Population

Kent is centrally located in the Puget Sound region of Washington state, an area with nearly four million people. It is the largest city in South King County with a population of 84,560 and a geographic area of 29 square miles. Kent’s population is projected to grow to 100,000 within the next few years.

Location

Kent is strategically – and conveniently – located between Seattle (18 miles to the north) and Tacoma (18 miles to the south). Plus, the city is only seven miles from SeaTac International Airport and three miles from Interstate 5. Both the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern railroads run through Kent.

The city lies from 25 to 400 feet above sea level in the heart of the Green River Valley in South King County. The city’s breathtaking setting features views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade and Olympic mountains.

Climate

Kent enjoys mild weather with summer temperatures seldom exceeding the mid-80s, and winter temperatures rarely dropping below the low-30s. The average rainfall is 39 inches per year, and snowfall averages 8.6 inches per year.

History

Kent’s roots stretch back to 1890, the year it was incorporated (King County’s second-oldest city after Seattle). Kent was a major grower of hops and berries, and at one time was considered the Lettuce Capital of the World. Dairy farming was also an important sector of Kent’s early economy. In 1899, the first can of Carnation Milk was produced in Kent.

In the 1950s, industrial production began to develop on Kent’s valley floor. By the early 1960s, construction of the Howard Hanson Dam hastened economic change in the valley, ultimately transforming a rural community into an industrial center. In 1969, a new freeway (SR 167) linked Kent, Renton and Auburn to Seattle and Tacoma, further enticing eager developers.

Sharing in the pride of Kent’s history are its businesses that have played a large part in shaping Kent’s past and continue to influence its bright future. Along with contributing to the city’s economy, many business leaders have worked to preserve Kent’s quality of life.

Housing

Kent Area Housing Report – January through August 2007

Utility Rate Recap, 2007

Education

The Kent School District is the fourth-largest district in the state. It has won numerous national awards for excellence, and boasts state test scores above the national median.

Highline Community College is located in west Kent, and Green River Community College, headquartered in Auburn, has a downtown Kent Campus, focusing on business courses. Nearby Renton Technical College focuses on preparing students for careers in a variety of fields. Kent is also within easy commuting distance of the University of Washington (both Seattle and Tacoma campuses), Seattle Pacific University and the University of Puget Sound.

Health Care

MultiCare Clinics and Valley Medical Center-Kent Primary Care provide a wide variety of outpatient health care, including routine and preventive care from primary care physicians, medical attention from specialists, and services such as lab testing and diagnostic imaging.

Two major hospitals are located near Kent. Auburn Regional Medical Center provides comprehensive services. The center features a renowned cancer treatment center and holds community classes on a variety of health care topics. It is designated a level-three trauma center.

Just north of Kent is Valley Medical Center, in nearby Renton. Valley Medical is a public hospital that also provides comprehensive services. The hospital offers a free physician referral service, community classes, and support groups. It also has several primary and full-care clinics throughout South King County.

World-class health care facilities are also located in Seattle and Tacoma. These facilities provide a complete range of the most up-to-date specialists and services within an easy commute for Kent residents.

Kent Senior Activity Center

The Kent Senior Activity Center, located at 600 East Smith Street, is a 21,000-square-foot facility offering a variety of programs and social activities for those 55 and older.

The Kent Adult Day Center provides individuals with physical, mental and social challenges a safe and controlled environment. The center also gives caregivers a needed break from their round-the-clock duties.

The Senior Center also has meeting rooms and a reception hall/auditorium available for public rental. Call (253) 856-5150 for more information.

Out and About in Kent

Shopping

Downtown Kent boasts a wide range of retail stores including antiques, gifts, clothes, books, furniture, crafts and floral. It offers plenty of parking and lots of places to eat. Residents and visitors alike regularly enjoy the historic small-town atmosphere that’s easy and enjoyable to walk. Downtown Kent is also home to the Kent Regional Library and Sister Cities International Park.

Kent Station is a 470,000-square-foot “mixed use urban village” that includes retail, entertainment, education and office space all in one thoughtfully designed project. Created as a pedestrian-oriented town center, Kent Station offers local, regional and national retailers and restaurants, and a 14-screen movie theater. It’s adjacent to the Sounder Commuter Rail Station and parking garage, allowing commuters to shop, dine or see a movie after work and before heading home.

The Great Wall Shopping Mall in Kent is the largest full-service Asian mall in the greater Seattle area. Shoppers can smell the enticing aroma of herbs, seafood, incense, and exotic and tasty food wafting through the air. Located on about nine acres, the mall encompasses more than 100,000 square feet. It is anchored by an Asian grocery store where customers can shop for hundreds of hard-to-find Asian products.

Kent’s East Hill offers the East Hill Carriage Antique Mall, a popular destination for antique hounds. Further north along 104th Avenue, an international area is developing with Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Indian and Chinese restaurants, as well as stores selling clothes and even videos for an increasingly diverse population. The West Hill area boasts a wide variety of high-quality and convenient choices to those who live and work in that area.

Recreation

The Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is nationally recognized for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management. There are 68 parks and open spaces spread over 1,400 acres within the Kent Parks system. There is a full range of services and classes for youth, teens, adults and disabled citizens. Residents can also enjoy 27 holes of first-class golf at the Riverbend Golf Complex.

Events and Attractions

Cornucopia Days – This annual celebration, which takes place in July, features entertainment, food, a street fair, carnival, parade, and the popular Dragon Boat Races. A project of the Kent Lions Club, this celebration is Kent’s oldest continuing event and the largest street fair in the Northwest.

Fourth of July Celebration – This event at Lake Meridian features family entertainment, athletic activities and games, community projects, music, craft booths, food vendors, fireworks, and much more.

Summer Concert Series – The City of Kent sponsors this series of free concerts by regional and national performers. Shows include family performances on Thursday evenings, children’s concerts on Wednesdays, and lunch hour performances on Tuesdays in downtown Kent. These presentations of music, dance and theater are held in four of Kent’s most beautiful parks.

The Greater Kent Historical Society Museum – The museum is located in the Bereiter House – one of Kent’s oldest and finest homes – a 1908 Craftsman-style, three-story house with carriage entry. The home is furnished with period furniture and an extensive gallery of local historical artifacts.

The Kent Valley Ice Center – Located at the northeast corner of Russell Road Park and James Street, this 58,500-square-foot arena includes two National Hockey League regulation-size rinks, a 4,000-square-foot interactive game room, the largest pro shop in the Northwest, ten oversized locker rooms, private party rooms, a restaurant overlooking the ice, offices, and ballet and weight-training rooms.

Kent Arts Commission Performances – The performing arts season runs from October through May and includes annual performances of The Nutcracker and Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide Concerts. National touring theater companies and a variety of musicians from around the country round out each season.

Pacific Raceways – This 2.25-mile road course is the primary racetrack in the Puget Sound area. The raceway, east of Kent on State Route 18, is technically known as a “drag and return” track. Near the end of each summer, the National Hot Rod Association holds the popular three-day Northwest Nationals. In addition to professional drag racing, the raceway hosts several other drag events, including grudge drag, street legal drag, junior dragsters, and car club challenges.

Emerald Downs – This horse racetrack in Auburn is a 166-acre facility offering five months of live racing on its one-mile oval track from April through October, and full card simulcasting from tracks around the nation year-round.

The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum – Located in Kent, it features a collection of vintage hydroplanes spanning seven decades, including boats that won 17 Gold Cups. Learn about the history of hydroplane racing and famous drivers dating back to the turn-of-the-last-century.