Puyallup, Washington

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Puyallup, Washington
Location of Puyallup, Washington
Location of Puyallup, Washington
Coordinates: 47°11′6″N 122°17′32″W / 47.185, -122.29222
Country United States
State Washington
County Pierce
Area
 - Total 12.2 sq mi (31.6 km²)
 - Land 12.1 sq mi (31.4 km²)
 - Water 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Elevation 46 ft (14 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 33,011
 - Density 2,719.2/sq mi (1,049.9/km²)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes 98371-98375
Area code(s) 253
FIPS code 53-56695[1]
GNIS feature ID 1533368[2]

Puyallup, Washington (pronounced /pjuːˈɑːləp/) is a city in Pierce County, Washington about five miles east of Tacoma. The population was 33,011 at the 2000 census. Named after the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Puyallup means "the generous people."

Contents

[edit] Geography

Puyallup is located at 47°11′6″N, 122°17′32″W (47.184870, -122.292224).[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.2 square miles (31.6 km²), of which 12.1 square miles (31.4 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) (1.65%) is water, mainly consisting of the Puyallup River, which flows from the Puyallup and Carbon glaciers on Mount Rainier, into Puget Sound at Tacoma, Washington.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 33,011 people, 12,870 households, and 8,519 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.2 people per square mile (1,049.9/km²). There were 13,467 housing units at an average density of 1,109.3/sq mi (428.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.88% White, 1.50% African American, 1.01% Native American, 3.27% Asian, 0.34% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from other races, and 4.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.67% of the population.

There were 12,870 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, 9.5% of which were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,269, and the median income for a family was $57,322. Males had a median income of $43,562 versus $27,281 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,401. About 4.7% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Culture

[edit] The Valley

The valley in which Puyallup was originally settled is the heart of the town. Its fertile soil is optimal for the acres of daffodils which are grown for distribution world-wide, and are featured in the town's annual spring parade. Despite the region's slug species, citizens are able to grow lush vegetable gardens in soil which has been nourished by eons of volcanic and glacial geologic activity. The Puyallup River meanders between the hills, through the glacial basin, from its name-sake glacier on Mt. Rainier, terminating in the Port of Tacoma, into the Puget Sound. It is cold, silty and greenish in color due to its glacial contents, and alpine origins. From most perspectives in the town of Puyallup, Mt. Rainier is visible to the south east, making the snow-covered cascade volcano a symbol of the town's strong northwestern natural tradition and culture.

Downtown Puyallup has several notable landmarks, including Ezra Meeker's mansion, which was built and inhabited by one of the town's founding families, who made their way to Puyallup via the Oregon trail. The downtown shopping district is made up of historic buildings, which date to the town's origin, and maintain the architecture of the pioneer spirit that formed much of the west. Pioneer Park, the town's center, is a community focal point, which boasts an impressive new public library, and a pleasant civic park, with a playground, and walking paths that wind through cut green grass, between shady old trees. As the focal point of the town, the park's main attraction is a bronze statue honoring Ezra Meeker. Southeast Puyallup is also where the Pierce County Foothills Trail begins.

[edit] Puyallup Fair

Puyallup is home to the Puyallup Fair, the largest annual state fair in Washington attracting over 1 million people a year. The Puyallup Fair is also one of the ten largest fairs in the country. The city itself is built around the Puyallup Fairgrounds and the fairgrounds can be seen prominently from neighboring South Hill. The fair traditionally runs for three weeks in September and one weekend in April (i.e., the "Spring Fair"). The fair serves as an anchor for unique local businesses and restaurants. "Do The Puyallup" has been a longstanding promotional slogan.

During World War II, The Puyallup Fairgrounds (i.e., The Puyallup Assembly Area) were used as an internment camp for United States citizens or residents of Japanese descent or origin that was called "Camp Harmony."[4]

[edit] Daffodil Festival Parade

Puyallup also hosts and is origin of the annual four-part Daffodil Parade, which takes place every year in Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting.

[edit] Antique District

Puyallup is known for its myriad antiques stores, many of which are located next to each other on the main north-south street of Meridian. Puyallup is one of many cities and towns in Washington that contains an 'old-fashioned' downtown shopping area.

[edit] Paul H. Karshner Memorial Museum

The Karshner Museum is the only K-12 teaching museum owned and operated by a school district West of the Mississippi. The essential education and curriculum-based program serves the Puyallup School District's 20,000 K-12 student population. Since 1930, the Karshner Museum has provided hands-on and curriculum-based learning experiences to thousands of students through the museum visit program. The education trunk or “Discovery Kit” program has been serving students, teachers and community members since the 1970’s. These Kits ultilize real or replica artifacts for the purposes of bringing history, art and culture to life in the school classroom.

[edit] Arts Downtown Outdoor Gallery

Starting in 1995, the regional nonprofit organization Valley Arts United began working with local volunteers to support a rotating selection of outdoor public artwork. Consisting mostly of statuary dispersed about the downtown core, this collection has grown to a collection of about 32 permanent pieces. New works are added regularly.[5]

[edit] Farmers' Market

Every Saturday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m to 2 p.m.) from early May to late October, there is a farmers' market located in Pioneer Park in downtown Puyallup, where many locals gather to sell home-grown produce and plants as well as baked goods and crafts. It is located at Pioneer Park, in the modern pavilion building next to the library.

[edit] Education

The Puyallup School District is home to over 30 schools. 20,000+ students attend the district. The district is the ninth largest in Washington state, and extends to neighboring South Hill, some of Tacoma, and the Edgewood area.[6]

[edit] Media

The Herald is the local newspaper for eastern Pierce County. It is published once a week on Thursdays. The paper is distributed by The News Tribune.[7]

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • Contrary to the conventions in surrounding areas, Puyallup's streets generally run north-south, and its avenues run east-west.
  • Though Puyallup is often known for its numerous one-way streets, there are in fact only two, which is really one; 3rd Street (Northbound), which transitions into 2nd Street (Northbound), and Meridian (southbound).

[edit] Notable People from Puyallup

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ Camp Harmony Exhibit., University of Washington online
  5. ^ Valley Arts United
  6. ^ Overview of Puyallup School District
  7. ^ About the Puyallup Herald
  8. ^ 2002 State of the Union guests, WhiteHouse.gov, retrieved March 10, 2008

[edit] External links

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Municipalities and communities of
Pierce County, Washington
County seat: Tacoma
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