Orting, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Orting
City
City of Orting
Location of Orting, Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Pierce
Government
• Type	Mayor/Council (Strong Mayor)
Area
• Total	2.76 sq mi (7.15 km2)
• Land	2.71 sq mi (7.01 km2)
• Water	0.06 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Elevation	190 ft (58 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	6,746
• Estimate  (2019)	8,610
• Density	3,182.99/sq mi (1,228.79/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98360
Area code(s)	360/564
FIPS code	53-52005
GNIS feature ID	1512539

Orting is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. At the 2010 census, the city's population was 7,983.

History

Orting is a very small city located approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Mount Rainier. The first ever recorded claims for the land in Orting were made in 1854 by William Henry Whitesell (also the first postmaster), Thomas Headley, Daniel Lane and Daniel Varner. These 4 people all have streets in the city named after them, plus a monument in the Orting City Park commemorating them. The city was officially incorporated on April 22, 1889. Early growth came as the area developed fields to grow hops, produce, and logging industries. Later Christmas tree and bulb farms became important to the local economy. Orting was also a supply town for the coal mining towns of Wilkeson and Carbonado. The first railroad in the city was built in 1877 by the Northern Pacific Railway. It was called "Whitesell's Crossing" because the railroad ran right through the Whitesell property. Population rose quickly after this railroad was built, as it made transportation in and out of the city much easier. What's left of the railroad is now the Meeker Southern Railroad which runs between Puyallup and McMillin.

On November 7, 2006, there was a flash flood in Orting. At around 8:00 AM on November 7, 2006, the neighborhood Village Green in Orting flooded. It took only about 2 hours for the water to be as high as halfway up some houses. This flood was part of the major Pineapple Express flooding which devastated many parts of Western Washington. The cause of the Orting Flood has been debated. Some people say the sewers could not handle the 2 days of continuous rain leading up to the flood. Others say that the levees on the Puyallup River broke. But because of the Pineapple Express, the freezing and snow levels on Mount Rainier rose too fast, and the snow started to melt. The Orting School District closed all of Orting's schools for 2 days due to the massive clean up that was needed. Both the Carbon River and the Puyallup River were responsible for this flooding, due to the city of Orting being surrounded by these two rivers.

Geography

Orting is located at 47°5′46″N 122°12′19″W / 47.09611°N 122.20528°W / 47.09611; -122.20528 (47.096071, -122.205401).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.80 square miles (7.25 km²), of which, 2.73 square miles (7.07 km²) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km²) is water.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States Census recorded 6,746 people, 2,184 households and 1,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,471.1 per square mile (954.1/km²). There were 2,361 housing units, with an average density of 864.8 per square mile (333.9/km²). The racial makeup was 87.9% white, 1.5% African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 2.4% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race comprised 7.2% of the population.

Of the 2,184 households, 48.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% had married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.7% did not have families. Households with only one person made up 16.5% and the total, and those with an individual person 65 years of age or older made up 5.8%. The average household size was 3.01 people and the average family size was 3.34.

The median age was 32.7 years: 30.7% of residents were under the age of 18,; 7.8%, between the ages of 18 and 24, 31.8%, from 25 to 44, 19.5%, 45 to 64 and 10.2% were 65 years of age or older. The sex makeup was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

Salmon fishing

Orting is nestled between the Carbon and Puyallup Rivers. The Voights Creek Hatchery is located just outside Orting and plays a large part in the healthy runs of salmon that bring fishermen from far and wide to enjoy the challenge of landing a big salmon.

Washington State Soldiers Home

Orting is home to the beautiful historic buildings and park like grounds that facilitate all levels of care and housing for soldiers. The soldiers cemetery, on the hill just above the Soldiers Home, having an abundance of Historical knowledge. Gravestones for soldiers dating back to service in the Civil War. The Soldiers Home is located on the Orting Kapowsin Hwy and can be reached by leaving Orting on Calistoga and heading toward Graham where it can be found at the base of the hill.

City parks and murals

Orting is known for its beautiful parks filled with huge shade trees making places for picnics and relaxing right in the center of the historic downtown area. Visitors will enjoy the Orting Valley Farmer's Market in the North Park, Fridays from 3pm-7pm, during the summer months. A walking tour map is available at the library on the corner of Train and Washington. The map shows the route to the historic murals scattered on buildings throughout the town. Throughout town there are views of Mt. Rainier in the distance.

Daffodil Parade

Every year, Orting is the fourth and final stop in the annual Daffodil Festival Parade. The parade has gone through downtown Orting since 1934. It draws over 10,000 people in early April to the festivities in the downtown Orting Parks and the parade viewing in late afternoon. The parade also goes through the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, and Sumner. Orting school band also plays.

Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier as seen from the High Cedars Golf Course in Orting, bordering the Puyallup River

The town sits in a fertile valley between two major rivers, the Carbon and Puyallup Rivers, and it is built entirely on several layers of lahar deposits. Based on past lahar flow and the structure of Mount Rainier, Orting has been designated the most at-risk town in the event of lahar activity from the mountain. Scientists predict that lahars could reach Orting in as little as 30 minutes from origin. Authorities have installed a system of lahar sirens throughout the area, activated by sensors on Mt. Rainier. The local schools regularly stage lahar evacuation drills, and residents have been informed as to lahar escape routes. Local citizens are progressing toward designing the Bridge for Kids, a walking bridge across the Carbon River that could be used for recreation and rapid evacuation up the hill toward Cascadia, Washington.

Transportation

Orting is close to Washington State Route 162. The closest Sounder commuter rail station is in Sumner, Washington.

Foothills Trail

The Pierce County Foothills Trail is a paved trail built on an old railroad bed. It runs through Orting to South Prairie in one direction and to Sumner in the other. Activities allowed on the trail include walking, bicycling, horseback riding, skating, skateboarding and scooter riding. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Although the trail was built for recreation, many bicycle commuters use it.

Education

The Orting School District operates four schools:

• Orting Primary School (grades pre-K–3)
• Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary School (grades K–5)
• Orting Middle School (grades 6–8)
• Orting High School (grades 9–12)

Notable people

• Casey Carrigan – athlete in the 1968 Summer Olympics, attended Orting High School.

See also

In Spanish: Orting (Washington) para niños