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Welcome to the
City of Seattle
"The Emerald City"
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Seattle is located in King County, Washington. Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, it sits between Lake Washington and Puget Sound and just over 90 miles from the Canadian border and it is the county seat to King County with an estimated population of 582,455 in the city area. The nickname "Emerald City" came from the result of a contest, it represents the lush evergreen trees in the area. Informally it is referred to as the Gateway to Alaska, Jet City and Queen City, all due to local influence of Boeing. Residents in are known as Seattleites.
Often regarded to as the birthplace of grunge music, the region has a reputation for being heavy coffee drinkers. Some of the coffee companies founded in Seattle are Starbuck's, Tully's and Seattle's Best Coffee. Seattle was ranked the most literate city in the U.S. in 2005 with the largest number of college graduates of any other city in the U.S. Seattle also ranked 36 in the most studied places in the U.S.
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The Founding of Seattle ~
Amazingly archaeological excavations in Discovery Park at West Point have found that Seattle has been inhabited by humans for over 4,000 years. Records have been kept since the mid 1850s showing that the once Dkhw'Duw'Absh and Xachua'Bsh tribes, now Duwamish tribe, have occupied the Seattle area in at least 17 villages. There were over 90 log houses they called home, which sat along Salmon Bay, Lake Sammamish, Elliot Bay, Lake Washington, Portage Bay, Black River, Cedar River and Duwamish River.
In November of 1851 European American settlers arrived at Alki Point, they were very prominent European's. The Denny Party first called the area New York to reflect a great trading port. In April of 1852 the Denny Party relocated to Elliot Bay and the towns first plats for Seattle were filed in May of 1853. Seattle was incorporated in 1869. Seattle got its name after Chief Noah Sealth of the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes from David Swinson, one of the city founders.
Major History Events ~
Many major events have taken place in Seattle. The Klondike gold rush made Seattle a very large transportation center. In 1889 the Great Seattle Fire destroyed all of the central business district, thankfully it took no lives. The first general strike of the country took place in 1919 in Seattle and was referred to as the Seattle General Strike. The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition arrived in 1909. In 1962 the Century 21 Exposition came, a World's Fair. The Goodwill Games came in 1990 and in 1999 the WTO Ministerial Conference was marked by street protests and riots. The Major League Baseball All-Star game took place during the 2001 season at the Safeco Field.
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Seattle's Climate ~
Usually Seattle's climate is classified as Marine west coast because of its mild weather, but it has the characteristics of a Mediterranean climate because of its dry summer and wet winter pattern. Temperatures are moderated by the nearby Lake Washington and Puget Sound as well as the more distant Pacific Ocean. The Olympic Mountains and the Cascade Range protect the area from Pacific storms and Arctic Air. The area usually gets over 37 inches of precipitation annually, which usually falls as light drizzle with occasional downpours. Winters in Seattle are cool and wet with lows in the upper 30s to highs in the upper 70s. Summers are cool with lows in the mid 50s to highs in the upper 70s; making the weather pleasant year round.
Snowfall is infrequent around the lower altitude areas and near the coast, the higher elevation receives an average of 16 inches during the winter months. The California weather usually dominates the weather pattern making it sunny and dry during the months of July to September. Seattle has one exception and that is El Nino, causing the marine weather system to track as far as California with very little rain. This sometimes causes substandard skiing and low water for the summer months.
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| Seattle Average Climate |
Jan. |
Feb. |
Mar. |
Apr. |
May |
Jun. |
Jul. |
Aug. |
Sep. |
Oct. |
Nov. |
Dec. |
| Average High Temperature °F |
46 |
50 |
53 |
58 |
64 |
70 |
75 |
76 |
70 |
60 |
51 |
46 |
| Average Low Temperature °F |
36 |
37 |
39 |
42 |
47 |
52 |
55 |
56 |
52 |
46 |
40 |
36 |
| Average Precipitation (in.) |
5.1 |
4.2 |
3.8 |
2.6 |
1.8 |
1.5 |
0.8 |
1.0 |
1.6 |
3.2 |
5.9 |
5.6 |
| Avg. No. Precip. Days |
23 |
20 |
21 |
19 |
16 |
15 |
10 |
11 |
13 |
17 |
22 |
23 |
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Education in Seattle ~
Seattle is served by the Seattle Public School System. There are 68 elementary schools, 12 middle schools and 18 high schools. Supplemented by a moderate number of private schools, the school system has five Catholic high schools, one Lutheran high school and six secular high schools.
Beating the national average, 47% of Seattle's population, age 25, hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 93% of the population hold a high school diploma or GED. Surveys show that Seattle has the largest percentage of college graduates of any other U.S. city. Along with educational institutes, there are many adult literacy programs and homeschooling; making Seattle the most literate city in the U.S.
The University of Washington, one of the most well respected universities, calls Seattle home. It is the biggest school in the Pacific Northwest and a highly ranked university. The University of Washington is noted for having top programs in Comparative Literature, Asian Studies, Computer Science, Engineering and Germanics. The city offers other large, prominent universities such as Seattle Pacific University, a Jesuit university and Seattle University. Smaller universities are also in the area; Antioch University Seattle, providing graduate and undergraduate degrees for working adults. City University, private secular school, North Seattle, Seattle Central, and South Seattle Community Colleges. The Cornish College of the Arts, offering bachelor's degrees in theater, music, and dance.
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Seattle Demographics Report
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Population (2006)
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Median Household Income
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Median Family Income
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Median Age
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482,454
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$45,736
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$62,195
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36
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| *Demographics information based on the 2000 census report |
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Seattle has many things to see and do, the city is well known for being a regional center for performing arts. Among the world's most recored orchestras is the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, which started a century ago. The Orchestra performs mostly at Benaroya Hall. At McCaw Hall you will find performances from the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet. The largest symphonic youth organization in the U.S. is the well distinguished Seattle Youth Symphony.
Built in 1926 is the historic 5th Avenue Theatre, which continues to stage quality Broadway musical shows that feature local and international stars. Based on Summer and Forbidden City's Imperial Palaces is the Chinese Timber Architecture. There are also twenty other theatre venues with live shows. The city has a strong scene for local poetry slams and other poetry performances. Many venues routinely have readings and lectures for the public. These are usually held in the Romanesque Revival Town Hall and First Hill.
Many grunge rock bands are from Seattle like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and Green River. All were very popular in the 1990's. Since this era, Seattle has hosted a variety of alternative music such as Sunny Day, The Postal Service, Murder City Devils and Skinny Puppy. Other music acts include the Ventures, the Brothers Four, the Wailers, Posies, The Fastbacks, Seven Year Bitch, the Gits and Young Fresh Fellows.
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Among Seattle's well-known annual events are events such as Northwest Folklife held on Memorial Day weekend, Seattle Film Festival that lasts for 24 days, Bite of Seattle, Seafair, Bumbershoot held over Labor Day weekend, Endfest, Hempfest, Capital Hill Block Party and two separate Independence Day celebrations. Many dozen neighborhoods have annual street fairs, parades and foot races drawing thousands of people for crafts, food and live entertainment. Other events include a Greek Festival, Native American powwows and many ethnic festivals, book fairs, film festivals, Seattle-to-Portland bicycle ride.
Activities in the Seattle area include the Seattle Center amusement park, many art gallery's, historical and art museums, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, the Seattle Underground Tour, and the Pacific Place Mall along with plenty of recreation at the public parks with community centers, playgrounds, ball parks, ball courts, picnic areas and lots of open space. There are many private and public golf courses along with tons of places to shop and restaurants to fill you up. The nightlife in Seattle in a must do with lots of bars, clubs and pubs to choose from.
You will find that Seattle is the best place to be for a life time.
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