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Kent, located in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, just 18 miles south of Seattle and 18 miles north of Tacoma. The city lies from 25 to 400 feet above sea level in the heart of the Green River Valley in South King County.
Kent was once a farmland area, but has since become home to both big business and sprawling suburbs. Kent is now a thriving community that is continuing to grow. Kent, an area has over two million people living in it, is the second largest city in South King County with a population of 73,060 and a geographic area of 28.75 square miles. Kent's population is projected to grow to 100,000 within the next few years, and it is anticipated that Kent will become the largest city in South King County.
Downtown Kent offers a variety of retail stores providing antiques, gifts, clothes, books, furniture, crafts, floral and a variety of other goods to real estate owners. The City o f Kent has a tradition of investing in its parks and is home to the award-winning Kent Parks Department.
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Kent Education
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The Kent School District is the fourth largest district in the state. It has won many national awards for excellence demonstrating their commitment to world class education. State tests score above the national median. The award winning school district makes Kent a great place for raising children.
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Kent History
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When the City of Kent incorporated in 1890, the
population was 763. Kent was the second city in King County to
incorporate. Kent began as an agricultural area. Hops were the first major
crop (first planted in 1878), leading to the rapid growth of Kent in its
early years. Almost a million pounds of hops were harvested in 1888. Truck
farming began in 1917, and during the 1920s, Kent became known as the
"lettuce capital of the world."
Annual floods of the Green and White rivers contributed to the
agricultural fertility of the Kent valley. During the Great Flood of 1906,
the valley turned into a giant lake, as flood waters rose up to two feet
in some houses. The White River found a new channel into the Puyallup
River, thus alleviating some of the flooding in Kent.
In 1963, the Howard Hanson Dam was completed at Eagle Gorge on the upper
Green River, taming most of the flooding. This enabled industrial
development to take place on the valley floor, leading to Kent's rapid
rise as a major distribution center.
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Kent Housing
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Kent offers a variety of housing options from apartments, condominiums and single family homes to executive housing. The average home value in Kent increased from $185,000 in 1998 to $197,300 in 1999. There were 133 single-family residential homes on the market in Kent (as of 10/12/99). Average market time is 39 days. (Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Services). The average rents for apartments are $494 for a studio; $573 for a one-bedroom; $643 for a two-bedroom/1 bath; $732 for a two-bedroom/2 bath; $878 for a three-bedroom/2 bath. (Source: Dupre & Scott Apartment Advisors, Inc.).
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Kent Lifestyle
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There is an excellent choice of eating establishments. Enjoy the small town atmosphere instead of a crowded mall. Kent also has a regional library and some beautiful parks in the downtown area. Kent East Hill has a lot to offer for your shopping needs too. There are many retail stores and the East Hill Carriage Antique Mall has a variety of antique shops.
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Kent Nature
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Kent's breathtaking setting features a view of Mt. Rainier rising majestically over the landscape, and the Cascade and Olympic Mountains on the horizons. Mount Rainier can be seen throughout the community.
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Kent Recreation
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From neighborhood parks, athletic fields and bike paths, to championship golf, Kent offers great recreational opportunities. There are numerous recreational sites for all ages. New parks for outdoor sports, several golf courses, a new ice-skating rink and the fabulous Lake Meridian for picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing and more. The Kent Parks Department has been recognized nationally for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management. There are 67 parks and open spaces comprised of 1400 acres within the Kent Parks system. There is a full range of services and classes for youth, teens, adults and disabled citizens. Residents can also enjoy 27 holes of first class golf at the Riverbend Golf Complex. The Seattle Mariners Baseball Team in the new Safeco Field. The Seattle Seahawks soon will play in a new stadium. Mt. Rainier Park is close by for camping and hiking. Fishing, snow skiing and other activities are all within one hour’s drive. Kent is located close to many other outdoor activities.
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Kent Transportation
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The Puget Sound and Seattle is very commutable from Kent. Kent is centrally located to major freeways including Interstate 5, Interstate 405, State Highway 167 and State Highway 18 Kent is also located seven miles from SeaTac International Airport. Both the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroads run through Kent and the city will soon boast it's own light rail station. Kent’s location near these major highways, SeaTac Airport and the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, make Kent easy to commute anywhere from and a great place for business.
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Kent Weather
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Kent enjoys mild weather with summer temperatures seldom exceeding the mid-80’s and winter temperatures seldom dropping below the low 30’s. The avg. rainfall is 39 inches per year.
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