Des Moines, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Des Moines, Washington
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| Nickname(s):
"The Waterland City"
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Location of Des Moines, Washington
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Washington | |
| County | King | |
| Founded | 1867 | |
| Incorporated | June 17, 1959 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council–manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 7.408 sq mi (19.187 km2) | |
| • Land | 6.414 sq mi (16.611 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.994 sq mi (2.575 km2) | |
| Elevation | 89 ft (27 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 32,888 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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31,988 | |
| • Density | 4,988.32/sq mi (1,926.01/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific (PST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) | |
| ZIP Codes |
98148, 98198
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| Area code(s) | 206 | |
| FIPS code | 53-17635 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512145 | |
Des Moines (pronounced də-MOYNZ) is a city in King County, Washington. It is located on the eastern shore of Puget Sound. The city is part of the larger Seattle metropolitan area. In 2020, about 32,888 people lived there.
Des Moines is special because it's one of the few places along the shoreline where it's easy to get to the water. The city has a fun marina where you can dock boats, launch them, and even fish from a pier. Saltwater State Park is also in Des Moines. It's a very popular state park on Puget Sound. Near the border of Federal Way, the Redondo area offers a boardwalk and an aquarium.
Contents
History of Des Moines
The area that is now Des Moines was first explored by Europeans in 1792. This happened during the journey of British naval Captain George Vancouver. Later, American explorers from the Charles Wilkes expedition visited the area.
The first known settler was John Moore, who arrived around 1867. He claimed land under the Homestead Act of 1862.
In 1887, F.A. Blasher and his friends from Des Moines, Iowa, helped start a new town on Puget Sound. This work was done by the Des Moines Improvement Company. In 1889, the land was divided into lots and sold. At first, lumber mills provided most of the jobs in the community.
Early travel to Des Moines was mostly by water. Small boats, called the "mosquito fleet," connected the town to Seattle, Tacoma, and Vashon. The first road, the Brick Highway, was finished in 1916. A ferry service for cars also started in 1916, connecting Des Moines to Portage. Before World War II, farming was a big part of the local economy.
After the war, more people moved to Des Moines, and it grew into a suburb. The local government couldn't keep up with the needs of the growing population. So, Des Moines officially became a city on June 17, 1959.
A large marina for small boats opened in Des Moines in 1970. It is a major feature of the city. In 1980, a long fishing pier was built at the marina.
Some properties in the city have been bought by the government. This is because of noise from planes landing or taking off from the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. The airport is only about 2 miles north of Des Moines.
In 1982, Des Moines grew by adding the nearby community of Zenith. Zenith was a farming area that became home to many Boeing workers.
Where is Des Moines Located?
Des Moines is located at 47°24′6.36″N 122°19′27.44″W / 47.4017667°N 122.3242889°W.
The city covers about 7.4 square miles (19.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a smaller part being water.
Most of Des Moines gently slopes down towards Puget Sound. This means many homes have clear views of the sound and Vashon Island. The city also has deep valleys created by Des Moines Creek and Massey Creek.
People and Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 212 | — | |
| 1960 | 1,987 | — | |
| 1970 | 3,951 | 98.8% | |
| 1980 | 7,378 | 86.7% | |
| 1990 | 17,283 | 134.3% | |
| 2000 | 29,267 | 69.3% | |
| 2010 | 29,673 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 32,888 | 10.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 31,988 | 7.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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In 2022, there were about 12,369 households in Des Moines. The average household had about 2.57 people. The average income for a household was about $81,362. About 11.8% of the people in the city live below the poverty line.
Most adults in Des Moines have a high school diploma (88.6%). About 30.4% have a college degree or higher. The average age in the city is about 38.2 years old.
In 2020, the city had 32,888 people. About 49.4% of the population was White. About 12.2% were African American, and 12.7% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up about 17.7% of the population.
About 21.2% of residents were under 18 years old. About 17.0% were 65 years or older. The population was slightly more female (51.8%) than male (48.2%).
Schools and Learning
Most of Des Moines is part of the Highline Public Schools district. However, the Woodmont and Redondo neighborhoods are in the Federal Way School District.
Primary and Secondary Schools
Several elementary schools are located in Des Moines. These include Des Moines Elementary, Midway Elementary, and Woodmont Elementary.
The main middle school is Pacific Middle School. The high school for Des Moines is Mount Rainier High School.
There are also private schools for younger students. These include St. Philomena Catholic School and Holy Trinity Lutheran School.
Colleges
Highline College is located in Des Moines. It offers many different programs.
Central Washington University also has a branch campus in Des Moines. It is on the Highline College campus. This branch offers bachelor's and graduate degrees.
Parks and Fun Activities
Saltwater State Park is a great place to visit in Des Moines. It offers beaches, trails, and places for picnics.
Getting Around Des Moines
Des Moines has several major roads that help people travel. Interstate 5 is to the east and connects to Seattle and Tacoma. State Route 99 runs along the east side of the city. State Route 509 goes through downtown. State Route 516 connects to Kent.
King County Metro provides bus service in Des Moines. You can take buses to nearby areas like Burien and Kent. There's also a park-and-ride lot where you can catch express buses to Seattle and Tacoma.
The nearest Link light rail station is Angle Lake. A shuttle bus connects downtown Des Moines to this station. A new light rail station, the Kent Des Moines station, is planned to open near Highline College around 2024 or 2025.
In 2022, the city started a test ferry service. It connected the Des Moines Marina to downtown Seattle.
Important City Landmarks
The City of Des Moines has recognized these places as important landmarks:
| Landmark | Built | Listed | Address | Photo |
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| Des Moines Beach Park (formerly Covenant Beach Bible Camp) | 1917–1931 | 2005 | Cliff Ave. and 220th St. 47°24′26″N 122°19′43″W / 47.40722°N 122.32861°W |
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| WPA Park Buildings Des Moines Activity Center |
1939–1940 | 1984 | 220th St. and 11th Ave S. 47°24′18″N 122°19′25″W / 47.40500°N 122.32361°W |
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Famous People from Des Moines
- Gregory Carroll, a singer who performs in operas.
- Darwin Jones, a professional soccer player.
- Peter H. Gregory, an expert and writer on computer security.
See also
In Spanish: Des Moines (Washington) para niños
