United Way of King CountyUnited Way of King County Community Assessment - King County review of health and human services

South King County Profile


Human Services Profile Page

Community Profile

Population

With a total population of 638,822, the 16 cities and large unincorporated areas of the region known as South King County has a population greater than the City of Seattle and slightly less than the total population of Pierce County to the south.

The population is slightly lower than was reported in the last community assessment. Following very high growth rate in the 1990’s, South King County was hard hit by the 2001 – 2004 recessions and population decreased or was flat in some areas.

In the last few years population growth is increasing again, at a slower pace than in the 1990’s, but the growth is tied to new economic development and the higher cost of living in other regions of King County.  

Growth patterns vary across the South subregion:

  • The Southwest portion (Unincorporated areas from White Center neighborhood south, through the cities of Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Federal Way) has grown very slowly.
  • The Green River Valley area (cities of Renton, Kent and Auburn) has strong commercial growth in the downtown areas and residential growth with condos/apartments in the downtown and single family/residential subdivisions on the hills. In the case of Auburn, the largest residential growth has been in Pierce County, outside our South King County Subregion.
  • The eastern area from East Renton through Fairwood to Maple Valley and Covington has seen rapid growth in single family subdivisions and the rural nature is becoming more urban as the density is increasing with a number of new housing starts, primarily single family dwellings[1].

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Demographic Profile

Ethnic, racial and language diversity

South King County continues to grow in diversity with significant shifts in communities of color, immigrants and refuges. Immigrants and refugees continue to settle in the subregion and secondary migration (refugees who settle elsewhere in the United States and have since relocated to the area) is a significant demographic.

Highline, Tukwila and Renton School Districts now report that over 50% of student population is non white and in Federal Way, 46% of the student population is non white.

The top10 Limited English Proficiency languages spoken in school districts include: Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, Vietnamese, Somali, Punjabi, Korean, Cambodian, Tagalog, and Samoan

Because of the national crisis around immigration and the high concentration of immigrant families in South King County, there is increased anxiety for families about raids and the fear of raids and deportation.

The Purepecha people

The Purepecha people are an indigenous group from Michoacan in Central Mexico who speak Tarasco, a language similar to Quechua and descended from an Aztec language. Most Purepecha families do not speak Spanish or English, but because they are from Mexico, systems (such as schools and health centers) often assume that they will speak Spanish.

Tarasco is not traditionally a written language, and because families come from a primarily oral tradition, this has presented additional challenges for children entering the school system here. Research out of Oregon on a community of Purepecha families living there recently revealed that Tarasco speaking children are dramatically different from other English Language Learners as they enter the school system. To further complicate the context for families, the Purepecha people have experienced significant discrimination within Mexico, and so may be reluctant to share that they speak Tarasco or to identify as Purepecha. There has been an increase in Purepecha families observed in some of the low-income communities in South King County recently[3].

Income

Approximately 78,979 households (30% of all household in South King County) make under $35,000 per year which is significantly less than the 2006 HUD median area income of $62,400 for King County.

Free and Reduced Lunch rates, another indicator of poverty, have increased in all areas of South King County, with 5 school districts having over 35% of children receiving free and reduced lunches.

The Federal Way school district had the most significant increase increasing from 29% of students in 2000 to 47% of students in 2006.

Both Highline and Tukwila school districts had over 55% of children receiving Free and Reduced lunch. Overall, there are 44,568 children receiving free and reduced lunch in South King County school Districts.

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Geography

Geographically, South King County is bordered by the City of Seattle and Lake Washington to the North, Puget Sound to the west, the Cascade Mountains (Kittitas and Yakima Counties) to the east and Pierce County to the south.

The geography, a large valley running down the middle with steep hills on both sides contributes to the transportation complexities of the region. While there are new opportunities provided by sound transit for north-south travel, and 4 large METRO transportation hubs (Federal Way, Auburn, Kent and Renton), east west travel remains difficult.

Annexation of unincorporated areas

5 Unincorporated Area Councils (North Highline, West Hill/Skyway, Vashon Maury Island, Maple Valley and Four Creeks) represent some of the remaining unincorporated areas. Proposed annexation in the next few years will create dramatic shifts in increasing city populations.

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Local Governments

Each city’s governmental structure and politics are locally determined and vary. The Cities are the primary providers of a wide array of local services such as police, parks, arts support, public works, economic development and senior services in King County outside Seattle.

Long standing cities such as Auburn, Black Diamond, Kent, and Renton have their own police, fire and jails. Others contract with King County for police services and are served by local fire districts.
A few cities in South King County have dedicated Human Services staffs. In others someone is responsible for those services within the city along with other duties.

Multiple special purpose districts for sewer, water, fire add to the complexity of governance along with 2 power providers. King County remains the provider of local services for unincorporated areas and regional services for all of King County. Two Housing Authorities provide services, Renton within the City of Renton, and King County Housing Authority for the remaining area of King County outside of the City of Seattle. The King County Library System is an independent district and provides great resources within communities. Renton and Enumclaw have independent libraries.

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School Districts

Other important providers of services and links to diverse communities are the 9 school districts and the provision of supports to children and families in each of these districts is organized differently. Some have local agencies and community collaborations working to improve school readiness and connection for students and families while some districts provide family support liaisons directly to assist families with their needs. The schools are a critical contact point for any effort having to do with school age children and their families.

Colleges

Three institutions, Green River Community College, Highline Community College and Renton Technical College provide a variety of education and vocational choices as well as English and Basic Education classes. Opportunities have increased with the addition of off site campuses located near the transit centers in both Kent and Auburn as well as off site classes in partnership with local school districts and agencies. Also, South Seattle Community College has some reach into Southwest King County.

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Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

With the advice and input of the General Council, which is comprised of all community members, the Muckleshoot Tribal Council provides a full range of governance services to the reservation. Today's Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (MIT) is one of Washington State's larger Tribes, with an on- or near-Reservation population of about 3,300.

Over the years, in common with other Northwestern Tribes, the Muckleshoots' have been active in asserting their rights and defending their traditional freedoms. Self-governance has been the cornerstone of these efforts and, as a federally recognized tribal government; the Muckleshoot Tribal Council has actively sought out opportunities to improve the social and economic well-being of the Tribe.

New sources of economic and educational opportunity are now being developed. The advent of tribal gaming has been a large factor in opening up new possibilities for Indian people everywhere, and the Muckleshoot Tribe has been very entrepreneurial in capitalizing on its urbanized location, establishing successful casino and bingo enterprises. These, in turn, have provided the seed money that, for the first time, puts the Tribe on an equal financial footing with other governments and makes it possible for the Muckleshoot Tribe to realistically plan for the future of its people.

A Child Development Center, Tribal School and Tribal College and on site medical center provide necessary supports and services for community members. The Native Whulshootseed Language and traditions are incorporated into the classrooms through Native culture teachers. Throughout the classrooms you will hear drumming, singing, and stories being told while surrounded in an atmosphere which is wrapped in native culture[2].

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Industry

Other key influences in South King County include SeaTac Airport, a regional facility with enormous impact on local jurisdictions. This is also one of several high profile local employers.

Major cities in the South region report current economic growth, particularly in the retail, manufacturing and high-tech industries. In addition to this, close proximity to the airport lends to the tourism business for some communities (such as SeaTac and Tukwila), which is expected to grow with the development of the new light-rail project.

The major employer in the South region continues to be the Boeing Company. For some cities such as Renton, where 31% of the population is employed at Boeing, the company is crucial to their economic success.

Other significant employers are the nine school districts and various companies in the service and manufacturing industries.

Top employers in the city of SeaTac are all related to the tourism business, and are primarily airlines or hotels.
According to the 2006 State of the Workforce Update, King County’s job market remains strong and the unemployment rate continues to decline.

However, 73% of the vacancies on the top 25 jobs list pay a median wage of $10 per hour or less which doesn’t offer self sufficiency for most families in South King County.

Retail and service industry jobs currently represent the highest number of jobs available, and these industries offer a low wage and fewer fulltime openings.

Opportunities for movement up the wage and career ladder are essential and places greater importance of providing career pathways and training opportunities. Education is clearly an indictor for workers and job seekers to progress on the path to self sufficiency.

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Healthcare

Public Health provides services at 5 Centers and 2 satellite locations. Community Health Centers of King County has increased the number of clinics serving South King County with the newest addition at the Village at Angle Lake in SeaTac. In additional the Community Health Center also opened a pharmacy proving low cost prescriptions.

Highline, Valley Medical, Auburn, Enumclaw and St Francis are hospitals located in South King County. MultiCare also provides a variety of clinics and emergency health services.

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Community Events

Each city within the south county region holds a variety of events throughout the year. They range from art walks, to harvest festivals, to holiday parades, to city-wide community clean-ups. The most famous of these festivals is the Annual Scottish Highland Games held in Enumclaw which began over 60 years ago. These festivals provide an opportunity for the community to participate in activities together.

There are at least five farmers markets in South King County who are registered with the Washington State Farmers Market Association. Currently they are open in Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent and Renton. These markets are open from around mid-May to beginning of October; vendors sell locally grown foods and other products such as fruits, vegetables, honey, flowers, fish, etc.

Such activities foster community bonds and help to support local farmers; they also provide a venue for local performers to showcase their talents, while community members enjoy the music, dancing, etc.

In the past few years, King County has transferred significant land holdings to cities, such as Lake Wilderness Park to the City of Maple Valley and the King County Fair Grounds to the City of Enumclaw. This gives local jurisdictions the ability to plan for and provide new opportunities in the way of recreation and economic growth.

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Go to the Human Services Profile Page

Resources

List of additional resources for further information about issues and services in this area:

School Districts
Cities
Chambers of Commerce

2006 South County Economic Study – commissioned by the Kent Chamber of Commerce in partnership with cities of Auburn, Covington, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley Renton and Tukwila, Burien and SeaTac

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Footnotes

[1] Puget Sound Regional Council Puget Sound Trends, October 2006

[2] (http://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us/)

[3] 2007, New Futures

[4] http://www.newfutures.us/reachout.html

 

 
 
 
2007 - United Way of King County - Questions and Comments?