76-541: Tacoma School District No. 10 , commonly called Tacoma Public Schools , is a school district headquartered in Tacoma, Washington , United States. Composed of 36 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 11 high schools, and 4 early learning centers. It is the third-largest school district in Washington State. Tacoma Public Schools serve approximately 28,000 students PK-12 and has nearly 5,000 employees, making it one of
152-454: A 26% increase. The overcrowding of aging elementary schools and need for construction in suburban areas prompted the school board to draft a new building campaign, which emphasized quick, cheap, and flexible school construction. The district includes almost all of Tacoma, Browns Point , Dash Point , Ruston , most of Fircrest , plus portions of Lakewood , Midland , and University Place . Tacoma, WA Since 2021, Dr. Josh Garcia has been
228-750: A branch campus of the University of Washington ; the numerous privately financed renovation projects near the campus; the Washington State History Museum (1996), echoing the architecture of Union Station; the Museum of Glass (2002); the Tacoma Art Museum (2003); and the region's first light-rail line (2003). The glass and steel Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center opened in November 2004. America's Car Museum
304-490: A city on February 28, 1996, on the same day as Edgewood . It immediately became the second largest city in Pierce County and among the largest in the state. Three previous attempts to incorporate as a city had been rejected by voters in 1971, 1990, and 1994 before it was approved by a 20-point margin on March 14, 1995, within a smaller area. Historical names include Tacoma/Lakewood Center and Lakes District (this name
380-482: A conservative Republican, focused on the vulnerabilities of computers to fraud. In 1998, Tacoma installed Click! Network , a high-speed fiber optic network throughout the community. The municipally owned power company, Tacoma Power , wired the city. In response, the State of Washington passed RCW 54.16.330 in 2000, effectively preventing further research and development of Click! Network until its repeal in 2021 during
456-546: A graduation rate of 91.1%, the Tacoma School District's class of 2023 witnessed its highest graduation rate since the State began tracking the statistic in 2003. In 2012, the school board set a goal of reaching 85% graduation by 2020, which it achieved. The goal to increase the graduation rate came after criticism that labeled Tacoma high schools as "dropout factories," with graduation rates as low as 55%. High school students of Tacoma Public Schools compete in
532-569: A major destination for big-time automobile racing, with one of the nation's top-rated racing venues just outside the city limits, at the site of today's Clover Park Technical College . In 1924, Tacoma's first movie studio, H. C. Weaver Studio, was sited at present-day Titlow Beach . At the time, it was the third-largest freestanding film production space in America, with the two larger facilities being located in Hollywood. The production studio
608-510: A male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.4% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
684-443: A mayor and city-manager system in 1952. Tacoma was featured prominently in the garage rock sound of the mid-1960s with bands including The Wailers and The Sonics . The surf rock band The Ventures were also from Tacoma. Downtown Tacoma experienced a long decline through the mid-20th century. Harold Moss , later the city's mayor, characterized late-1970s Tacoma as looking "bombed out" like "downtown Beirut " (a reference to
760-507: A more urban and advanced way of life. In 1913, the National Conference on Immigration and Americanization developed a list of three essential aspects of immigrant assimilation: literacy, health and hygiene, and the learning of democracy. As a result, schools across the nation began introducing new policies and programs that were intended to promote and teach the importance of these three values. Closely following national trends,
836-469: A period of revitalization. Developments in the downtown include the University of Washington Tacoma ; the T Line (formerly Tacoma Link), the first modern electric light rail service in the state; the state's highest density of art and history museums; and a restored urban waterfront, the Thea Foss Waterway . The area was inhabited for thousands of years by American Indians , most recently
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#1732798512934912-627: A recorded decrease in attendance at sporting events, which Puyallup high school AD Rick Wells attributes to an offering of more sports, but fewer people interested in them individually. Decreased attendance is also supported by the rise of social media, where students have the opportunity to catch up on scores and highlights without being present at the games itself. Also mentioned is an increase of poverty, resulting in less students who have personal transportation and are able to travel to games and events on their own accord. Tacoma, Washington Tacoma ( / t ə ˈ k oʊ m ə / tə- KOH -mə )
988-499: A replica was built in 2000 near the original site in "Old Town"). Carr hoped to profit from the selection of Commencement Bay as the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad, and sold most of his claim to developer Morton M. McCarver (1807–1875), who named his project Tacoma City, derived from the indigenous name for the mountain. Tacoma was incorporated on November 12, 1875, following its selection in 1873 as
1064-675: A significant population increase in Tacoma and its surrounding areas. The Panama Canal succeeded in expanding business and industry associated with the Port of Tacoma , while Fort Lewis quickly became the largest in the United States at the time, consisting of 37,000 soldiers. From 1915 to 1920, enrollment in Tacoma Public Schools had risen from 14,211 to 18,023 (a 22% increase). To address the rapid growth of student population,
1140-547: A whole most Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. in the council chambers at 747 Market St. Meetings are open to the public and provide for public input. Victoria Woodards began her term as mayor of the City of Tacoma on January 2, 2018. She is Tacoma's third African-American mayor and third female mayor, and the second African-American female mayor. She succeeded Marilyn Strickland , who was elected in 2009, becoming Tacoma's first African-American female mayor. Normal day-to-day operations of
1216-495: Is at 47°14′29″N 122°27′34″W / 47.24139°N 122.45944°W / 47.24139; -122.45944 (47.241371, –122.459389). Its official elevation is 381 feet (116 m), varying between sea level and about 500 feet (150 m). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 62.34 square miles (161.46 km ), of which 49.72 square miles (128.77 km )
1292-493: Is highly dependent upon on the nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord . It also boasts one of the few true International Districts in the South Sound along South Tacoma Way and Pacific Highway, with Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Latino and other influences (the population of Lakewood's Tillicum neighborhood is nearly half non-English speaking ). Lakewood's news is primarily covered by The News Tribune (Tacoma), and sometimes by
1368-508: Is in Lakewood, at its intersection with Interstate 5 . The proposed State Route 704 would be the only other state highway entering the city. As of the 2010 census , there were 58,163 people, 24,069 households, and 14,412 families living in the city. The population density was 3,387.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,307.9/km ). There were 26,548 housing units at an average density of 1,546.2 per square mile (597.0/km ). The racial makeup of
1444-637: Is land and 12.62 square miles (32.69 km ) is water. Tacoma straddles the neighboring Commencement Bay with several smaller cities surrounding it. Large areas of Tacoma have views of Mount Rainier. In the event of a major eruption of Mount Rainier, the low-lying areas of Tacoma near the Port of Tacoma are at risk from a lahar flowing down the Puyallup River. The city is several miles north of Joint Base Lewis–McChord , formerly known separately as Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base . According to
1520-513: Is locally known as the "City of Destiny" because the area was chosen to be the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 19th century. The decision of the railroad was influenced by Tacoma's neighboring deep-water harbor, Commencement Bay . By connecting the bay with the railroad, Tacoma's motto became "When rails meet sails". Commencement Bay serves the Port of Tacoma , a center of international trade on
1596-438: Is the county seat of Pierce County , Washington , United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound , 32 miles (51 km) southwest of Seattle , 36 miles (58 km) southwest of Bellevue , 31 miles (50 km) northeast of the state capital, Olympia , 58 miles (93 km) northwest of Mount Rainier National Park , and 80 miles (130 km) east of Olympic National Park . The city's population
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#17327985129341672-522: Is water. There are several lakes within the city limits; the largest in area are American Lake , Lake Steilacoom , Gravelly Lake , Lake Louise, and Waughop Lake . The Waughop Lake is incorporated into the aforementioned Fort Steilacoom Park. A number of small creeks flow through Lakewood, some of which drain into nearby Puget Sound. The largest of these, Chambers Creek , flows from Lake Steilacoom to Chambers Bay between nearby University Place and Steilacoom . The western terminus of State Route 512
1748-477: The COVID-19 pandemic , a period of over 20 years. Beginning in the early 1990s, city residents and planners took steps to revitalize Tacoma, particularly its downtown. Among the projects were the federal courthouse in the former Union Station (1991); Save Our Station community group; Merritt+Pardini Architect (1991); Reed & Stem Architects (1911); the adaptation of a group of century-old brick warehouses into
1824-507: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2022, there were 3,601 violent crimes and 19,217 property crimes, for 221,776 residents. Of these, the violent crimes consisted of 147 forcible rapes, 41 murders, 752 robberies and 2,661 aggravated assaults, while 2,365 burglaries, 11,027 larceny-thefts, 5,582 motor vehicle thefts and 243 instances of arson defined the property offenses. Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood struggled with crime in
1900-459: The Köppen climate classification , Tacoma has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb ). The warmest months are July and August; the coldest month is December. As of the 2020 census , there were 219,346 people and 91,951 households residing in the city. As of the 2010 census , there were 198,397 people, 78,541 households, and 45,716 families residing in the city. The population density
1976-521: The Lebanese Civil War that occurred at that time); "Streets were abandoned, storefronts were abandoned and City Hall was the headstone and Union Station the footstone" on the grave of downtown. The first local referendums in the U.S. on computerized voting occurred in Tacoma in 1982 and 1987. On both occasions, voters rejected the computer voting systems that local officials sought to purchase. The campaigns, organized by Eleanora Ballasiotes,
2052-567: The Pacific Coast and Washington's largest port. The city gained notoriety in 1940 for the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge , which earned the nickname "Galloping Gertie" due to the vertical movement of the deck during windy conditions. Like most industrial cities, Tacoma suffered a prolonged decline in the mid-20th century as a result of suburbanization and divestment. Since the 1990s, downtown Tacoma has experienced
2128-533: The Puyallup people, who lived in settlements on the delta. In 1852, a Swede named Nicolas Delin built a water-powered sawmill on a creek near the head of Commencement Bay, but the small settlement that grew around it was abandoned during the Indian War of 1855–56 . In 1864, pioneer and postmaster Job Carr , a Civil War veteran and land speculator, built a cabin (which also served as Tacoma's first post office;
2204-469: The Seafirst Bank robbery happened in Lakewood. Lakewood is located at 47°10′N 122°32′W / 47.167°N 122.533°W / 47.167; -122.533 (47.164, −122.526). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 18.95 square miles (49.08 km ), of which, 17.17 square miles (44.47 km ) is land and 1.78 square miles (4.61 km )
2280-537: The media in Seattle . Earlier weekly newspapers for the community were the Lakewood Log (circa 1930s), Suburban Times (1960s–1982), Lakewood Press (1980s), and Lakewood Journal (1990s). KLAY-AM radio provides Lakewood-specific talk radio. KVTI-FM , known as "I-91 FM", broadcast top 40 music from its Lakewood studio at Clover Park Technical College until 2010, when the college transferred management of
2356-403: The 1930s, the city became known for the " Tacoma Aroma ", a distinctive, acrid odor produced by pulp and paper manufacturing on the industrial tide flats. In the late 1990s, Simpson Tacoma Kraft reduced total sulfur emissions by 90%. This largely eliminated the problem; where once the odor was ever-present, it is now only noticeable occasionally downtown, primarily when the wind is coming from
Tacoma Public Schools - Misplaced Pages Continue
2432-494: The 1980s and early 1990s. The beginning of the 21st century has seen a marked reduction in crime, while neighborhoods have enacted community policing and other policies. Bill Baarsma (mayor, 2002–2010) was a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition , a bi-partisan group with the goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets". Starting in 2020, during
2508-563: The City of Lakewood website, the Lakewood Police Department started independent police and patrol operations on November 1, 2004. On the morning of November 29, 2009, four Lakewood Police Department officers were shot and killed at a coffee shop in Parkland by Maurice Clemmons, an ex-convict. All four officers had served with the department since its inception and died at the scene; two baristas and several customers in
2584-599: The Narrows League for athletics, and member schools are a part of West Central District III and the Washington State Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Students have the ability to compete in as many as 21 different sports at the high school level, while middle school students from grades six to eight can compete in 11 different sports at the junior varsity, varsity, and C-team levels. According to
2660-435: The Tacoma School District began widespread incorporation of nurses, health clinics, showers, and home economic departments, all of which were designed to improve health and hygiene within school property. Tacoma Public Schools also witnessed a significant expansion in social services, including after-school programs, summer school, and availability of on-site lunches. This focus on the civic responsibilities of schools resulted in
2736-461: The World (IWW), with the goal of a fifty-cent per day pay raise. The strike was strongly opposed by the local business community, and the smelter owners threatened to blacklist organizers and union officials. The IWW opposed this move by trying to persuade inbound workers to avoid Tacoma during the strike. By August, the strike had ended without meeting its demands. Tacoma was briefly (1915–1922)
2812-409: The average family size was 2.94. The population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 93.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 36,422, and
2888-541: The board of the Weyerhaeuser Company . In 1940, after eviction notices failed, the police department attempted to burn down Hooverville. In 1956, the last occupant of "Hollywood" was evicted and the police used fire to level the grounds and make room for industrial growth. In 1951, an investigation by a state legislative committee revealed widespread corruption in Tacoma's government, which had been organized commission-style since 1910. Voters approved
2964-484: The camp. In 1935, Tacoma received national attention when George Weyerhaeuser , the nine-year-old son of prominent lumber industry executive J.P. Weyerhaeuser , was kidnapped while walking home from school. FBI agents from Portland handled the case, in which a ransom of $ 200,000 secured the release of the victim. Four persons were apprehended and convicted; the last to be released was paroled from McNeil Island in 1963. George Weyerhaeuser went on to become chairman of
3040-502: The city at-large. All serve four-year terms and are elected in odd-numbered years. The council adopts and amends city laws, approves a two-year budget, establishes city policy, appoints citizens to boards and commissions, and performs other actions. The council also meets in "standing committees", which examine the council's work in more defined areas, such as "Environment & Public Works", "Neighborhoods & Housing", and "Public Safety, Human Services & Education". The council meets as
3116-495: The city government are administered by Tacoma's city manager, who is appointed by the city council. Elizabeth Pauli was appointed Interim City Manager on February 6, 2017. She replaced former manager T. C. Broadnax, who was appointed to the office in January 2012 and left in 2017 to become the city manager of Dallas, Texas . At the federal level, Tacoma is part of two congressional districts. The western and northern portions of
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3192-422: The city is part of the 6th District , represented by Derek Kilmer . The eastern portion is in the 10th District , represented by Marilyn Strickland . Tacoma is the home of several international companies, including staffing company True Blue Inc., lumber company Simpson , and the food companies Roman Meal and Brown and Haley . Frank C. Mars founded Mars, Incorporated , in 1911 in Tacoma. Beginning in
3268-574: The city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 58,211 people, 23,792 households, and 15,084 families living in the city. The population density was 3,401.3 people per square mile (1,313.6/km ). There were 25,396 housing units at an average density of 1,483.9 per square mile (573.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 64.82% White , 12.25% African American , 8.95% Asian , 1.84% Pacific Islander , 1.55% Native American , 3.55% from other races , and 7.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.49% of
3344-448: The city was 59.3% White , 11.8% African American , 1.3% Native American , 9.0% Asian , 2.6% Pacific Islander , 7.3% from other races , and 8.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.3% of the population. There were 24,069 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had
3420-412: The city without sufficient power and heat. During the 30-day power shortage in the winter of 1929 and 1930, the engines of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington provided Tacoma with electricity. A power grid failure paired with a newly rewritten city constitution – put into place to keep political power away from a single entity such as the railroad – created a standstill in the ability to further
3496-597: The city. As described by the account prepared by the Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation, on the morning of November 3, "several hundred men, led by the mayor and other city officials, evicted the Chinese from their homes, corralled them at 7th Street and Pacific Avenue, marched them to the railway station at Lakeview and forced them aboard the morning train to Portland, Oregon . The next day two Chinese settlements were burned to
3572-454: The city. The median income for a household in the city was $ 37,879, and the median income for a family was $ 45,567. Males had a median income of $ 35,820, versus $ 27,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,130. About 11.4% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.9% of those 65 and older. According to Uniform Crime Report statistics compiled by
3648-549: The district school board debated between three possible educational models, all of which would have an effect on the future construction of schools. The models included the 8-4 system, the 6-6 system, and the 6-3-3 system. The 8-4 system, which was the typical model for schools prior to World War I, had grades one through eight in elementary schools with grades nine through 12 in high schools. The proposed 6-6 system advocated for grades one through six in elementary school, with grades seven through 12 in high school. The 6-3-3 system, which
3724-493: The east. The mill produces pulpwood and linerboard products; previously owned by St. Regis Company, the mill was sold to RockTenn in 2014. The mill's name changed yet again in 2016 to WestRock and closed on September 30, 2023. Lakewood, Washington Lakewood is a city in Pierce County , Washington , United States. The population was 63,612 at the 2020 census . Lakewood was officially incorporated as
3800-539: The ground." The discovery of gold in the Klondike in 1898 led to Tacoma's prominence in the region being eclipsed by the development of Seattle. A major tragedy marred the end of the 19th century, when a streetcar accident resulted in significant loss of life on July 4, 1900. From May to August 1907, the city was the site of a smelter workers' strike organized by Local 545 of the Industrial Workers of
3876-556: The improvement of libraries, lunchrooms, administrative offices, and other rooms designated towards providing the necessary space and tools that address new communal values and concerns. United States involvement in World War I had a significant effect on the demographics of both Tacoma and its school system. The 1914 opening of the Panama Canal , and the 1917 establishment of Fort Lewis (Now Joint Base Lewis-McChord ) resulted in
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#17327985129343952-407: The intersection of Dock Street EXD and East D Street in the train yard, a shanty town became the solution to the growing scar of the depression. Tacoma's Hooverville grew in 1924 as the homeless community settled on the waterfront. In 1927, Tacoma's Hooverville was coined "Hollywood" due to the type of crimes at the camp. The population boomed in November 1930 through early 1931 as families from
4028-480: The largest employers in the greater Tacoma area. In the decades preceding World War I , Tacoma Public Schools, like much of the United States, were largely influenced by a new influx of European immigrants that had been creating challenges among both governmental and religious agencies in devising a plan for best addressing ethnic integration. Many immigrant families, primarily from eastern and southern European descent, were of rural backgrounds and struggled to adapt to
4104-408: The local economy. Local businesses were affected as the sudden stop of loans limited progression of expansion and renewal funds for maintenance, leading to foreclosures. Families across the city experienced the fallout of economic depression as breadwinners sought to provide for their families. Shanty-town politics began to develop as the destitute needed some form of leadership to keep the peace. At
4180-517: The median income for a family was $ 42,551. Males had a median income of $ 31,434 versus $ 26,653 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 20,569. About 12.5% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over. The City of Lakewood contracted with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office for police services between 1996 and 2004. According to
4256-506: The name for their post office since 1909, which led to confusion between the two areas. The United States Postal Service suggested that the new city be renamed due to frequent mixups in mail delivery that required the two post offices to forward deliveries with a one-day delay. The Snohomish County post office was renamed to North Lakewood in 1998 by the Postal Service due to the other community's unincorporated status. In 1997,
4332-584: The neighboring McKinley and Hilltop areas were evicted. Collecting scraps of metal and wood from local lumber stores and recycling centers, families began building shanties (shacks) for shelter. By 1934, alcoholism and suicide were a common event in the Hooverville that eventually led to its nickname of "Hollywood on the Tide Flats", because of the Hollywood -style crimes and events taking place in
4408-435: The pandemic, Tacoma's crime started to rise again. In 2022, the city of Tacoma had the highest number of murders in its recorded history, at 45 murders, which dropped to 34 in 2023. The government of the city of Tacoma operates under a council-manager system. The city council consists of an elected mayor ( Victoria Woodards ) and eight elected council members: five from individual city council districts and three others from
4484-420: The population (8.1% Mexican, 1.1% Puerto Rican). There were 78,541 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no spouse present, 5.6% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 41.8% were other families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who
4560-409: The population. There were 23,792 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and
4636-413: The round table of South Sound athletic directors, funding has been a primary concern in the ability of schools to maintain and improve their athletic programs. Terry Jenks, athletic director of Curtis High School, mentions increasing difficulty in finding quality coaches, as schools remain unable to offer salaries to make coaching a full-time job that accounts for cost-of-living increases. There has also been
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#17327985129344712-501: The shop were not injured. Clemmons was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer two days later. The shooting is believed to be the most deadly attack on law enforcement in the state of Washington, and among the deadliest attacks on law enforcement in the United States. Lakewood is served by the West Pierce Fire Department (WPFD). The WPFD also serves University Place . The WPFD has 6 departments located in
4788-494: The station to Washington State University's Northwest Public Radio who discontinued the locally produced programming in favor of a network feed from the University's Pullman campus. The Clover Park School District operated KCPQ (thus the call letters) until 1980, when the district sold the station to Kelly Broadcasting. Lakewood receives Seattle area television and radio stations. Lakewood and Pierce County were named among
4864-626: The superintendent of the district, having previously served as Deputy Superintendent since 2012. Elected to Office: November 2019 Current Term Expires: November 2025 Appointed to Office: February 2018 Elected to office November 2019 Elected to office November 2021 Current Term Expires: November 2027 Appointed to Office: November 2020 Elected November 2021, November 2023 Current Term Expires: November 2029 Elected to Office: November 2021 Current Term Expires: November 2027 Appointed to Office: November 2019 Elected: November 2021, November 2023 Current Term Expires: November 2029 Reaching
4940-557: The two cities. The Clover Park School District , which includes most of the city, operates all public schools within Lakewood. Private schools include St Frances Cabrini School, St Mary's Christian School, and Lakewood Lutheran School. Lakewood is also home to Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Clover Park Technical College . Portions of Lakewood are in the Steilacoom Historical School District and Tacoma Public Schools . Lakewood's economy
5016-600: The western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad due to lobbying by McCarver, future mayor John Wilson Sprague , and others. However, the railroad built its depot in New Tacoma , two miles (3 km) south of the Carr–McCarver development. The two communities grew together and joined, merging on January 7, 1884. The transcontinental link was effected in 1887, and the population grew from 1,098 in 1880 to 36,006 in 1890. Rudyard Kipling visited Tacoma in 1889 and said it
5092-430: Was "literally staggering under a boom of the boomiest". George Francis Train was a resident for a few years in the late 19th century. In 1890, he staged a global circumnavigation starting and ending in Tacoma to promote the city. A plaque in downtown Tacoma marks the start and finish line. In November 1885, white citizens led by then-mayor Jacob Weisbach expelled several hundred Chinese residents peacefully living in
5168-622: Was 219,346 at the time of the 2020 census . Tacoma is the second-largest city in the Puget Sound area and the third-most populous in the state. Tacoma also serves as the center of business activity for the South Sound region, which has a population of about 1 million. Tacoma adopted its name after the nearby Mount Rainier , called təˡqʷuʔbəʔ in the Puget Sound Salish dialect, and “Takhoma” in an anglicized version. It
5244-595: Was 3,864.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,492.2/km ). There were 81,102 housing units at an average density of 1,619.4 per square mile (625.3/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 64.9% White (60.5% Non-Hispanic White ), 12.2% African American , 8.2% Asian (2.1% Vietnamese, 1.6% Cambodian, 1.3% Korean, 1.3% Filipino, 0.4% Chinese, 0.4% Japanese, 0.2% Indian, 0.2% Laotian, 0.1% Thai), 1.8% Native American , 1.2% Pacific Islander (0.7% Samoan, 0.2% Guamanian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian), and 8.1% were from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 11.3% of
5320-494: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age in the city was 35.1 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 193,556 people, 76,152 households, and 45,919 families residing in
5396-534: Was also the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest The first film produced in Tacoma was Hearts and Fists , which starred John Bowers and premiered at Tacoma's Rialto Theater . The studio's importance has undergone a revival with the discovery of one of its most famous lost films, Eyes of the Totem . In 1932, the studios burned to the ground in a mysterious fire, and the production facility
5472-925: Was completed in late 2011 near the Tacoma Dome . The Pantages Theater (first opened in 1918) anchors downtown Tacoma's Theatre District. Tacoma Arts Live manages the Pantages, the Rialto Theater, and the Theatre on the Square. Tacoma Little Theatre (opened in 1918) is northwest of downtown in the Stadium District. Other attractions include the Grand Cinema, McMenamins Elks Temple, and the Landmark Temple Theatre. Tacoma
5548-433: Was eventually adopted, advocated for grades one through six in elementary school, grades seven through nine in middle school, and grades 10 through 12 in high school. Promoting the transition to this new elementary, intermediate, high school model, Tacoma voters authorized a $ 2.4 million plan in 1923, which jump-started construction of six new intermediate schools and additions to several existing elementary schools. Jason Lee
5624-479: Was never rebuilt. Several films were destroyed in the fire as old nitrate-based film did not survive. The 1929 crash of the stock market, resulting in the Great Depression , was only the first event in a series of misfortunes to hit Tacoma in the winter of 1929–30. In one of the coldest winters on record, Tacoma experienced mass power outages and eventually the shutdown of major power supply dams, leaving
5700-578: Was the first intermediate school to be constructed, soon followed by James P. Stewart and Morton M. McCarver middle schools. Franklin B. Gault, Allan C. Mason, and Robert Gray middle schools were the last constructed, and all opened on the same day the following year. The onset of World War II resulted in another significant population spike within Tacoma and its schools, as both the Port of Tacoma and Fort Lewis boomed with similar economic prowess as seen previously in World War I. From 1950 to 1956, public school enrollment shot from 22,157 to 29,778, illustrating
5776-642: Was used by the U.S. Census in the 1970 and 1980 Census). Lakewood is home to the Clover Park School District, the Lakewood Water District, Fort Steilacoom Park and Western State Hospital , a regional state psychiatric hospital . Thornewood Castle was built in the vicinity of Tacoma in the area that is now Lakewood. A small community near Arlington in Snohomish County with the name Lakewood had used
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