Hilltop, Tacoma, Washington facts for kids

The Hilltop Neighborhood is a really interesting and diverse part of Tacoma, Washington. It's located right in the middle of the city. Hilltop gets its name because it sits on a high bluff, which is like a big hill, overlooking Commencement Bay and the Port of Tacoma. From here, you can get some amazing views!

A great view from Tacoma's Hilltop

The Johnson Candy Company in Tacoma's Hilltop Neighborhood

Where is Hilltop Located?

The Hilltop neighborhood has clear boundaries. On the east, it's bordered by Tacoma Avenue South. To the north, you'll find Division Avenue. Sprague Avenue is on its west side, and the southern edge is roughly around South 27th Street.

What's Nearby?

Hilltop is close to many important places. You'll find the main branch of the Tacoma Public Library and Bates Technical College nearby. The Pierce County Courthouse and a new correctional facility are also on its east side. Right next to Hilltop is the Stadium District, which is known for being a bit more fancy.

Getting Around Hilltop

Soon, it will be even easier to travel through Hilltop! Sound Transit is building a new streetcar line along Martin Luther King Jr. Way. This new line will connect to the existing Tacoma Link in Downtown Tacoma, making it simple to get to other parts of the city. It's planned to be ready by 2022.

Jobs and Healthcare

Hilltop is a very important place for healthcare in Tacoma. It's home to several major hospitals and medical centers, often called the 'Medical Mile'.

• MultiCare Health System Tacoma General Hospital
• Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (a hospital just for kids!)
• CHI Franciscan Health St. Joseph Medical Center
• Kaiser Permanente Tacoma Medical Center

In 2013, a big new health facility called the Hilltop Regional Health Facility also opened here. These medical centers provide many jobs and help lots of people.

Schools and Learning

Education is a big part of the Hilltop community.

• Elementary Schools: Three elementary schools serve the neighborhood: McCarver Elementary, Stanley Elementary, and Bryant Montessori. All of these are part of Tacoma Public Schools.
• Charter School: SOAR Academy, a public K-8 Charter School, is also located in Hilltop.
• Colleges: For older students, The Evergreen State College has a campus right in the Hilltop neighborhood. The downtown campus of Bates Technical College is also very close, right on the border of Hilltop and downtown.

People of Hilltop

Hilltop is known for being a very diverse neighborhood, meaning people from many different backgrounds live there. The population is about 12,000 people.

• About 41% of residents are White.
• Around 30% are Black or African-American.
• About 12% are Asian.
• Smaller groups include Native American, Pacific Islander, and people from other races or mixed races.
• About 7% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

This mix of cultures makes Hilltop a vibrant and interesting place to live!

A brick apartment building on South J Street in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood

Beautiful historic Victorian homes on South J Street, sometimes called Doctor's Row

Modern townhomes in the McCarver area of Tacoma's Hilltop

Neighbors Park, a small and friendly park in Hilltop

The Name "Hilltop"

For a while, some parts of Hilltop were called the "Upper Tacoma Business District." But in 2011, the community decided to bring back the original and well-loved name, "Hilltop." The Hilltop Business Association, a group that helps local businesses, worked hard to make sure the name "Hilltop" was used everywhere again, even putting up new banners along Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Historic Buildings

Hilltop is also home to some cool old buildings.

• Engine House No. 4: This old fire station, located at 220-224 E. 26th St., was built way back in 1911. It's so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, which means it's recognized as a special historic site.