Midland, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Midland, Washington
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Location of Midland, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Pierce |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.04 sq mi (7.9 km2) |
| • Land | 3.04 sq mi (7.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 433 ft (132 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 9,962 |
| • Density | 3,280.2/sq mi (1,266.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| FIPS code | 53-45495 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512461 |
Midland is a community in Pierce County, Washington. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area with people living there that the government counts for the census. In 2020, about 9,962 people lived in Midland.
Contents
Geography of Midland
Midland is located at 47°10′17″N 122°24′40″W / 47.171510°N 122.411060°W. This is its exact spot on a map. The area covers about 3.04 square miles (7.9 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
History of Midland
The area now known as Midland was once called Puyallup Hill by early settlers. In 1855, two brothers, Ezra and Oliver Meeker, moved here. They claimed land next to each other. Their father, Jacob Meeker, had settled nearby in South Tacoma.
The Meeker brothers' land was a thick forest. It was so dense that they couldn't see their neighbors' homes. Even at night, the stars and moon were hidden by the tall trees.
Early Settlements and Changes
After a local conflict called the Indian War of 1855-56, Ezra Meeker decided to move. His brother Oliver also passed away. In 1862, Ezra moved to Puyallup. Years later, the Meeker family sold their land claims.
In 1888, the land was divided into lots with streets. This new area was called the Plat of Southeast Tacoma. One street, 97th Street E, was originally called Division Avenue. It marked the line between Ezra's and Oliver's old land claims. Many streets were named after U.S. presidents.
Railroads and Trolleys Arrive
In 1889, three railroad companies planned to come to the Midland area. This was a time when land prices were very high.
- Tacoma Puyallup Railway: This was a streetcar line started by Randolph Foster Radebaugh. It began as the Tacoma and Fern Hill Railway. Later, it was extended into Midland and towards Puyallup. People called it the Puyallup Hill Line or the Grapevine Line. This line was first powered by a steam engine. Later, it became electric.
- Tacoma Eastern Railroad: This railway was built by the Hart brothers. It helped their sawmill business. The line went into the forests around Midland. Over time, it was extended to towns like Ashford and Morton.
- Portland and Puget Sound Railroad: This railway was planned by the Union Pacific company. They tried to hide their identity to avoid raising land prices too much. However, the Union Pacific faced money problems. The plans for this line were stopped for a while. Later, the Union Pacific found other ways to reach the Puget Sound area.
How Midland Got Its Name
The name "Midland" first appeared in 1890 on a map called the Midland Townsite Plat. This map was created by the Olympic Land Company. The plat's northern border was 104th Street E.
Many people believe Midland was named because it was the midpoint of the old trolley line. The actual middle point of the line is near 97th Street E and Portland Avenue. This is about half a mile closer to Tacoma than where Midland Elementary School is today.
The Midland Townsite Plat was officially signed in April 1890. The trolley line was still being built then. Since the plat was close to the center of the new trolley line, it's very likely the planners named it "Midland" for its central location.
Population and People
In 2000, about 7,414 people lived in Midland. The area had about 2,841 households. A household is a group of people living together.
Diversity in Midland
Midland is home to a diverse group of people. In 2000, the population included:
- About 71% White
- About 8% African American
- About 2% Native American
- About 6% Asian
- About 1% Pacific Islander
- About 4% from other races
- About 7% from two or more races
About 9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Age Groups
The population in Midland is spread across different age groups:
- About 29% were under 18 years old.
- About 10% were between 18 and 24 years old.
- About 30% were between 25 and 44 years old.
- About 19% were between 45 and 64 years old.
- About 11% were 65 years or older.
The average age in Midland was 33 years old.
Education in Midland
Most of Midland is part of the Franklin Pierce School District. A smaller part of the community is in Tacoma Public Schools.
Schools in Franklin Pierce District
For students in the Franklin Pierce section of Midland, the elementary schools include:
- Midland Elementary
- Harvard Elementary
- Central Avenue Elementary (in Summit)
Middle school students go to Morris E. Ford Middle School. High school students attend Franklin Pierce High School (in Clover Creek).
Schools in Tacoma Public Schools
Students in the Tacoma Public Schools part of Midland attend:
- Larchmont Elementary School
- Baker Middle School
- Mt. Tahoma High School
See also
In Spanish: Midland (Washington) para niños
