Fircrest, Washington

Fircrest, Washington
City
Location of Fircrest, Washington
Coordinates: 47°13′54″N122°30′51″W / 47.23167°N 122.51417°W / 47.23167; -122.51417
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Pierce
Government
• Type	Council–manager
•  Mayor	Shannon Reynolds
•  City manager	Dawn Masko
Area [1]
• Total	1.58 sq mi (4.10 km2)
• Land	1.58 sq mi (4.10 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	276 ft (84 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	7,156
• Density	4,317.75/sq mi (1,666.63/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98466
Area code	253
FIPS code	53-23970
GNIS feature ID	1512209 [3]
Website	cityoffircrest.net

Fircrest is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 7,156 at the 2020 census. ^[2]

History

Fircrest was officially incorporated on September 19, 1925. Like its neighbor University Place, it is a middle-class suburb of Tacoma. The community was developed by Edward Bowes, who later gained fame as the host of the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio talent show. The town attempted to associate itself with academia by naming a number of its streets after universities (e.g. Princeton, Dartmouth, Yale, Vassar, Stanford) and was originally known as Regents Park in a reference to the regents of a university. ^[4]

Fircrest was the last "dry" municipality in Washington state, prohibiting the sale of alcohol by the glass. Voters chose to allow the sale of alcohol in Fircrest in the November 2015 election. ^[5]

Geography

Fircrest is located at 47°13′54″N122°30′51″W / 47.23167°N 122.51417°W / 47.23167; -122.51417 (47.231720, -122.514304). ^[6] The city borders Tacoma to the north and east and University Place to the west and south; the city of Tacoma has an enclave within Fircrest. ^[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.58 square miles (4.09 km²), all of it land. ^[8]

Government

Since 1990, Fircrest has used a council–manager government, with a city council composed of seven councilmembers. The city mayor is chosen biennially by councilmembers and presides over council meetings. Shannon Reynolds was appointed mayor in 2024. Additionally, the city council appoints a city manager to carry out day-to-day operations of the city and policies of the council. ^[9] Dawn Masko has been the City Manager of Fircrest since June 2023.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	441		—
1940	486		10.2%
1950	1,459		200.2%
1960	3,565		144.3%
1970	5,651		58.5%
1980	5,477		−3.1%
1990	5,258		−4.0%
2000	5,868		11.6%
2010	6,497		10.7%
2020	7,156		10.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 2020 Census [2]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, ^[11] there were 6,497 people, 2,705 households, and 1,773 families living in the city. The population density was 4,112.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,587.7/km²). There were 2,847 housing units at an average density of 1,801.9 per square mile (695.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.9% White, 7.0% African American, 0.7% Native American, 5.1% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 7.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.

There were 2,705 households, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,868 people, 2,505 households, and 1,673 families living in the city. The population density was 3,759.4 people per square mile (1,452.3/km²). There were 2,573 housing units at an average density of 1,648.4 per square mile (636.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.46% White, 5.20% African American, 0.56% Native American, 2.69% Asian, 0.51% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 3.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.

There were 2,505 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,912, and the median income for a family was $61,611. Males had a median income of $46,611 versus $32,232 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,244. 5.9% of the population and 4.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.2% of those under the age of 18 and 2.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Education

Most of Fircrest is in the Tacoma Public Schools district, while a part is in the University Place School District. ^[12]

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. "2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 16, 2022.
3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "Fircrest, last dry town left in state, is voting on booze". Seattle Times. October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
5. "Fircrest voters ending liquor-sale ban". Seattle Times. November 3, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. WSDOT – City Limits (Map). Washington State Department of Transportation. September 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2024– via Washington Geospatial Open Data Portal.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
9. "City Council - City of Fircrest". City of Fircrest. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
10. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing" . Retrieved July 25, 2013.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 19, 2012.
12. 2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Pierce County, WA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. pp. 1-2 (PDF p. 2-3/4). Retrieved July 20, 2022.