Des Moines, Washington
Encyclopedia
Des Moines is a city in King County
, Washington, United States
. The population was 29,673 at the 2010 census. Property within the city has been the subject of land buyouts because of noise from aircraft landing or taking off from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
two miles (about 3.2 km) to the north of Des Moines.
Des Moines is located on the east shore of Puget Sound
, approximately halfway between the major cities of Seattle
and Tacoma
. The city is bordered by the suburbs of Federal Way
to the south, Kent
to the east, Sea-Tac
to the northeast, Burien
to the north, and Normandy Park
to the northwest. It is one of the few points along this shoreline where the topography facilitates access to the water, and a recreational marina operated by the city, with moorage, boat launching and pier fishing facilities, is located there. Forested Saltwater State Park
on a steep ravine between the Zenith and Woodmont neighborhoods is the most-used State Park on the Sound. Near the border of Federal Way, Redondo Beach
has a board-walk complete with a Salty's restaurant and a pay parking lot.
Indian tribes came to Des Moines for fishing and clamming.
What was to become Des Moines was first sighted by Europeans on May 26, 1792 during the exploration of British naval Captain George Vancouver
on his flagship HMS Discovery
. The first Americans to visit the area were part of Charles Wilkes
' Expedition.
The first known settler was John Moore who probably arrived about 1867. His homestead
claim certificate (#285) was granted on July 2, 1872.
In 1887 F.A. Blasher persuaded some friends in his home city of Des Moines, Iowa
, to help finance the development of town on Puget Sound. The work was done by the Des Moines Improvement Company. In 1889 the area was platted into lots and sold by the Des Moines Improvement Company, which had been incorporated by F. A. Blasher, Orin Watts Barlow, Charles M. Johnson, and John W. Kleeb. Lumber mills provided the community with its primary employment.
Early transportation to Des Moines was by water. The Mosquito Fleet
provided access to Seattle
, Tacoma
, and Vashon Island
. The first road, the Brick Highway, was completed in May 1916. The first cross-Puget Sound
automobile ferry started service from Des Moines to Portage
on November 13, 1916. This ferry service continued until September 1921. Before World War II
farming fueled the local economy.
Following the war, suburbanization of the community occurred. With increased population, the county government was unable to supply the level of service and local control desired by Des Moines residents. In response to this, Des Moines was officially incorporated on June 17, 1959.
The city's most visible asset is its 838-berth small boat marina that was opened on May 10, 1970. In 1980, a 670 foot concrete and aluminum fishing pier was built at the north end of the marina.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.4 km²), all of it land.
Most of the city rolls gently down to the waters of Puget Sound
from an elevation of about 400 ft along the eastern city boundary on Pacific Highway, allowing many homes to enjoy an unobstructed view of the sound and Vashon Island
. The ravines of Des Moines Creek and Massey Creek deeply incise this broad slope.
of 2000, there were 29,267 people, 11,337 households, and 7,289 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,616.5 people per square mile (1,782.3/km²). There were 11,777 housing units at an average density of 1,857.7 per square mile (717.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.15% White, 7.20% African American, 0.96% Native American, 8.28% Asian, 1.34% Pacific Islander, 3.32% from other races
, and 4.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.61% of the population.
There were 11,337 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples
living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,971, and the median income for a family was $57,003. Males had a median income of $40,007 versus $30,553 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $24,127. About 5.6% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
Most of Des Moines is within the Highline Public Schools
district; the neighborhoods of Woodmont and Redondo are within the Federal Way School District
.
Elementary schools within Des Moines include Des Moines Elementary School, Midway Elementary School, North Hill Elementary School, Olympic Hill Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, and Woodmont Elementary School (Woodmont is a part of the Federal Way School District
).
Pacific Middle School, Aviation High School, and Mount Rainier High School
are the secondary schools of Des Moines.
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 29,673 at the 2010 census. Property within the city has been the subject of land buyouts because of noise from aircraft landing or taking off from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
The Seattle–Tacoma International Airport , also known as Sea–Tac Airport or Sea–Tac , is an American airport located in SeaTac, Washington, at the intersections of State Routes 99 and 509 and 518, about west of Interstate 5...
two miles (about 3.2 km) to the north of Des Moines.
Des Moines is located on the east shore of Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
, approximately halfway between the major cities of Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
and Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
. The city is bordered by the suburbs of Federal Way
Federal Way, Washington
Federal Way is a city in King County, Washington, United States. Federal Way is located between Seattle and Tacoma. Its western boundary is Puget Sound. It is bordered by Des Moines on the north, Kent, unincorporated King County, and Milton on the east and Tacoma and Fife on the south...
to the south, Kent
Kent, Washington
Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States, and is the third largest city in King County and the sixth largest in the state. An outlying suburb of Seattle, Kent is also the corporate home for companies such as REI and Oberto Sausage...
to the east, Sea-Tac
SeaTac, Washington
SeaTac is an American city in southern King County, Washington, and an outlying suburb of Seattle, Washington. Incorporated in February 1990, the City of SeaTac is ten square miles in area and has a population of 26,909 according to the 2010 census...
to the northeast, Burien
Burien, Washington
Burien is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located south of Seattle. As of the 2010 Census, Burien's population is 33,313, which is a 2.9% increase since incorporation. Annexation in 2011 has increased the cities population to about 45,000....
to the north, and Normandy Park
Normandy Park, Washington
Normandy Park is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,335 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, Normandy Park ranks 26th of 522 areas in the state of Washington.-History:...
to the northwest. It is one of the few points along this shoreline where the topography facilitates access to the water, and a recreational marina operated by the city, with moorage, boat launching and pier fishing facilities, is located there. Forested Saltwater State Park
Saltwater State Park
Saltwater State Park is a plot of second-growth timber on Puget Sound in the City of Des Moines, Washington, United States halfway between Seattle and Tacoma. The main attraction is of saltwater beachfront, including a sandy swimming beach in the southwest corner, and rocky tideflats along the...
on a steep ravine between the Zenith and Woodmont neighborhoods is the most-used State Park on the Sound. Near the border of Federal Way, Redondo Beach
Redondo, Des Moines, Washington
Redondo is a community within the incorporated boundaries of the city of Des Moines near the border of Federal Way in King County, Washington. Redondo was initially founded as a resort, but gradually grew to be a middle-class residential community...
has a board-walk complete with a Salty's restaurant and a pay parking lot.
History
There is no evidence that Indian tribes had permanent settlements in Des Moines. However, there is ample evidence that the Duwamish and MuckleshootMuckleshoot
The Muckleshoot are a Lushootseed Native American tribe, part of the Coast Salish peoples of the Pacific Northwest whose traditional territory and reservations is located in the area of Auburn, Washington, between Seattle and Tacoma...
Indian tribes came to Des Moines for fishing and clamming.
What was to become Des Moines was first sighted by Europeans on May 26, 1792 during the exploration of British naval Captain George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver RN was an English officer of the British Royal Navy, best known for his 1791-95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon...
on his flagship HMS Discovery
HMS Discovery (1789)
HMS Discovery was a Royal Navy ship launched in 1789 and best known as the lead ship in George Vancouver's exploration of the west coast of North America in his famous 1791-1795 expedition. She was converted to a bomb vessel in 1798 and participated in the Battle of Copenhagen. Thereafter she...
. The first Americans to visit the area were part of Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...
' Expedition.
The first known settler was John Moore who probably arrived about 1867. His homestead
Homestead Act
A homestead act is one of three United States federal laws that gave an applicant freehold title to an area called a "homestead" – typically 160 acres of undeveloped federal land west of the Mississippi River....
claim certificate (#285) was granted on July 2, 1872.
In 1887 F.A. Blasher persuaded some friends in his home city of Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, to help finance the development of town on Puget Sound. The work was done by the Des Moines Improvement Company. In 1889 the area was platted into lots and sold by the Des Moines Improvement Company, which had been incorporated by F. A. Blasher, Orin Watts Barlow, Charles M. Johnson, and John W. Kleeb. Lumber mills provided the community with its primary employment.
Early transportation to Des Moines was by water. The Mosquito Fleet
Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet
The Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet was a large number of private transportation companies running smaller passenger and freight boats on Puget Sound and nearby waterways and rivers. This large group of steamers and sternwheelers plied the waters of Puget Sound, stopping at every waterfront dock...
provided access to Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, and Vashon Island
Vashon Island
Vashon is a census-designated place in King County, Washington, United States. It covers an island alternately called Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet. The population was 10,624 at the 2010 census. At , it is about 60 percent larger...
. The first road, the Brick Highway, was completed in May 1916. The first cross-Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
automobile ferry started service from Des Moines to Portage
Portage, Washington
Portage is an unincorporated community in King County, Washington, United States. It is located on a man-made isthmus between Maury Island and Vashon Island....
on November 13, 1916. This ferry service continued until September 1921. Before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
farming fueled the local economy.
Following the war, suburbanization of the community occurred. With increased population, the county government was unable to supply the level of service and local control desired by Des Moines residents. In response to this, Des Moines was officially incorporated on June 17, 1959.
The city's most visible asset is its 838-berth small boat marina that was opened on May 10, 1970. In 1980, a 670 foot concrete and aluminum fishing pier was built at the north end of the marina.
Geography
Des Moines is located at 47°23′39"N 122°19′5"W (47.394120, -122.317983).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.4 km²), all of it land.
Most of the city rolls gently down to the waters of Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
from an elevation of about 400 ft along the eastern city boundary on Pacific Highway, allowing many homes to enjoy an unobstructed view of the sound and Vashon Island
Vashon Island
Vashon is a census-designated place in King County, Washington, United States. It covers an island alternately called Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet. The population was 10,624 at the 2010 census. At , it is about 60 percent larger...
. The ravines of Des Moines Creek and Massey Creek deeply incise this broad slope.
Surrounding cities
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 29,267 people, 11,337 households, and 7,289 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,616.5 people per square mile (1,782.3/km²). There were 11,777 housing units at an average density of 1,857.7 per square mile (717.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.15% White, 7.20% African American, 0.96% Native American, 8.28% Asian, 1.34% Pacific Islander, 3.32% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.61% of the population.
There were 11,337 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,971, and the median income for a family was $57,003. Males had a median income of $40,007 versus $30,553 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $24,127. About 5.6% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
Primary and secondary schools
Highline Public Schools
Highline Public Schools is a public school system in Washington, headquartered in Burien. As of October 2007, it serves 17,331 students and has 997 teachers...
district; the neighborhoods of Woodmont and Redondo are within the Federal Way School District
Federal Way School District
Federal Way Public Schools is a school district covering all of Federal Way, Washington and portions of Kent, Des Moines, and unincorporated county land between the city and Auburn, totaling 35 square miles . There are 37 schools in the district...
.
Elementary schools within Des Moines include Des Moines Elementary School, Midway Elementary School, North Hill Elementary School, Olympic Hill Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, and Woodmont Elementary School (Woodmont is a part of the Federal Way School District
Federal Way School District
Federal Way Public Schools is a school district covering all of Federal Way, Washington and portions of Kent, Des Moines, and unincorporated county land between the city and Auburn, totaling 35 square miles . There are 37 schools in the district...
).
Pacific Middle School, Aviation High School, and Mount Rainier High School
Mount Rainier High School
Mount Rainier High School is a secondary school in Des Moines, Washington, United States; named for Mount Rainier which can be seen quite well from the school on a clear day, Mount Rainier serves approximately 1572 students and has been active since 1957. It was created to handle the overflow from...
are the secondary schools of Des Moines.
City landmarks
The City of Des Moines has designated the following landmark:| Landmark | Built | Listed | Address | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Beach Park (the former Covenant Beach Bible Camp) | 1917–1931 | 2005 | Cliff Ave. and 220th St. 47°24′26"N 122°19′43"W |
 |