Overview

Introduction to Kent, Washington

Kent is located in the Green River Valley in King County and is recognized as an outlying suburb of the city of Seattle. Kent includes three distinctive areas, the East Hill, the Valley and the West Hill. A Boeing facility and the headquarters of REI and Oberto Sausage are situated in the city along with a large number of warehouses. Whirlpool and General Electric Appliances have distribution facilities in Kent.

In 2003 the city was recognized by Sports Illustrated as "Sportstown of the year" for the state of Washington. The impressive Mt. Ranier along with the Cascade and Olympic Mountains can be seen from the city. The Green River runs through the municipality and Lake Meridian is situated on the East Hill. The average annual rainfall is 39 inches.

History

Kent was incorporated in 1890 and was earlier known as Titusville. In 1906 the "Great Flood" temporarily changed the valley into an enormous lake. The Howard Hanson Dam was constructed at Eagle Gorge to prevent serious flooding in the future. The dam allowed extensive commercial development to take place in the valley which led to Kent becoming a primary distribution center. Before the extensive development took place in the 1960's and 1970's, the city was renowned for its fertile soil and was formerly known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World." Hops were also a major crop.

Attractions

  • Kent Station is a huge entertainment center which also includes retail businesses, and numerous restaurants
  • Kent Cornucopia Days
  • Kent Farmers Market
  • Greater Kent Historical Society Museum is an attractive three-story building and includes a large number of artifacts
  • Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum showcases a large number of vintage hydroplanes
  • Pacific Raceways International features drag races, motorcycle racing events, vintage car races and other motor sports events
  • The Museum of Flight
  • Earthworks

Transportation

The city is served by the Sea-Tac International Airport. King County Metro provides local transportation. The Kent station offers bus and rail service to downtown Seattle and other locations.

Higher Education

The Green River Community College is located in the area.

Demographics

People

Total Population128,057
Male Share of the Population50%
Female Share of the Population50%
Senior Citizens10.9%
Employed Population 16+62,937
Age of the Population34

Families

% of people married47.3%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher25.8%
Median Earnings25+$39,831
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$26,412
Median Earnings With High School Degree$33,730

Wealth

Median Family Income$75,123
% Above Poverty Level86.3%
% Below Poverty Level13.7%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time32 minutes
% Working from Home3.7%
% Walking and Biking to Work1.7%
% Using Public Transportation8.7%

Housing

People Living Alone22.7%
Median Gross Rent$1,286
Median House Value$316,400

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)49.5%
Irish6.3%
English5.4%
African3.9%
Norwegian3%
Ukrainian2.6%
Italian2.2%
French Except Basque2%
Swedish1.9%
Arab1.5%
Scottish1.5%
Russian1.4%
Ethiopian1.2%
Iraqi1%
Polish1%
Danishn0.9%
Dutch0.9%
Turkish0.6%
Somali0.6%
Afghan)0.6%
West Indian0.5%
Romanian0.5%
Welsh0.5%
Kenyan0.3%
Greek0.3%
Swiss0.2%
Portuguese0.2%
Austrian0.2%
Croatian0.2%
Canadian0.2%
Jamaican0.2%
Czech0.2%
Egyptian0.2%
Finnish0.2%
Hungarian0.2%
Haitian0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Barbadian0.1%
US/American0.1%
Belgian0.1%
Iranian0.1%
Icelander0.1%
German0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
Bulgarian0.1%
Nigerian0.1%
Liberian0.1%
Ghanaian0.1%
Ugandan0.1%
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Kent Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyKing County
Standard Zip Codes98031, 98032, 98030, 98042
P.O. Box Zip Codes98035, 98064, 98089
Phone Area Codes253, 4, 425
Time ZoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Approximate Latitude47.38
Approximate Longitude-122.19

Kent Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationKENT
Distance2.6 miles
Jan Temp35 to 47 F
Apr Temp42 to 61 F
Jul Temp55 to 77 F
Oct Temp44 to 62 F
Annual Precip39.5 inches
StationSEATTLE TACOMA AP
Distance7.1 miles
Jan Temp36 to 46 F
Apr Temp42 to 58 F
Jul Temp55 to 75 F
Oct Temp46 to 60 F
Annual Precip37 inches
StationPUYALLUP 2 W EXP STN
Distance13.4 miles
Jan Temp33 to 47 F
Apr Temp39 to 61 F
Jul Temp52 to 78 F
Oct Temp42 to 62 F
Annual Precip40.5 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Auburn79,110$80,053
Covington20,447$105,810
Des Moines31,518$74,164
Federal Way96,110$74,256
Normandy Park6,678$129,659
SeaTac28,925$71,405

Kent Public Schools

Birth To Age 2
12033 Se 256th St Suite A-400
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7513
Primary
Total Enrollment 123
Dynamic Family Services
10811 Se Kent Kanlgey Rd
ZIP: 98030
(253) 945-2000
Other
Total Enrollment 6
George T. Daniel Elementary School
11310 Se 248th St
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7615
Primary
Total Enrollment 588
Igrad
25668 104th Ave Se, 25672 104th Ave Se
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-4723
High
Total Enrollment 456
Kent Phoenix Academy
11000 Se 264th St
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7542
High
Total Enrollment 302
Kent-meridian High School
10020 Se 256th St
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7405
High
Total Enrollment 2188
Martin Sortun Elementary School
12711 Se 248th St
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7314
Primary
Total Enrollment 612
Meadow Ridge Elementary School
27710 108th Ave Se
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7870
Primary
Total Enrollment 574
Millennium Elementary School
11919 Se 270th St
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-3900
Primary
Total Enrollment 575
Pine Tree Elementary School
27825 118th Ave Se
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7687
Primary
Total Enrollment 530
Regional Justice Center
12033 Se 256th St Suite A-200
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7242
High
Total Enrollment 13
Scenic Hill Elementary School
26025 Woodland Way S
ZIP: 98030
(253) 373-7479
Primary
Total Enrollment 611
East Hill Elementary School
9825 S 240th St
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-7455
Primary
Total Enrollment 594
Emerald Park Elementary School
11800 Se 216th St
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-3850
Primary
Total Enrollment 488
Glenridge Elementary
19405 120th Ave Se
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-7494
Primary
Total Enrollment 458
Kentridge High School
12430 Se 208th St
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-7345
High
Total Enrollment 2230
Meridian Middle School
23480 120th Ave Se
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-7383
Middle
Total Enrollment 682
Panther Lake Elementary School
10200 Se 216th St
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-7470
Primary
Total Enrollment 657
Park Orchard Elementary School
11010 Se 232nd St
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-7473
Primary
Total Enrollment 555
Soos Creek Elementary School
12651 Se 218th Place
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-7690
Primary
Total Enrollment 356
Springbrook Elementary School
20035 100th Ave Se
ZIP: 98031
(253) 373-7485
Primary
Total Enrollment 533
Star Lake Elementary School
4014 S 270th
ZIP: 98031
(253) 945-4000
Primary
Total Enrollment 468
Totem Middle School
26630 40th Ave S
ZIP: 98031
(253) 945-5100
Middle
Total Enrollment 634
Kent Elementary School
24700 64th Ave S
ZIP: 98032
(253) 373-7497
Primary
Total Enrollment 687
Mill Creek Middle School
620 Central Ave N
ZIP: 98032
(253) 373-7446
Middle
Total Enrollment 876
Neely O Brien Elementary School
6300 S 236th St
ZIP: 98032
(253) 373-7434
Primary
Total Enrollment 741
Sunnycrest Elementary School
24629 42nd Av S
ZIP: 98032
(253) 945-4100
Primary
Total Enrollment 575
Technology Access Foundation Academy
26720 40th Ave S
ZIP: 98032
(253) 945-5187
Other
Total Enrollment 293
Cedar Heights Middle School
19640 Se 272nd Street
ZIP: 98042
(253) 373-7620
Middle
Total Enrollment 646
Cedar Valley Elementary School
26500 Timberlane Way Se
ZIP: 98042
(253) 373-7649
Primary
Total Enrollment 303
Grass Lake Elementary School
28700 191st Place Se
ZIP: 98042
(253) 373-7661
Primary
Total Enrollment 424
Horizon Elementary School
27641 144th Ave Se
ZIP: 98042
(253) 373-7313
Primary
Total Enrollment 447
Kentlake High School
21401 Se Falcon Way
ZIP: 98042
(253) 373-4900
High
Total Enrollment 1501
Lake Youngs Elementary School
19660 142nd Ave Se
ZIP: 98042
(253) 373-7646
Primary
Total Enrollment 481
Meridian Elementary School
25621 140th Ave Se
ZIP: 98042
(253) 373-7664
Primary
Total Enrollment 641
Sunrise Elementary School
22300 132nd Ave Se
ZIP: 98042
(253) 373-7630
Primary
Total Enrollment 553

Kent Private Schools

Cascade Vista Baptist School
11517 Se 208th St
ZIP: 98031
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 88
Montessori Plus School
23807 98th Ave S
ZIP: 98031
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 70
Sunbeams Lutheran School
23810 112th Ave Se
ZIP: 98031
Elementary
Total Enrollment 31
Academy Schools
318 5th Ave S
ZIP: 98032
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 49
Sunshine Mountain Christian School
25125 132nd Ave Se
ZIP: 98042
Elementary
Total Enrollment 32
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