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Mabton, Washington facts for kids

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Mabton
Main Street
Main Street
Location of Mabton, Washington
Location of Mabton, Washington
Country United States
State Washington
County Yakima
Incorporated November 7, 1905
Government
 • Type Mayor–council
Area
 • Total 0.82 sq mi (2.13 km2)
 • Land 0.82 sq mi (2.13 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
715 ft (218 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,959
 • Estimate 
(2021)
1,948
 • Density 2,752.43/sq mi (1,062.70/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98935
Area code 509
FIPS code 53-40980
GNIS feature ID 1512417

Mabton is a city located in Yakima County, Washington, United States. In 2020, about 1,959 people lived there. The city was officially started in the early 1900s. It is found on the eastern edge of the Yakama Indian Reservation.

Mabton's History: How the City Began

The land where Mabton is now was first home to the Yakama people. They were moved to a special area called a reservation in 1855. Mabton became a town because of the Northern Pacific Railway. The railway arrived around 1884 and built a water tower and a small house for workers.

Early Development and Naming Mabton

Nothing else was in Mabton until 1892. That year, Sam P. Flower built a store and a warehouse. He also became the town's first postmaster, which meant he was in charge of the mail.

The name "Mabton" came from Charlie Sandburg, a Swedish railway worker. He suggested "Mabletown" after the wife or daughter of a railway official. This official had been kind to the track workers during an inspection.

Growth and Official Incorporation

By 1895, Mabton was growing. It had several stores, a hotel, a train station, and a school. The Mabton Townsite Company, started by Sam P. Flower and J.A. Humphrey, officially mapped out the town in 1902. By 1904, Mabton had more than a dozen businesses and its own newspaper. The town of Mabton officially became a city on November 7, 1905.

Today, most people in Mabton work in farming. They especially focus on growing hops, which are used to make beer, and grapes.

Supporting Education in Mabton

The Mabton School District has received help from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation many times. This help has improved education for students:

  • From 2000 to 2005, they received $558,000. This money helped students get better access to computers and other technology.
  • In 2001, Mabton High School was chosen for the Washington State Achievers Program. The school got a share of over $9 million to make school better. Students also got over $100 million for college scholarships.
  • From 2001 to 2006, over $40,000 helped improve high school education. It also made it easier for students to go to college.
  • From 2001 to 2004, over $125,000 supported training programs for teachers. This was done with Heritage College.

A Noteworthy Event Near Mabton

On December 23, 2003, a small ranch near Mabton was where the first confirmed case of a specific animal health issue was found in the United States. It was later confirmed that the animal had come from Canada.

Mabton's Location and Surroundings

Mabton is located at the eastern end of the Yakama Indian Reservation. It is south of the Yakima River. Nearby cities include Sunnyside and Grandview. The city covers about 0.80 square miles (2.1 square kilometers) of land.

Mabton's Population Over Time

Historical population
Census Pop.
1910 666
1920 547 −17.9%
1930 423 −22.7%
1940 485 14.7%
1950 831 71.3%
1960 958 15.3%
1970 926 −3.3%
1980 1,248 34.8%
1990 1,482 18.8%
2000 1,891 27.6%
2010 2,286 20.9%
2020 1,959 −14.3%
2021 (est.) 1,948 −14.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
2020 Census

What the 2010 Census Showed

In 2010, there were 2,286 people living in Mabton. There were 528 households, with most being families. The city had about 2,857 people per square mile.

Many different groups of people live in Mabton. About 91.9% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Most households (69.1%) had children under 18 living there. The average household had about 4.31 people. The average age in Mabton was 23.6 years old. About 39.4% of residents were under 18.

Learning and Libraries in Mabton

Mabton has a city library that is open several afternoons and evenings each week. It has over 5,000 hardcover books and more than 2,000 paperback books. The library also has 26 different magazines. Many of the books and magazines are available in Spanish.

Famous People from Mabton

  • Rachel Ruelas: She is the current mayor of Mabton.
  • Mel Stottlemyre: He was a famous baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees. He won 164 games for them from 1964 to 1974. He had three seasons where he won 20 games or more. His son, Mel Stottlemyre Jr., is also a pitching coach for the Miami Marlins.

See also

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

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