Tukwila, Washington
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Tukwila (pronounced ) is a city located in King County, Washington, about 6 miles south of Seattle. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 17,181.
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Geography
WAMap-doton-Tukwila.png
Location of Tukwila, Washington
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.5 km² (9.1 mi²). 23.1 km² (8.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.65% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 17,181 people, 7,186 households, and 3,952 families residing in the city. The population density is 743.7/km² (1,927.0/mi²). There are 7,725 housing units at an average density of 334.4/km² (866.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 58.63% White, 12.79% African American, 1.30% Native American, 10.88% Asian, 1.82% Pacific Islander, 8.06% from other races, and 6.51% from two or more races. 13.56% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,186 households out of which 28.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% are married couples living together, 12.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 45.0% are non-families. 34.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 3.09.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 109.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 108.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $40,718, and the median income for a family is $42,442. Males have a median income of $35,525 versus $28,913 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,354. 12.7% of the population and 8.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Industry
Tukwila’s location at the crossroads of rivers, freeways and railroads has determined its destiny as a center of commerce. Southcenter Mall, Puget Sound's largest shopping complex, is located in Tukwila, as well as a number of Boeing corporation facilities. It is only 5 minutes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Approximately 45,000 people work in Tukwila every day, while only about 17,000 live there.
History
The earliest people in Tukwila were the Duwamish who made their homes along the Black and Duwamish Rivers. They named Tukwila for the lush forests of hazelnut trees which grew around them. The Duwamish lived in cedar longhouses, hunted and fished, picked wild berries and used the river for trade with neighboring peoples.
Early electric rail trains traveled along Interurban Avenue in Tukwila, connecting to Renton and a line to Tacoma. The Interurban Railroad operated a commuter line from 1902 to 1928, making it possible to travel from Seattle to Tacoma in less than an hour. The first Macadam paved road in Washington State was in Tukwila and bears the name of this new method of street paving. One of the earliest paved military roads is located in Tukwila.
Tukwila incorporated as a City in 1908.
External links
- City of Tukwila website (http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/)
- Tukwila School District (http://www.tukwila.wednet.edu/)