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SeaTac, Washington

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This article is about the city. For the airport, see Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. For other uses, see SeaTac.
SeaTac, Washington
City
Official seal of SeaTac, Washington
Seal
Location of SeaTac, Washington
Location of SeaTac, Washington
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyKing
IncorporatedFebruary 1990
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • MayorRick Forschler
 • Deputy mayorMichael Siefkes
Area
[1]
 • Total
10.21 sq mi (26.44 km2)
 • Land10.03 sq mi (25.98 km2)
 • Water0.18 sq mi (0.47 km2)
Elevation
262 ft (80 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • Total
26,909
 • Estimate 
(2014)[3]
28,126
 • Density2,682.9/sq mi (1,035.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
98148, 98158, 98168, 98188, 98198
Area code206
FIPS code53-62288
GNIS feature ID1534053[4]
Websiteci.seatac.wa.us

SeaTac /ˈsiːtæk/ or Seatac is a city in southern King County, Washington, in the United States, and an outlying suburb of Seattle, Washington. "SeaTac" is a combination of the first syllables of "Seattle" and "Tacoma."

The City of SeaTac is 10 square miles (26 km2) in area and has a population of 26,909 according to the 2010 census. The city boundaries surround the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (approximately 3 square miles (7.8 km2) in area), which is owned and operated by the Port of Seattle. The city includes the communities of Angle Lake, Bow Lake, McMicken Heights and Riverton Heights, which were established before the city's incorporation. Residents voted for incorporation on March 14, 1989,[5] and the city incorporated in February 1990.[6]

History

In 2014 Gavin Kelly of The Resolution Foundation wrote that "A generation ago SeaTac was what Americans would call a middle-class town. A jet-fueller or baggage handler could earn a decent living."[7]

Government and infrastructure

Local government

SeaTac is governed by a city council which consists of seven elected councilpersons. The city "has contracted with the King County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement since incorporation in 1990."[8] Deputies assigned to SeaTac wear city uniforms and drive patrol cars marked with the city logo. There are currently 51 patrol officers, detectives, and support staff assigned full-time to the city.[9]

In January 2014 the SeaTac Fire Department entered a 20-year contract with Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority (RFA).[10][11] SeaTac's three fire stations, Station 45, 46, and 47, joined Kent's Station 73 to make up RFA's West Battalion.[12]

The Seatac Municipal Court, located within the City Hall, is a court of limited jurisdiction. The judge is authorized by the Revised Code of Washington to preside over civil infractions, traffic infractions, criminal misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor violations, and civil orders for protection.[13]

Public Works is responsible for planning, design, construction and maintenance of streets, transportation improvements, surface water utility, and solid waste and recycling programs.[14]

In 2013, voters in the city narrowly passed a minimum wage of $15 per hour for employees of airport-related businesses such as hotels, parking lots and car rental agencies. In a later appeals court decision, the $15 minimum wage was reversed for employees working entirely on Port of Seattle property within the city limits but still applies to employees of airport-related businesses in the city proper.[7] Union workshops are exempt from the $15 minimum wage.[15] However, the Washington Supreme Court in August 2015 reversed the King County Superior Court ruling, which said that SeaTac didn’t have authority to set a minimum wage at the airport. The Supreme Court rejected the argument that the wage didn't apply because the airport is owned by the Port of Seattle. The Court stated that Proposition 1 can be enforced at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport because there is no indication that it will interfere with airport operations and that federal labor law does not preempt the provision protecting workers from retaliation.[16]

Federal representation

Federal Detention Center, SeaTac

The Riverton Heights Post Office is located in the city.[17]

The National Transportation Safety Board operates the Seattle Aviation Field Office in the city.[18]

The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates the Federal Detention Center, SeaTac in SeaTac.[19]

Economy

Alaska Airlines headquarters

The city is home to over 900 licensed businesses, nearly 80 of which are "Fortune 1000" companies. They employ nearly 40,000 employees in the City of SeaTac and generate local sales of approximately $3.7 billion.[20]

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are headquartered in the city.[21][22] Four airlines have operations at 18000 Pacific Highway South (also known as 18000 International Boulevard) in the city, including Asiana Airlines,[23][24] EVA Air,[25] Hainan Airlines,[26] and China Airlines.[27]

Economic development

SeaTac’s Department of Community and Economic Development was formed in early 2011 to create a one-stop permitting center, increase the level of service and assist in the facilitation of economic development by creating a more cohesive approach to real estate development and job creation. The new Department has four divisions: Economic Development, Planning, Engineering Review, and Building Services.[21] In 2013, the City of SeaTac Proposition No. 1 passed with 50.64% of the vote[28] to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.[29]

Geography

SeaTac is located at 47°26′29″N 122°17′35″W / 47.44139°N 122.29306°W / 47.44139; -122.29306 (47.441406, -122.293077).[30]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.21 square miles (26.44 km2), of which, 10.03 square miles (25.98 km2) is land and 0.18 square miles (0.47 km2) is water.[1]

Surrounding cities

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
198017,961—
199022,69426.4%
200025,49612.3%
201026,9095.5%
2014 (est.)28,126[31]4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[32][33][34]
2014 Estimate[3]

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $41,202, and the median income for a family was $47,630. Males had a median income of $34,396 versus $28,984 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,717. About 9.8% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

The most commonly spoken foreign languages in SeaTac are, in order, Spanish, Somali, and Punjabi.[35]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 26,909 people, 9,533 households, and 5,913 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,682.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,035.9/km2). There were 10,360 housing units at an average density of 1,032.9 per square mile (398.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 45.9% White, 16.8% African American, 1.5% Native American, 14.5% Asian, 3.6% Pacific Islander, 11.6% from other races, and 6.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.3% of the population.

There were 9,533 households of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.38.

The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 9.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.4% male and 47.6% female.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Tyee Educational Complex

Highline Public Schools operates the city's public schools.

Elementary schools serving sections of the city include Bow Lake Elementary School in SeaTac,[36] Madrona Elementary School in SeaTac,[37] McMicken Heights Elementary School in SeaTac,[38] and Cedarhurst Elementary School in Burien.[39][40] Most residents are zoned to Chinook Middle School and Tyee Educational Complex in the city,[41] while some are zoned to Sylvester Middle School and Highline High School in Burien.[42]

Tyee Educational Complex houses The Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment,[43][44] and Odyssey: The Essential School.[45]

In 2004, Highline Public Schools reorganized some of its high schools, including Tyee, into having smaller programs on larger campuses.[46]

Public libraries

The King County Library System operates the Valley View Library in SeaTac.[47]

Parks and recreation

Angle Lake

The city operates seven city parks and operates two community center facilities.[48][49]

Angle Lake Park, a 10.5-acre (42,000 m2)[citation needed] park at Angle Lake, has a barbecue area, a boat launch, a fishing pier, playground equipment, an open recreation area, swimming facilities, a stage, toilet facilities, and a spray park. In the swimming area lifeguards are on duty during the summer months.[49]

Bow Lake Park, a 4-acre (16,000 m2)[citation needed] park, consists of open space.[49]

Des Moines Creek Trail Park, consisting of 9.6 acres (39,000 m2),[50] has a paved trail for bicyclists and pedestrians; off-street parking spaces are located at the trail head.[49]

The 37-acre (150,000 m2)[citation needed] Grandview Park, an off leash dog area, has open areas, benches, fencing, a kiosk, waste receptacles, "sani-cans," and trails.[49]

The 2.5-acre (10,000 m2)[citation needed] McMicken Heights Park has an open area, playground equipment, and tennis courts.[49]

The Neighborhood Park at SeaTac Community Center has a half court basketball court a skate park, playground equipment, a picnic area, a climbing boulder, and parking.[49]

The 165-acre (0.67 km2)[citation needed] North SeaTac Park has the SeaTac Community Center, baseball, soccer (football), and softball fields, a disk golf course, an outdoor basketball court, an open area, playground equipment, a picnic shelter, toilet facilities, BMX track and paved walking trails.[49]

The 18-acre (73,000 m2)[citation needed] Sunset Park has baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, toilet facilities, and paved walking trails.[49]

The 21-acre (85,000 m2)[citation needed] Valley Ridge Park has baseball/softball fields with synthetic turf, outdoor basketball courts, a community center, a hockey court, playground equipment, a skate park, soccer fields with synthetic turf, tennis courts, toilet facilities.[49]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  4. ^ "SeaTac". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  5. ^ "SeaTac History". History Link. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  6. ^ "Welcome to the City of SeaTac 'The Hospitality City'". City of SeaTac. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Kelly, Gavin. "SeaTac: the small US town that sparked a new movement against low wages." The Guardian (The Observer). Saturday February 22, 2014. Retrieved on February 24, 2014.
  8. ^ "King County Sheriff". King County. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  9. ^ "Our Department". City of SeaTac. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  10. ^ "SeaTac Fire joins Kent Fire RFA". City of SeaTac. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  11. ^ "History". Kent, WA Fire Department Regional Fire Authority. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  12. ^ "Stations & Facilities". Kent, WA Fire Department Regional Fire Authority. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  13. ^ "Municipal Court". City of SeaTac. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  14. ^ "Public Works". City of SeaTac. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  15. ^ Raising the minimum wage without raising havoc, Washington Post, September 5, 2014
  16. ^ State Supreme Court rules: Sea-Tac’s $15-an-hour minimum wage applies to airport workers
  17. ^ "Post Office Location – Riverton Heights". United States Postal Service. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  18. ^ "Regional Offices: Aviation". National Transportation Safety Board. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "FDC SeaTac Contact Information". Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  20. ^ "Welcome to the city of seatac". City of SeaTac. 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Top Industries". City of SeaTac. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  22. ^ "Media Contacts". Alaska Airlines.
  23. ^ "Contact Information". Asiana Airlines. Retrieved December 30, 2014. – Although the address says Seattle, a search using Google Earth or Yahoo Maps will reveal that the headquarters are in SeaTac.
  24. ^ "Contact Phone Numbers". Alaska Air Group. December 1, 1998. Archived from the original on March 12, 2004. Retrieved July 23, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Contact Us". EVA Air. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  26. ^ "Contact Us". Hainan Airlines. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  27. ^ 北美洲地區 (in Chinese). China Airlines. Retrieved December 30, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Results Detail
  29. ^ "US fast-food workers stage nationwide strike". BBC News. 5 December 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  30. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  31. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  32. ^ "Census of Population and Housing (1790—2010)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  33. ^ 1990 census figure enumerated prior to incorporation as SeaTac CDP.
  34. ^ Most of the census area returned under the name Valley Ridge in 1980.
  35. ^ "Diversity". City of SeaTac. 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  36. ^ "Bow Lake Elementary". Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  37. ^ "Madrona Elementary". Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  38. ^ "McMicken Heights Elementary". Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  39. ^ "Cedarhurst Elementary". Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  40. ^ Elementary Service Area Boundaries (PDF) (Map). Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  41. ^ "Chinook Middle School". Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  42. ^ Secondary School Service Area Boundaries (PDF) (Map). Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  43. ^ "Tyee Educational Complex". Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  44. ^ "Global Connections High School". Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  45. ^ "Odyssey: The Essential School". Highline Public Schools. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ "High School Redesign" (PDF). Highline Public Schools. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  47. ^ "Valley View Library". King County Library System. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  48. ^ "Parks & Recreation". City of SeaTac. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Parks & Facilities". City of SeaTac. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  50. ^ <"Facilities". City of Des Moines. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
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