Enumclaw, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Enumclaw
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| City of Enumclaw | ||
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Aerial view of Enumclaw
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Location of Enumclaw within King County, Washington
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Washington | |
| County | King | |
| Platted | October 31, 1885 | |
| Incorporated | January 27, 1913 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor–council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 5.17 sq mi (13.40 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.17 sq mi (13.40 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 761 ft (232 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 12,543 | |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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12,721 | |
| • Density | 2,356.92/sq mi (910.02/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) | |
| ZIP code |
98022
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| Area code(s) | 360 | |
| FIPS code | 53-22045 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1519366 | |
Enumclaw (pronounced EE-nəm-klaw) is a city in King County, Washington, United States. About 12,500 people lived there in 2020. The city sits on the Enumclaw Plateau. This area was formed by a volcanic mudflow from Mount Rainier about 5,700 years ago.
Contents
History of Enumclaw
One of the first European settlers in south King County was Allen L. Porter. In 1853, he claimed land near the White River. He had some problems with the local Smalkamish tribe, who are ancestors of the Muckleshoot tribe. In 1855, his cabin was burned down. Porter had been warned by a friend from the tribe. He hid in the woods and later left the area.
Enumclaw itself was settled in 1879 by Frank and Mary Stevenson. In 1885, the Northern Pacific Railroad built its main line through the area. The Stevensons offered them clear, flat land for a train siding. Believing the area would grow, the Stevensons officially mapped out the town that same year. They built a hotel and gave away land for a saloon and a general store.
At first, people called the town 'Stevensonville' after the founders. But the Stevensons did not want this honor. A resident suggested 'Enumclaw,' which was the name of a unique hill north of town. The name was unusual and soon became popular with the locals.
On January 11, 1895, Mount Baldy, a small peak nearby, seemed to "erupt" with fire and smoke. No damage was reported, and residents quickly put out the fires. In the 1880s and 1890s, farmers grew hops in the area. When the hops crop failed, people started dairy farming. This has been a main activity ever since. The first official count in 1900 showed 483 people living in Enumclaw.
In the 1890s, the Northern Pacific Railroad changed its route to go through Palmer. In 1910, another railroad, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, built a line through Enumclaw. The city officially became a city on January 27, 1913. In 1929, a new road to Eastern Washington opened across the Naches Pass Highway. In the 1950s, the Enumclaw Insurance Group grew a lot. Its main office became a major employer in the town.
Geography and Landscape
Enumclaw is located at 47°12′9″N 121°59′39″W / 47.20250°N 121.99417°W. The city is in the middle of flat farmlands and dairy farms. This flat land, surrounded by mountains, was created by an ancient mudflow from nearby Mount Rainier.
Enumclaw is unique because it is surrounded by protected farmlands on three sides. To the east are protected forestlands. The city is nestled right against the Cascade foothills. The city covers about 4.27 square miles (11.06 square kilometers) of land. While Enumclaw is mostly in King County, it owns some park land in Pierce County.
Economy and Local Businesses
Unlike many towns with large chain stores, Enumclaw has chosen a different path. Its downtown area is full of small local shops and unique restaurants. Several companies have major offices in the city, including Helac, Nor-Pac Seating, Nether Industries, and Hill AeroSystems.
Because Enumclaw is a bit remote, it has become a popular place for people to work from home. They can enjoy country life with many conveniences. The average home value is around $753,000. Many professionals, firefighters, police officers, and ski or hiking lovers have moved to Enumclaw. The city has the most "Grade A" dairy farms (16) in the King and Pierce County area. Enumclaw celebrates its strong ties to farming. You can find many farm stands and a Farmers Market from spring to fall. Many restaurants also offer "Farm to Fork" food.
Fun Things to Do in Enumclaw
Enumclaw is known as the gateway to Mount Rainier National Park and the Crystal Mountain ski area. It is located along the Chinook Scenic Byway (SR 410). This road offers seasonal access to the Yakima Valley and Eastern Washington.
Enumclaw has four state parks nearby: Nolte, Flaming Geyser, Kanaskat Palmer, and Federation Forest. The Thunder Dome Car Museum chose Enumclaw to build a large museum for vintage cars. Enumclaw has become a great place for people who want to ski at Crystal or hike Mount Rainier during the day and enjoy the town at night.
Enumclaw is famous for several events:
- The King County Fair (the oldest county fair west of the Mississippi River).
- The Scottish Highland Games.
- The AKC dog show (one of the largest in the nation).
- Sundays on Cole festival, held every Sunday during the summer.
- The huge Sidewalk Street Fair in the third week of July.
Enumclaw is also working with King County to finish a bike trail and bridge. This will connect Enumclaw to Puyallup with 23 miles of trail.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 483 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,129 | 133.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,378 | 22.1% | |
| 1930 | 2,084 | 51.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,627 | 26.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,789 | 6.2% | |
| 1960 | 3,269 | 17.2% | |
| 1970 | 4,703 | 43.9% | |
| 1980 | 5,427 | 15.4% | |
| 1990 | 7,227 | 33.2% | |
| 2000 | 11,116 | 53.8% | |
| 2010 | 10,669 | −4.0% | |
| 2020 | 12,543 | 17.6% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 12,721 | 19.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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In 2020, there were 12,543 people living in Enumclaw. There were 5,191 households. In 2010, about 91.8% of the people were White. About 6.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino. The average age in the city was 38.9 years. About 24.5% of residents were under 18 years old.
Media and News
The town has its own newspaper called the Courier-Herald. Enumclaw is also home to KGRG (1330 AM). This is a college radio station operated by Green River Community College in Auburn.
Parks and Recreation
The Enumclaw Expo Center hosts many events each year. These include the King County Fair and the Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games. The Olympic Kennel Club holds one of the largest dog shows in the nation there every August. This 72-acre (29 hectare) facility has many areas. These areas can be rented for weddings, trade shows, and other special events.
Education in Enumclaw
The Enumclaw School District manages public schools for students in Enumclaw and nearby areas.
- Elementary schools include Black Diamond, Byron Kibler, Southwood, Sunrise, and Westwood.
- Some parts of Enumclaw go to Enumclaw Middle School. Other parts go to Thunder Mountain Middle School.
- All high school students in Enumclaw attend Enumclaw High School.
- Green River Community College also has a campus in Enumclaw.
Famous People from Enumclaw
- T.R. Bryden, a baseball player who pitched for the California Angels.
- Chase Hooper, a UFC fighter. He was the youngest fighter to sign with the UFC.
- Jeff Hougland, a UFC fighter and founder of Combat Sport and Fitness.
- Kasey Kahne, a former NASCAR Cup Series driver.
- Richard Kovacevich, former chairman of Wells Fargo & Company.
- Swen Nater, a retired Dutch professional basketball player.
- Brian Scalabrine, a retired basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls.
- Tony Tost, a poet and screenwriter.
See also
In Spanish: Enumclaw (Washington) para niños
