Medical Lake, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Medical Lake
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The Historic Hallett House
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Location of Medical Lake, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Spokane |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.58 sq mi (9.3 km2) |
| • Land | 3.37 sq mi (8.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.21 sq mi (0.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,425 ft (739 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,874 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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5,016 |
| • Density | 1,488.43/sq mi (574.69/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
99022
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| Area code | 509 |
| FIPS code | 53-44690 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512452 |
Medical Lake is a small city in Spokane County, located in eastern Washington, United States. In 2020, about 4,874 people lived here. The city is home to a special hospital called Eastern State Hospital and a large military base, Fairchild Air Force Base. These two places are major employers for many people in Medical Lake.
Contents
History of Medical Lake
The city of Medical Lake officially became a city in 1890. It got its name from the nearby lake, which is also called Medical Lake.
Early Beliefs and Development
The Spokane people, a Native American tribe who lived in this area for a long time, believed the water and mud from Medical Lake had special healing powers.
In the 1870s, new settlers like Andrew Lefevre and Stanley Hallett moved to the area. They also promoted the idea that the lake's salts could be used for medicine. Because of this belief, an industry grew around making salt and soap from the lake. In the 1880s, commercial bath houses were built, where people could come and use the lake's waters for health. This was a time when many places with natural springs and spas became popular across the country.
Several resort hotels were built along the lake's edge for visitors. In 1891, the state built Eastern State Hospital here. This hospital helped the city's economy grow even more. This growth continued until the 1920s, when the lake became less popular as a place for tourists to visit.
Modern Growth and Challenges
The city's quiet period changed in the 1940s. This was when Fairchild Air Force Base was built nearby to help with the United States' efforts in World War II. The base brought many new people to Medical Lake. Today, the city's economy still relies a lot on Eastern State Hospital and Fairchild Air Force Base. Many people who live in Medical Lake also travel to work in the bigger city of Spokane, which has more types of jobs.
In August 2023, a large wildfire called the Gray Fire affected parts of the city. The fire burned a lot of land and many buildings in the area. People in Medical Lake and at Eastern State Hospital had to leave their homes for safety. Some nearby roads were also closed for several days.
Geography of Medical Lake
Medical Lake is located at coordinates 47.571384 degrees North and -117.683333 degrees West.
Land and Water
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of about 3.64 square miles (9.43 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.40 square miles (8.81 square kilometers), is land. The remaining 0.24 square miles (0.62 square kilometers) is water.
The city is located to the east of the lake it is named after. There are many other lakes close to Medical Lake, including West Medical Lake, Silver Lake, and Clear Lake. You can also find several smaller lakes and ponds south of the city. Driving from downtown Spokane to Medical Lake takes about 16 miles (26 kilometers). You can get there by taking Interstate 90 and then Washington State Route 902, which goes through the city. Eastern State Hospital is located across the lake to the west. Fairchild Air Force Base is right to the north of the city.
Geological Features
Geologically, Medical Lake sits on top of old basalt rock formations. These rocks were heavily shaped by huge floods at the end of the last Ice Age, called the Missoula Floods. Because of these floods, the city and its surrounding areas are part of a unique landscape known as the Channeled Scablands.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 617 | — | |
| 1900 | 516 | −16.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,730 | 235.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,254 | −27.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,671 | 33.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,114 | 26.5% | |
| 1950 | 4,488 | 112.3% | |
| 1960 | 4,765 | 6.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,529 | −25.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,600 | 2.0% | |
| 1990 | 3,664 | 1.8% | |
| 2000 | 3,758 | 2.6% | |
| 2010 | 5,060 | 34.6% | |
| 2020 | 4,874 | −3.7% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 5,016 | −0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2015 Estimate |
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2010 Census Information
According to the 2010 census, there were 5,060 people living in Medical Lake. These people lived in 1,707 households, and 1,169 of these were families. The city had about 1,488 people per square mile (574 people per square kilometer). There were 1,835 housing units, which are homes or apartments.
Most of the people in the city, about 88.0%, were White. Other groups included African American (2.3%), Native American (1.6%), and Asian (2.0%). About 5.7% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Out of the 1,707 households, 37.7% had children under 18 living with them. About 51.0% were married couples living together. The average household had 2.55 people, and the average family had 3.05 people.
The average age of people in the city was 36.8 years old. About 23.5% of residents were under 18. About 10% were 65 years old or older. The population was almost evenly split between males and females.
Law Enforcement Services
The city of Medical Lake gets its law enforcement services from the Spokane County Sheriff's Department. This means that the county's police officers help keep the peace in Medical Lake. The city used to have its own police department, but it closed in 2009. This happened because the city did not have enough money to keep it running.
Culture and Events
Medical Lake has some fun traditions and events for its residents.
- Founders Day Parade: Every year on June 15, the city holds a special parade called the Founders Day Parade. This event celebrates the anniversary of the town's founding and is a full day of activities.
- Winter Festival: During the colder months, Medical Lake hosts an annual winter festival. This event features many exciting activities, including petting reindeer and watching fireworks. It is also an all-day event for everyone to enjoy.
Education in Medical Lake
The city of Medical Lake provides education for students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. There are three public schools in the city. The Medical Lake School District (#326) serves both the city of Medical Lake and the nearby Fairchild Air Force Base.
Images for kids
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Welcome to Medical Lake sign
See also
In Spanish: Medical Lake (Washington) para niños
