Suncrest, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Suncrest, Washington
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Shopping center on WA-291 in Suncrest
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 Suncrest, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Stevens |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.86 sq mi (25.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,840 ft (560 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,413 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
99026
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2807191 |
Suncrest is a community in Stevens County, Washington, United States. It's called a census-designated place (CDP) because it's not an official city or town. Even so, Suncrest is the biggest community in Stevens County. In 2020, about 5,413 people lived there.
Suncrest is located along the Spokane River. It's about 9.7 miles northwest of the city of Spokane. Many people who live in Suncrest travel to Spokane for work or shopping. The community grew a lot starting in the mid-1980s. New neighborhoods, including gated communities, were built. State Route 291 is the main road through Suncrest. It connects the community to Spokane and other nearby areas.
Contents
History of Suncrest
Early Inhabitants and Settlements
For thousands of years, the Spokane people lived in this area. The Spokane River provided lots of salmon for them to eat. However, the salmon runs ended when Long Lake Dam was built in 1915. The dam did not have a way for fish to pass.
White settlers started living here in the early 1800s. In 1810, the North West Company built Spokane House. This was near where the Spokane River meets the Little Spokane River. It was the first lasting white settlement in what is now Washington state.
How Suncrest Grew
Modern Suncrest began in the mid-1960s as a new residential area. It grew very quickly starting in the 1980s. Over 1,000 homes were built in ten years, up to 1996. By then, Suncrest had more than 5,000 residents. This made it bigger than Colville, which is the county seat.
This fast growth caused problems for roads, especially SR-291. Suncrest had few services or jobs. So, most residents had to drive to Spokane for work and shopping. This situation was tricky because Suncrest is in Stevens County, but it relied on Spokane County. A Spokane planning director once said that Spokane residents helped support the lifestyle in Suncrest. Suncrest became a "bedroom community" for Spokane.
Development continued into the 2000s. More businesses and services were added to serve the community. This included shops, commercial buildings, and a new medical facility in 2007.
Geography of Suncrest
Where is Suncrest Located?
Suncrest is in the very southeast corner of Stevens County. The Spokane River forms the border between Stevens and Spokane Counties to the south. The county line also runs north-south just east of Suncrest.
The closest community is Nine Mile Falls. It is about 2.5 miles away directly, or 4.5 miles by road along State Route 291. The city limits of Spokane are about 9.7 miles southeast of Suncrest by road.
Land and Water Features
The Spokane River flows past Suncrest to the southeast. In this area, the river is called Long Lake because of the Long Lake Dam. Most of Suncrest is on a flat area of land. This flat land is about 3.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. It sits at an elevation of about 1,800 feet.
The land drops almost 300 feet down a steep bluff to the river. On the other side, rugged hills rise hundreds of feet. Lookout Mountain, just two miles east, is over 3,100 feet high. SR-291 runs along the edge of the flat area, away from the river. Most homes are between SR-291 and the river. However, many shops are on the other side of SR-291.
Houses are also built along the northern shore of Long Lake. The main road through Suncrest is State Highway 291.
Demographics of Suncrest
Who Lives in Suncrest?
In 2020, the Suncrest community had 5,413 residents. These people lived in 1,922 households. The Census Bureau estimated that in 2021:
- 94.6% of people were white.
- 1.2% were American Indian or Alaska Native.
- 1.0% were Asian.
- 3.2% were two or more races.
- 6.2% of people were Hispanic or Latino.
Community Life in Suncrest
Public Services for Residents
Suncrest is part of the Nine Mile Falls School District. There are three public schools right in the community:
- Lake Spokane Elementary
- Lakeside Middle School
- Lakeside High School
The Stevens County Fire District has a fire and EMS station in Suncrest. This station also hosts blood drives four times a year.
The Stevens County Rural Library District has been in Suncrest since 1996. The Lakeside branch in Suncrest is one of the district's larger libraries. It offers books, movies, CDs, and free internet access. The library is a key resource for many people. It serves as a community hub, a source for information, and a connection to the internet.
Shopping and Businesses
Suncrest is a shopping hub for people living in nearby rural areas. The community has the Suncrest Shopping Center and Suncrest Outpost. There is also a medical and dental center.
Between 2009 and 2010, over 20 new businesses opened in Suncrest. Rosauers Supermarkets opened a grocery store here in December 2014.
Fun and Recreation
This area is very popular for people who enjoy horseback riding. There are many trails for horses and bicycles. Suncrest is also close to Lake Spokane, also known as Long Lake. This makes it a great place for water sports like boating and fishing. Some newer neighborhoods in the area even offer free memberships to private recreation clubs for their residents.
