Puyallup (pronounced "pew-AL-up") is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. It is located about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Tacoma. Puyallup is also about 35 miles (56 km) south of Seattle. In 2020, the city had a population of 42,973 people.

The city's name comes from the Puyallup tribe of Native Americans. In their language, Lushootseed, it means "the generous people." Puyallup is famous for hosting the Washington State Fair. This is the largest yearly fair in Washington state. The city's name is also used for nearby areas that are not officially part of the city, like South Hill.

History of Puyallup

Ezra Meeker (bottom right) at the 1926 dedication of his statue in Pioneer Park.

The Puyallup Valley was first home to the Puyallup people. Their name for themselves, "spuyaləpabš," means "generous and welcoming behavior to all people." The first European settlers arrived in the 1850s. They were part of the first group to cross the Cascade Range mountains in 1853.

In 1877, a man named Ezra Meeker planned out a town. He named it Puyallup after the local Native American tribes. The town grew quickly in the 1880s. This was largely thanks to Meeker's hop farm. Hops are used to make beer. His farm brought a lot of money to Puyallup. The city officially became a town in 1890, and Ezra Meeker was its first mayor.

Around the year 1900, things changed. Nearby Tacoma grew, and new train lines connected the cities. The Western Washington Fairgrounds were built. This gave local farmers a place to show their crops and animals.

During World War II, the fairgrounds were used as a temporary camp. It was called Camp Harmony. More than 7,000 Japanese Americans were held there. Most of them were American citizens. They were later moved to other camps.

Geography and Nature

Puyallup is located along the Puyallup River. This river flows 45 miles (72 km) from Mount Rainier to Commencement Bay in Tacoma. The city is in the Puyallup Valley. This area is known for growing berries and daffodils. There is even an annual festival named after the daffodils.

The city has a total area of about 14 square miles (36 square km). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water from the river. Puyallup is surrounded by other communities. These include Sumner, Fife, and South Hill.

Puyallup is home to many animals. You can find birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Near the streams and the Puyallup River, you might see coho salmon, chinook salmon, and chum salmon. There are also birds, salamanders, frogs, osprey, ducks, river otters, and beavers.

Understanding Volcanic Risk

Puyallup is located in an area that could be affected by lahars. Lahars are fast-moving mudflows that can come from volcanoes. They can happen if Mount Rainier erupts. The city is downstream from Mount Rainier. This means it is in a path where lahars could flow. The entire Puyallup Valley was actually formed by a large mudflow 5,600 years ago.

To keep people safe, Pierce County has a warning system. It is called the Mount Rainier Volcano Lahar Warning System. This system was put in place in 1998. It includes sirens and signs for evacuation routes. The city and schools practice drills every year. These drills help prepare the community for a possible lahar. In March 2024, 45,000 people took part in the largest lahar evacuation drill ever.

What is the Climate Like?

Puyallup has a mild, wet climate. Winters are cool and rainy. Temperatures are usually in the 40s Fahrenheit (4-9 Celsius). Snowfall is rare, but it can happen a few days a year. Spring brings less rain and warmer temperatures. Summers are warm and dry, with highs often in the 70s Fahrenheit (21-26 Celsius). The warmest months are July and August. Most of the rain falls between October and March.

Population and People

Puyallup has grown a lot over the years. In 1870, there were only 312 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 42,973. The city is a diverse place. In 2010, most residents were White. There were also people of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander backgrounds. About 7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Puyallup in 2010 was about 36.8 years old. Many families live in the city. About 33% of households had children under 18.

Culture and Events

A modern building near Pioneer Park.

Art in the City

Since 1995, a group called Valley Arts United has helped bring public art to Puyallup. You can see many statues and artworks around the downtown area. There are about 32 permanent pieces, and new ones are added regularly.

Fun Events in Puyallup

Puyallup is one of the cities that hosts the yearly Daffodil Parade. This parade also takes place in Tacoma, Sumner, and Orting. Floats in the parade are covered in daffodils or have a daffodil theme. Car clubs, veteran groups, and businesses also join the parade.

The Puyallup Main Street Association runs a local farmers' market. It is open on Saturdays from April to October at Pioneer Park. You can find fresh produce, crafts, and live entertainment. This market is one of the biggest in the state. There is also a special holiday market in December.

The Washington State Fair

Puyallup is home to the famous Washington State Fair. This is one of the largest state fairs in the United States. Over one million people visit it every year. The fair usually runs for 21 days in September. There is also a smaller "Spring Fair" in April. The fairgrounds are used for other events throughout the year. The fair was called the "Puyallup Fair" until 2013. Its well-known slogan is "Do the Puyallup!"

Historic Places to See

Antique Shops

Puyallup is known for its many antiques stores. Many of them are located close together on Meridian, the main north-south street. Puyallup has a charming "old-fashioned" downtown shopping area.

Ezra Meeker's Mansion

Ezra Meeker Mansion in 2015.

The Ezra Meeker Mansion is a beautiful old house built around 1890. It was the home of Ezra Meeker, an early pioneer. He was known as the "Hop King" because of his successful hop farm. Later, he became famous for traveling the Oregon Trail again. He put up monuments to help remember its history. Today, the mansion is a museum. You can also rent it for events like weddings.

Karshner Memorial Museum

The Karshner Museum is a special teaching museum. It is owned and run by a school district. It helps students from kindergarten to 12th grade learn about history, art, and culture. The museum has real and replica artifacts. These are used to bring learning to life for students.

Parks and Outdoor Fun

Pioneer Park is a central spot in Puyallup. It has a public library, a playground, and walking paths. There is a bronze statue of Ezra Meeker in the park. A new public stage hosts free shows by local musicians. The Pierce County Foothills Trail also starts in southeast Puyallup. This trail is great for walking and biking.

Education in Puyallup

The Puyallup School District is large. It has 35 schools and serves over 22,534 students. It is the ninth-largest school district in Washington state. It includes parts of Puyallup, South Hill, and Tacoma.

Puyallup is also home to Pierce College Puyallup. This is a community college that opened in 1990. It is one of two main campuses for Pierce College.

Local News and Library

The Herald is the local newspaper for eastern Pierce County. It is published once a week on Wednesdays.

The Puyallup Public Library serves the city. It was started in 1913. Since 2002, it has been in its current building in Pioneer Park. It is not connected to the Tacoma Public Library or the Pierce County Library System.

Getting Around Puyallup

Puyallup is located where State Route 167 and State Route 512 meet. These highways provide easy access to other areas like Lakewood. The city also has Pierce Transit buses. The Sounder commuter rail stops at the Puyallup station. This train connects Puyallup to other cities.

The city is also close to the Pierce County Airport (KPLU). This is a small airport located in South Hill.

Famous People from Puyallup

Many notable people have connections to Puyallup, including:

Davey Armstrong, an Olympic boxer
Zach Banner, an American football player
Sergeant First Class Nathan Chapman, a soldier
Amber Cope, a NASCAR driver
Natasha Curry, a news anchor
Zach Davies, a Major League Baseball player
Brandon Gibson, an American football player
Nick Harmer, bassist for the band Death Cab for Cutie
Brock Huard, a sports talk show host and former football player
Megan Jendrick, an Olympic swimmer
Demetrious Johnson, a UFC fighter
Jon Lester, a Major League Baseball player
Chad Lindberg, an actor
Angela Ruch, a professional stockcar driver
Drew Rasmussen, a Major League Baseball player
Kelly Sullivan, an actress
Randy Tate, a former United States congressman
Soyeon Yi, a South Korean astronaut

Images for kids

East side of 100 block of S. Meridian; in foreground, an antique shop in a former J.C. Penney
Pioneer Park Pavilion

Puyallup, Washington facts for kids

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