Maple Valley, Washington
Encyclopedia
Maple Valley is a city in King County
, Washington, United States
. The population was 22,684 at the 2010 census.
The town's early history mainly had to do with coal, lumber milling to build homes, and a railroad which ran through town. Coal was brought in from Black Diamond
to the south, but the town itself also mined coal from Cedar Mountain. The mine was used as late as 1947.
Rail workers for lines like the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Cedar River Watershed, closed off by the City of Seattle, meant more workers for those things. More residents meant more lumber milling. More lumber milling meant more workers.
The town grew inward. Blacksmith shops, hotels, saloons and stores took up the town in the 1910s and 1920s. Schools went up as well. Early schools were shacks at best. A two-room school went up in 1910, but a larger school was quickly needed. Tahoma High School, a three-story brick building, went up in 1920. Students made up the name by combining the first two letters in the town names Taylor, Hobart and Maple Valley. The school still serves the Tahoma School District as a middle school.
More residents meant farming and fishing became staples in the area, with milk, poultry and berry farming becoming the main grown food staples in the area. Fishing out of the Cedar River also became popular.
Maple Valley also saw resorts beginning in the 1920s. Lake Wilderness, once the site of a county lumber mill, quickly became a resort lake with the opening of Gaffney's Grove, which opened with a ballroom, restaurant and roller rink. Later, the resort grew to include an airstrip, lodge, rental cabins, a nine hole golf course and a bowling alley. It remained in operation until 1964.
Increasing automobile use in the area gave rise to new roads being built. In the early 1960s, a highway being constructed between Auburn
and North Bend
ran by the city, requiring many landmarks to be either demolished or moved.
The old Gaffney's Grove site is now a city park, and the Green to Cedar river trail runs through the city. The park includes a swimming beach, an arboretum and sprawling grass fields and sees the annual Maple Valley Days Parade each year in June.
There is also renevations in the four corners area. They are building a Fred Meyer and many other stores that will benefit the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), of which, 5.4 square miles (14.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (3.04%) is water.
The main bodies of water in the city limits are Lake Wilderness, Lake Lucerne, Rock Creek, and part of Pipe Lake. The Cedar River
passes through unincorporated King County very near the northeastern border of the city.
of 2000, there were 14,209 people, 4,809 households, and 3,952 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,617.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,010.3/km²). There were 4,922 housing units at an average density of 350.0 units/km² (906.8 units/mi²). The ethnic makeup of the city was 90.62% white, 1.11% African American, 0.66% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races
, and 3.64% from two or more ethnic groups. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnic group were 3.56% of the population.
There were 4,809 households out of which 51.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were married couples
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% between 19 and 24, 38.5% between 25 and 44, 17.8% between 45 and 64, and 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $67,159, and the median income for a family was $70,008. Males had a median income of $50,623 versus $34,097 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $24,859. About 2.1% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 and over. Based on per capita income
, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Maple Valley ranks 93rd of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 22,684 at the 2010 census.
History
The area was first settled in 1879 by three men who were improving a trail and brought their families in. When a name for a future community was proposed, the names Vine Maple Valley and Maple Ridge were suggested. A vote was taken by writing the names on slips of paper and placing them in a hat. Vine Maple Valley won by 2/3, but the word "Vine" was later cut by the post office because it made the name too long.The town's early history mainly had to do with coal, lumber milling to build homes, and a railroad which ran through town. Coal was brought in from Black Diamond
Black Diamond, Washington
Black Diamond is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,151 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Black Diamond ranks 64th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.-History:Black Diamond was...
to the south, but the town itself also mined coal from Cedar Mountain. The mine was used as late as 1947.
Rail workers for lines like the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Cedar River Watershed, closed off by the City of Seattle, meant more workers for those things. More residents meant more lumber milling. More lumber milling meant more workers.
The town grew inward. Blacksmith shops, hotels, saloons and stores took up the town in the 1910s and 1920s. Schools went up as well. Early schools were shacks at best. A two-room school went up in 1910, but a larger school was quickly needed. Tahoma High School, a three-story brick building, went up in 1920. Students made up the name by combining the first two letters in the town names Taylor, Hobart and Maple Valley. The school still serves the Tahoma School District as a middle school.
More residents meant farming and fishing became staples in the area, with milk, poultry and berry farming becoming the main grown food staples in the area. Fishing out of the Cedar River also became popular.
Maple Valley also saw resorts beginning in the 1920s. Lake Wilderness, once the site of a county lumber mill, quickly became a resort lake with the opening of Gaffney's Grove, which opened with a ballroom, restaurant and roller rink. Later, the resort grew to include an airstrip, lodge, rental cabins, a nine hole golf course and a bowling alley. It remained in operation until 1964.
Increasing automobile use in the area gave rise to new roads being built. In the early 1960s, a highway being constructed between Auburn
Auburn, Washington
-Parks:Auburn has an extensive system of parks, open space and urban trails comprising 29 developed parks, 5 undeveloped sites under planning, 2 skate parks, 2 water roatary parks, and over of trails , and almost of open space for passive and active recreation.-Environmental Park:The Auburn...
and North Bend
North Bend, Washington
North Bend is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The town was made famous by David Lynch's television series Twin Peaks Since the Weyerhaeuser sawmill closed, North Bend has become an upscale bedroom community for the Eastside of Seattle, Washington, with property values more than...
ran by the city, requiring many landmarks to be either demolished or moved.
Maple Valley today
The city was officially incorporated on August 31, 1997. Today, the mostly residential city has shopping centers, gas stations, and housing. The Maple Valley Historical Society keeps records on the city's past, with 2 historical museums holding artifacts such as the city's first fire engine and photographs of old places in and around the city like Gaffney's Grove.The old Gaffney's Grove site is now a city park, and the Green to Cedar river trail runs through the city. The park includes a swimming beach, an arboretum and sprawling grass fields and sees the annual Maple Valley Days Parade each year in June.
There is also renevations in the four corners area. They are building a Fred Meyer and many other stores that will benefit the city.
Police
Maple Valley contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office for police services. Deputies assigned to Maple Valley wear city uniforms and drive patrol cars marked with the city logo. There are currently 8 patrol officers, one community/storefront officer, and one chief assigned full time to the city.Geography
Maple Valley is located at 47°21′58"N 122°2′41"W (47.366160, -122.044692).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), of which, 5.4 square miles (14.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (3.04%) is water.
The main bodies of water in the city limits are Lake Wilderness, Lake Lucerne, Rock Creek, and part of Pipe Lake. The Cedar River
Cedar River (Washington)
The Cedar River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. About long, it originates in the Cascade Range and flows generally west and northwest, emptying into the southern end of Lake Washington...
passes through unincorporated King County very near the northeastern border of the city.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 14,209 people, 4,809 households, and 3,952 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,617.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,010.3/km²). There were 4,922 housing units at an average density of 350.0 units/km² (906.8 units/mi²). The ethnic makeup of the city was 90.62% white, 1.11% African American, 0.66% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.64% from two or more ethnic groups. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnic group were 3.56% of the population.
There were 4,809 households out of which 51.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% between 19 and 24, 38.5% between 25 and 44, 17.8% between 45 and 64, and 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $67,159, and the median income for a family was $70,008. Males had a median income of $50,623 versus $34,097 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $24,859. About 2.1% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 and over. Based on per capita income
Washington locations by per capita income
Washington is the twelfth richest state in the United States of America, with a per capita income of $22,973 and a personal per capita income of $33,332 .-Washington counties ranked by per capita income:...
, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Maple Valley ranks 93rd of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.
Notable people
- Popular singer Brandi CarlileBrandi CarlileBrandi Carlile is an American singer and songwriter.-Early life:At age eight, Carlile performed a rendition of the country music song "Tennessee Flat Top Box" with her mother. She began to play the guitar and write songs at fifteen. At sixteen, she began to perform as a backup singer for an Elvis...
hails from the area. - Omare LoweOmare LoweOmare Lowe is an American football cornerback who is retired. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, who played football at the University of WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
and was drafted by the Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He has had brief stints with Titans, Jets, Vikings, Redskins, and Patriots. In April 2008, he signed a 1 year contract with the Seahawks. - Jens PulverJens PulverJens Johnnie Pulver is an American mixed martial artist . He was the first Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion and was a coach on the The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show, which aired on Spike TV. He was formerly signed as a featherweight with World Extreme Cagefighting , which is...
, the first ever Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipUltimate Fighting ChampionshipThe Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
Lightweight Champion and a coach on the The Ultimate Fighter 5The Ultimate Fighter 5The Ultimate Fighter 5 was the fifth season of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter...
reality show, attended and wrestled for Tahoma Senior High SchoolTahoma Senior High SchoolTahoma Senior High School is part of the Tahoma School District #409. THS is a public high school serving grades ten through twelve, and mainly provides for students from the city of Maple Valley, Washington...
in Maple Valley. - John Egbert, protagonist of the popular web comic "Homestuck."MS Paint AdventuresMS Paint Adventures is a collection of webcomics written and illustrated by Andrew Hussie. Because of the frequency with which the site is updated, MS Paint Adventures is estimated to be the longest web comic on the Internet with over 6000 pages total among its four series.These comics are written...
- Rebecca Shaw - First officer of Colgan Air Flight 3407Colgan Air Flight 3407Colgan Air Flight 3407, marketed as Continental Connection under a codeshare agreement with Continental Airlines, was a daily U.S. regional airline commuter flight from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York State.A Bombardier...
. Shaw was a 2002 graduate of Tahoma High SchoolTahoma Senior High SchoolTahoma Senior High School is part of the Tahoma School District #409. THS is a public high school serving grades ten through twelve, and mainly provides for students from the city of Maple Valley, Washington...
.
Points of interest
- Wilderness Trail
- Cedar RiverCedar River (Washington)The Cedar River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. About long, it originates in the Cascade Range and flows generally west and northwest, emptying into the southern end of Lake Washington...
- Cedar River TrailCedar River TrailThe Cedar River Regional Trail is a partially paved rail trail in Washington.It is open for non-motorized use and parallels Highway 169 for much of its length. It connects Renton to Maple Valley. In Maple Valley it connects to the Cedar to Green River Trail at mile 12.3...
- Maple Valley Skate Park
- Lake WildernessLake WildernessLake Wilderness is the largest lake in Maple Valley, Washington, United States. The Lake Wilderness Lodge, a former resort hotel, is now a King County landmark, and its grounds are a park. Lake Wilderness is surrounded by houses, forest, and a park. The park is open and free of charge, containing a...
Park and golf course - Elk Run Golf Course
- Take a Break Park