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Real Estate & Homes in Tacoma - Washington - Tacoma, Washington homes and communities
Tacoma
A City of Destiny
Tacoma is a major city in the Pacific Northwest and the fourth-largest city in Washington. It sits along the evergreen-covered cliffs of Commencement Bay, where the Puyallup River flows into the bay.
Tacoma occupies 50 square miles in the north-central area of Pierce County. It is 36 miles south of Seattle and 28 miles north of Olympia, the state's capital city. Tacoma is a family town. Families comprise 60 percent of the city's population of 812,000.
In 1852, the first settlement was erected above Commencement Bay. It was a sawmill whose work attracted 100 settlers. As more settlers arrived, they erected homes along the steep hills that rose above the bay's natural harbor, on land that was home to the Puyallup and other Indian tribes.
In 1873, Tacoma was called the City of Destiny when it was selected as site for the western terminating point of the Northern Pacific's transcontinental railroad. With the addition of the railroad to ship cargo east, Tacoma became a regional center for Pacific Rim shipping, forest products, high technology and the arts.
Today, Tacoma is a cultural, economic and social development of the Puget Sound. The city is undergoing an urban renaissance with the construction of its light-rail transit, new and refurbished museums, and cultural centers. Tacoma also has a state-of-the-art telecommunications network that makes it "America's No. 1 Wired City."
Tacoma History
The Puyallup Indians were the first inhabitants of the Tacoma area. They fished, hunted and trapped along the Puyallup River, which flows from Mount Rainier into Commencement Bay. In 1841, Lt. Charles Wilkes of the U.S. Navy selected the name Commencement Bay to indicate the beginnings of his survey of the Puget Sound area.
In 1852, Nicolas Delin from Sweden built a water-powered sawmill, and a small community began to grow around the operation. Indian wars in 1855 forced many people to leave and not return.
In 1873, another effort was made to re-establish the community, and the Northern Pacific Railroad chose Commencement Bay to be its western terminal. The railroad built its depot two miles south of what was called Tacoma City, naming it New Tacoma. With the help of the railroad, the population grew from 1,098 in 1880 to 36,006 in 1890. Wood, coal, wheat and immigrants flowed through the city, which was called the Lumber Capital of the World.
The Great Northern Railway, the Union Pacific Railroad and the Milwaukee Road all built transcontinental connections to Commencement Bay. The Northern Pacific joined with the Union Pacific to build Union Station in 1912.
During World War I, the U.S. Army built Camp Lewis on 70,000 acres of land on the Nisqually Plain. After World War I, agriculture slumped, and the price for timber dropped to half. The Depression also took a heavy toll on the area's economy.
In 1928, Pierce County constructed an airport just north of Camp Lewis. While it was to be the Tacoma Municipal Airport, the Army claimed it as McChord Field in 1938. Tacoma and Seattle later built an airport midway between the two, with an understanding that the new airport would reflect the name of both cities. Sea-Tac Airport opened in 1944.
In the 1930s, recovery programs and military spending expanded Camp Lewis into Fort Lewis. Public Works funds built the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to connect Tacoma to the peninsula, but heavy windstorms caused the bridge to collapse four months after it opened.
In 1940, Tacoma was part of the defense buildup for World War II. The shipyard grew, and workers, soldiers and sailors crowded into the city.
In 1944, voters approved new schools, sewer and street improvements, port development, a civic auditorium, and recreational facilities. Urban renewal threatened the Old City Hall and the Northern Pacific Headquarters, but a historic preservation movement allowed Tacoma to recapture the elegance of the past by saving and renovating its old buildings. Union Station was resurrected as the U.S. Courthouse; Old City Hall became an office building; and old music halls became the core of a theater district.
Tacoma is working hard at renovating and updating its downtown area and neighborhoods. The University of Washington at Tacoma, which began in an old newspaper building in 1990, now has its own red-brick campus. In 2002, the Museum of Glass opened along the Thea Foss Waterway. An art museum followed, and a new convention center is under construction.
Neighborhoods and Housing
Tacoma has been called the City of Fine Homes. Many homes and grand mansions date back to 1880s. Other homes include stucco houses that look like Spanish missions; small bungalows; and adjoined houses that curve along the cliffsides. Nearly half of Tacoma's homes were built before World War II. These homes have been cherished, maintained and updated throughout the years.
"Neighborhood" is more than just a word in this town. Tacoma was the founding city for Safe Streets, and it was a national model for neighborhood protection and value enhancements.
Tacoma has eight distinct neighborhoods, and each has its own neighborhood council or citizen group to actively participate in shaping the neighborhood's future:
New Tacoma: This area is a diverse mix of homes and businesses. Within its boundaries are the Tacoma Dome, the downtown business district, the Port industrial area, the new rail system, 1907 Wright Park and Seymour Conservatory, and the 1906 Stadium High School. Most homes in this area are two- or three-story houses ranging from $200,000 for a small bungalow to $1.75 million for a six-bedroom home.
Central Area: The Central Area goes up the hill west of the New Tacoma area. With bonds and grants, the area is going through a complete revision. Park sizes are increasing, and homeowners are upgrading their homes. Many large older homes have been converted into apartments and are sold for $300,000 to $750,000. Many stately Victorian homes are available for $150,000 but require some renovations.
North End: This area, the oldest neighborhood in Tacoma, is still referred to as Old Town. The first cabin was built in the area in 1864, and many early homes still exist. The North End has spectacular homes with graceful lawns that roll down the hilly landscape. Improved beautification, historic preservation and increased recreation have been recent improvements. Most homes in this area are two- or three-story houses ranging from $200,000 to $700,000, with the average selling price in the $500,000 range.
Northeast Area: The council of this area has a main goal of developing a high-quality lifestyle. Most of the development occurred after the 1980s. Home ownership, income and education are well above the city's averages. The area limits commercial and multifamily dwellings, has little access to public transportation, and relies on the automobile as the main transportation source for its residents. Homes in this area range from $650,000 to $1.1 million.
West End: Directly west of the North End area, the West End starts at Commencement Bay and angles up the hill. Across the bay, views of Seattle and Vashon Island can be seen from many of these homes. This area has a number of important assets, including Point Defiance Park and Zoo, with walkways near the water's edge; the entrance to the Narrows Bridge going to Gig Harbor; the Highlands Golf Course; and Ruston Way shopping and dining area. Two other areas are the Titlow Beach, which was a resort for many years, and the Salmon Beach, which was developed as a small weekend fishing retreat. Many of these homes sell for $700,000 to $1.2 million.
South End: The south end of Tacoma is primarily a residential neighborhood of single-family homes. With the addition of Interstate 5, this area was opened up to new housing neighborhoods. Most of the homes were built after the 1960s, with today's selling price of $500,000 for a three-bedroom home.
South Tacoma: This area, southwest of downtown Tacoma, had been known as the Wapato Hills. Wapato is the name of an Indian tribe in the area. Several historic residential areas are in South Tacoma. Highway 99, which runs through this area, was the only highway between Seattle and Olympia until Interstate 5 developed. Many of these three-bedroom homes are two stories and sell for $180,000 to $400,000.
Eastside: The area has evergreen-covered rolling hills, and valleys with scenic views of downtown, the Port of Tacoma, the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier. Development along the Puyallup River was originally by the Puyallup and Nisqually Indian tribes. In the 1800s, white settlers began to form a community here. In addition to the housing developments, it also has Fort Lewis Army Camp and McChord Air Station. Three-bedroom homes in the area range from $130,000 to $350,000. Recent real estate developments built during the last 25 years have spacious houses with large balconies overlooking a natural forest. The market for these homes is $700,000 to $1.1 million.
Weather
The climate in Tacoma is mild year round, with winter temperatures of 34 to 55 degrees and summer temperatures of 47 to 78. Rainfall averages about 22 inches per year, with an annual snowfall average of 17 inches.
Attractions
The Tacoma Dome is a 15-story facility that hosts a number of sporting and entertainment events, including boat shows, rifle and gun shows, and home-decorating expos.
Freighthouse Square Public Market is filled with specially shops for candles, jewelry, books and art. A portion of the market has many ethnic food stalls. Ruston Way is a two-mile waterfront walk through parks, a fishing pier, a historic dock and many waterfront restaurants.
Tacoma Museum of Glass is dedicated to the art of glass blowing. Part of the museum is a tilted 90-foot-tall steel cone, which resembles the sawmill wood burners that started Tacoma’s history. The sleek, four-story building has many outdoor exhibits and is one of only three museums in the world to focus on contemporary glass art.
The Tacoma Art Museum, located in the downtown area, displays collections dedicated to the modern and contemporary art periods. The Tacoma Children's Museum hosts a variety of interactive science and art exhibits aimed at youth. And the Washington State History Museum is the place to explore Washington's past, see interactive exhibits and listen to storytelling.
Pantages Theatre was built in Greco-Roman style in 1916. It is located in the downtown theater district and features symphony, opera and ballet. The historic building was restored in 1983 and now seats 1,186 people.
The Rialto Theatre is another theater district establishment, offering symphony, opera and ballet. It was built in 1918, restored in 1991 and seats 742 people.
Outdoor Recreation
Tacoma enjoys a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, including water sports, snow skiing, golf and hiking. There are 71 parks available in Pierce County for camping and exploring.
Mount Rainier State Park, home to a 14,000-foot mountain, is southeast of town and can be viewed from any place in the Tacoma area. The park is 378 square miles with camping and recreational facilities. You can visit the observation center at the 6,000-foot level, climb to the summit, or hike in the low hills and forests.
Olympic National Park is in the center of the Olympic Peninsula, west of Tacoma. Activities within the park include fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, river rafting, swimming and windsurfing.
At 698 acres, Point Defiance Park is among the 20 largest urban parks in the United States. The park has an aquarium and features wildlife such as Beluga whales, seals, polar bears, sharks and tropical fish. The park also has a natural coastline where dog-walking is always welcome.
Northwest Trek is a 635-acre wildlife park where the animals run free. Tour the park via tram and see buffalo, elk, mountain goats and caribou. Bears, wolves, cougars and other more aggressive animals are enclosed.
Wright Park, located in downtown Tacoma, has many walking and bicycle trails. Sculptured pieces of art and historical markers are scattered throughout the trees. The Seymour Conservatory, built in 1907, is on the east side of the park.
Downhill or cross-country skiing is within an hour's drive at Crystal Mountain Resort, Washington's highest resort at 7,000 feet.
Tacoma has many marinas to securely dock your boat. Sails can be seen in Commencement Bay almost year round.
Emerald Downs has major thoroughbred racing, a six-story grandstand and 166 acres of land. It's located northwest of Tacoma.
Economy
Tacoma's cost of living is slightly higher than the U.S. average: about 109 percent vs. 100 percent. Washington has no state income tax and receives revenues from an 8.8 percent sales tax on purchases.
In 1990, Money Magazine ranked Tacoma as the fourth best place to live. In 1995, Entrepreneur listed Tacoma as a top mid-sized city for small business.
Tacoma's major employers are:
- Port of Tacoma: Created in 1918, this independent, municipal corporation covers more than 2,400 acres and is the sixth-largest container port in North America. The port ranks in the top 25 for worldwide container trade and serves more than 20 air freight forwarders, 15 steamship lines, two transcontinental railroads, and 200 interstate and intrastate trucking firms.
- Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and Madigan Army Medical Center: The region's three major military installations employ approximately 25,600 military personnel and 8,200 civilian personnel.
- Puyallup Tribe: The tribe is an independent and sovereign nation that operates gaming casinos and bingo establishments throughout the area. The Emerald Queen is considered one of the most successful casinos in the state, with net profit estimates in excess of $30 million per year. The tribe has approximately 2,600 members.
- Intel Corporation: Its computer manufacturing and research plant, located just south of Tacoma, employs more than 6,000 people.
- Tacoma Public Utilities: The municipally owned utility is one of the 20 largest public power utilities in the United States.
- Boeing: The air giant operates a $400 million plant just southeast of Tacoma in Frederickson, employing 1,000 people from the area. Another 9,000 employees commute from Tacoma to other Boeing plants in the Seattle area.
- Multicare Medical Center: The center operates three major medical service facilities and currently employs 2,500 people.
- Franciscan Health System: Three hospitals, clinics and health-care facilities employ approximately 5,000 employees and 1,400 medical staff.
- Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound: This health facility employs more than 1,300.
- Quad-C Health Care: Its doctors and staff comprise more than 1,050 people.
- Frank Russell Company: The investment and managing firm manages more than $107 billion in assets.
- SuperValu: This grocery retailing business handles the logistics of moving food and consumable goods. It's the 11th-largest national food retailer in the United States.
Transportation
Interstate 5, which stretches from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, passes through the south end of Tacoma. State Highway 16 crosses Interstate 5 and extends across the Narrows Bridge, into Gig Harbor and across the state's peninsula.
Sea-Tac International Airport is 18 miles north of Tacoma. The municipal Tacoma Narrows Airport, which handles corporate commuter flights, is only six miles away.
A ferry located at Point Defiance Park connects Tacoma to Vashon Island across Commencement Bay.
Pierce Transit provides public bus transportation within Tacoma. It connects the city to Seattle to the north and Olympia to the south.
Amtrak, Burlington-Northern-Santa Fe and Union Pacific provide rail transportation to the Pacific Northwest, and a free light-rail system provides transportation from the south end of Tacoma at the Freighthouse Square. The light rail travels past the old Union Station and the Washington History Museum. It goes up the hill to the Convention Center and continues on to its final stop at the theater district. The light rail takes about 10 minutes to travel the entire route. A seven-level, free parking garage is available for all rail transportation and the Pierce Transit buses.
Education
Tacoma has 36 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and five high schools in its public educational system. It also has 19 private schools from pre-K through high school.
There are several colleges and universities, including:
- The University of Washington at Tacoma
- The University of Puget Sound
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Tacoma Community College
- Bates Technical College
Where is Tacoma?
Written by Linda Chambers exclusively for HomesParadise.com.
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