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Kent, WA

Kent, Washington
City
Kent Station, Kent Regional Library top right, and Kent Sounder Station 2009
Kent Station, Kent Regional Library top right, and Kent Sounder Station 2009
Flag of Kent, Washington
Flag
Location of Kent, Washington in King County
Location of Kent, Washington in King County
Kent, Washington is located in the US
Kent, Washington
Kent, Washington
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 47°22′58″N 122°13′37″W / 47.38278°N 122.22694°W / 47.38278; -122.22694Coordinates: 47°22′58″N 122°13′37″W / 47.38278°N 122.22694°W / 47.38278; -122.22694
Country United States
State Washington
County King
Founded May 28, 1890
Government
 • Type Mayor-council government
 • Mayor Suzette Cooke (R)
Area
 • Total 34.19 sq mi (88.55 km2)
 • Land 33.63 sq mi (87.1 km2)
 • Water 0.56 sq mi (1.45 km2)
Elevation 43-500 ft (13-152 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 92,411
 • Estimate (2015) 126,952
 • Rank US: 216th
 • Density 3,227.8/sq mi (1,246.3/km2)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes 98030, 98031, 98032, 98035, 98042, 98064, 98089
Area code(s) 253
FIPS code 53-35415
GNIS feature ID 1530952
Website kentwa.gov

Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States. It is the sixth largest city in the state and third largest in the county. Kent is in the heart of the Seattle–Tacoma metroplex, located 19 miles south of Seattle and 19 miles northeast of Tacoma. Incorporated in 1890, it is the second oldest incorporated city in King County, after Seattle. Kent's population as of April, 2010 was 92,411 according to the 2010 census. The total grew to an estimated 126,952 as of July 1, 2015, owing primarily to annexation.

Once a thriving agricultural area, Kent is now home to hundreds of companies. Among the many corporations headquartered in Kent are REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.), Oberto Sausage Company, Blue Origin, and the two largest waterjet companies in the United States: Flow International Corporation and Omax Corporation.

The Kent area was first permanently settled by westerners in the early 1860s along the banks of (what was then) the White River, and originally called Titusville. (There is still a 'Titusville Station' sign on Gowe Street near First Avenue.)

During the 1880s the town discovered hops production as the major source of income. Due to an aphid invasion which affected hops crops in Europe, hops from the Puget Sound area were commanding high prices. Hops were shipped from Titusville either by the river or via rail. In 1889 the town was renamed for the County of Kent, the major hops producing region in England. Hops production in the White River valley came to an end soon after its own invasion of aphids in 1891.

Kent was officially incorporated on May 28, 1890 with a population of 793, the second city incorporated in King County. Seattle was the first.


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