Kent, Washington: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:19, 28 October 2025

Script error: No such module "about". Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Main other

Kent is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Seattle metropolitan area and had a population of 136,588 as of the 2020 census,^[1] and was estimated at 136,588 in 2024,^[2] making it the fourth-most populous municipality in greater Seattle and the sixth-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. 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.^[3] 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.^[4] (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.^[5] By 1870 the population was 277 and all of the quality bottom-land had been claimed.^[6]

Throughout the 1860s and 70s, 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.^[7] Due to an aphid invasion which affected hops crops in Europe,^[8] 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".^[5] Hops production in the White River valley came to an end soon after its own invasion of aphids in 1891.^[9]

Kent was officially incorporated on May 28, 1890, with a population of 793, the second city incorporated in King County (after Seattle).^[9]

After the turn of the 20th century the area turned to dairy farming and was home to a Carnation condensed milk plant.^[10]^[11] 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.^[12]^[13]

During and after the Great Depression, Kent was known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World".^[14] 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.^[15]

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,^[16] the Panther Lake area (known officially as the Kent Northeast Potential Annexation Area)^[17] 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.^[18] The city grew in area by approximately Template:Convert and 24,000 residents.^[18]

Geography

File:Kent Washington Above.jpg

Aerial view of Kent, looking west to east. All three main sections of the city are visible (West Hill, Valley and East Hill) with downtown near the center of the image.

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. Downtown Kent is located on the east side of the valley, about 16 miles from downtown Seattle and downtown Bellevue.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.^[19]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (1.71%) is water.^[20]

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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Climate

Kent has a warm/cool-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb). Template:Weather box

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.^[21]Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The manufacturing and distribution industry in Kent and the surrounding area ranks 4th among markets in the United States.^[22]

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.^[23]

Boeing

File:Kent Space Center - Boeing - 2707478027.jpg

Aerial view of the Kent Space Center

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.^[24]

Steel

Kent is home to a large steel industry dating back to the early 20th century.^[25]^[26] Steel and metal manufacturers include:

Salmon Bay Steel Company: Operated in Kent for 50 years before closing down. Birmingham Steel purchased Salmon bay in 1991. Salmon bay went on to buy Bethlehem Steel (Seattle Steel) in West Seattle. Years after the purchase, complaints were made of pollution in the Green River valley about pollution from the Salmon Bay melting facility, and the facility was shut down.^[27]
Puget Sound Steel: Puget Sound Steel is an independently owned and operated-unique specialty fabricator of reinforcing steel and a supplier of related reinforcement products, since 1961. Puget Sound Steel has been the Northwest's select supplier of fabricated rebar and steel reinforcement to commercial, highway, industrial, and residential building contractors. Works include large scale projects including bridges and skyscrapers.^[28]^[29]
Pacific Metal Company: In 1947, started in Seattle and opened a 19,000 square foot plant. The business and facilities continued to grow for 30 years to meet local needs as well as the emerging markets of Alaska. Even the expanded 40,000 square foot warehouse and sales office was deemed insufficient, and in 1979, an 80,000 square foot facility was built south of the city of Seattle in the Kent Valley at Tukwila. In September 2010 PMC moved to a new location just 3 miles SE in the city of Kent, Washington. Pacific Metal Company is a stocking distributor of non-ferrous metals specializing in stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and brass products as well as ferrous products specializing in Cold Rolled, Coated (Zinc and Aluminum) and pre-painted coils and sheets.^[30]
TMX Aerospace: TMX Aerospace, a division of ThyssenKrupp Steel North America; provides materials including steel, brass, and copper as well as exclusive supply chain management support for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes group.^[31]^[32]

Largest employers

According to the city's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,^[33] the largest employers in the city are:

#	Employer	# of Employees
1	Amazon.com LLC	3,073
2	Kent Public Schools	2,970
3	The Boeing Company	2,522
4	Blue Origin, LLC	1,600
5	Exotic Metals Forming Company	1,047
6	Taylor Farms NW	850
7	City of Kent	719
8	King County Maleng Regional Justice Center	630
9	Coho Distributing LLC	628
10	Carlisle Interconnect Industries	615

Other companies

Diamondback Bicycles - a major bicycle brand
Door to Door Storage - self-storage company; introduced portable, containerized storage to the industry
Fenwick - Pioneers in fiberglass and graphite fishing rods. Founded in 1952 and named after Fenwick Lake in Kent Washington. They have since been bought and moved to Columbia, South Carolina.
Novara - REI's brand of bicycles and cycling clothing
Oberto Sausage Company - family-owned; makes beef jerky, pepperoni and other snack sausages
Omax Corporation - second largest water jet manufacturer in the US
Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company - manufactured and marketed food products, including Carnation evaporated milk, with its famous slogan that it came from "Contented Cows"
Pay 'n Pak - home improvement chain; operated 112 stores on the West Coast
Powerlight Technologies (formerly LaserMotive) - engineering firm developing technologies for efficiently transmitting power via lasers, a form of wireless energy transfer commonly called "laser power beaming"
Puget Sound Electric Railway - interurban railway that ran between Tacoma and Seattle
Puget Systems - custom computer business operating primarily through their website; sells a mixture of custom and preconfigured computers including laptops, desktops, and servers
Raleigh Bicycle Company USA - US headquarters of one of the oldest manufacturers of bicycles, motorcycles, and three-wheel cars
Redline bicycles - manufacturer of BMX, freestyle, cyclocross, mountain, and road bicycles and components
REI - retail corporation organized as a consumers' cooperative, selling outdoor recreation gear, sporting goods, and clothing
Seattle-Tacoma Box Company - manufacturer of shipping containers, crates, boxes, and other wooden products
Tazo Tea Company - tea and tisane manufacturer specializing in New Age-style marketing and product labeling
ThyssenKrupp Aerospace - engineers and manufactures carbon fiber on a variety of Boeing products, including commercial aviation aircraft, military aircraft, and space and communications systems
Torker - brand of bicycles, unicycles, strollers, and trailers, as well as cycling clothing
X10 Wireless Technology - manufactures and markets wireless video cameras

Demographics

Template:US Census population

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 46,607 estimated households in Kent with an average of 2.6 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $92,497. Approximately 14.4% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Kent has an estimated 65.3% employment rate, with 30.3% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 87.8% holding a high school diploma.^[34] There were 49,952 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (_%), Spanish (_%), Indo-European (_%), Asian and Pacific Islander (_%), and Other (_%).

The median age in the city was 37.6 years.

Kent, Washington – racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic)	Pop. 1980^[35]	Pop. 1990^[36]	Pop. 2000^[37]	Pop. 2010^[38]	Pop. 2020^[39]
White alone (NH)	21,312 (92.82%)	33,002 (86.94%)	53,964 (67.86%)	45,969 (49.74%)	51,132 (37.44%)
Black or African American alone (NH)	314 (1.37%)	1,409 (3.71%)	6,444 (8.10%)	10,088 (10.92%)	17,058 (12.49%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	—	464 (1.22%)	682 (0.86%)	677 (0.73%)	673 (0.49%)
Asian alone (NH)	—	1,597 (4.21%)	7,407 (9.31%)	13,841 (14.98%)	32,021 (23.44%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	—	—	587 (0.74%)	1,731 (1.87%)	3,534 (2.59%)
Other race alone (NH)	1,004 (4.37%)	26 (0.07%)	406 (0.51%)	235 (0.25%)	805 (0.59%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH)	—	—	3,568 (4.49%)	4,484 (4.85%)	8,916 (6.53%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	522 (2.27%)	1,462 (3.85%)	6,466 (8.13%)	15,386 (16.65%)	22,449 (16.44%)
Total	22,961 (100.00%)	37,960 (100.00%)	79,524 (100.00%)	92,411 (100.00%)	136,588 (100.00%)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 136,588 people, 47,058 households, and 31,887 families residing in the city.^[40] The population density was Template:Convert. There were 49,157 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 39.66% White, 12.76% African American, 0.96% Native American, 23.60% Asian, 2.63% Pacific Islander, 9.71% from some other races and 10.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 16.44% of the population.^[41]

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 Template:Convert. There were 36,424 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 55.55% White, 11.29% African American, 0.99% Native American, 15.16% Asian, 1.92% Pacific Islander, 8.49% from some other races and 6.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 16.65% 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 Template:Convert. There were 32,488 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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, 4.70% from some other races and 5.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people 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.

Government

Presidential Elections Results^[42]
Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
style="text-align:center; style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"\|2020	style="text-align:center; style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"\|32.32% 18,219	style="text-align:center; style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"\|64.50% 36,359	3.18% 1,795

File:Kentcityhall.jpeg

Kent City Hall (right) and the Centennial Center (left), 2008

File:KentRJC.jpg

Maleng Regional Justice Center Kent, Washington

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.^[43] The city maintains its own municipal police department, unlike some neighboring municipalities who contract police service out to King County.

Fire protection

The city is served by the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority with 7 of the department's 13 stations located within municipal boundaries.^[44]

Culture

File:Showarecenter.jpg

ShoWare Center, home of the Seattle Thunderbirds

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.^[45] 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.^[46]

City landmarks

Kent has designated the following landmarks:^[47]

Name	Constructed	Designated
Lunar Roving Vehicles	1970	2019^[48]
Emil W. Bereiter House	1907	2008
Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks	1982	2008
Saar Pioneer Cemetery	1873	2010

Events

Canterbury Faire, an arts festival in mid-August every year at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks park, which stopped in 2006.
Kent Cornucopia Days in July
Kent Farmers Market
Kent Saturday Market

Sports and entertainment

In 2003, Kent was named Sports Illustrated's Sportstown of the year for Washington. In January 2006, a shopping and entertainment center, known as Kent Station, opened in downtown Kent adjacent to the transit station of the same name.

The accesso ShoWare Center is a 6,500-seat indoor arena that hosts two minor-league sports teams: the Seattle Thunderbirds play ice hockey in the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League;^[49] and the Tacoma Stars play indoor soccer in the Major Arena Soccer League.^[50] The Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League played a preseason game at the arena on October 2, 2021, losing to the Calgary Flames in front of a sellout crowd.^[51]

The arena also hosted the 2012 Skate America figure skating competition, which drew a total of 13,172 spectators over its three-day run,^[52] and the 2015 Junior Roller Derby World Cup.^[53]

Parks and recreation

Kent's park system includes 55 parks, miniparks, playfields, skateparks, greenbelts, and other related facilities. These parks range in size from as little as Template:Convert to over Template:Convert.^[54]

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.^[55]

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.^[56] The district includes four high schools, seven middle schools, twenty-eight elementary schools and two academies.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.^[57]

Federal Way Public Schools, which includes a portion of Kent, also has several schools within the city limits. Residents of far east Kent are zoned in the Tahoma School District. Other portions are in the Highline Public Schools and the Renton School District.^[56] A branch of Green River Community College opened in Kent Station in 2007.^[58]

Infrastructure

Transportation

The main north–south highway serving Kent is State Route 167, a freeway that connects the city to Renton and Puyallup. The city also includes portions of Interstate 5 to the west and State Route 18 to the east; both are major freeways that provide inter-regional connections. State Route 516 travels east–west across Kent and connects all three freeways, while State Route 181 and State Route 515 provide further north–south connections as city streets.^[59] The older portions of the city, primarily in downtown and the valley floor, are laid out with a continuous grid of arterial streets.^[60]

The city is also served by two public transit providers: King County Metro and Sound Transit. The main hub is Kent Station, a Sounder commuter rail station with service to Downtown Seattle and Tacoma Dome Station and bus connections. Sound Transit operates Sounder service primarily during peak hours on weekdays and also has three Sound Transit Express bus routes that connect to Bellevue, Redmond, and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.^[60]^[61] King County Metro operates local and regional service from Kent Station and other hubs, including park-and-ride facilities.^[60] Metro's RapidRide bus rapid transit system includes the A Line, which runs on State Route 99 in western Kent; the I Line, scheduled to open in 2027, will connect Downtown Kent to Renton and Auburn.^[60]^[62] The Link light rail system is planned to be extended to Federal Way in late 2025, with intermediate stops at Kent Des Moines station near Highline College and Star Lake station at South 272nd Street.^[63]

Heavy rail service includes two major north–south lines through the Kent Valley, with freight traffic operations by the BNSF and Union Pacific railroads.^[64]

Notable people

Template:Div col

Ely Allen, soccer player^[65]
Earl Anthony, professional bowler
Kelly Bachand, contestant of History Channel's Top Shot Season 1, raised in Kent
Red Badgro, NFL and MLB player, inductee Pro Football Hall of Fame
John Bastyr, influential advocate of naturopathic medicine, namesake of Bastyr University
Joseph and Melissa Batten, Microsoft software developers in 2008 murder case
Karl Best, former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins
Josie Bissett, actress, Melrose Place
Betty Bowen, journalist and art promoter
Demitrius Bronson, professional football player Miami Dolphins
John Bronson, professional football tight end for Arizona Cardinals
Conner Cappelletti, soccer player and coach who represented Guam^[66]
Ernie Conwell, NFL player
Rebecca Corry, comedian/actress
Billy Crook, Major League Soccer (MLS) defender
Daphne Loves Derby, indie-pop rock band
Michael Dickerson, professional basketball player, Houston Rockets and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies
Jeff Dye, comedian and actor, was born and grew up in Kent^[67]
Robin Earl, NFL fullback and tight end
Jason Ellis, professional basketball player
Kai Ellis, CFL player
Michelle Font, Miss Washington USA
The Fung Brothers, comedians, rappers; raised in Kent
Melissa Goad, actress and model
Abdulameer Yousef Habeeb, Iraqi artist and calligrapher, lived in U.S. as refugee
Matt Hague, first baseman for Toronto Blue Jays
Benjamin Haggerty, rapper Macklemore^[68]
Marcus Hahnemann, professional soccer goalkeeper
Al Hairston, professional basketball player for Seattle SuperSonics, head coach for Bowling Green University
Peter Hallock, composer and organist
Tess Henley, singer-songwriter and pianist
Shannon Higgins-Cirovski, soccer player in Hall of Fame
Jeff Jaeger, NFL kicker
Billy Jones, college baseball player, coach of Appalachian State Mountaineers
Reggie Jones, NFL cornerback
Nicole Joraanstad, curler, 2009 Olympic gold medalist
Mike Karney, college and professional football player
Stefano Langone, American Idol contestant
Danny Lorenz, professional hockey player for New York Islanders
Ellen MacGregor, author
William M. Marutani, judge^[69]
Kenny Mayne, ESPN analyst
Victor Aloysius "Vic" Meyers, jazz bandleader and Democratic politician, "Clown Prince of Politics"
PZ Myers, biology professor at University of Minnesota Morris and intelligent design critic
Bob Nelson, screenwriter and Almost Live! cast member, Academy Award nominee for Nebraska
Danny Pierce, painter, printmaker and sculptor
Mark Prothero, attorney, defense co-counsel for Green River Killer
Brenda Raganot, professional bodybuilder
Simon Peter Randolph, pioneer steamboat captain
Dave Reichert, U.S. Representative, Republican Party
Gary Ridgway, "Green River Killer" (former resident)
Mike Roberg, NFL tight end
Jerry "The King" Ruth, professional drag racer
Peter Schweizer, journalist
Joshua Smith, Georgetown and UCLA basketball player
Rick Sortun, former professional football offensive lineman for the St. Louis Cardinals
Usaia Sotutu, runner who represented Fiji at 1972 Summer Olympics
Rodney Stuckey, basketball player for Detroit Pistons
Alameda Ta'amu, NFL player for Kansas City Chiefs
Harvey Thomas, luthier, built distinctive guitars in 1960s
Courtney Thompson, UW and US national team volleyball player, set NCAA assist record
Mason Tobin, professional baseball player
Kyle Townsend, record producer, composer and musician
Toussaint Tyler, NFL running back
Brian Tyms, professional football player, New England Patriots
Courtney Vandersloot, basketball player and 2021 WNBA Finals Champion for Chicago Sky
Dave Wainhouse, professional basketball and Major League Baseball player
Cam Weaver, professional soccer player, Seattle Sounders FC
Olivia Van der Jagt, professional soccer player, Seattle Reign FC

Template:Div col end

Sister cities

Kent has the following sister cities:^[70]^[71]^[72]

Template:Flagdeco Sunnfjord, Norway
Template:Flagdeco Tamba, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Template:Flagdeco Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
Template:Flagicon Gangdong District, Seoul, South Korea
Template:Flagdeco Lutsk, Ukraine.

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Sister project

City of Kent – official website

Template:Geographic location Template:King County, Washington Template:US state navigation box Template:Authority control

↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named USCensusEst2024
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Template:Harvp
↑ Template:Harvp
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Kent Northeast annexation information – King County Official site
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CenPopGazetteer2025
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ King County Elections
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Template:Cite map
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Template:Cite WSDOT map
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[2020_Census_(City)-1] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[USCensusEst2024-2] Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named USCensusEst2024

[3] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[4] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[WR-5] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[6] Template:Harvp

[7] Template:Harvp

[8] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[HistoryLink-9] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[10] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[11] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[12] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[13] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[14] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[15] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[16] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[17] Kent Northeast annexation information – King County Official site

[AnnexFAQ-18] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[King_County_Maps-19] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[CenPopGazetteer2025-20] Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CenPopGazetteer2025

[City_of_Kent_Comprehensive_Plan-21] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[22] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[23] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[24] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[25] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[26] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[27] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[28] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[29] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[30] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[31] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[32] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[33] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[QF-34] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[35] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[36] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[2000CensusP004-37] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[2010CensusP2-38] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[2020CensusP2-39] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[40] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[41] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[42] King County Elections

[43] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[44] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[45] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[46] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[47] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[48] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[49] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[50] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[51] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[52] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[53] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[54] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[55] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[KingCoSDMap-56] Template:Cite map

[k12-57] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[58] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[59] Template:Cite WSDOT map

[KentTMP-60] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[KentTMP-Appendix-61] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[62] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[63] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[64] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[65] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[66] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[67] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[68] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[69] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[wa-70] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[kentwa-71] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[72] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

[60]

[61]

[62]

[63]

[64]

[65]

[66]

[67]

[68]

[69]

[70]

[71]

[72]

Kent, Washington: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:19, 28 October 2025

Contents

History

Geography

Climate

Economy

Boeing

Steel

Largest employers

Other companies

Demographics

2020 census

2010 census

2000 census

Government

Fire protection

Culture

City landmarks

Events

Sports and entertainment

Parks and recreation

Education

Infrastructure

Transportation

Notable people

Sister cities

See also

References

External links

Navigation menu

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{About|the city|the basketball player|Kent Washington|the neighborhood|Kent (Washington, D.C.)}}
+{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
 {{Infobox settlement
-| official_name      = Kent, Washington
+|official_name            = Kent, Washington
-| settlement_type    = [[City]]
+|settlement_type          = [[City government in Washington (state)|City]]
-| image_skyline      = kentstation.jpg
+|nickname                 =
-| imagesize          =
+|motto                    =
-| image_caption      = Kent Station, Kent Regional Library (top right) and Kent Sounder Station in 2009
+<!-- Images --------------->
-| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Kent, Washington.svg
+|image_skyline            = kentstation.jpg
-| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
+|imagesize                =
-| image_map          = Kent Washington highlighted in King County.png
+|image_caption            = Kent Station, Kent Regional Library (top right) and Kent Sounder Station in 2009
-| mapsize            = 250px
+|image_flag               =
-| map_caption        = Location of Kent in King County, Washington
+|image_seal               =
-<!-- Location ----->
+|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Kent, Washington.svg
-| subdivision_type   = Country
+|blank_emblem_type        = Logo
-| subdivision_name   = United States
+<!-- Maps ----------------->
-| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
+| image_map          = {{maplink
-| subdivision_name1  = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
+  | frame              = yes
-| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
+  | plain              = yes
-| subdivision_name2  = [[King County, Washington|King]]
+  | frame-align        = center
-<!-- Government ----->
+  | frame-width        = 280
-| government_footnotes =
+  | frame-height       = 280
-| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
+  | title              = Kent
-| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
+  | switch             = Kent;King County;Washington;the United States
-| leader_name        = Dana Ralph <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentwa.gov/government/kent-mayor|title=Kent Mayor Dana Ralph|date=May 17, 2024|publisher=City of Kent, Washington|access-date=May 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/kents-new-mayor-ralph-predicts-great-things-ahead/|title=Kent's new Mayor Ralph predicts 'great things' ahead|first=Steve|last=Hunter|date=January 3, 2018|website=Kent Reporter|access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref>
+  | frame-coord        = SWITCH:
-| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
+    {{coord|qid=Q844008}}###
-| established_date   = May 28, 1890
+	{{coord|qid=Q108861}}###
+	{{coord|qid=Q1223}}###
+	{{coord|qid=Q30}}
+  | id2                = SWITCH:Q844008;Q108861;Q1223;Q30
+  | zoom               = SWITCH:11;8;5;2
+  | type               = SWITCH:shape;shape;point;point
+  | marker             = city
+  | stroke-width       = 3
+  | stroke-color       = #B00000
+  | fill               = #808080
+  | type2              = shape-inverse
+  | stroke-width2      = 2
+  | stroke-color2      = #5f5f5f
+  | stroke-opacity2    = SWITCH:0;1;1;1
+  | fill2              = #000000
+  | fill-opacity2      = SWITCH:0;0.5;0.5;0.5
+}}
+| map_caption          = Interactive location map of Kent
+<!-- Location ------------->
+|subdivision_type         = Country
+|subdivision_name         = United States
+|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
+|subdivision_name1        = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
+|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
+|subdivision_name2        = [[King County, Washington|King]]
+<!-- Government ----------->
+|government_footnotes     = <ref name="Mayor">{{cite web|title=Meet Mayor Dana Ralph |url=https://www.kentwa.gov/government/kent-mayor |publisher=City of Kent, Washington |access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Steve |last=Hunter |title=Kent's new Mayor Ralph predicts 'great things' ahead |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/kents-new-mayor-ralph-predicts-great-things-ahead/ |date=January 3, 2018 |website=Kent Reporter |access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref>
+|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
+|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
+|leader_name              = Dana Ralph
+|leader_title1            = [[Councillor|Council Member]]
+|leader_name1             = Satwinder Kaur<br>Bill Boyce<br>John Boyd<br>Brenda Fincher<br>Marli Larimer<br>Zandria Michaud<br>Toni Troutner
+|established_title        = Founded
+|established_date         = July 3, 1888
+|established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
+|established_date1        = May 28, 1890
+|founder                  = Ezra Meeker
+|named_for                = [[Kent, England]]
 <!-- Area ----------------->
-| unit_pref          = Imperial
+|unit_pref                = Imperial
-| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2024}}</ref>
+|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2025">{{cite web|title=2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_53.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref>
-| area_total_km2     = 89.12
+|area_magnitude           =
-| area_land_km2      = 87.63
+|area_total_km2           = 88.492
-| area_water_km2     = 1.51
+|area_land_km2            = 86.982
-| area_total_sq_mi   = 34.41
+|area_water_km2           = 1.511
-| area_land_sq_mi    = 33.83
+|area_total_sq_mi         = 34.167
-| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.58
+|area_land_sq_mi          = 33.584
-<!-- Population ----->
+|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.583
-| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
+|area_water_percent       = 1.71
-| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
+<!-- Population ----------->
-| population_total   = 136588
+|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
-| population_density_km2 = 1,534
+|population_est           = 136588
-| population_density_sq_mi = 3,970
+|pop_est_as_of            = 2024
-| population_rank    = US: [[List of United States cities by population|216th]]<br>WA: [[List of municipalities in Washington|6th]]
+|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2024"/>
-| population_est     = 133378
+|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
-| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
+|population_total         = 136588
-| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
+|population_density_km2   = 1558.99
+|population_density_sq_mi = 4037.79
+|population_rank          = US: [[List of United States cities by population|214th]]<br>WA: [[List of municipalities in Washington|6th]]
 <!-- General information -->
-| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
+|timezone                 = [[Pacific Standard Time|Pacific (PST)]]
-| utc_offset         = –8
+|utc_offset               = −8
-| timezone_DST       = PDT
+|timezone_DST             = PDT
-| utc_offset_DST     = –7
+|utc_offset_DST           = −7
-| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
+|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
-| elevation_ft       = 394
+|elevation_m              = 120
-| coordinates        = {{coord|47|22|58|N|122|13|37|W|region:US-WA|display=inline,title}}
+|elevation_ft             = 394
-<!-- Area/postal codes and others ---->
+|coordinates              = {{Coord|47.390008|-122.213528|region:US-WA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
-| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
+|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
-| postal_code        = 98030, 98031, 98032, 98035, 98042, 98064, 98089
+|postal_code              = 98030, 98031, 98032, 98035, 98042, 98064, 98089<ref>{{cite web|title=Zip Code Lookup |url=https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm |publisher=[[United States Postal Service|USPS]] |access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref>
-| area_code          = [[Area code 253|253]]
+|area_code                = [[Area code 253|253]]
-| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
+|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
-| blank_info         = 53-35415
+|blank_info               = 53-35415
-| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
+|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
-| blank1_info        = 2410185<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410185}}</ref>
+|blank1_info              = 2410185<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410185}}</ref>
-| website            = {{URL|https://kentwa.gov}}
+|website                  = {{URL|https://www.kentwa.gov/|kentwa.gov}}
+|footnotes                =
 }}
-'''Kent''' is a city in [[King County, Washington|King County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. It is part of the [[Seattle metropolitan area|Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metropolitan area]] and had a population of 136,588 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Kent_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5335415 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 1, 2023}}</ref> making it the 4th most populous municipality in greater Seattle and the [[List of municipalities in Washington|6th most populous]] in Washington state. The city is connected to [[Seattle]], [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] and [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] via [[Washington State Route 167|State Route 167]] and [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]], [[Sounder commuter rail]], and commuter buses.
+'''Kent''' is a city in [[King County, Washington]], United States. It is part of the [[Seattle metropolitan area]] and had a population of 136,588 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Kent_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5335415 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref> and was estimated at 136,588 in 2024,<ref name="USCensusEst2024"/> making it the fourth-most populous municipality in greater Seattle and the [[List of municipalities in Washington|sixth-most populous]] in Washington state. The city is connected to [[Seattle]], [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] and [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] via [[Washington State Route 167|State Route 167]] and [[Interstate 5 in Washington|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kent is incorporated on May 28, 1890|url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1666|website=historylink.org|publisher=History Ink|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> 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 (Duwamish River tributary)|Green River]]), and [[East Hill-Meridian|East Hill]] (primarily residential with retail).
+Incorporated in 1890, Kent is the second-oldest incorporated city in the county, after the county seat of Seattle. 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 (Duwamish River tributary)|Green River]]), and [[East Hill-Meridian|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 (Washington)|White River]]. The first settler was Samuel Russell, who sailed the White and [[Duwamish River|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.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn|title=Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history|date=1990|publisher=Windsor Publications|location=Chatsworth, Calif.|isbn=0-89781-356-1|page=14|edition=1st}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kent and the White River Valley Area|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/cities_detail.aspx?i=7|website=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> (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 [[Battle of Seattle (1856)#Prelude|attacked by Native Americans]] when David Neely served as a lieutenant in the Territorial Army. Another settler was [[Henry Yesler|Henry L. Yesler]], who was the first sawmill operator in Seattle.<ref name="WR">{{cite web |title=Kent and the White River Valley Area |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/cities_detail.aspx?i=7 |publisher=Washington Secretary of State |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> By 1870 the population was 277 and all of the quality bottom-land had been claimed.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn|title=Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history|date=1990|publisher=Windsor Publications|location=Chatsworth, California|isbn=0-89781-356-1|pages=12, 17|edition=1st}}</ref>
+The Kent area was first permanently settled by European Americans in the 1850s along the banks of what was then the [[White River (Washington)|White River]]. The first settler was Samuel Russell, who sailed the White and [[Duwamish River|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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lentz |first1=Florence K. |year=1990 |title=Kent, Valley of Opportunity: An Illustrated History |edition=1st |publisher=Windsor Publications |location=Chatsworth, California |isbn=0-89781-356-1 |page=14}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kent and the White River Valley Area|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/cities_detail.aspx?i=7|website=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> (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 [[Battle of Seattle (1856)#Prelude|attacked by Native Americans]] when David Neely served as a lieutenant in the Territorial Army. Another settler was [[Henry Yesler|Henry L. Yesler]], who was the first sawmill operator in Seattle.<ref name="WR">{{cite web |title=Kent and the White River Valley Area |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/cities_detail.aspx?i=7 |publisher=Washington Secretary of State |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> By 1870 the population was 277 and all of the quality bottom-land had been claimed.<ref>{{harvp|Lentz|1990|pp=12, 17}}</ref>
-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.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn|title=Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history|date=1990|publisher=Windsor Publications|location=Chatsworth, California|isbn=0-89781-356-1|page=20|edition=1st}}</ref> Due to an [[aphid]] invasion which affected hops crops in Europe,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/agriculture%20_industry/hops_history.htm |title=Herefordshire Through Time - Welcome |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=July 12, 2011 |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227010957/http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/agriculture%20_industry/hops_history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 [[Kent|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".<ref name="WR"/> Hops production in the White River valley came to an end soon after its own invasion of aphids in 1891.<ref>{{cite web|last=Stein |first=Alan J. |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=3587 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |publisher=HistoryLink.org |date=September 24, 2001|access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>
+Throughout the 1860s and 70s, 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.<ref>{{harvp|Lentz|1990|p=20}}</ref> Due to an [[aphid]] invasion which affected hops crops in Europe,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/agriculture%20_industry/hops_history.htm |title=Herefordshire Through Time - Welcome |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=July 12, 2011 |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227010957/http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/agriculture%20_industry/hops_history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 [[Kent|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".<ref name="WR"/> Hops production in the White River valley came to an end soon after its own invasion of aphids in 1891.<ref name="HistoryLink">{{cite web |last=Stein |first=Alan J. |date=September 24, 2001 |title=Kent — Thumbnail History |url=https://historylink.org/File/3587 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>
-Kent was officially incorporated on May 28, 1890, with a population of 793, the second city incorporated in King County (after Seattle).<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilma|first=David|url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1666|title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History|publisher=HistoryLink.org|date=September 14, 1999|access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>
+Kent was officially incorporated on May 28, 1890, with a population of 793, the second city incorporated in King County (after Seattle).<ref name="HistoryLink"/>
-After the turn of the 20th century the area turned to [[dairy farming]] and was home to a [[Carnation (brand)|Carnation]] condensed milk plant.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lange |first=Greg |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1114 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |publisher=HistoryLink.org |date=May 9, 1999 |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Long |first=Priscilla |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1608 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |publisher=HistoryLink.org |date=August 6, 1999 |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref> Flooding from both the [[Green River (Duwamish River)|Green]] and the [[White River (Washington)|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/vtours/kent/|title=The History of Kent, Washington|access-date=January 27, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923092832/http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/vtours/kent/|archive-date=September 23, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrvmuseum.org/|title= Welcome to our Home Page|publisher= White River Valley Museum|access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>
+After the turn of the 20th century the area turned to [[dairy farming]] and was home to a [[Carnation (brand)|Carnation]] condensed milk plant.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lange |first=Greg |date=May 9, 1999 |title=Carnation Milk Company workers strike on April 9, 1917. |url=https://historylink.org/File/1114 |work=HistoryLink |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Long |first=Priscilla |date=August 6, 1999 |title=King County — Thumbnail History |url=https://historylink.org/File/7905 |work=HistoryLink |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref> Flooding from both the [[Green River (Duwamish River)|Green]] and the [[White River (Washington)|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/vtours/kent/|title=The History of Kent, Washington|access-date=January 27, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923092832/http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/vtours/kent/|archive-date=September 23, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrvmuseum.org/|title= Welcome to our Home Page|publisher= White River Valley Museum|access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>
 During and after the [[Great Depression]], Kent was known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World".<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Kent|url=http://kentwa.gov/ExperienceHistoricalKent/|website=kentwa.gov|access-date=November 30, 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Long |first=Priscilla |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7905 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |publisher=HistoryLink.org |date=September 4, 2006 |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>
-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.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://kenthistoricalmuseum.org/about/ |title=About &#124; Greater Kent Historical Society Museum |publisher=Kent Historical Museum |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kenthistoricalmuseum.org/about/gkhs-history/ |title=History &#124; Greater Kent Historical Society Museum |publisher=Kent Historical Museum |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>
+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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/default.aspx|title=King County Annexation Initiative|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413234624/http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/default.aspx|archive-date=April 13, 2009}}</ref> the Panther Lake area (known officially as the Kent Northeast Potential Annexation Area)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070227080845/http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/kentne.aspx Kent Northeast annexation information – King County] Official site</ref> 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.<ref name="AnnexFAQ" /> The city grew in area by approximately {{convert|5|sqmi|km2}} and 24,000 residents.<ref name="AnnexFAQ">{{cite web|url=http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=8934&terms=annexation|title=Annexation Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=City of Kent|access-date=September 22, 2011}}</ref>
 ==Geography==
@@ Line 86: / Line 127: @@
 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. Downtown Kent is located on the east side of the valley, about 16 miles from downtown Seattle and downtown Bellevue.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Adjoining cities are [[Renton, Washington|Renton]] to the north, [[Covington, Washington|Covington]] to the east, [[Auburn, Washington|Auburn]] to the south, [[Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way]] to the southwest, [[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]] to the west, [[SeaTac, Washington|SeaTac]] to the northwest, and [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]] to the north.<ref name="King County Maps">{{cite web|url=https://www.kingcounty.gov/about/region/maps.aspx|title=Maps of King County|publisher=King County|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref>
-According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|34.41|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|33.83|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.58|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>
+According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|34.167|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|33.584|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.583|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (1.71%) is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2025"/>
 Major waterways include the [[Green River (Duwamish River)|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 (Kent, Washington)|Clark Lake]] and [[Lake Fenwick]] are both surrounded by city parks. [[Mount Rainier]] is a prominent geographical landmark to the southeast.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
-===Transportation===
-There are several major freeways and highways in or near Kent, including [[Interstate 5 (Washington)|Interstate 5]], [[Washington State Route 167|State Route 167]], and [[Washington State Route 516|State Route 516]]. Kent is also served by [[King County Metro]] transit, with the [[Kent (Sounder Station)|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 Railway|BNSF]] and [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] railroads.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Steve |title=City of Kent targets railroad quiet zone in 2022 |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/city-of-kent-targets-railroad-quiet-zone-in-2022/ |website=Kent Reporter |date=June 5, 2019 |publisher=Sound Publishing |access-date=June 17, 2023}}</ref> The [[Link light rail]] system is scheduled to be extended to Federal Way in 2026,<ref>{{cite news |last=Everly-Lang |first=Keelin |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Sound Transit leader gives updates on Federal Way's future light rail |url=https://www.federalwaymirror.com/news/sound-transit-leader-gives-updates-on-federal-ways-future-light-rail/ |work=Federal Way Mirror |accessdate=December 2, 2024}}</ref> with intermediate stops at [[Kent Des Moines station]] near Highline College and [[Star Lake station]] at South 272nd Street.<ref>{{cite web|title=Federal Way Link Extension|url=https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/federal-way-link-extension|publisher=[[Sound Transit]]|access-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref>
-===Parks===
-Kent's park system includes 55 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|310|acre|km2}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parks, Trails & Open Space|url=http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/ParkRentals/|work=Kent Washington Official Website|publisher=City of Kent, Washington|access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref>
 ===Climate===
@@ Line 223: / Line 258: @@
 | source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=sew|title=NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date=July 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00454169&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|title=U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Kent, WA|access-date=February 17, 2023}}</ref>
 }}
-===City landmarks===
-Kent has designated the following landmarks:<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/historic-preservation/~/media/property/historic_preservation/documents/resources/T06_KCLandmarkList.ashx|title=King County and Local Landmarks List|date=August 2012|publisher=King County Preservation Program, Department of Natural Resources and Parks|access-date=October 9, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127044253/http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/historic-preservation/~/media/property/historic_preservation/documents/resources/T06_KCLandmarkList.ashx|archive-date=January 27, 2013}}</ref>
-{|class="wikitable"
-! Name !! Constructed !! Designated
-|-
-| [[Lunar Roving Vehicle]]s || 1970 || 2019<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boyle |first1=Alan |title=Aerospace and Science Editor |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2019/kent-landmark-lunar-rovers/ |website=GeekWire |date=July 26, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref>
-|-
-| Emil W. Bereiter House || 1907 || 2008
-|-
-| [[Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks]] || 1982 || 2008
-|-
-| Saar Pioneer Cemetery || 1873 || 2010
-|}
-==Government==
-{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
-|+ Presidential Elections Results<ref>[http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/elections/past-elections.aspx King County Elections]</ref>
-|- bgcolor=lightgrey
-! Year
-! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
-! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
-! [[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
-|-
-| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election in Washington (state)|2020]]'''
-| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.32% ''18,219''
-| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.50%''' ''36,359''
-| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.18% ''1,795''
-|}
-[[File:kentcityhall.jpeg|thumb|Kent City Hall (right) and the Centennial Center (left), 2008]]
-[[File:KentRJC.jpg|thumb|Maleng Regional Justice Center Kent, Washington]]
-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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/kent-mayor|title=Kent Mayor Dana Ralph {{!}} City of Kent|website=www.kentwa.gov|access-date=April 7, 2019|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016161253/https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/kent-mayor|url-status=dead}}</ref> The city maintains its own municipal police department, unlike some neighboring municipalities who contract police service out to King County.
-===Public education===
-[[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]].<ref name=KingCoSDMap>{{cite map|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53033_king/DC20SD_C53033.pdf|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: King County, WA|publisher=United States Census Bureau|pages=1, 3 (PDF pp. 2, 4/5)|accessdate=August 3, 2022}}</ref> The district includes four high schools, seven middle schools, twenty-eight elementary schools and two academies.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} 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.<ref name="k12">{{cite web|url=http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/domain/643|title=Our School / Our School|publisher=kent.k12.wa.us|access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref>
-[[Federal Way Public Schools]], which includes a portion of Kent,<ref name=KingCoSDMap/> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/southeastkingcountynews/2003656515_grcc08s.html?syndication=rss|work=The Seattle Times|title=Convenience: a great selling point for GRCC}}</ref>
-Other portions are in the [[Highline Public Schools]] and the [[Renton School District]].<ref name=KingCoSDMap/>
-===Fire protection===
-The city is served by the [[Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority]] with 7 of the department's 13 stations located within municipal boundaries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 27, 2016|title=Fire Station Locations {{!}} Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority|url=https://pugetsoundfire.org/about/fire-station-locations/|access-date=April 13, 2021|website=pugetsoundfire.org|language=en-US}}</ref>
-===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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/default.aspx|title=King County Annexation Initiative|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413234624/http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/default.aspx|archive-date=April 13, 2009}}</ref> the Panther Lake area (known officially as the Kent Northeast Potential Annexation Area)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070227080845/http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/kentne.aspx Kent Northeast annexation information – King County] Official site</ref> 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.<ref name="AnnexFAQ" /> The city grew in area by approximately {{convert|5|sqmi|km2}} and 24,000 residents.<ref name="AnnexFAQ">{{cite web|url=http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=8934&terms=annexation|title=Annexation Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=City of Kent, Washington|access-date=September 22, 2011}}</ref>
 ==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.<ref name="City of Kent Comprehensive Plan">{{cite web|url=https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=6407|title=CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN|publisher=City of Kent|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> The manufacturing and distribution industry in Kent and the surrounding area ranks 4th among markets in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Garnick |first=Coral |date=June 3, 2016 |title=Kent Valley: The next South Lake Union |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2016/06/03/kent-valley-the-next-south-lake-union.html |work=[[Puget Sound Business Journal]] |url-access=subscription |accessdate=July 1, 2024}}</ref>
+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.<ref name="City of Kent Comprehensive Plan">{{cite web |date=January 2015 |title=City of Kent Comprehensive Plan |url=https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=6407 |publisher=City of Kent|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=August 2025}} The manufacturing and distribution industry in Kent and the surrounding area ranks 4th among markets in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Garnick |first=Coral |date=June 3, 2016 |title=Kent Valley: The next South Lake Union |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2016/06/03/kent-valley-the-next-south-lake-union.html |work=[[Puget Sound Business Journal]] |url-access=subscription |accessdate=July 1, 2024}}</ref>
 Corporate headquarters in Kent include [[Oberto Sausage Company]], [[Torker|Seattle Bicycle Supply]], [[Omax Corporation]] and aerospace manufacturer [[Blue Origin]]. [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], [[Boeing]], [[Whirlpool Corporation|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentreporter.com/business/kent-street-gets-new-name-of-oberto-drive/|title=Kent street gets new name of Oberto Drive|first=Steve|last=Hunter|date=May 17, 2018|website=Kent Reporter}}</ref>
@@ Line 282: / Line 271: @@
 Kent is home to a large steel industry dating back to the early 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.steelspider.com/CoDirSF.aspx |title=Facility Directory Listing |publisher=Mountain Hawk Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dexknows.com/local/industrial_goods_and_services/industrial_materials/geo/c-kent-wa/att/metals/ |title=Kent Industrial Materials: Metals |publisher=Dex |access-date=June 11, 2012 |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720230532/http://www.dexknows.com/local/industrial_goods_and_services/industrial_materials/geo/c-kent-wa/att/metals/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Steel and metal manufacturers include:
-*Salmon Bay Steel Company:  Operated in Kent for 50 years before closing down. Birmingham Steel purchased Salmon bay in 1991. Salmon bay went on to buy Bethlehem Steel (Seattle Steel) in West Seattle. Years after the purchase, complaints were made of pollution in the Green River valley about pollution from the Salmon Bay melting facility, and the facility was shut down.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/architect/structures/14209/ |title=Salmon Bay Steel Corporation Factory, Kent, WA |publisher=University of Washington}}</ref>
+* Salmon Bay Steel Company: Operated in Kent for 50 years before closing down. Birmingham Steel purchased Salmon bay in 1991. Salmon bay went on to buy Bethlehem Steel (Seattle Steel) in West Seattle. Years after the purchase, complaints were made of pollution in the Green River valley about pollution from the Salmon Bay melting facility, and the facility was shut down.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/architect/structures/14209/ |title=Salmon Bay Steel Corporation Factory, Kent, WA |publisher=University of Washington}}</ref>
-*Puget Sound Steel:  Puget Sound Steel is an independently owned and operated-unique specialty fabricator of reinforcing steel and a supplier of related reinforcement products, since 1961. Puget Sound Steel has been the Northwest's select supplier of fabricated rebar and steel reinforcement to commercial, highway, industrial, and residential building contractors. Works include large scale projects including bridges and skyscrapers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pugetsoundsteel.com/index.html |title=Welcome to Puget Sound Steel |publisher=Puget Sound Steel Co Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pugetsoundsteel.com/projects.php|title=Featured Project |publisher=Puget Sound Steel Co Inc.}}</ref>
+* Puget Sound Steel:  Puget Sound Steel is an independently owned and operated-unique specialty fabricator of reinforcing steel and a supplier of related reinforcement products, since 1961. Puget Sound Steel has been the Northwest's select supplier of fabricated rebar and steel reinforcement to commercial, highway, industrial, and residential building contractors. Works include large scale projects including bridges and skyscrapers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pugetsoundsteel.com/index.html |title=Welcome to Puget Sound Steel |publisher=Puget Sound Steel Co Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pugetsoundsteel.com/projects.php|title=Featured Project |publisher=Puget Sound Steel Co Inc.}}</ref>
-*Pacific Metal Company:  In 1947, started in Seattle and opened a 19,000 square foot plant. The business and facilities continued to grow for 30 years to meet local needs as well as the emerging markets of Alaska. Even the expanded 40,000 square foot warehouse and sales office was deemed insufficient, and in 1979, an 80,000 square foot facility was built south of the city of Seattle in the Kent Valley at Tukwila. In September 2010 PMC moved to a new location just 3 miles SE in the city of Kent, Washington. Pacific Metal Company is a stocking distributor of non-ferrous metals specializing in stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and brass products as well as ferrous products specializing in Cold Rolled, Coated (Zinc and Aluminum) and pre-painted coils and sheets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pacificmetal.com/Stockbook/GenInfo/LocHm.htm |title=Seattle |publisher=PACIFIC METAL COMPANY/Reliance Steel}}</ref>
+* Pacific Metal Company:  In 1947, started in Seattle and opened a 19,000 square foot plant. The business and facilities continued to grow for 30 years to meet local needs as well as the emerging markets of Alaska. Even the expanded 40,000 square foot warehouse and sales office was deemed insufficient, and in 1979, an 80,000 square foot facility was built south of the city of Seattle in the Kent Valley at Tukwila. In September 2010 PMC moved to a new location just 3 miles SE in the city of Kent, Washington. Pacific Metal Company is a stocking distributor of non-ferrous metals specializing in stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and brass products as well as ferrous products specializing in Cold Rolled, Coated (Zinc and Aluminum) and pre-painted coils and sheets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pacificmetal.com/Stockbook/GenInfo/LocHm.htm |title=Seattle |publisher=PACIFIC METAL COMPANY/Reliance Steel}}</ref>
-*TMX Aerospace:  TMX Aerospace, a division of ThyssenKrupp Steel North America; provides materials including steel, brass, and copper as well as exclusive supply chain management support for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tmxaerospace.com/tmxa/index.html |title=TMX Aerospace |publisher=ThyssenKrupp Materials NA, Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tmxaerospace.com/tmxa/index.html |title=About ThyssenKrupp Aerospace |publisher=ThyssenKrupp Aerospace}}</ref>
+* TMX Aerospace:  TMX Aerospace, a division of ThyssenKrupp Steel North America; provides materials including steel, brass, and copper as well as exclusive supply chain management support for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tmxaerospace.com/tmxa/index.html |title=TMX Aerospace |publisher=ThyssenKrupp Materials NA, Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tmxaerospace.com/tmxa/index.html |title=About ThyssenKrupp Aerospace |publisher=ThyssenKrupp Aerospace}}</ref>
-===Employers===
+===Largest employers===
-====Largest employers====
 According to the city's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web |date=December 15, 2022 |title=2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021 - City of Kent, Washington |url=https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/19979/638137104938800000 |access-date=September 6, 2023 |website=City of Kent: Finance Department - Financial Reports |page=221 (241st page of PDF) |format=PDF}}</ref> the largest employers in the city are:
@@ Line 318: / Line 306: @@
 |}
-====Other notable companies headquartered in Kent====
+===Other companies===
 * [[Diamondback Bicycles]] - a major [[bicycle]] brand
 * [[Door to Door Storage]] - self-storage company; introduced portable, containerized storage to the industry
@@ Line 325: / Line 313: @@
 * [[Oberto Sausage Company]] - family-owned; makes beef jerky, pepperoni and other snack sausages
 * [[Omax Corporation]] - second largest [[Water jet cutter|water jet]] manufacturer in the US
-* [[Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company]] - manufactured and marketed food products, including [[Carnation]] evaporated milk, with its famous slogan that it came from "Contented Cows"
+* [[Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company]] - manufactured and marketed food products, including [[Carnation (brand)|Carnation]] evaporated milk, with its famous slogan that it came from "Contented Cows"
 * [[Pay 'n Pak]] - home improvement chain; operated 112 stores on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]]
 * [[Powerlight Technologies]] (formerly LaserMotive) - engineering firm developing technologies for efficiently transmitting power via lasers, a form of wireless energy transfer commonly called "laser power beaming"
@@ Line 355: / Line 343: @@
 |2010= 92411
 |2020= 136588
-|estyear=2023
+|estyear=2024
-|estimate=133378
+|estimate=136588
-|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|date=May 17, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 17, 2024}}</ref>
+|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref>
 |align-fn=center
-|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
+|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |website=www.census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
 }}
-===2020 census===
+As of the 2024 [[American Community Survey]], there are 46,607 estimated households in Kent with an average of 2.6 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $92,497. Approximately 14.4% of the city's population lives at or below the [[Poverty in the United States|poverty line]]. Kent has an estimated 65.3% employment rate, with 30.3% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 87.8% holding a high school diploma.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kent city, Washington |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kentcitywashington/PST045224 |access-date=October 28, 2025 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref> There were 49,952 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1487.37|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.
-{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
-|+'''Kent, Washington – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}
+The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (_%), Spanish (_%), Indo-European (_%), Asian and Pacific Islander (_%), and Other (_%).
-!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
-!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kent city, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US5335415&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
+The median age in the city was 37.6 years.
-!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kent city, Washington|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US5335415&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
-!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kent city, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US5335415&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
+{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
-!% 2000
+|+<big>Kent, Washington – racial and ethnic composition</big><br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
-!% 2010
+! Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = non-Hispanic'')</small>
-!{{partial|% 2020}}
+! Pop. 1980<ref>{{cite book|title=General Social and Economic Characteristics: Washington |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_waABC-02.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |pages=23 |access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 1990<ref>{{cite book|title=Washington: 1990 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-49.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |pages=48 |access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kent city, Washington|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US5335415|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kent city, Washington|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US5335415|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref> !! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kent city, Washington|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US5335415|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref>
 |-
-|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
+| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
-|53,964
+| 21,312<br>(92.82%) || 33,002<br>(86.94%) || 53,964<br>(67.86%) || 45,969<br>(49.74%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |51,132<br>(37.44%)
-|45,969
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |51,132
-|67.86%
-|49.74%
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |37.44%
 |-
-|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
+| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
-|6,444
+| 314<br>(1.37%) || 1,409<br>(3.71%) || 6,444<br>(8.10%) || 10,088<br>(10.92%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |17,058<br>(12.49%)
-|10,088
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |17,058
-|8.10%
-|10.92%
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |12.49%
 |-
-|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
+| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
-|682
+| — || 464<br>(1.22%) || 682<br>(0.86%) || 677<br>(0.73%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |673<br>(0.49%)
-|677
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |673
-|0.86%
-|0.73%
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.49%
 |-
-|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
+| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
-|7,407
+| — || 1,597<br>(4.21%) || 7,407<br>(9.31%) || 13,841<br>(14.98%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |32,021<br>(23.44%)
-|13,841
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |32,021
-|9.31%
-|14.98%
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |23.44%
 |-
-|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
+| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
-|587
+| — || — || 587<br>(0.74%) || 1,731<br>(1.87%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |3,534<br>(2.59%)
-|1,731
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,534
-|0.74%
-|1.87%
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.59%
 |-
-|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
+| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
-|406
+| 1,004<br>(4.37%) || 26<br>(0.07%) || 406<br>(0.51%) || 235<br>(0.25%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |805<br>(0.59%)
-|235
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |805
-|0.51%
-|0.25%
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.59%
 |-
-|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
+| [[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
-|3,568
+| — || — || 3,568<br>(4.49%) || 4,484<br>(4.85%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |8,916<br>(6.53%)
-|4,484
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |8,916
-|4.49%
-|4.85%
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.53%
 |-
-|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
+| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
-|6,466
+| 522<br>(2.27%) || 1,462<br>(3.85%) || 6,466<br>(8.13%) || 15,386<br>(16.65%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |22,449<br>(16.44%)
-|15,386
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |22,449
-|8.13%
-|16.65%
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |16.44%
 |-
-|'''Total'''
+| '''Total'''
-|'''79,524'''
+| '''22,961<br>(100.00%)''' || '''37,960<br>(100.00%)''' || '''79,524<br>(100.00%)''' || '''92,411<br>(100.00%)''' || style='background: #ffffe6; |'''136,588<br>(100.00%)'''
-|'''92,411'''
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''136,588'''
-|'''100.00%'''
-|'''100.00%'''
-|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
 |}
-As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 136,588 people, 47,058 households, and 31,887 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Kent,%20Washington%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=May 17, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|4047.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 49,157 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 39.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 12.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 23.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.6% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 9.7% from some other races and 10.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 16.4% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Kent city, Washington |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/kent-city-washington/160-5335415/ |access-date=May 17, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> 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.
+===2020 census===
+As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 136,588 people, 47,058 households, and 31,887 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Kent%20city,%20Washington%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=October 28, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|4047.05|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 49,157 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1456.50|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 39.66% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 12.76% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.96% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 23.60% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.63% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 9.71% from some other races and 10.69% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 16.44% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Kent city, Washington |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/kent-city-washington/160-5335415/ |publisher=[[USA Today]] |access-date=October 28, 2025}}</ref>
 ===2010 census===
-As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 92,411 people, 34,044 households, and 21,816 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3228.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 36,424 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1272.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|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.
+As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 92,411 people, 34,044 households, and 21,816 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3228.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 36,424 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1272.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 55.55% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 11.29% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.99% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 15.16% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.92% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 8.49% from some other races and 6.61% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 16.65% 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.
+There were 34,044 households, of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were [[Marriage|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 United States census|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/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 32,488 housing units at an average density of 1,158.9 per square mile (447.5/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|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.
+As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 79,524 people, 31,113 households, and 19,601 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2836.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 32,488 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1158.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 70.81% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 8.23% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.98% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 9.42% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.76% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.70% from some other races and 5.37% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people 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.
+There were 32,998 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were [[Marriage|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.
+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 threshold|poverty line]], including 16.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.3% of those 65 and older.
+==Government==
+{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
+|+ Presidential Elections Results<ref>[http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/elections/past-elections.aspx King County Elections]</ref>
+|- bgcolor=lightgrey
+! Year
+! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
+! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
+! [[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
+|-
+| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election in Washington (state)|2020]]'''
+| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.32% ''18,219''
+| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.50%''' ''36,359''
+| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.18% ''1,795''
+|}
+[[File:kentcityhall.jpeg|thumb|Kent City Hall (right) and the Centennial Center (left), 2008]]
+[[File:KentRJC.jpg|thumb|Maleng Regional Justice Center Kent, Washington]]
-==Recreation and entertainment==
+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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/kent-mayor|title=Kent Mayor Dana Ralph |publisher=City of Kent |access-date=April 7, 2019|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016161253/https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/kent-mayor|url-status=dead}}</ref> The city maintains its own municipal police department, unlike some neighboring municipalities who contract police service out to King County.
-In 2003, Kent was named ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'''s 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,<ref name="2012skateamerica">{{cite web|url=http://www.2012skateamerica.com/|title=La tenue vestimentaire idéale pour faire du skate|publisher=2012skateamerica.com|access-date=May 19, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721011310/http://2012skateamerica.com/|archive-date=July 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name="isu">{{cite web|url=http://www2.isu.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,4844-205151-222374-nav-list,00.html?id=1066|title=Home – ISU|publisher=www2.isu.org|access-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=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|archive-date=June 1, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> at [[ShoWare Center]].<ref name="2012skateamerica2">{{cite web|url=http://www.2012skateamerica.com/?page_id=90|title=La tenue vestimentaire idéale pour faire du skate|publisher=2012skateamerica.com|access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref>
+===Fire protection===
+The city is served by the [[Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority]] with 7 of the department's 13 stations located within municipal boundaries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 27, 2016|title=Fire Station Locations |publisher=Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority|url=https://pugetsoundfire.org/about/fire-station-locations/ |access-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref>
-In July 2015, Kent hosted the inaugural Junior Roller Derby World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.juniorrollerderbyworldcup2015.com/ |title=Junior Roller Derby World Cup - Home |access-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722063735/http://www.juniorrollerderbyworldcup2015.com/ |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
+==Culture==
 [[File:showarecenter.jpg|thumb|upright|ShoWare Center, home of the Seattle Thunderbirds]]
-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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentreporter.com/news/gone-forever-golfers-lament-removal-of-kents-riverbend-par-3-course/|title=Gone forever: Golfers lament removal of Kent's Riverbend par 3 course – Kent Reporter|date=September 28, 2017|website=kentreporter.com|access-date=March 21, 2018}}</ref>
+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.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://kenthistoricalmuseum.org/about/ |title=About &#124; Greater Kent Historical Society Museum |publisher=Kent Historical Museum |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kenthistoricalmuseum.org/about/gkhs-history/ |title=History &#124; Greater Kent Historical Society Museum |publisher=Kent Historical Museum |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>
+===City landmarks===
+Kent has designated the following landmarks:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/historic-preservation/~/media/property/historic_preservation/documents/resources/T06_KCLandmarkList.ashx|title=King County and Local Landmarks List|date=August 2012|publisher=King County Preservation Program, Department of Natural Resources and Parks|access-date=October 9, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127044253/http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/historic-preservation/~/media/property/historic_preservation/documents/resources/T06_KCLandmarkList.ashx|archive-date=January 27, 2013}}</ref>
+{|class="wikitable"
+! Name !! Constructed !! Designated
+|-
+| [[Lunar Roving Vehicle]]s || 1970 || 2019<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boyle |first1=Alan |title=Aerospace and Science Editor |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2019/kent-landmark-lunar-rovers/ |website=GeekWire |date=July 26, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref>
+|-
+| Emil W. Bereiter House || 1907 || 2008
+|-
+| [[Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks]] || 1982 || 2008
+|-
+| Saar Pioneer Cemetery || 1873 || 2010
+|}
 ===Events===
@@ Line 479: / Line 455: @@
 * Kent Saturday Market
-===Entertainment===
+===Sports and 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]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattlesouthside.com/listing/seattle-thunderbirds/283/|title=Seattle Thunderbirds|website=seattlesouthside.com}}</ref> and the [[Tacoma Stars]] plays indoor soccer in the [[Major Arena Soccer League]].
+In 2003, Kent was named ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'''s Sportstown of the year for Washington. In January 2006, a shopping and entertainment center, known as Kent Station, opened in downtown Kent adjacent to the transit station of the same name.
+The [[accesso ShoWare Center]] is a 6,500-seat indoor arena that hosts two minor-league sports teams: the [[Seattle Thunderbirds]] play ice hockey in the U.S. Division of the [[Western Hockey League]];<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=October 24, 2016 |title=Seattle's best-kept secret a short trip away in Kent with WHL's Thunderbirds |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/seattles-best-kept-secret-a-short-trip-away-in-kent-with-whls-thunderbirds/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref> and the [[Tacoma Stars]] play indoor soccer in the [[Major Arena Soccer League]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruiz |first=Don |date=March 10, 2016 |title=Stars reclaiming place on Tacoma sports landscape |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/soccer/mls/sounders-fc/article65355307.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref> The [[Seattle Kraken]] of the [[National Hockey League]] played a preseason game at the arena on October 2, 2021, losing to the [[Calgary Flames]] in front of a sellout crowd.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ingemi |first=Marisa |date=October 2, 2021 |title=Kraken wraps up preseason tour of Washington with 4-1 loss to Flames |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/kraken-wraps-up-preseason-tour-of-washington-with-4-1-loss-to-flames/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref>
+The arena also hosted the [[2012 Skate America]] figure skating competition, which drew a total of 13,172 spectators over its three-day run,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Steve |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Skate America in Kent draws 'good' attendance of 13,172 fans |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/skate-america-in-kent-draws-good-attendance-of-13172-fans/ |work=Kent Reporter |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref> and the 2015 [[Junior roller derby|Junior Roller Derby World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.juniorrollerderbyworldcup2015.com/ |title=Junior Roller Derby World Cup - Home |access-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722063735/http://www.juniorrollerderbyworldcup2015.com/ |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
+==Parks and recreation==
+Kent's park system includes 55 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|310|acre|km2}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parks, Trails & Open Space|url=http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/ParkRentals/|work=Kent Washington Official Website|publisher=City of Kent, Washington|access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref>
+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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentreporter.com/news/gone-forever-golfers-lament-removal-of-kents-riverbend-par-3-course/|title=Gone forever: Golfers lament removal of Kent's Riverbend par 3 course – Kent Reporter|date=September 28, 2017|website=kentreporter.com|access-date=March 21, 2018}}</ref>
+==Education==
+[[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]].<ref name="KingCoSDMap">{{cite map|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53033_king/DC20SD_C53033.pdf|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: King County, WA|publisher=United States Census Bureau|pages=1, 3 (PDF pp. 2, 4/5)|accessdate=August 3, 2022}}</ref> The district includes four high schools, seven middle schools, twenty-eight elementary schools and two academies.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} 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.<ref name="k12">{{cite web|url=http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/domain/643|title=Our School / Our School|publisher=Kent Scohol District|access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref>
+[[Federal Way Public Schools]], which includes a portion of Kent, also has several schools within the city limits. Residents of far east Kent are zoned in the Tahoma School District. Other portions are in the [[Highline Public Schools]] and the [[Renton School District]].<ref name="KingCoSDMap"/> A branch of [[Green River Community College]] opened in Kent Station in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Karen |date=April 8, 2007 |title=Convenience: a great selling point for GRCC |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/southeastkingcountynews/2003656515_grcc08s.html |work=The Seattle Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427172956/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/southeastkingcountynews/2003656515_grcc08s.html |archive-date=April 27, 2007 |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref>
+==Infrastructure==
+===Transportation===
+The main north–south highway serving Kent is [[Washington State Route 167|State Route 167]], a freeway that connects the city to Renton and [[Puyallup, Washington|Puyallup]]. The city also includes portions of [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]] to the west and [[Washington State Route 18|State Route 18]] to the east; both are major freeways that provide inter-regional connections. [[Washington State Route 516|State Route 516]] travels east–west across Kent and connects all three freeways, while [[Washington State Route 181|State Route 181]] and [[Washington State Route 515|State Route 515]] provide further north–south connections as city streets.<ref>{{cite WSDOT map |year=2014 |inset=[https://web.archive.org/web/20201105191320/https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2017/08/31/highway-map-PugetSound_Full.pdf Puget Sound Area] |link=yes |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref> The older portions of the city, primarily in downtown and the valley floor, are laid out with a continuous grid of arterial streets.<ref name="KentTMP">{{cite web |date=March 2021 |title=City of Kent Transportation Master Plan |pages=15, 27–32 |url=https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/16620/637505338640970000 |publisher=City of Kent |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref>
+The city is also served by two [[public transit]] providers: [[King County Metro]] and [[Sound Transit]]. The main hub is [[Kent station (Sound Transit)|Kent Station]], a [[Sounder commuter rail]] station with service to Downtown Seattle and [[Tacoma Dome Station]] and bus connections. Sound Transit operates Sounder service primarily during peak hours on weekdays and also has three [[Sound Transit Express]] bus routes that connect to [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]], [[Redmond, Washington|Redmond]], and [[Seattle–Tacoma International Airport]].<ref name="KentTMP"/><ref name="KentTMP-Appendix">{{cite web |date=January 11, 2021 |title=City of Kent Transportation Master Plan, Appendix C: Existing Transit Service in Kent |pages=58–59 |url=https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/16622/637505338683600000 |publisher=City of Kent |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref> King County Metro operates local and regional service from Kent Station and other hubs, including [[park-and-ride]] facilities.<ref name="KentTMP"/> Metro's [[RapidRide]] bus rapid transit system includes the [[RapidRide A Line|A Line]], which runs on [[Washington State Route 99|State Route 99]] in western Kent; the [[RapidRide I Line|I Line]], scheduled to open in 2027, will connect Downtown Kent to Renton and Auburn.<ref name="KentTMP"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Steve |date=January 16, 2025 |title=Metro RapidRide line in South County gets $79 million grant |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/metro-rapidride-line-in-south-county-gets-79-million-grant/ |work=Kent Reporter |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref> The [[Link light rail]] system is planned to be extended to Federal Way in late 2025, with intermediate stops at [[Kent Des Moines station]] near Highline College and [[Star Lake station]] at South 272nd Street.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Steve |date=July 24, 2025 |title=Light rail stations could open ahead of schedule in Kent |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/light-rail-stations-could-open-ahead-of-schedule-in-kent/ |work=Kent Reporter |accessdate=August 4, 2025}}</ref>
+Heavy rail service includes two major north–south lines through the Kent Valley, with freight traffic operations by the [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]] and [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] railroads.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Steve |title=City of Kent targets railroad quiet zone in 2022 |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/city-of-kent-targets-railroad-quiet-zone-in-2022/ |website=Kent Reporter |date=June 5, 2019 |publisher=Sound Publishing |access-date=June 17, 2023}}</ref>
 ==Notable people==
@@ Line 496: / Line 494: @@
 * [[Demitrius Bronson]], professional football player [[Miami Dolphins]]
 * [[John Bronson]], professional football [[tight end]] for [[Arizona Cardinals]]
-* [[Conner Cappelletti]], soccer player and coach who represented [[Guam national football team|Guam]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heintschel |first1=Nathan |title=Conner Cappelletti Joins Kickers’ Technical Staff As An Assistant Coach |url=https://www.richmondkickers.com/news/2023/02/01/conner-cappelletti-joins-kickers-technical-staff-as-an-assistant-coach/ |website=[[Richmond Kickers]] |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=February 1, 2023}}</ref>
+* [[Conner Cappelletti]], soccer player and coach who represented [[Guam national football team|Guam]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heintschel |first1=Nathan |title=Conner Cappelletti Joins Kickers' Technical Staff As An Assistant Coach |url=https://www.richmondkickers.com/news/2023/02/01/conner-cappelletti-joins-kickers-technical-staff-as-an-assistant-coach/ |website=[[Richmond Kickers]] |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=February 1, 2023}}</ref>
 * [[Ernie Conwell]], NFL player
 * [[Rebecca Corry]], comedian/actress
@@ Line 557: / Line 555: @@
 ==Sister cities==
-Kent has the following [[Town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref name="wa">{{cite web|url=http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929011931/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |archive-date=September 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |title=Sister Cities, States, Counties & Ports |access-date=May 20, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="kentwa">{{cite web|url=http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=1310|title=Sister Cities – City of Kent, Washington|publisher=kentwa.gov|access-date=May 19, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520010047/http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=1310|archive-date=May 20, 2014}}</ref>
+Kent has the following [[Town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref name="wa">{{cite web|url=http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929011931/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |archive-date=September 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |title=Sister Cities, States, Counties & Ports |access-date=May 20, 2014}}</ref><ref name="kentwa">{{cite web|url=http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=1310|title=Sister Cities – City of Kent, Washington|publisher=kentwa.gov|access-date=May 19, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520010047/http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=1310|archive-date=May 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Steve |date=June 20, 2022 |title=Kent prepares to form sister city relationship with Lutsk, Ukraine |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/kent-prepares-to-form-sister-city-relationship-with-lutsk-ukraine/ |work=Kent Reporter |accessdate=May 11, 2025}}</ref>
 * {{flagdeco|Norway}} [[Sunnfjord]], Norway
 * {{flagdeco|Japan}} [[Tamba, Hyōgo|Tamba]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture]], Japan
 * {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Yangzhou]], Jiangsu, China
+* {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Gangdong District]], Seoul, South Korea
-A sister city relationship with [[Kherson]], Ukraine, was formed in the 1990s and later dissolved. {{As of|2022}}, Kent is exploring a sister city relationship with [[Lutsk]], Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Steve |date=June 20, 2022 |title=Kent prepares to form sister city relationship with Lutsk, Ukraine |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/kent-prepares-to-form-sister-city-relationship-with-lutsk-ukraine/ |work=Kent Reporter |accessdate=May 11, 2025}}</ref>
+* {{flagdeco|UKR}} [[Lutsk]], Ukraine.
 ==See also==
 {{Portal|Companies}}
-*[[List of companies based in Kent, Washington]]
+* [[List of companies based in Kent, Washington]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 573: / Line 571: @@
 ==External links==
 {{Commons category}}
-* [https://www.kentwa.gov/ City of Kent Government]
+* [https://www.kentwa.gov/ City of Kent – official website]
 {{Geographic location

Kent, Washington: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:19, 28 October 2025

History

Geography

Climate

Economy

Boeing

Steel

Largest employers

Other companies

Demographics

2020 census

2010 census

2000 census

Government

Fire protection

Culture

City landmarks

Events

Sports and entertainment

Parks and recreation

Education

Infrastructure

Transportation

Notable people

Sister cities

See also

References

External links

Navigation menu

Search