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Black Diamond, Washington
Location of Black Diamond, Washington
Location of Black Diamond, Washington
Country United States
State Washington
County King
Government
 • Type Mayor–council
Area
 • Total 7.19 sq mi (18.63 km2)
 • Land 6.55 sq mi (16.96 km2)
 • Water 0.64 sq mi (1.67 km2)
Elevation
653 ft (199 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 4,151
 • Estimate 
(2019)
4,781
 • Density 729.92/sq mi (281.83/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98010
Area code(s) 360
FIPS code 53-06330
GNIS feature ID 1516603
Website blackdiamondwa.gov

Black Diamond is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,151 at the 2010 census.

History

Black Diamond was officially incorporated on February 19, 1959.

Beginning in the 1880s Black Diamond was a rural coal mining area, developed by the Black Diamond Coal Mining Company of California, which owned and operated the mine. The original residents were largely composed of former workers, from the company's previous coal mining operation in Nortonville, California, which primarily sold coal to the thriving new metropolis of San Francisco. A combination of low quality coal from the Nortonville mines, water intrusion into the workings there, and the discovery and economical transport of higher-quality Washington coal to San Francisco spelled the demise of Nortonville in the early 1880s. The town was home to around 3,500 people by the early 1900s, many of them European immigrants; most of the working men were involved in producing coal. This coal was transported to Seattle via the Pacific Coast Coal train. Before 1911, the miners were affiliated with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), but by March 1911 had left en masse to join the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

After World War I, the town shut down the mine as it was no longer viable. However a second mining boom spurred growth in the town in the early 1930s on the strength of multiple mining operations promoted by the Morris brothers through the Palmer Coking Coal Company. Mining has continued until recently through the Pacific Coast Coal Company, formerly of San Francisco. The prospect of future mining operations remains strong.

The town has been home to many famous residents, including folk musician Brandi Carlile (who grew up a few miles east in Ravensdale). The minor-league baseball star Edo Vanni was born at Black Diamond in 1918. This city was put onto the official maps on February 9, 1954, which is considered its birthdate.

Black Diamond Bakery - coffee house
The Black Diamond Bakery

The main building of the Black Diamond Historical Museum is the former train station, which served the Columbia & Puget Sound Railway 1884–1916 and the Pacific Coast Railway 1916–1951. According to a sign at the museum, there were originally two trains a day to Seattle, later only one. Regular passenger service ended in 1925, but a train still brought men to the mine until 1931, and trains continued to haul coal and freight into the 1940s.

The Black Diamond Bakery achieved regional fame in the 1970s for the quality of its breads and other baked goods, and continues to attract destination shoppers. The town's late 20th century population growth has been mostly as a commuter community for people with jobs in Seattle, Bellevue, and other suburban centers.

Geography

Black Diamond is located at 47°19′4″N 122°0′53″W / 47.31778°N 122.01472°W / 47.31778; -122.01472 (47.317802, -122.014793).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.66 square miles (17.25 km2), of which, 6.02 square miles (15.59 km2) is land and 0.64 square miles (1.66 km2) is water.

Demographics

Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Black Diamond ranks 64th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 561
1960 1,026
1970 1,160 13.1%
1980 1,170 0.9%
1990 1,422 21.5%
2000 3,970 179.2%
2010 4,151 4.6%
2019 (est.) 4,781 15.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
2018 Estimate
Black Diamond Cemetery tomb 01
Many early residents of Black Diamond came from Italy; this is one of many grave markers in the Black Diamond Cemetery with an Italian-language inscription. The cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,151 people, 1,546 households, and 1,157 families living in the city. The population density was 689.5 inhabitants per square mile (266.2/km2). There were 1,685 housing units at an average density of 279.9 per square mile (108.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 1.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.

There were 1,546 households, of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.2% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.05.

The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 32.1% were from 45 to 64; and 10% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

City landmarks

The City of Black Diamond has designated the following landmarks:

Landmark Built Listed Address Photo
Black Diamond Cemetery c. 1880 2000 Cemetery Hill Road
Black Diamond Cemetery 04.jpg
Black Diamond Miners' Cabin c. 1882 1995 24311 Morgan Street
Luigi & Aurora Pagani House c.1896 2001 32901 Merino Street Black Diamond, WA - Luigi & Aurora Pagani House 01.jpg


Notable people

The town has been home to some famous residents, including folk musician Brandi Carlile. The minor-league baseball star Edo Vanni was born at Black Diamond in 1918.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Black Diamond (Washington) para niños

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