Des Moines, Washington

Not to be confused with Des Moines, Iowa.

Des Moines, Washington
—  City  —
Seal
Location of Des Moines, Washington
Coordinates: 47°23′39″N 122°19′5″W / 47.39417°N 122.31806°W / 47.39417; -122.31806Coordinates: 47°23′39″N 122°19′5″W / 47.39417°N 122.31806°W / 47.39417; -122.31806
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	King
Area
– Total	6.3 sq mi (16.4 km2)
– Land	6.3 sq mi (16.4 km2)
– Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	92 ft (28 m)
Population (2010)
– Total	29,673
– Density	4,616.5/sq mi (1,782.5/km2)
Time zone	Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
– Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes	98148, 98198
Area code(s)	206
FIPS code	53-17635[1]
GNIS feature ID	1512145[2]

Des Moines ( /dəˈmɔɪnz/ US dict: də·moinz′) 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.^[3]

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.

History

There is no evidence that Indian tribes had permanent settlements in Des Moines. However, there is ample evidence that the Duwamish and Muckleshoot 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.^[4] 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.^[5]

A view of Puget Sound and the Normandy Park cove from the fishing pier

Geography

Des Moines is located at 47°23′39″N 122°19′5″W / 47.39417°N 122.31806°W / 47.39417; -122.31806 (47.394120, -122.317983).^[6]

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.

Surrounding cities

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	212		—
1900	162		−23.6%
1940	965		—
1960	1,987		—
1970	4,099		106.3%
1980	7,378		80.0%
1990	17,283		134.3%
2000	29,267		69.3%
2010	29,673		1.4%

The Des Moines Field House / Activity Center, a legacy of the WPA, is listed as a King County landmark.

As of the census^[1] 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.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Mount Rainier High School

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).^[7][8]

Pacific Middle School, Aviation High School, and Mount Rainier High School are the secondary schools of Des Moines.^[8]

Community colleges

Highline Community College is in Des Moines.^[8]

Parks and recreation

Saltwater State Park is in Des Moines.^[8]

City landmarks

The City of Des Moines has designated the following landmark:

Landmark	Built	Listed	Address	Photo
Des Moines Beach Park[9] (the former Covenant Beach Bible Camp)	1917–1931	2005	Cliff Ave. and 220th St. 47°24′26″N 122°19′43″W / 47.40722°N 122.32861°W / 47.40722; -122.32861 (Des Moines Beach Park)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ Des Moines Historical Society Time Line 1970's
4. ^ "Des Moines". Washington Place Names database. Tacoma Public Library. http://search.tpl.lib.wa.us/wanames/. Retrieved 2009-03-06. 
5. ^ One Hundred Years of the "Waterland" Community: A History of Des Moines, Washington, 1989
6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
7. ^ "Federal Way Public School District" Retrieved on May 31, 2010.
8. ^ ^{a b c d} "Detailed Street Map." City of Des Moines. Retrieved on February 28, 2010.
9. ^ Recent Landmarks Designations, King County Landmarks Commission. Accessed 2009-05-09.

External links

• City government web site

related topic: Washington State Ferries