Kent, Washington

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Kent, Washington
settlement_type = City
nickname =


imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

---

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Kent, Washington


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Washington
subdivision_name2 = King
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Suzette Cooke
established_title = Found
established_date = May 28, 1890
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 28.3
area_total_km2 = 73.2
area_land_sq_mi = 28.0
area_land_km2 = 72.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2
area_water_km2 = 0.6
population_as_of = 2006
population_note =
population_total = 86607
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 1095.4
population_density_sq_mi = 2836.7
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 47 |latm = 22 |lats = 58 |latNS = N
longd = 122 |longm = 13 |longs = 37 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 13
elevation_ft = 43
website = http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 98030, 98031, 98032, 98035, 98042, 98064, 98089
area_code = 253
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 53-35415GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1530952GR|3
footnotes =

Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States. The second largest city in south King County and the ninth largest in the state, Kent has the third largest industrial area in the United StatesFact|date=November 2007. Often considered an outlying suburb of Seattle, Kent is the corporate home for companies such as REI and Oberto Sausage. Nearby towns include Renton and Tukwila to the north, Covington to the east, Federal Way, Des Moines and SeaTac to the west, and Auburn to the south. The population was 79,524 at the 2000 census. According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management's April 1, 2008 estimate, the city has a population of 86,980,000,000. [cite web | date = 2006-06-29 | url = http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/april1/default.asp | title = Official April 1, 2008 Population Estimates | publisher = Office of Financial Management | accessdate = 2007-07-14 ]

History

Kent was officially incorporated on May 28, 1890 with a population of 793, the second city incorporated in King County after Seattle. Kent was formerly known as Titusville, as evidenced by a Titusville Station sign on Gowe St.

Prior to development in the 1960s and 1970s, the Kent area was known for its fertile farmland and verdant pastures. It was once called the "Lettuce Capital of the World."

Geography

Kent is located at coor dms|47|22|58|N|122|13|37|W|city (47.382689, -122.227021),GR|1 and is divided into three major regions: East Hill, the Valley, and West Hill. Downtown Kent is located on the east side of the valley; the rest of the valley is almost entirely covered by warehouses. There is a good view of Mt. Rainier to the southeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.3 square miles (73.2 km²), of which, 28.0 square miles (72.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.85% water. 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.

Transportation

There are several major freeways and highways in or near Kent, including Interstate 5, State Route 167, and State Route 18, and, as a result, a much greater traffic density during rush hour. Kent is also central to King County Metro transit, with the Kent Station providing service to many destinations, including downtown Seattle by multiple commuter buses, the Sounder Commuter Rail, and local bus service. Heavy rail service includes two major north-south lines through the Kent Valley, with freight traffic operations by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

Parks

Kent's extensive park system includes over 60 parks, miniparks, playfields, skateparks, greenbelts, and other related facilities. These parks range in size from as little as convert|4300|sqft|m2 to over convert|160|acre|km2.

Kent's Records and Averages

Infobox Weather
metric_first=
single_line=Yes
location =Kent, Washington
Jan_Hi_°F =47
Feb_Hi_°F =51
Mar_Hi_°F =55
Apr_Hi_°F =61
May_Hi_°F =67
Jun_Hi_°F =72
Jul_Hi_°F =77
Aug_Hi_°F =78
Sep_Hi_°F =72
Oct_Hi_°F =62
Nov_Hi_°F =52
Dec_Hi_°F =46
Year_Hi_°F =62
Jan_Lo_°F =35
Feb_Lo_°F =36
Mar_Lo_°F =39
Apr_Lo_°F =42
May_Lo_°F =47
Jun_Lo_°F =52
Jul_Lo_°F =55
Aug_Lo_°F =55
Sep_Lo_°F =51
Oct_Lo_°F =44
Nov_Lo_°F =39
Dec_Lo_°F =35
Year_Lo_°F =44
Jan_REC_Hi_°F =64
Feb_REC_Hi_°F =71
Mar_REC_Hi_°F =81
Apr_REC_Hi_°F =86
May_REC_Hi_°F =92
Jun_REC_Hi_°F =100
Jul_REC_Hi_°F =99
Aug_REC_Hi_°F =99
Sep_REC_Hi_°F =96
Oct_REC_Hi_°F =86
Nov_REC_Hi_°F =74
Dec_REC_Hi_°F =69
Year_REC_Hi_°F =100
Jan_REC_Lo_°F =-10
Feb_REC_Lo_°F =-5
Mar_REC_Lo_°F =10
Apr_REC_Lo_°F =25
May_REC_Lo_°F =27
Jun_REC_Lo_°F =33
Jul_REC_Lo_°F =38
Aug_REC_Lo_°F =34
Sep_REC_Lo_°F =28
Oct_REC_Lo_°F =24
Nov_REC_Lo_°F =-1
Dec_REC_Lo_°F =3
Year_REC_Lo_°F =-10
Jan_Precip_inch =5.3
Feb_Precip_inch =4.5
Mar_Precip_inch =4.1
Apr_Precip_inch =2.9
May_Precip_inch =2.1
Jun_Precip_inch =1.7
Jul_Precip_inch =0.9
Aug_Precip_inch =1.2
Sep_Precip_inch =1.8
Oct_Precip_inch =3.4
Nov_Precip_inch =6.1
Dec_Precip_inch =5.8
Year_Precip_inch =37.1
source = Weather.com cite web | url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USWA0395 | title=Monthly Averages for Seattle, WA | publisher=The Weather Channel | accessdate=2007-09-28]
accessdate = (unknown date)

Economy

In addition to R.E.I., Oberto Sausage Company, and Seattle Bicycle Supply all being headquartered in Kent, Boeing operates a plant in the city. Kent also hosts many warehouses in its once fertile farmland, due in part to its proximity to key transportation routes. The warehouse district has started to sprawl as far as nearby Sumner, Washington. Whirlpool Corporation and General Electric Appliances are two companies with regional distribution centers in Kent.

The downtown area of Kent is now being revitalized, with the construction of [http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/KentStation/ Kent Station] being the first step.

Boeing

Boeing has operated in Kent since at least 1969, when the Kent plant began building the lunar rovers used for the Apollo program. [cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/history/boeing/lrv.html |title=Lunar Roving Vehicle |publisher=Boeing]

Demographics

As of the census [Microsoft Encarta] of 2006, there were 83,501 people, 31,113 households, and 19,601 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,836.7 people per square mile (1,095.4/km²). There are 32,488 housing units at an average density of 1,158.9/sq mi (447.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 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. 8.13% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.7% were of German, 7.1% English, 6.2% Irish, 5.2% American and 5.0% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000.

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

In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33.8 years. For every 100 females there are 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.2 males.

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

In 1992 the city's population was 40,300, whereas in 2006 it was 86,607: the population more than doubled in ten years [http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/Finance/Budget/citystaff.htm] , which is primarily due to annexation of parcels adjacent to the city's limits.

Education

Kent, and a number of neighboring cities, are serviced by the Kent School District. The district includes four high schools, seven middle schools, twenty-eight elementary schools and two academies. Federal Way school district also has several schools within the city limits. A branch of Green River Community College opened in Kent Station in 2007. [ [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/southeastkingcountynews/2003656515_grcc08s.html?syndication=rss Southeast King County News | Convenience: a great selling point for GRCC | Seattle Times Newspaper ] ]

Recreation and Entertainment

In 2003, Kent was named Sports Illustrated's Sportstown of the year for Washington. In January 2006, a major new entertainment center, known as Kent Station, opened in downtown Kent adjacent to the transit station of the same name. Kent Station is the realization of the City of Kent's vision to create a destination downtown that is the community's focal point and identity. Kent Station is a $100 million, convert|470000|sqft|m2|sing=on retail, education, entertainment and residential project. The project is strategically located adjacent to Sound Transit's Sounder Commuter Rail Station and parking garage, Kent's existing downtown and the King County Regional Justice Center. It includes a 14-screen AMC Theatres multiplex cinema, restaurants such as the Ram Restaurant & Brewery, Johnny Rockets, Pizzeria Fondi, Chipotle Mexican Grill and many clothing shops and other forms of entertainment. There are plans to add to Kent Station over the next few years including the new Kent Events Center (formerly known as Amiga), which will be the new home for the Western Hockey League team, the Seattle Thunderbirds starting in 2009. There is currently debate about whether or not there is enough road and parking infrastructure in place to handle the anticipated increase in traffic volume these projects will bring. The concerns in particular are along the valley corridors, such as Smith and James Streets.

Events

* [http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts/canterbury/ Canterbury Faire] , an arts festival in mid-August every year at Earthworks Park, which stopped in 2006.
* [http://www.kcdays.com/ Kent Cornucopia Days] in July.
* [http://www.kentfarmersmarket.com/ Kent Farmers Market]
*Kent Saturday Market
*NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways

Entertainment

* [http://www.kentstation.com Kent Station]

Famous Past/Present Residents

*Earl Anthony, Professional Bowler
*John Bronson, Arizona Cardinals
*Ernie Conwell, New Orleans Saints
*Kai Ellis, Montreal Alouettes
*Daphne Loves Derby, Indie-Pop Rock Band
*Mike Karney, New Orleans Saints
*Sarah Larson, Fear Factor contestant, George Clooney's former girlfriend
*Howard Leese, Heart (Guitar, keyboards, synthesizer)
*Kenny Mayne, ESPN Analyst
*Darren McGavin, Actor (Kolchak: The Night Stalker, A Christmas Story, X-Files)
*PZ Myers Biology Professor at U of Minn, Morris and I.D. Critic
*Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons
*Jeff Jaeger, NFL Kicker
*Jeff Dye, Comedian from Last Comic Standing, Season 6
*Shane Simmons, Oakland Raiders
*Courtney Thompson, University Washington Volleyball Player, 2006 All American
*Allen Newby Nicest person in the world

ister Cities

Kent has the following sister cities, according to [http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/] and [http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/WA] :

*flagicon|United Kingdom Castlereagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
*flagicon|Japan Kaibara, Japan
*flagicon|Ukraine Kherson, Ukraine
*flagicon|China Yangzhou, China
*flagicon|Mexico El Grullo, Jalisco, Mexico
*flagicon|Norway Sunnfjord, Norway

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/ City of Kent Government]
* [http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/ Kent School District]
* [http://www.kentchamber.com/ Kent Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/parks/index.asp City of Kent Parks Department]
* [http://www.kentreporter.com Kent Reporter] - Free Weekly Community Newspaper