Eatonville, Washington
Encyclopedia
Eatonville is a town in Pierce County, Washington
, United States
. The population was 2,758 at the 2010 census.
Area settlers and Indians were in need of goods, which "T.C." provided at his trading post. Supplies were carried by his stage from Spanaway over a rough trail through dense forest. In 1891, the settlers built the town's first school, which is still in use.
For years Eatonville was a waypoint for visitors to Mount Rainier
. In 1902, the Tacoma Eastern Railroad arrived, providing freight and passenger service and a vital link to Tacoma. Soon after the railroad's arrival, several small mills sprang up in the vicinity. In the 70's, the Wildlife park of Northwest Trek
was opened and it remains to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area, other than Mount Rainier itself.
Eatonville was officially incorporated on October 28, 1909, after the Eatonville Lumber Company brought in more people to work in its mill. The mill's closure in 1954 was a blow to the town, but community spirit and good schools have kept Eatonville alive and growing. Recently, the town became the home of a Concrete manufacturing plant, Nybo concrete.
History found at EatonvilleChamber.com, and comes directly from a Pierce County Landmark marker found at the intersection of Mashell Ave and Center St. in Eatonville, Washington.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,012 people, 748 households, and 542 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,176.4 people per square mile (454.3/km²). There were 805 housing units at an average density of 470.7 per square mile (181.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.35% White, 0.25% African American, 0.75% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.65% Pacific Islander, 2.24% from other races
, and 3.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.62% of the population.
There were 748 households out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples
living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,681, and the median income for a family was $50,733. Males had a median income of $41,950 versus $25,380 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,513. About 11.0% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,758 at the 2010 census.
History
For centuries, Indian people roamed the rivers and streams of the Eatonville area. Indian Henry was one of those who, in 1889, guided the town's founder, Thomas C. Van Eaton, from Mashell Prairie to the present site of Eatonville. It is said that upon arrival, Henry declared, "This good place. Not much snow."Area settlers and Indians were in need of goods, which "T.C." provided at his trading post. Supplies were carried by his stage from Spanaway over a rough trail through dense forest. In 1891, the settlers built the town's first school, which is still in use.
For years Eatonville was a waypoint for visitors to Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of . Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most...
. In 1902, the Tacoma Eastern Railroad arrived, providing freight and passenger service and a vital link to Tacoma. Soon after the railroad's arrival, several small mills sprang up in the vicinity. In the 70's, the Wildlife park of Northwest Trek
Northwest Trek
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a wildlife park located near the town of Eatonville, Washington, United States. Its primary feature is a tram tour which takes visitors through a free-range area....
was opened and it remains to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area, other than Mount Rainier itself.
Eatonville was officially incorporated on October 28, 1909, after the Eatonville Lumber Company brought in more people to work in its mill. The mill's closure in 1954 was a blow to the town, but community spirit and good schools have kept Eatonville alive and growing. Recently, the town became the home of a Concrete manufacturing plant, Nybo concrete.
History found at EatonvilleChamber.com, and comes directly from a Pierce County Landmark marker found at the intersection of Mashell Ave and Center St. in Eatonville, Washington.
Geography
Eatonville is located at 46°52′6"N 122°16′12"W (46.868253, -122.270065).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 town has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all of it land.
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 2,012 people, 748 households, and 542 families residing in the town. 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 1,176.4 people per square mile (454.3/km²). There were 805 housing units at an average density of 470.7 per square mile (181.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.35% White, 0.25% African American, 0.75% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.65% Pacific Islander, 2.24% 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 3.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.62% of the population.
There were 748 households out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% 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, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,681, and the median income for a family was $50,733. Males had a median income of $41,950 versus $25,380 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 town was $19,513. About 11.0% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.