Kent, WA

Kent, Washington, is a growing city located 18 miles south of Seattle and 18 miles north of Tacoma. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2006 the city was home to an estimated 84,000 people. In 2007, the city was ranked number one in Seattle Metropolitan magazine's list of best places to live.

Kent is the second-oldest community in King County, after Seattle. It was incorporated in 1890 as a small agricultural town. Hops and lettuce were among the first major crops. Flooding occurred almost annually in the Kent Valley along the Green and White rivers until 1963, when the Howard Hanson Dam was completed. Newly-protected from floods, new industries moved into the valley floor, and Kent was soon known as a major distribution center.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Since the 1960s, Kent has been a center of industrial production. A push is currently underway to create new jobs in the city, by making it a center of regional banking and international commerce. City leaders also hope to expand the employment base by bringing in additional King County government offices.

Among the largest employers in Kent are:

• Boeing Company
• Kent School District
• Valley Medical Center
• Moss Adams LLP
• Food Services of America

The ShoWare Center is Kent's new events center, built to attract visitors from across the region and give the city an economic boost. The building seats up to 7,300 people and is home to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. It hosts numerous events each year, including concerts, trade shows, and conferences. The building was designed and built to meet strict environmental standards.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

On average, residents of Kent tend to be better educated and wealthier than the average American. The community places a strong emphasis on quality neighborhood schools. Kent is also a racially and ethnically diverse city. A sizeable percentage of the city's population is comprised of immigrants from Asia, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Norway.

Kent is made up of 13 neighborhoods, including:

• Covington: An area popular with families with children. This neighborhood of single-family homes is one of the more expensive places to live in the city.
• Midway: A suburban neighborhood located next to Interstate 5. Residents are a mix of young singles, families, and senior citizens. Many work in the manufacturing industry.
• O'Brien: A neighborhood where renters fill apartment complexes and small homes. The neighborhood straddles two sets of railroad tracks and is next to Route 167.
• Star Lake: Situated between Interstate 5 and Route 167. A mix of owners and renters live in three- and four-bedroom homes and apartments.

SHOPPING

Those who love to shop will find a wide range of stores and boutiques in Kent.

• Downtown Kent: The streets of downtown are lined with small shops that sell antiques, books, clothes, crafts, flowers, furniture, and gifts.
• East Hill: A diverse shopping neighborhood that includes an antiques mall, boutique clothing stores, and restaurants serving food from countries such as Vietnam, India, China, and Ukraine.
• Great Wall Shopping Mall: This 100,000-square-foot Pan-Asian mall is the largest Pan-Asian mall in the Seattle area. It is anchored by an Asian grocery store.
• Kent Station: Planners hope this new downtown destination will become a focal point of the city's identity. The project includes abundant retail, entertainment, educational, and residential space.

EDUCATION

Students in Kent's public schools consistently perform at or above average on state standardized tests and the SAT. Two community colleges and a technical college are located near Kent. They are:

• Green River Community College: A two-year public college. The school's main campus is located on Lea Hill, with a secondary campus located at Kent Station.
• Highline Community College: A nationally recognized community college located in nearby Des Moines, Washington. Numerous professional-technical education programs are offered.
• Renton Technical College: A school that offers low-cost specialized training to students who are entering the job market or trying to upgrade their skills.

BEST BETS

• Centennial Center Gallery: Visitors can view original works of art from local and regional artists.
• Greater Kent Historical Society Museum: The museum showcases a variety of local artifacts. It is located in a historic home filled with period furnishings.
• Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum: The only public museum in the country that is dedicated to powerboat racing. The museum exhibits various artifacts from the sport of hydroplane racing, including a collection of vintage hydroplanes.

FAMILY FUN

• Summer Concert Series: These free concerts take place several times a week in various city parks. They include dance and theater, along with music.
• Fourth of July Celebration: Crowds gather at Lake Meridian every year to enjoy entertainment, games, music, food vendors, and fireworks.
• Cornucopia Days: This is billed as the largest street fair in the Northwest. Every July, the festival features food, entertainment, a carnival, a parade, and dragon boat races. The event is the oldest in Kent.
• Kent Art Commission: This commission produces performances and concerts during a performing arts season that runs from October to May.