Ruston, Washington

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Ruston, Washington
Location of Ruston, Washington
Location of Ruston, Washington
Coordinates: 47°17′49″N 122°30′38″W / 47.29694, -122.51056
Country United States
State Washington
County Pierce
Area
 - Total 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
 - Land 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 43 ft (13 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 738
 - Density 2,879.9/sq mi (1,111.9/km²)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 98407
Area code(s) 253
FIPS code 53-60510[1]
GNIS feature ID 1512629[2]

Ruston is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 738 at the 2000 census. Although it is nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the City of Tacoma, Washington, the predominantly residential middle-class area still retains its status as a separate city long after its status as a company town has expired.

Contents

[edit] History

Ruston was officially incorporated on November 10, 1906. It is surrounded on one side by Commencement Bay and all other sides the city of Tacoma. It was established by industrialist William Rust[citation needed] as a company town for his employees. The primary industry for decades was the ASARCO copper smelting plant on the waterfront. The smelter and its landmark smokestack have been gone for years, and a massive Superfund cleanup at the former site has been underway since the early 1990s.

[edit] Geography

Ruston is located at 47°17′49″N, 122°30′38″W (47.296906, -122.510513)[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²), all of it land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 738 people, 330 households, and 185 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,879.9 people per square mile (1,095.9/km²). There were 355 housing units at an average density of 1,385.3/sq mi (527.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.26% White, 2.57% African American, 2.98% Native American, 2.30% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 3.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.79% of the population.

There were 330 households out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,393, and the median income for a family was $54,167. Males had a median income of $36,932 versus $36,042 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,565. About 7.7% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

  • PointDefianceMusicFest.org: annual labor day music festival sponsored by the Ruston-Point Defiance Business District with links to information about local businesses, restaurants, lodging and recreation
  • PointDefianceRadio.com: Streaming radio with local talk, music and news for the Point Defiance - South Puget Sound (Tacoma & Ruston, Washington)
  • RustonHome.blogspot.com: News, history and commentary from Ruston, Washington.
  • RustonConnection.org:advocacy and local government information for the town of Ruston, Washington.


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