Ruston, Washington
Encyclopedia
Ruston is a town in Pierce County, Washington
, United States. The population was 749 at the 2010 census.
Although it is nearly indistinguishable from the adjacent city of Tacoma
, the predominantly residential area still retains its status as a separate municipality long after it ceased to be a company town
.
and all other sides the city of Tacoma
. The primary industry for decades was the ASARCO
copper smelting plant on the waterfront. The smelter and its landmark smokestack have been gone for years, and a massive Superfund
cleanup at the former site has been underway since the early 1990s. This area has been renamed Point Ruston as construction on a large residential and commercial development has commenced which could add over 1,000 residents to the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²), all of it land.
, and 3.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.79% of the population.
There were 330 households out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the age distribution of the population shows 20.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $48,393, and the median income for a family was $54,167. Males had a median income of $36,932 versus $36,042 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $22,565. About 7.7% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 5.1% 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. The population was 749 at the 2010 census.
Although it is nearly indistinguishable from the adjacent city of 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 predominantly residential area still retains its status as a separate municipality long after it ceased to be a company town
Company town
A company town is a town or city in which much or all real estate, buildings , utilities, hospitals, small businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations, and other necessities or luxuries of life within its borders are owned by a single company...
.
History
In 1890 industrialist W.R. Rust established Tacoma Smelting & Refining Company and a company town for his employees, naming the place "Smelter". On October 22, 1906, residents voted to change to the name to Ruston, in honor of Mr. Rust. Ruston was officially incorporated on November 10, 1906. It is surrounded on one side by Commencement BayCommencement Bay
Commencement Bay is a bay of Puget Sound in the U.S. state of Washington. The city of Tacoma is located on the bay, with the Port of Tacoma occupying the southeastern end. A line drawn from Point Defiance in the southwest to Browns Point in the northeast serves to mark the generally accepted...
and all other sides the city of 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 primary industry for decades was the ASARCO
ASARCO
ASARCO LLC is a mining, smelting, and refining company based in Tucson, Arizona that mines and processes primarily copper. The company, a subsidiary of Grupo México, is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy...
copper smelting plant on the waterfront. The smelter and its landmark smokestack have been gone for years, and a massive Superfund
Superfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
cleanup at the former site has been underway since the early 1990s. This area has been renamed Point Ruston as construction on a large residential and commercial development has commenced which could add over 1,000 residents to the city.
Geography
Ruston is located at 47°17′49"N 122°30′38"W (47.296906, -122.510513).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 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 738 people, 330 households, and 185 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,879.9 people per square mile (1,095.9/km²). There were 355 housing units at an average density of 1,385.3 per square mile (527.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.26% White, 2.57% African American, 2.98% Native American, 2.30% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other racesRace (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 3.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.79% of the population.
There were 330 households out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the age distribution of the population shows 20.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $48,393, and the median income for a family was $54,167. Males had a median income of $36,932 versus $36,042 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 $22,565. About 7.7% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.