South Hill, Washington

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

South Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pierce County, Washington, near the city of Puyallup. The population was 31,623 at the 2000 census and 43,300 at the 2006 State estimate.

South Hill is one of Washington State's largest unincorporated communities and one of the fastest growing as well.

The area is primarily retail shopping centers, residential neighborhoods, and apartment/condo complexes.

The area was first settled in the 1880's and had several logging camps, farms, and hunting grounds. It also was the main route to Eatonville, Washington (Meridian Avenue or SR 161). Population growth was slow until roads improved and people could commute to nearby Tacoma, Fort Lewis, and Seattle with ease. The population is expected to be over 50,000 by 2010.

The TV show COPS films with the Pierce County Sheriff South Hill Precinct.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Culture
- 3.1 Landmarks
- 3.2 High Schools
4 External links

[edit] Geography

South Hill is located at 47°7′16″N, 122°17′26″W (47.121080, -122.290506)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 46.8 km² (18.1 mi²). 46.6 km² (18.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.39%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 31,623 people, 10,929 households, and 8,721 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 677.9/km² (1,756.3/mi²). There were 11,398 housing units at an average density of 244.4/km² (633.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.41% White, 2.42% African American, 0.94% Native American, 3.36% Asian, 0.49% Pacific Islander, 1.45% from other races, and 3.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.13% of the population.

There were 10,929 households out of which 45.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $60,524, and the median income for a family was $64,544. Males had a median income of $45,637 versus $30,306 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,700. About 2.6% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Landmarks

The South Hill Library is the busiest branch in the Pierce County Library System.

[edit] High Schools

History
There are four high schools in Puyallup School District #3: Puyallup High School, established in 1892; the second oldest, Gov. John R. Rogers High School, established in 1968; Walker High School, for teenagers requiring individual attention est. ?; and the newest addition, Emerald Ridge High School, established as of 2000. Each school offers courses of interests to students: the culinary program at PHS; the plant science and JROTC program at RHS; and the aviation program at ERHS. ERHS is the more controversial of the high schools because a "Day of Silence" was supported by various faculty and students to prevent gay discrimination in the first year of its creation?. The daily schedule at ERHS also proved a new (and controversial) idea.
Points of Interest
PHS: renowned for putting on innovative Shakespeare productions every year; the Chinese program; the culinary program
RHS: the choir program, including the Concert Chorus, Choraliers, Concert Choir, and Jazz Choir; musicals and plays alternated every other year; the Japanese program; the plant science program; the JROTC program: the AP US History program, newspaper The Commoner
WHS: Dropouts
ERHS: newspaper, the JagWire; class schedule with alternating 2-hour classes and "JagTime" (an advised study time); new facilities with state-of-the-art equipment; Hypokritz (an improvisation group); musicals with elaborate scenery; the aviation program
ERHS: Olympic gold medalist Megan Quann, a swimmer in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.