DuPont, Washington
| DuPont, Washington | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 Location of DuPont, Washington |
|
| Coordinates: 47°5′57″N 122°38′15″W / 47.09917°N 122.63750°WCoordinates: 47°5′57″N 122°38′15″W / 47.09917°N 122.63750°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Pierce |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| • Mayor | Mike Courts |
| • Deputy Mayor | Roger Westman |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.88 sq mi (15.23 km2) |
| • Land | 5.86 sq mi (15.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 8,199 |
| • Estimate (2015) | 9,356 |
| • Density | 1,399.1/sq mi (540.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Pacific (PST) (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 98327 |
| Area code(s) | 253 |
| FIPS code | 53-18965 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1513919 |
| Website | www.ci.dupont.wa.us |
DuPont is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 8,199 at the 2010 census.
The Nisqually tribe arrived in the area at least 5700 years ago, subsisting on shellfish from the beaches and salmon from Sequalitchew Creek. Captain George Vancouver mapped the area in 1792, and in 1833, the Hudson's Bay Company established a fur trading post at Fort Nisqually. The fort was relocated upstream in 1843.
The first school in the area was the Nisqually Methodist Mission school, which operated from 1840 through 1842. Chloe A. Clark was appointed teacher at the mission school. The first public school was established in 1852, and in 1869, the federal government auctioned the site off to settlers. In 1906, DuPont purchased a 5-square-mile (13 km2) area for construction of an explosives plant. By 1909, the company town had more than 100 houses.
DuPont was officially incorporated on March 26, 1912, and was re-incorporated in 1951. DuPont has recently undergone a modern transformation as the modern planned community of "Northwest Landing" has been realized. The city is expected to have a built out population of 12,000+.
Today, DuPont is still a growing community. The elementary school in DuPont (Chloe Clark Elementary), which hosted kindergarten through fifth grade, reached capacity in the 2007-2008 school year. As a result, starting with the 2008-2009 school year, Steilacoom School district realigned all three elementary schools. Chloe Clark Elementary and Cherrydale Primary in Steilacoom now only have students in grades K-3. Saltar's Point Elementary in Steilacoom now serves 4th and 5th grades. Pioneer Middle School relocated from Steilacoom to Dupont in August 2008. The new school received the LEED award for its “Green” Design elements.
DuPont is divided into several "villages", each with their own design style and/or building contractors. Northwest Landing is the most visible due to a sign along the freeway announcing it. Several businesses have opened in the downtown area, but development has slowed in recent years. Hoffman Hill is the largest in size, and houses about 60% of the total population. The Historic Village, a residential area, is the only part of DuPont that is not a modern planned community and is on the registry of historic places. Bell Hill is considered the most expensive area. Dupont has trails and green belts throughout, and is about 95% built out according to the master plan. Sections that remain empty are stalled due to economic conditions, or pre-existing activities that prevent development until completed.
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