Puyallup, Washington

About Puyallup

The first European settler to the Puyallup region arrived in the early 1830s to find about 2,000 indigenous people living in the fertile river valley. The Puyallup Tribe name translates to "generous," and the hospitable  tribe lived up to its name.

In 1877, pioneer hop king and champion of the Oregon Trail, Ezra Meeker, planned what became the city of Puyallup.  He also served as its first mayor and is regarded as the Founding Father of Puyallup.

Early development centered around agriculture. Over the years, Puyallup and its surrounding areas have transformed into a booming scenic community.

The downtown still has an old historic feel with wide streets and a large, central park. On weekends from May through October, Puyallup returns to its beginnings with a Farmer's Market in Pioneer Park.

The Western Washington Fairgrounds occupy 169+ acres on the southern edge of downtown. It is home to the Puyallup Fair, the largest single attraction held annually in Washington, and one of the 10 largest fairs in the world. The multi-purpose grounds are also used for public events throughout the year.

Other community events and attractions include:

  • Daffodil Festival and Parade
  • Antique District
  • Meeker Mansion National Historic Site
  • Paul H. Karshner Memorial Museum
  • Arts Downtown Outdoor Gallery
  • South Hill Mall

South Hill

Puyallup has spread to the South Hill area, where most of the new construction homes for sale are today. Many people commute to Joint Base Lewis McChord, Tacoma, Auburn, Federal Way and Seattle.

Geography

Puyallup is located in unincorporated Pierce County, southeast of Tacoma. The Puyallup River is a major tributary flowing water from Mt. Rainier west into Puget Sound. Other neighboring cities include Sumner, Fife, Edgewood, Graham and Orting. Mount Rainier, the tallest peak in Washington's volcanic Cascade Mountain Range, dominates the view to the southeast from nearly everywhere in town.

Puyallup Real Estate

Puyallup, especially the South Hill area, has very affordable homes for sale. South Hill has several new neighborhoods where you can find new homes starting in the $100,000s. If you are looking for higher end, there are a few neighborhoods offering larger lots and higher square footage with an amazing Mt. Rainier view.

In downtown Puyallup, around the fairgrounds, you will find many older homes built craftsman style and an occasional newly built home. Meridian, the main road that connects downtown Puyallup and South Hill, can get busy especially during peak travel times. However, Canyon road that parallels Meridian to the West was just widened to three lanes each way and provides a good alternative.

Weather

Puyallup enjoys the same temperate climate as its neighbors in western Washington State.

Jan April July Oct
Avg. Temp 38 50 63 50
Max. Temp 45 57 75 60
Min. Temp 32 40 52 41
Precip in inches 5.5 3.2 1 3

Population

Official census count for 2000 shows 33,000 people, 12,870 households and 8,500 families living in the city of Puyallup.  Estimated population in 2008 was 36,330. Median age is 34.1 years, slightly younger than the Washington state average of 35.3.

Employment

Puyallup offers a wide range of occupations in the immediate vicinity and surrounding areas. 76% of the labor force works in white collar professions and 24% in blue collar jobs. Average commute time for Puyallup residents is 27 minutes each way.

Income

Median household income in 2008 was $60,876. This compares favorably with Washington state's average of $58,000. Less than 5% of the families were below the poverty line.

Cost of Living

The Cost of Living Index for Puyallup is 112.5 as of December 2009. The average for all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas participating in the Cost of Living Index = 100.

Puyallup Schools

The Puyallup School District is the ninth largest school district in Washington. Twenty-one elementary schools, seven junior high schools, three senior high schools and one alternative school educate nearly 22,000 students from in and around the city of Puyallup. The District employs more than 1,200 certificated and 1,100 classified staff.