Editing Covington, Washington

{{Short description|City in Washington, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Covington, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[City government in Washington (state)|City]]
|motto                    = "Unmatched Quality of Life"
|image_skyline            = Mount Rainier as seen from a Covington neighborhood.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Mount Rainier as seen from a Covington neighborhood
|image_map                = King_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Covington_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Covington in King County, Washington
<!-- Location ------>
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[King County, Washington|King]]
<!-- Government ----->
|government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = August 31, 1997
<!-- Area ------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 15.65
|area_land_km2            = 15.36
|area_water_km2           = 0.28
|area_total_sq_mi         = 6.04
|area_land_sq_mi          = 5.93
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.11
<!-- Population ----->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 20777
|population_density_km2   = 1378.28
|population_density_sq_mi = 3569.62
|population_est           = 21125
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
|population_urban         = 
|population_metro         = 
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Standard Time|Pacific (PST)]]
|utc_offset               = –8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = –7
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 384
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|22|27|N|122|07|11|W|region:US-WA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others ---->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 98042
|area_code                = [[Area code 253|253]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-15290
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2410253<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410253}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.covingtonwa.gov/|covingtonwa.gov}}
|footnote                 = 
}}

'''Covington''' is a city in [[King County, Washington|King County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 20,777 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Covington_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5315290 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=August 28, 2023}}</ref> Covington was founded in 1900 at a [[Northern Pacific Railway]] stop and grew into a suburban [[bedroom community]] in the late 20th century. It was incorporated as a city in 1997.

==History==

The area presently known as Covington was originally known as Jenkins Prairie. Between 1899 and 1900, the [[Northern Pacific Railway]] built the Palmer Cutoff between [[Auburn, Washington|Auburn]] and [[Palmer, Washington|Palmer]] to improve the company's primary east–west rail route across [[Stampede Pass]]. Richard Covington, a surveyor for the Northern Pacific, worked out of Fort Vancouver establishing the line from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Auburn.<ref name="HistoryLink">{{cite web |last=Kershner |first=Kate |date=February 26, 2013 |title=Covington — Thumbnail History |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/10337 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |accessdate=October 3, 2015}}</ref>

In 1900, during the building of the Palmer Cutoff, the Northern Pacific built several facilities in Covington. These included a 2,850-foot passing track, a 700-foot loading track, a second-class section house, a 24-man bunkhouse, a box tank, and a standpipe for watering steam locomotives.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> By 1908, the settlement was also home to the Covington Lumber Company, which had set up a mill capable of cutting 85,000 board feet of timber a day. NP's operations at Covington continued until the Great Depression; the facilities were then removed in 1941.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

Dairies replaced lumber as the predominant industry in the Covington area by the 1920s; several [[irrigation canal]]s were dug from local creeks to provide water during dry periods.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> A school district for Covington was established in 1937.<ref name=CovingtonHistory>[http://www.ci.covington.wa.us/covingtonlife/history.cfm A History of Covington, Washington] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521160151/http://www.ci.covington.wa.us/covingtonlife/history.cfm |date=May 21, 2009}}</ref> Over the years, the area grew as an [[unincorporated area]] outside of [[Kent, Washington|Kent]] and was designated as a suburban development hub by the county government.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> A local citizens' group formed to incorporate Covington as its own city to control development planning; an attempt to also include [[Lake Meridian]] in the proposed city failed and it was instead annexed by Kent.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> The vote to incorporate Covington as a city passed on November 6, 1996, the same day a similar measure created neighboring [[Maple Valley, Washington|Maple Valley]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hopkins |first=Jack |date=November 6, 1996 |title=Voters OK plans to create 2 cities |page=A17 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref> Covington was officially incorporated as a city on August 31, 1997, and had approximately 12,200 residents at the time.<ref name="HistoryLink"/>

==Geography==
Covington is located in southern King County.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The city is surrounded by [[Kent, Washington|Kent]] to the west, [[Auburn, Washington|Auburn]] to the southwest, and [[Maple Valley, Washington|Maple Valley]] to the east.<ref name="King-Map">{{cite map |date=April 2008 |title=King County Highways and Incorporated Areas |url=https://your.kingcounty.gov/GIS/web/Web/VMC/misc/County_hillshade.pdf |publisher=King County GIS Center |accessdate=November 26, 2024}}</ref> [[Pipe Lake]] is located in Covington and adjacent Maple Valley.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|5.93|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

==Economy==
With its rapid population growth since the city's incorporation, much of the city's income depends on the [[retail industry]]. The city's retail core, which largely developed in the 2000s, is located along the [[Washington State Route 516|State Route 516]] corridor.

Covington is also a regional medical hub for southeast King County with MultiCare Health Systems and Valley Medical Center each having facilities in the city. MultiCare opened a four-story hospital serving the city in 2018 with 58 beds, emergency rooms, and a family birth center.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 23, 2018 |title=Covington Medical Center's new 58-bed hospital opens for business |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/business/covington-medical-centers-new-58-bed-hospital-open-for-business/ |work=Kent Reporter |accessdate=July 15, 2021}}</ref>

==Government==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Presidential Elections Results<ref>[http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/elections/past-elections.aspx King County Elections]</ref>
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election in Washington (state)|2020]]'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.31% ''4,524''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.98%''' ''6,283''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.71% ''416''
|}

The city is governed by a [[council-manager government]] consisting of a seven-person [[city council]]. Members are elected [[at-large]], (that is, each is elected by all citizens of the city, not by districts).

Fire protection is provided by [[Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority]].

Public schools in the city are part of the [[Kent School District]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|2000= 13783
|2010= 17575
|2020= 20777
|estyear=2023
|estimate=21125
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=August 21, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 21, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

Prior to the 2010 census, part of Covington was counted as part of [[Covington-Sawyer-Wilderness, Washington|Covington-Sawyer-Wilderness]] CDP.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Covington, Washington – Racial Composition'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Covington city, Washington|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Covington%20city,%20Washington&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref><br>(NH = Non-Hispanic)<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|12,772
|61.5%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|1,069
|5.1%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|98
|0.5%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|2,417
|11.6%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|155
|0.7%
|-
|[[Some Other Race]] (NH)
|130
|0.6%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|1,722
|8.3%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|2,414
|11.6%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''20,777'''
|'''100.0%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 20,777 people, 7,005 households, 5,416 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Covington%20city,%20Washington%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|3502.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 7,149 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 63.8% (13,264) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.3% (1,109) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.7% (145) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 11.8% (2,453) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.8% (169) [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.2% (1,078) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|some other races]] and 12.3% (2,559) from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 11.6% (2,414) of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Covington city, Washington |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/covington-city-washington/160-5315290/ |access-date=August 21, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 17,575 people, 5,817 households, and 4,649 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2998.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 6,081 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1037.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 76.1% (13,378) White, 4.2% (741) African American, 0.8% (145) Native American, 8.5% (1,491) Asian, 0.6% (100) Pacific Islander, 3.9% (694) from other races, and 5.8% (1,026) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.3% (1,634) of the population.

There were 5,817 households, of which 46.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.1% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 34.7 years. 28.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 6.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 13,783 people, 4,398 households, and 3,689 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2389.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,473 housing units at an average density of {{convert|775.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 87.88% White, 2.44% African American, 1.02% Native American, 3.12% Asian, 0.22% Pacific Islander, 1.80% from other races, and 3.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.48% of the population.

There were 4,398 households, 52.2% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.1% were non-families. 11.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the city the population was spread out, with 33.8% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 3.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $63,711, and the median income for a family was $65,173. Males had a median income of $48,134 versus $34,576 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $22,230. About 2.1% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Parks and recreation==
The City of Covington maintains a year-round aquatic center.<ref name="Covington Aquatic Center">{{cite web|title=Covington Aquatic Center|url=http://www.covingtonwa.gov/cac|publisher=City of Covington|access-date=December 14, 2012}}</ref> The city also offers basketball, baseball, football and soccer youth leagues from pre-k through 8th grade, recreation classes, and special events. The city is also home to eight city-run parks, and one municipally maintained trail.<ref name="Parks and Recreation">{{cite web|title=City of Covington Parks and Recreation|url=http://www.covingtonwa.gov/city_departments/parks/parksandtrails.html|publisher=City of Covington|access-date=December 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125024513/http://www.covingtonwa.gov/city_departments/parks/parksandtrails.html|archive-date=November 25, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
The city's principal arterial is [[Washington State Route 516|State Route 516]], known locally as Southeast 272nd Street or Kent-Kangley Road, which runs through the city on its west–east route from [[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]] to [[Maple Valley, Washington|Maple Valley]]. The only [[freeway]] that passes through the city is [[Washington State Route 18|State Route 18]], which passes through the city on a northeast–southwest route.<ref name="King-Map"/> State Route 18, which connects [[Interstate 90 in Washington|Interstate 90]] near [[Snoqualmie, Washington|Snoqualmie]] and [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]] in [[Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way]], is a major route used by vehicles traveling between south King County and Eastern Washington.

Public transportation is provided by [[King County Metro]].

===Emergency services===
Covington contracts with the [[King County Sheriff's Office]] for police services. Deputies assigned to Covington wear Covington uniforms and drive [[police car|patrol car]]s marked with the city logo. There are currently 12 patrol officers, one chief, one sergeant, one school resource officer, one traffic officer, and one detective assigned full-time to the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=City of Covington Police Department |url=https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/sheriff/police-partnerships/partners-list/covington |publisher=King County|access-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref>

Covington is part of the [[Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority]] (RFA), along with the cities of [[Kent, Washington|Kent]], and [[SeaTac, Washington|SeaTac]] and portions of unincorporated [[King County, Washington|King County]]. The city's first fire station opened in 2009; it is a 17,385-square foot building located on Southeast 256th Street. The RFA's board meetings are conducted in the Covington fire station.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Department|url=http://www.kentfirerfa.org/index.aspx?NID=27|publisher=Kent Regional Fire Authority|via=CivicPlus|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415154535/http://www.kentfirerfa.org/index.aspx?NID=27|archive-date=April 15, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kent Fire Department Milestones|url=http://www.kentfirerfa.org/index.aspx?nid=93|publisher=Kent Regional Fire Authority|via=CivicPlus|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212954/http://kentfirerfa.org/index.aspx?nid=93|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fire Station 75|url=http://kentfirerfa.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Fire-Station-75-5|publisher=Kent Regional Fire Authority|via=CivicPlus|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065216/http://kentfirerfa.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Fire-Station-75-5|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Debra Entenman]], member of the [[Washington House of Representatives]]
* [[Mark Hargrove]], former member of [[Washington House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/108352/mark-hargrove |title=Mark Hargrove's Biography |publisher=[[Vote Smart]] |accessdate=September 18, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Reese McGuire]], professional baseball player, first round draft pick for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]
* [[Lindsey Moore]], professional basketball player
* [[Bob Smith (comics)|Bob Smith]], comic book artist for [[DC Comics|DC]] and [[Archie Comics]]
* [[Pat Sullivan (politician)|Pat Sullivan]], majority leader of the [[Washington House of Representatives]] and former mayor of Covington

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.covingtonwa.gov/ City of Covington – Official Website]
* [https://www.historylink.org/File/10337 History of Covington] at [[HistoryLink]]

{{King County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1997 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in King County, Washington]]
[[Category:Cities in the Seattle metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1997]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]