest incorporated city in the county, after the county seat of Seattle.[5] It is generally divided into three areas: West Hill (mixed residential and commercial along Interstate 5), Valley (primarily industrial and commercial with some medium-density residential; significant parkland along Green River), and East Hill (primarily residential with retail).

History

The Kent area was first permanently settled by European Americans in the 1850s along the banks of what was then the White River. The first settler was Samuel Russell, who sailed the White and Duwamish rivers until he claimed a plot of land southeast of modern-day downtown Kent in the spring of 1853. Russell was followed by several other settlers who quickly staked claims around the area.[6] The settlements were originally known as "White River" and later the town was called "Titusville" after an early settler by the name of James Henry Titus.[7] (There is still a "Titusville Station" sign on Gowe Street near First Avenue). In 1861 a post office was established under the name White River and was located at the farm of David and Irena Neely who settled in modern-day Kent in 1854. In 1855 their farm was attacked by Native Americans when David Neely served as a lieutenant in the Territorial Army. Another settler was Henry L. Yesler, who was the first sawmill operator in Seattle.[8] By 1870 the population was 277 and all of the quality bottom-land had been claimed.[9]

Throughout the 1860s and 70's, grain and forage crops such as wheat, barley, oats, hay, and timothy accounted for much of the annual return of farmers in the valley. During the late 1870s the town discovered hops production as a major source of income.[10] Due to an aphid invasion which affected hops crops in Europe,[11] hops from the Puget Sound area began to command high prices. Hops were shipped from Titusville either by the river or via rail. In 1889 the town was renamed for the County of Kent, the major hops-producing region in England. Ezra Meeker was asked by the Northern Pacific Railroad to name its station. Meeker suggested that it be known as Kent as it was "Hop Capitol of the West".[8] Hops production in the White River valley came to an end soon after its own invasion of aphids in 1891.[12]

Kent was officially incorporated on May 28, 1890, with a population of 793, the second city incorporated in King County (after Seattle).[13]

After the turn of the 20th century the area turned to dairy farming and was home to a Carnation condensed milk plant.[14] [15] Flooding from both the Green and the White Rivers was a constant problem. In 1906, flooding changed the course of the White River, which reduced the flood hazard by half. The Green River continued to present problems until the creation of the Howard A. Hanson Dam at Eagle Gorge in 1962.[16] [17]

During and after the Great Depression, Kent was known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World".[18] After WWII, Kent began to grow more rapidly. From 1953 to 1960 the city's size grew twelve-fold. In 1965 Boeing began building in Kent, followed a few years later by other aerospace and high-tech companies.[19]

In 1992, the Greater Kent Historical Society was formed to promote the discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the history of the greater Kent area.[20] In 1996, the City of Kent purchased the historic Bereiter house, the home of one of Kent's early mayors, for use as the Kent Historical Museum. The museum is operated by the Greater Kent Historical Society.[21]

Geography

Kent is located in southern King County and is part of Seattle's metropolitan area. The city is divided into three geographic sections: West Hill, the Kent Valley, and East Hill.[22] Downtown Kent is located on the east side of the valley, about 16 miles from downtown Seattle and downtown Bellevue. Adjoining cities are Renton to the north, Covington to the east, Auburn to the south, Federal Way to the southwest, Des Moines to the west, SeaTac to the northwest, and Tukwila to the north.[23]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.41sqmi, of which 33.83sqmi is land and 0.58sqmi is water.[3]

Major waterways include the Green River, which flows north through Kent on its way to Puget Sound. The largest lake is Lake Meridian on the city's East Hill. Clark Lake and Lake Fenwick are both surrounded by city parks. Mount Rainier is a prominent geographical landmark to the southeast.

Transportation

There are several major freeways and highways in or near Kent, including Interstate 5, State Route 167, and State Route 516. Kent is also served by King County Metro transit, with the Kent Station providing service to many destinations, including downtown Seattle by multiple commuter buses, the Sounder commuter rail system, and local buses. Heavy rail service includes two major north–south lines through the Kent Valley, with freight traffic operations by the BNSF and Union Pacific railroads.[24] The Link light rail system is scheduled to be extended to Federal Way in 2024, with intermediate stops at Kent Des Moines station near Highline College and Star Lake station at South 272nd Street.[25]

Parks

Kent's park system includes 73 parks, miniparks, playfields, skateparks, greenbelts, and other related facilities. These parks range in size from as little as 4300square feet to over 310acres.[26]

Climate

Kent has a warm/cool-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb).

City landmarks

Kent has designated the following landmarks:

Name Constructed Designated
Lunar Roving Vehicles 1970 2019[27]
Emil W. Bereiter House 1907 2008
1982 2008
Saar Pioneer Cemetery 1873 2010

Government

The city is governed by a mayor–council government, with a directly elected mayor and a seven-member city council. Each is elected at-large (that is, by the entire voting population, rather than by districts) to four-year terms. The current mayor is Dana Ralph.[29] The city maintains its own municipal police department, unlike some neighboring municipalities who contract police service out to King County.

Public education

Public primary and secondary education in the vast majority of Kent and a number of neighboring cities and unincorporated areas is governed by the Kent School District.[30] The district includes four high schools, seven middle schools, twenty-eight elementary schools and two academies. The Kent School District also has an individualized graduation and degree program named iGrad that is aimed at dropouts aged 16–21 who are willing to get back to school.[31]

Federal Way Public Schools, which includes a portion of Kent,[30] also has several schools within the city limits. Residents of far east Kent are zoned in the Tahoma School district. A branch of Green River Community College opened in Kent Station in 2007.[32]

Other portions are in the Highline Public Schools and the Renton School District.[30]

Fire protection

The city is served by the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority with 7 of the departments 13 stations located within municipal boundaries.[33]

Annexation

In keeping with the King County Annexation Initiative, which seeks to annex large urban unincorporated areas into city limits or incorporate new cities out of those areas,[34] the Panther Lake area (known officially as the Kent Northeast Potential Annexation Area)[35] was proposed for annexation to the city of Kent. The annexation was voted on by residents of the potential annexation area on November 3, 2009; the area was officially annexed July 1, 2010. The city grew in area by approximately 5sqmi and 24,000 residents.[36]

Economy

The economy of Kent consists of commuters traveling to the main urban centers of the Seattle metropolitan area (particularly downtown Seattle), extensive manufacturing and warehousing within the city, and retail/personal services catering to residents.[37] The manufacturing and distribution industry in Kent and the surrounding area ranks 4th among markets in the United States.[38]

Corporate headquarters in Kent include Oberto Sausage Company, Seattle Bicycle Supply, Omax Corporation and aerospace manufacturer Blue Origin. Amazon, Boeing, Whirlpool and General Electric operate sizable facilities in the city. Due to its central location within the metropolitan area, Kent is home to a large and growing warehouse district. To honor the 100th anniversary of Oberto Sausage Company's presence in the city, the city designated a section of South 238th Street as Oberto Drive in May 2018.[39]

Boeing

Boeing Kent Space Center was opened with a public dedication ceremony on October 24, 1964. Keynote speakers at the event were William "Bill" Allen, Chairman and CEO of The Boeing Company; future Washington Governor Dan Evans; and Alex Thorton, Mayor of the City of Kent. The event featured public tours of the labs and facilities that were used to build the Lunar Roving Vehicles used in the Apollo program.[40]

Steel

Kent is home to a large steel industry dating back to the early 20th century.[41] [42] Steel and metal manufacturers include:

Employers

Largest employers

According to the city's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[49] the largest employers in the city are:

Employer
  1. of Employees
1 3,073
2 2,970
3 2,522
4 1,600
5 Exotic Metals Forming Company 1,047
6 850
7 City of Kent 719
8 King County Maleng Regional Justice Center 630
9 Coho Distributing LLC 628
10 615

Other notable companies headquartered in Kent

Demographics

2020 census

Kent, Washington – Racial and ethnic composition
!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)!Pop 2000[50] !Pop 2010[51] ![52] !% 2000!% 2010!
White alone (NH)53,96445,969style='background: #ffffe6; 51,13267.86%49.74%style='background: #ffffe6; 37.44%
Black or African American alone (NH)6,44410,088style='background: #ffffe6; 17,0588.10%10.92%style='background: #ffffe6; 12.49%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)682677style='background: #ffffe6; 6730.86%0.73%style='background: #ffffe6; 0.49%
Asian alone (NH)7,40713,841style='background: #ffffe6; 32,0219.31%14.98%style='background: #ffffe6; 23.44%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)5871,731style='background: #ffffe6; 3,5340.74%1.87%style='background: #ffffe6; 2.59%
Other race alone (NH)406235style='background: #ffffe6; 8050.51%0.25%style='background: #ffffe6; 0.59%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)3,5684,484style='background: #ffffe6; 8,9164.49%4.85%style='background: #ffffe6; 6.53%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)6,46615,386style='background: #ffffe6; 22,4498.13%16.65%style='background: #ffffe6; 16.44%
Total79,52492,411style='background: #ffffe6; 136,588100.00%100.00%style='background: #ffffe6; 100.00%
As of the 2020 census, there were 136,588 people, 47,058 households, and 31,887 families residing in the county.[53] The population density was 4047.1PD/sqmi. There were 49,157 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 39.7% White, 12.8% African American, 1.0% Native American, 23.6% Asian, 2.6% Pacific Islander, 9.7% from some other races and 10.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.4% of the population.[54] 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.4% were under 5 years of age, and 10.8% were 65 and older.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 92,411 people, 34,044 households, and 21,816 families residing in the city. The population density was 3228.3PD/sqmi. There were 36,424 housing units at an average density of 1272.2/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 55.5% White (49.7% Non-Hispanic White), 11.3% African American, 1.0% Native American, 15.2% Asian, 1.9% Pacific Islander, 8.5% from other races, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.6% of the population.

There were 34,044 households, of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.9% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 33 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 8.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 79,524 people, 31,113 households, and 19,601 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,836.7 people per square mile (1,095.4/km2). There were 32,488 housing units at an average density of 1,158.9 per square mile (447.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.81% White, 8.23% African American, 0.98% Native American, 9.42% Asian, 0.76% Pacific Islander, 4.7% from other races, and 5.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.13% of the population.

There were 32,998 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,053, and the median income for a family was $61,016. Males had a median income of $43,136 versus $36,995 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,390. About 8.7% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.3% of those 65 and older.

Recreation and entertainment

In 2003, Kent was named Sports Illustrateds Sportstown of the year for Washington. In January 2006, an entertainment center, known as Kent Station, opened in downtown Kent adjacent to the transit station of the same name.

The 2012 Skate America figure skating competition was held in Kent from October 19 to 21, 2012,[55] [56] at ShoWare Center.[57]

In July 2015, Kent hosted the inaugural Junior Roller Derby World Cup.[58]

Riverbend Golf Complex, featuring an 18-hole course which is one of the busiest in Washington state, is located in Kent. An adjacent par 3 course was actively used by locals for years before being shut down in 2017 to make room for a mixed used development.[59]

Events

Entertainment

The accesso ShoWare Center hosts two minor-league sports teams: the Seattle Thunderbirds play ice hockey in the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League;[60] and the Tacoma Stars plays indoor soccer in the Major Arena Soccer League.

Notable people

Sister cities

Kent has the following sister cities:[64] [65]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kent Mayor Dana Ralph. May 17, 2024. City of Kent, Washington. May 17, 2024.
  2. Web site: Kent's new Mayor Ralph predicts 'great things' ahead. Steve. Hunter. January 3, 2018. Kent Reporter. June 15, 2019.
  3. Web site: 2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. May 17, 2024.
  4. Web site: Explore Census Data . . November 1, 2023.
  5. Web site: Kent is incorporated on May 28, 1890. historylink.org. History Ink. July 29, 2015.
  6. Book: Johnson. Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn. Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history. 1990. Windsor Publications. Chatsworth, Calif.. 0-89781-356-1. 14. 1st.
  7. Web site: Kent and the White River Valley Area. Washington Secretary of State. September 18, 2017.
  8. Web site: Kent and the White River Valley Area . Washington Secretary of State . June 23, 2020.
  9. Book: Johnson. Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn. Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history. 1990. Windsor Publications. Chatsworth, California. 0-89781-356-1. 12, 17. 1st.
  10. Book: Johnson. Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn. Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history. 1990. Windsor Publications. Chatsworth, California. 0-89781-356-1. 20. 1st.
  11. Web site: Herefordshire Through Time - Welcome . Government of the United Kingdom . July 12, 2011.
  12. Web site: Stein . Alan J. . the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History . HistoryLink.org . September 24, 2001. July 12, 2011.
  13. Web site: Wilma. David. the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History. HistoryLink.org. September 14, 1999. July 12, 2011.
  14. Web site: Lange . Greg . the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History . HistoryLink.org . May 9, 1999 . July 12, 2011.
  15. Web site: Long . Priscilla . the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History . HistoryLink.org . August 6, 1999 . July 12, 2011.
  16. Web site: The History of Kent, Washington. January 27, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060923092832/http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/vtours/kent/. September 23, 2006.
  17. Web site: Welcome to our Home Page. White River Valley Museum. July 12, 2011.
  18. Web site: History of Kent. kentwa.gov. November 30, 2014.
  19. Web site: Long . Priscilla . the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History . HistoryLink.org . September 4, 2006 . July 12, 2011.
  20. Web site: About | Greater Kent Historical Society Museum . Kent Historical Museum . July 12, 2011.
  21. Web site: History | Greater Kent Historical Society Museum . Kent Historical Museum . July 12, 2011.
  22. Web site: City at a Glance – Kent, Washington . June 17, 2023.
  23. Web site: Maps of King County. King County. February 10, 2021.
  24. Web site: Hunter . Steve . City of Kent targets railroad quiet zone in 2022 . Kent Reporter . June 5, 2019 . Sound Publishing . June 17, 2023.
  25. Web site: Federal Way Link Extension. Sound Transit. October 11, 2022.
  26. Web site: Parks, Trails & Open Space. Kent Washington Official Website. City of Kent, Washington. April 20, 2013.
  27. Web site: Boyle . Alan . Aerospace and Science Editor . GeekWire . July 26, 2019 . January 21, 2020.
  28. http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/elections/past-elections.aspx King County Elections
  29. Web site: Kent Mayor Dana Ralph City of Kent. www.kentwa.gov. April 7, 2019. October 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201016161253/https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/kent-mayor. dead.
  30. 2020 Census – School District Reference Map: King County, WA. United States Census Bureau. 1, 3 (PDF pp. 2, 4/5). August 3, 2022.
  31. Web site: Our School / Our School. kent.k12.wa.us. May 19, 2014.
  32. News: Convenience: a great selling point for GRCC. The Seattle Times.
  33. Web site: December 27, 2016. Fire Station Locations Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. April 13, 2021. pugetsoundfire.org. en-US.
  34. Web site: King County Annexation Initiative. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090413234624/http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/default.aspx. April 13, 2009.
  35. https://web.archive.org/web/20070227080845/http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/kentne.aspx Kent Northeast annexation information – King County
  36. Web site: Annexation Frequently Asked Questions. City of Kent, Washington. September 22, 2011.
  37. Web site: CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. City of Kent. February 10, 2021.
  38. News: Garnick . Coral . June 3, 2016 . Kent Valley: The next South Lake Union . . subscription . July 1, 2024.
  39. Web site: Kent street gets new name of Oberto Drive. Steve. Hunter. May 17, 2018. Kent Reporter.
  40. Web site: Lunar Roving Vehicle . Boeing.
  41. Web site: Facility Directory Listing . Mountain Hawk Corporation.
  42. Web site: Kent Industrial Materials: Metals . Dex . June 11, 2012 . July 20, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140720230532/http://www.dexknows.com/local/industrial_goods_and_services/industrial_materials/geo/c-kent-wa/att/metals/ . dead .
  43. Web site: Salmon Bay Steel Corporation Factory, Kent, WA . University of Washington.
  44. Web site: Welcome to Puget Sound Steel . Puget Sound Steel Co Inc..
  45. Web site: Featured Project . Puget Sound Steel Co Inc..
  46. Web site: Seattle . PACIFIC METAL COMPANY/Reliance Steel.
  47. Web site: TMX Aerospace . ThyssenKrupp Materials NA, Inc..
  48. Web site: About ThyssenKrupp Aerospace . ThyssenKrupp Aerospace.
  49. Web site: December 15, 2022 . 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021 - City of Kent, Washington . September 6, 2023 . City of Kent: Finance Department - Financial Reports . 221 (241st page of PDF) . PDF.
  50. Web site: P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kent city, Washington . United States Census Bureau . February 25, 2024.
  51. Web site: P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kent city, Washington. United States Census Bureau . February 25, 2024.
  52. Web site: P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kent city, Washington . United States Census Bureau . February 25, 2024.
  53. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type . May 17, 2024 . United States Census Bureau.
  54. Web site: How many people live in Kent city, Washington . May 17, 2024 . USA Today.
  55. Web site: La tenue vestimentaire idéale pour faire du skate. 2012skateamerica.com. May 19, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130721011310/http://2012skateamerica.com/. July 21, 2013.
  56. Web site: Home – ISU. www2.isu.org. May 19, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20120601034708/http://www2.isu.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,4844-205151-222374-nav-list,00.html?id=1066. June 1, 2012. dead.
  57. Web site: La tenue vestimentaire idéale pour faire du skate. 2012skateamerica.com. May 19, 2014.
  58. Web site: Junior Roller Derby World Cup - Home . June 12, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150722063735/http://www.juniorrollerderbyworldcup2015.com/ . July 22, 2015 . dead .
  59. Web site: Gone forever: Golfers lament removal of Kent's Riverbend par 3 course – Kent Reporter. September 28, 2017. kentreporter.com. March 21, 2018.
  60. Web site: Seattle Thunderbirds. seattlesouthside.com.
  61. News: A moment with ... Jeff Dye, comedian . July 30, 2008 . Seattle Post-Intelligencer . January 18, 2018.
  62. Web site: Macklemore not at fault in collision, but was driving on suspended license for unpaid tickets, police say . The Seattle Times . 1 January 2023 . 2 August 2017.
  63. Web site: Guide to the William M. Marutani Papers . . July 6, 2020.
  64. Web site: Sister Cities, States, Counties & Ports . https://web.archive.org/web/20060929011931/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ . September 29, 2006 . dead . May 20, 2014 .
  65. Web site: Sister Cities – City of Kent, Washington. kentwa.gov. May 19, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140520010047/http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=1310. May 20, 2014.

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