Tacoma, Washington

Tacoma: The third most populous city in Washington. It is located on Puget Sound in the western part of the state. Tacoma is known for its maritime history, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the Museum of Glass and the Tacoma Art Museum.

About

Tacoma is a city located in the county of Pierce in the U.S. state of Washington. Its population at the 2010 census was 198,397. After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 219,945 inhabitants.

The city was created 149 years ago in 1874.

Tacoma is a port city located along Puget Sound in Pierce County, Washington. With over 220,000 residents, it is the third largest city in the state.

History and Origins

Tacoma originated as a small town centered around lumber and railroads in the 19th century. It grew into a major industrial port city.

Key historical facts:

  • Founded in 1852 by Job Carr as Tacoma City
  • Nicknamed “City of Destiny” for early growth ambitions
  • Served as western terminus for the Northern Pacific Railroad
  • Major influx of immigrants to work in lumberyards and factories

Economy and Major Industries

Tacoma has traditionally relied on port commerce, manufacturing, military, and logistics. Major employers include:

  • Joint Base Lewis-McChord military base
  • Tacoma Public Schools system
  • MultiCare Health System
  • Tacoma Public Utilities

Attractions and Things to Do

Popular attractions are:

  • The Chihuly Bridge of Glass showcasing Dale Chihuly's art
  • Point Defiance Park offering views, hiking trails, and a zoo
  • Museum of Glass with glass art exhibits and demonstrations
  • Tacoma Dome arena venue hosting concerts and events
  • Washington State History Museum

Tacoma provides Pacific Northwest culture, landscapes, and history.

Tacoma locator map
Location of Tacoma on Washington map.

Quick Facts about Tacoma

Population : 219,945 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Washington (United States)
County : Pierce County
Postal code : 98497–98499, 98492, 98493, 98481, 98477, 98471, 98464–98467, 98460, 98455, 98450, 98442–98447, 98439, 98433, 98438, 98431, 98430, 98424, 98422, 98421, 98418, 98415, 98416, 98411–98413, 98401–98409, 98092, 98071, 98002, 98001
Phone Area Codes : 253
Official name : Tacoma
Altitude : 797 feet / 243, 74 meters
Capital city : Tacoma is capital of Pierce County
Establishment : January 01, 1875 (149 years ago)
Time Zone : Pacific Time Zone, UTC−07:00, UTC−08:00
Local time : 20:01:26 (22nd December 2024)
Population growth : 9.8% (2010-2020)
Tacoma skyline from McKinley Way '20249000165' image
Tacoma skyline from McKinley Way '20249000165'
Tacoma skyline from McKinley Way '20249000165' image
Tacoma skyline from McKinley Way '20249000165' image

Geography

Tacoma is located at 47°15'10"N 122°26'39"W (47.2528800, -122.4442900).

Tacoma map

Click "full screen" full screen map icon to open full mode. View satellite images

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  • Boca del Río, Veracruz
  • Brovary
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  • Ålesund

Tacoma has 1 neighbours.

  • Gig Harbor City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

Demographics

The population of Tacoma increased by 9.8% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 198,397 - census
2011 199,519 0.56% estimation process
2012 201,537 1% estimation process
2013 202,127 0.29% estimation process
2014 203,740 0.79% estimation process
2015 206,784 1.47% estimation process
2016 210,248 1.65% estimation process
2017 213,417 1.48% estimation process
2018 216,111 1.25% estimation process
2019 217,827 0.79% estimation process
2020 219,945 0.96% estimation process

Tacoma zip code is 98402. County name: Pierce, County fips: 53053

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Where ot Eat in Tacoma

1 Deli at St. Joseph's Medical Center

Rating: 3.3 (7)

1708 S J St, Tacoma, WA 98405, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ 🔗 Url

Deli at St. Joseph's Medical Center

2 Old City Hall Tacoma

Rating: 4.8 (5)

625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402 ➦ Show Map

☎ 🔗 Url

Old City Hall Tacoma

Where to Stay in Tacoma

1 Hotel Murano

Rating: 4.3 (1782)

1320 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12532388000 🔗 Url

Hotel Murano

2 La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tacoma - Seattle

Rating: 4 (1422)

1425 E 27th St, Tacoma, WA 98421, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12533830146 🔗 Url

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tacoma - Seattle

3 Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Tacoma

Rating: 3.5 (1094)

2611 East E Street, Tacoma, WA 98421, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12532727737 🔗 Url

Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Tacoma

4 Courtyard by Marriott Tacoma Downtown

Rating: 4.3 (890)

1515 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535919100 🔗 Url

Courtyard by Marriott Tacoma Downtown

5 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tacoma Downtown, an IHG Hotel

Rating: 4.3 (862)

2102 S C St, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12532722434 🔗 Url

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tacoma Downtown, an IHG Hotel

Other Places in Tacoma

1 City of Tacoma

Rating: 2.3 (6)

747 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535915100 🔗 Url

City of Tacoma

2 Tacoma Cares

Rating: 1.5 (2)

747 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535915000 🔗 Url

3 Tacoma City Office

Rating: 3 (2)

3639 S Pine St, Tacoma, WA 98409 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535915550 🔗 Url

4 Tacoma Neighborhood Council

Rating: 5 (1)

747 Market St # 9, Tacoma, WA 98402 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535915000 🔗 Url

5 Tacoma Boards & Commissions

747 Market St #1200, Tacoma, WA 98402 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535915100 🔗 Url

6 Tacoma Finance Department

733 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535915847 🔗 Url

7 Tacoma City Manager

747 Market St #1200, Tacoma, WA 98402 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535915130 🔗 Url

8 Multicare Human Potential

603 S J St, Tacoma, WA 98405, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +12534031260 🔗 Url

9 Tacoma City Clerk

747 Market St # 220, Tacoma, WA 98402 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535915505 🔗 Url

10 Tacoma Retirement System

3628 S 35th St, Tacoma, WA 98409 ➦ Show Map

☎ +12535028200 🔗 Url

People born in Tacoma (200)

People born in Tacoma, including singer and actor Bing Crosby, German basketball coach and basketball player Douglas Spradley, United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient Robert Eugene Bush, .

List

  • Booth Gardner (American politician (1936-2013)) he was born in 21/08/1936
  • Cam Gigandet (American actor) he was born in 16/08/1982
  • Dyan Cannon (American film and television actress, director, screenwriter, editor, and producer) she was born in 04/01/1937
  • Megan Jendrick (American swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, former world record-holder) she was born in 15/01/1984
  • Pamela Reed (American actress) she was born in 02/04/1949
  • Kimberly Kane (American movie actress) she was born in 28/08/1983
  • Jerry Cantrell (American rock musician and singer-songwriter) he was born in 18/03/1966
  • Isaiah Thomas (American basketball player) he was born in 07/02/1989
  • Eric T. Olson (United States Navy admiral) he was born in 24/01/1952
  • KC Boutiette (American speed skater) he was born in 11/04/1970
  • Tejay van Garderen (American Racing cyclist) he was born in 12/08/1988
  • Richard Brautigan (American novelist, poet, and short story writer) he was born in 30/01/1935
  • Charles Perrow (American sociologist) he was born in 09/02/1925
  • Philip Abelson (US physicist, editor of the journal Science, and director of the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Geophysical Laboratory) he was born in 27/04/1913
  • Diane Schuur (American jazz musician) she was born in 10/12/1953
  • R. G. Springsteen (American actor and director (1904-1989)) he was born in 08/09/1904
  • Janis Paige (actress) she was born in 16/09/1922
  • Gretchen Fraser (American alpine skier) she was born in 11/02/1919

Schools in Tacoma

College & universities near Tacoma, WA

Code Name City ZIP
235671 Bates Technical College Tacoma (WA) 98405
377546 Northwest College of Art & Design Tacoma (WA) 98402
377564 University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma (WA) 98402-3100
236328 University of Puget Sound Tacoma (WA) 98416
459550 Summit Salon Academy Tacoma (WA) 98409

Stations (14)

Amtrak & bus stations near Tacoma, WA

Code Name Address Type
TAC Tacoma Dome Station 1001 Puyallup Avenue RAIL
TUK Tukwila station 7301 South 158th St. RAIL
SEA King Street Station 303 South Jackson Street RAIL
OLW Centennial Station 6600 Yelm Highway S.E. RAIL
SVF Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington 2701 Alaskan Way OTHER

Post Office

Post offices near Tacoma

Post Office Name City ZIP
Downtown Tacoma Post Office Tacoma (WA) 98402
Martin Luther King Jr Post Office Tacoma (WA) 98405
Lincoln Post Office Tacoma (WA) 98418
Evergreen Post Office Tacoma (WA) 98413
Proctor Post Office Tacoma (WA) 98407

Other cities in Pierce County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Pierce County , WA. (more)

City Name Population Title
Lakewood 59,829 The most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.
South Hill 52,431 Town in Virginia
Puyallup 42,569 The second-largest city in Pierce County, Washington.
Parkland 35,803 City in Broward County, Florida, United States
University Place 34,090 City in Pierce County, Washington, United States
Spanaway 27,227 Census designated place
Bonney Lake 22,572 City in Pierce County, Washington, United States
Frederickson 18,719 Census designated place
Elk Plain 14,205 Census designated place
Edgewood 13,410 City in Pierce County, Washington, United States
Artondale 12,653 Census designated place
Prairie Ridge 11,464 Census designated place
Gig Harbor 10,873 City in Pierce County, Washington, United States
Sumner 10,551 City in Pierce County, Washington, United States of America
Fife 10,458 City in Pierce County, Washington, United States
DuPont 9,594 City in the state of Washington

Distance to Other Cities

Tacoma distances to largest Washington cities