Covington, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Covington, Washington
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Mount Rainier as seen from a Covington neighborhood
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| Motto(s):
"Unmatched Quality of Life"
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Location of Covington in King County, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | King |
| Incorporated | August 31, 1997 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.04 sq mi (15.65 km2) |
| • Land | 5.93 sq mi (15.36 km2) |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2) |
| Elevation | 381 ft (116 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 20,777 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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21,125 |
| • Density | 3,569.62/sq mi (1,378.28/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC–8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC–7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
98042
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| Area code(s) | 253 |
| FIPS code | 53-15290 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1510895 |
Covington is a city located in King County, Washington, United States. It's a growing community that started as a small railway stop. Today, it's known as a great place to live, with many families calling it home. The city officially became a city in 1997. In 2020, about 20,777 people lived here.
Contents
History of Covington
Covington was first known as Jenkins Prairie. Around 1900, the Northern Pacific Railway built a special train track called the Palmer Cutoff. This track helped trains travel faster between Auburn and Palmer. Richard Covington, a surveyor for the railway, helped plan this route.
How the Railway Shaped Covington
In 1900, the Northern Pacific Railway built important facilities in Covington. These included tracks for trains to pass, a loading track, and buildings for workers. They also had a water tank for steam locomotives. A lumber company, the Covington Lumber Company, also set up a mill here. It could cut a lot of wood every day. The railway stopped its operations in Covington in 1941.
From Farms to a City
After the lumber industry, dairy farms became very important in the 1920s. Farmers dug canals to get water for their crops and animals. A school district was created in 1937. Over time, Covington grew as a suburban area near Kent. Local citizens wanted Covington to become its own city so they could better plan its growth.
On November 6, 1996, people voted for Covington to become a city. It officially became a city on August 31, 1997. At that time, about 12,200 people lived in Covington.
Where is Covington Located?
Covington is in the southern part of King County, Washington. It is surrounded by other cities: Kent is to the west, Auburn is to the southwest, and Maple Valley is to the east. A lake called Pipe Lake is partly in Covington and partly in Maple Valley.
The city covers about 6.04 square miles (15.65 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Covington's Economy
Covington has grown a lot since it became a city. Because of this growth, much of the city's money comes from stores and shops. Many of these stores are located along State Route 516.
Covington is also an important place for medical care in southeast King County. Big health systems like MultiCare Health Systems and Valley Medical Center have facilities here. MultiCare even opened a new hospital in 2018. It has 58 beds, emergency rooms, and a family birth center.
Who Lives in Covington?
Covington is a diverse city with people from many different backgrounds.
Population Growth
The city's population has grown steadily over the years:
- In 2000, there were about 13,783 people.
- By 2010, the population grew to 17,575.
- In 2020, the population was 20,777.
- Estimates for 2023 show the population is around 21,125.
People and Backgrounds (2020 Census)
According to the 2020 census, there were 20,777 people living in Covington.
- About 61.5% of the people were White (not Hispanic).
- About 11.6% were Asian.
- About 8.3% were people of two or more races.
- About 5.1% were Black or African American.
- About 11.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino (who can be of any race).
Parks and Fun in Covington
Covington has many ways for people to stay active and have fun! The city has an aquatic center that is open all year. It also offers youth sports leagues for basketball, baseball, football, and soccer. These leagues are for kids from preschool up to 8th grade.
The city also has recreation classes and special events throughout the year. There are eight city-run parks and one trail maintained by the city for everyone to enjoy.
City Infrastructure
Infrastructure refers to the basic systems and services that a city needs to work well, like roads and emergency services.
Transportation in Covington
The main road in Covington is State Route 516. It runs through the city from west to east. Another important road is State Route 18. This road connects Covington to major highways like Interstate 90 and Interstate 5. It's a key route for people traveling between south King County and Eastern Washington.
Public transportation in Covington is provided by King County Metro, which offers bus services.
Emergency Services
Covington works with the King County Sheriff's Office for police services. Police officers assigned to Covington wear special uniforms and drive patrol cars with the city's logo. There are many officers, including a chief, a sergeant, a school resource officer, a traffic officer, and a detective, who work full-time in the city.
Covington is also part of the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (RFA). This group provides fire and emergency medical services for Covington, Kent, SeaTac, and parts of King County. Covington's first fire station opened in 2009.
Notable People from Covington
Many interesting people have connections to Covington:
- Debra Entenman, a member of the Washington House of Representatives.
- Mark Hargrove, a former member of the Washington House of Representatives.
- Reese McGuire, a professional baseball player.
- Lindsey Moore, a professional basketball player.
- Bob Smith, a comic book artist for DC and Archie Comics.
- Pat Sullivan, a former mayor of Covington and a leader in the Washington House of Representatives.
See also
In Spanish: Covington (Washington) para niños
