Editing Kent, Washington

{{About|the city|the basketball player|Kent Washington|the neighborhood|Kent (Washington, D.C.)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Kent, Washington
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = kentstation.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Kent Station, Kent Regional Library (top right) and Kent Sounder Station in 2009
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Kent, Washington.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| image_map          = Kent Washington highlighted in King County.png
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Kent 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_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Dana Ralph <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentwa.gov/government/kent-mayor|title=Kent Mayor Dana Ralph|date=May 17, 2024|publisher=City of Kent, Washington|access-date=May 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/kents-new-mayor-ralph-predicts-great-things-ahead/|title=Kent's new Mayor Ralph predicts 'great things' ahead|first=Steve|last=Hunter|date=January 3, 2018|website=Kent Reporter|access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref>
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = May 28, 1890
<!-- 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=May 17, 2024}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 89.12
| area_land_km2      = 87.63
| area_water_km2     = 1.51
| area_total_sq_mi   = 34.41
| area_land_sq_mi    = 33.83
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.58
<!-- Population ----->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 136588
| population_density_km2 = 1,534
| population_density_sq_mi = 3,970
| population_rank    = US: [[List of United States cities by population|216th]]<br>WA: [[List of municipalities in Washington|6th]]
| population_est     = 133378
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset         = –8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = –7
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 394
| coordinates        = {{coord|47|22|58|N|122|13|37|W|region:US-WA|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others ---->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 98030, 98031, 98032, 98035, 98042, 98064, 98089
| area_code          = [[Area code 253|253]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-35415
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2410185<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410185}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://kentwa.gov}}
}}

'''Kent''' is a city in [[King County, Washington|King County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. It is part of the [[Seattle metropolitan area|Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metropolitan area]] and had a population of 136,588 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Kent_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5335415 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 1, 2023}}</ref> making it the 4th most populous municipality in greater Seattle and the [[List of municipalities in Washington|6th most populous]] in Washington state. The city is connected to [[Seattle]], [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] and [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] via [[Washington State Route 167|State Route 167]] and [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]], [[Sounder commuter rail]], and commuter buses.

Incorporated in 1890, Kent is the second-oldest incorporated city in the county, after the county seat of Seattle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kent is incorporated on May 28, 1890|url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1666|website=historylink.org|publisher=History Ink|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> It is generally divided into three areas: West Hill (mixed residential and commercial along Interstate 5), Valley (primarily industrial and commercial with some medium-density residential; significant parkland along [[Green River (Duwamish River tributary)|Green River]]), and [[East Hill-Meridian|East Hill]] (primarily residential with retail).

==History==
The Kent area was first permanently settled by European Americans in the 1850s along the banks of what was then the [[White River (Washington)|White River]]. The first settler was Samuel Russell, who sailed the White and [[Duwamish River|Duwamish]] rivers until he claimed a plot of land southeast of modern-day downtown Kent in the spring of 1853. Russell was followed by several other settlers who quickly staked claims around the area.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn|title=Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history|date=1990|publisher=Windsor Publications|location=Chatsworth, Calif.|isbn=0-89781-356-1|page=14|edition=1st}}</ref> The settlements were originally known as "White River" and later the town was called "Titusville" after an early settler by the name of James Henry Titus.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kent and the White River Valley Area|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/cities_detail.aspx?i=7|website=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> (There is still a "Titusville Station" sign on Gowe Street near First Avenue). In 1861 a post office was established under the name White River and was located at the farm of David and Irena Neely who settled in modern-day Kent in 1854. In 1855 their farm was [[Battle of Seattle (1856)#Prelude|attacked by Native Americans]] when David Neely served as a lieutenant in the Territorial Army. Another settler was [[Henry Yesler|Henry L. Yesler]], who was the first sawmill operator in Seattle.<ref name="WR">{{cite web |title=Kent and the White River Valley Area |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/cities_detail.aspx?i=7 |publisher=Washington Secretary of State |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> By 1870 the population was 277 and all of the quality bottom-land had been claimed.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn|title=Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history|date=1990|publisher=Windsor Publications|location=Chatsworth, California|isbn=0-89781-356-1|pages=12, 17|edition=1st}}</ref>

Throughout the 1860s and 70's, grain and forage crops such as wheat, barley, oats, hay, and timothy accounted for much of the annual return of farmers in the valley. During the late 1870s the town discovered [[hops]] production as a major source of income.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=Florence K. Lentz; pictorial research by Linda Van Nest; "Partners in progress" by Lynn|title=Kent—valley of opportunity : an illustrated history|date=1990|publisher=Windsor Publications|location=Chatsworth, California|isbn=0-89781-356-1|page=20|edition=1st}}</ref> Due to an [[aphid]] invasion which affected hops crops in Europe,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/agriculture%20_industry/hops_history.htm |title=Herefordshire Through Time - Welcome |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=July 12, 2011 |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227010957/http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/agriculture%20_industry/hops_history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> hops from the [[Puget Sound]] area began to command high prices. Hops were shipped from Titusville either by the river or via rail. In 1889 the town was renamed for [[Kent|the County of Kent]], the major hops-producing region in England. [[Ezra Meeker]] was asked by the Northern Pacific Railroad to name its station. Meeker suggested that it be known as Kent as it was "Hop Capitol of the West".<ref name="WR"/> Hops production in the White River valley came to an end soon after its own invasion of aphids in 1891.<ref>{{cite web|last=Stein |first=Alan J. |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=3587 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |publisher=HistoryLink.org |date=September 24, 2001|access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>

Kent was officially incorporated on May 28, 1890, with a population of 793, the second city incorporated in King County (after Seattle).<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilma|first=David|url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1666|title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History|publisher=HistoryLink.org|date=September 14, 1999|access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>

After the turn of the 20th century the area turned to [[dairy farming]] and was home to a [[Carnation (brand)|Carnation]] condensed milk plant.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lange |first=Greg |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1114 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |publisher=HistoryLink.org |date=May 9, 1999 |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Long |first=Priscilla |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1608 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |publisher=HistoryLink.org |date=August 6, 1999 |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref> Flooding from both the [[Green River (Duwamish River)|Green]] and the [[White River (Washington)|White]] Rivers was a constant problem. In 1906, flooding changed the course of the White River, which reduced the flood hazard by half. The Green River continued to present problems until the creation of the [[Howard A. Hanson Dam]] at Eagle Gorge in 1962.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/vtours/kent/|title=The History of Kent, Washington|access-date=January 27, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923092832/http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/vtours/kent/|archive-date=September 23, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrvmuseum.org/|title= Welcome to our Home Page|publisher= White River Valley Museum|access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>

During and after the [[Great Depression]], Kent was known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World".<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Kent|url=http://kentwa.gov/ExperienceHistoricalKent/|website=kentwa.gov|access-date=November 30, 2014}}</ref> After [[WWII]], Kent began to grow more rapidly. From 1953 to 1960 the city's size grew twelve-fold. In 1965 [[Boeing]] began building in Kent, followed a few years later by other aerospace and high-tech companies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Long |first=Priscilla |url=http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7905 |title=the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History |publisher=HistoryLink.org |date=September 4, 2006 |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>

In 1992, the Greater Kent Historical Society was formed to promote the discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the history of the greater Kent area.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://kenthistoricalmuseum.org/about/ |title=About &#124; Greater Kent Historical Society Museum |publisher=Kent Historical Museum |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref> In 1996, the City of Kent purchased the historic Bereiter house, the home of one of Kent's early mayors, for use as the Kent Historical Museum. The museum is operated by the Greater Kent Historical Society.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kenthistoricalmuseum.org/about/gkhs-history/ |title=History &#124; Greater Kent Historical Society Museum |publisher=Kent Historical Museum |access-date=July 12, 2011}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Kent Washington Above.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of Kent, looking west to east. All three main sections of the city are visible (West Hill, Valley and East Hill) with downtown near the center of the image.]]

Kent is located in southern King County and is part of Seattle's metropolitan area. The city is divided into three geographic sections: West Hill, the Kent Valley, and East Hill. Downtown Kent is located on the east side of the valley, about 16 miles from downtown Seattle and downtown Bellevue.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Adjoining cities are [[Renton, Washington|Renton]] to the north, [[Covington, Washington|Covington]] to the east, [[Auburn, Washington|Auburn]] to the south, [[Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way]] to the southwest, [[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]] to the west, [[SeaTac, Washington|SeaTac]] to the northwest, and [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]] to the north.<ref name="King County Maps">{{cite web|url=https://www.kingcounty.gov/about/region/maps.aspx|title=Maps of King County|publisher=King County|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|34.41|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|33.83|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.58|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

Major waterways include the [[Green River (Duwamish River)|Green River]], which flows north through Kent on its way to [[Puget Sound]]. The largest lake is [[Lake Meridian]] on the city's East Hill. [[Clark Lake (Kent, Washington)|Clark Lake]] and [[Lake Fenwick]] are both surrounded by city parks. [[Mount Rainier]] is a prominent geographical landmark to the southeast.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

===Transportation===
There are several major freeways and highways in or near Kent, including [[Interstate 5 (Washington)|Interstate 5]], [[Washington State Route 167|State Route 167]], and [[Washington State Route 516|State Route 516]]. Kent is also served by [[King County Metro]] transit, with the [[Kent (Sounder Station)|Kent Station]] providing service to many destinations, including downtown Seattle by multiple commuter buses, the [[Sounder commuter rail]] system, and local buses. Heavy rail service includes two major north–south lines through the Kent Valley, with freight traffic operations by the [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]] and [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] railroads.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Steve |title=City of Kent targets railroad quiet zone in 2022 |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/city-of-kent-targets-railroad-quiet-zone-in-2022/ |website=Kent Reporter |date=June 5, 2019 |publisher=Sound Publishing |access-date=June 17, 2023}}</ref> The [[Link light rail]] system is scheduled to be extended to Federal Way in 2026,<ref>{{cite news |last=Everly-Lang |first=Keelin |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Sound Transit leader gives updates on Federal Way's future light rail |url=https://www.federalwaymirror.com/news/sound-transit-leader-gives-updates-on-federal-ways-future-light-rail/ |work=Federal Way Mirror |accessdate=December 2, 2024}}</ref> with intermediate stops at [[Kent Des Moines station]] near Highline College and [[Star Lake station]] at South 272nd Street.<ref>{{cite web|title=Federal Way Link Extension|url=https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/federal-way-link-extension|publisher=[[Sound Transit]]|access-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref>

===Parks===
Kent's park system includes 55 parks, miniparks, playfields, skateparks, greenbelts, and other related facilities. These parks range in size from as little as {{convert|4300|sqft|m2}} to over {{convert|310|acre|km2}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parks, Trails & Open Space|url=http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/ParkRentals/|work=Kent Washington Official Website|publisher=City of Kent, Washington|access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref>

===Climate===
Kent has a [[warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm/cool-summer Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csb'').
{{Weather box
|location = Kent, Washington (1991–2020 normals,<ref>Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.</ref> extremes 1912–present)
|collapsed= y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 70
|Feb record high F = 71
|Mar record high F = 81
|Apr record high F = 89
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 106
|Jul record high F = 104
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 96
|Oct record high F = 87
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 69
|year record high F= 106
| Jan avg record high F = 57.9
| Feb avg record high F = 61.0
| Mar avg record high F = 68.4
| Apr avg record high F = 75.4
| May avg record high F = 82.1
| Jun avg record high F = 85.2
| Jul avg record high F = 90.3
| Aug avg record high F = 88.8
| Sep avg record high F = 83.5
| Oct avg record high F = 73.1
| Nov avg record high F = 63.0
| Dec avg record high F = 57.4
| year avg record high F = 93.0
|Jan high F = 48.4
|Feb high F = 51.2
|Mar high F = 55.8
|Apr high F = 61.4
|May high F = 68.0
|Jun high F = 71.9
|Jul high F = 78.3
|Aug high F = 78.3
|Sep high F = 72.5
|Oct high F = 61.3
|Nov high F = 52.7
|Dec high F = 47.0
| year high F= 62.2
|Jan mean F = 42.2
|Feb mean F = 43.7
|Mar mean F = 47.4
|Apr mean F = 52.1
|May mean F = 58.4
|Jun mean F = 62.6
|Jul mean F = 67.8
|Aug mean F = 67.8
|Sep mean F = 62.5
|Oct mean F = 53.4
|Nov mean F = 45.9
|Dec mean F = 41.2
| year mean F =
|Jan low F = 36.1
|Feb low F = 36.2
|Mar low F = 39.0
|Apr low F = 42.8
|May low F = 48.7
|Jun low F = 53.3
|Jul low F = 57.3
|Aug low F = 57.3
|Sep low F = 52.4
|Oct low F = 45.6
|Nov low F = 39.1
|Dec low F = 35.4
|year low F=
| Jan avg record low F = 23.6
| Feb avg record low F = 25.2
| Mar avg record low F = 29.1
| Apr avg record low F = 33.8
| May avg record low F = 40.1
| Jun avg record low F = 46.7
| Jul avg record low F = 51.1
| Aug avg record low F = 50.7
| Sep avg record low F = 43.4
| Oct avg record low F = 33.8
| Nov avg record low F = 25.6
| Dec avg record low F = 23.5
| year avg record low F = 19.4
|Jan record low F = −10
|Feb record low F = −5
|Mar record low F = 10
|Apr record low F = 23
|May record low F = 22
|Jun record low F = 33
|Jul record low F = 34
|Aug record low F = 34
|Sep record low F = 26
|Oct record low F = 19
|Nov record low F = −1
|Dec record low F = 0
|year record low F= −10
| precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.77
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.99
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.36
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.06
|May precipitation inch = 2.10
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.68
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.67
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.92
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.49
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.07
|Nov precipitation inch = 6.23
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.75
|year precipitation inch= 40.09
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 19.2
| Feb precipitation days = 14.7
| Mar precipitation days = 16.8
| Apr precipitation days = 14.9
| May precipitation days = 11.6
| Jun precipitation days = 8.8
| Jul precipitation days = 3.9
| Aug precipitation days = 4.4
| Sep precipitation days = 5.7
| Oct precipitation days = 12.6
| Nov precipitation days = 18.3
| Dec precipitation days = 18.9
| year precipitation days = 
| source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=sew|title=NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date=July 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00454169&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|title=U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Kent, WA|access-date=February 17, 2023}}</ref>
}}

===City landmarks===
Kent has designated the following landmarks:<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/historic-preservation/~/media/property/historic_preservation/documents/resources/T06_KCLandmarkList.ashx|title=King County and Local Landmarks List|date=August 2012|publisher=King County Preservation Program, Department of Natural Resources and Parks|access-date=October 9, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127044253/http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/historic-preservation/~/media/property/historic_preservation/documents/resources/T06_KCLandmarkList.ashx|archive-date=January 27, 2013}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
! Name !! Constructed !! Designated
|-
| [[Lunar Roving Vehicle]]s || 1970 || 2019<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boyle |first1=Alan |title=Aerospace and Science Editor |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2019/kent-landmark-lunar-rovers/ |website=GeekWire |date=July 26, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| Emil W. Bereiter House || 1907 || 2008
|-
| [[Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks]] || 1982 || 2008
|-
| Saar Pioneer Cemetery || 1873 || 2010
|}

==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}}|32.32% ''18,219''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.50%''' ''36,359''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.18% ''1,795''
|}
[[File:kentcityhall.jpeg|thumb|Kent City Hall (right) and the Centennial Center (left), 2008]]
[[File:KentRJC.jpg|thumb|Maleng Regional Justice Center Kent, Washington]]

The city is governed by a [[mayor–council government]], with a directly elected mayor and a seven-member [[city council]]. Each is elected [[at-large]] (that is, by the entire voting population, rather than by districts) to four-year terms. The current mayor is Dana Ralph.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/kent-mayor|title=Kent Mayor Dana Ralph {{!}} City of Kent|website=www.kentwa.gov|access-date=April 7, 2019|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016161253/https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/kent-mayor|url-status=dead}}</ref> The city maintains its own municipal police department, unlike some neighboring municipalities who contract police service out to King County.

===Public education===
[[Public education|Public]] primary and secondary education in the vast majority of Kent and a number of neighboring cities and unincorporated areas is governed by the [[Kent School District]].<ref name=KingCoSDMap>{{cite map|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53033_king/DC20SD_C53033.pdf|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: King County, WA|publisher=United States Census Bureau|pages=1, 3 (PDF pp. 2, 4/5)|accessdate=August 3, 2022}}</ref> The district includes four high schools, seven middle schools, twenty-eight elementary schools and two academies.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} The Kent School District also has an individualized graduation and degree program named iGrad that is aimed at dropouts aged 16–21 who are willing to get back to school.<ref name="k12">{{cite web|url=http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/domain/643|title=Our School / Our School|publisher=kent.k12.wa.us|access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref>

[[Federal Way Public Schools]], which includes a portion of Kent,<ref name=KingCoSDMap/> also has several schools within the city limits. Residents of far east Kent are zoned in the Tahoma School district. A branch of [[Green River Community College]] opened in Kent Station in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/southeastkingcountynews/2003656515_grcc08s.html?syndication=rss|work=The Seattle Times|title=Convenience: a great selling point for GRCC}}</ref>

Other portions are in the [[Highline Public Schools]] and the [[Renton School District]].<ref name=KingCoSDMap/>

===Fire protection===
The city is served by the [[Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority]] with 7 of the department's 13 stations located within municipal boundaries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 27, 2016|title=Fire Station Locations {{!}} Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority|url=https://pugetsoundfire.org/about/fire-station-locations/|access-date=April 13, 2021|website=pugetsoundfire.org|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Annexation===
In keeping with the King County Annexation Initiative, which seeks to annex large urban unincorporated areas into city limits or incorporate new cities out of those areas,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/default.aspx|title=King County Annexation Initiative|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413234624/http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/default.aspx|archive-date=April 13, 2009}}</ref> the Panther Lake area (known officially as the Kent Northeast Potential Annexation Area)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070227080845/http://www.metrokc.gov/annex/kentne.aspx Kent Northeast annexation information – King County] Official site</ref> was proposed for annexation to the city of Kent. The annexation was voted on by residents of the potential annexation area on November 3, 2009; the area was officially annexed July 1, 2010.<ref name="AnnexFAQ" /> The city grew in area by approximately {{convert|5|sqmi|km2}} and 24,000 residents.<ref name="AnnexFAQ">{{cite web|url=http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=8934&terms=annexation|title=Annexation Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=City of Kent, Washington|access-date=September 22, 2011}}</ref>

==Economy==
The economy of Kent consists of commuters traveling to the main urban centers of the Seattle metropolitan area (particularly [[downtown Seattle]]), extensive manufacturing and warehousing within the city, and retail/personal services catering to residents.<ref name="City of Kent Comprehensive Plan">{{cite web|url=https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=6407|title=CITY OF KENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN|publisher=City of Kent|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> The manufacturing and distribution industry in Kent and the surrounding area ranks 4th among markets in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Garnick |first=Coral |date=June 3, 2016 |title=Kent Valley: The next South Lake Union |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2016/06/03/kent-valley-the-next-south-lake-union.html |work=[[Puget Sound Business Journal]] |url-access=subscription |accessdate=July 1, 2024}}</ref>

Corporate headquarters in Kent include [[Oberto Sausage Company]], [[Torker|Seattle Bicycle Supply]], [[Omax Corporation]] and aerospace manufacturer [[Blue Origin]]. [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], [[Boeing]], [[Whirlpool Corporation|Whirlpool]] and [[General Electric]] operate sizable facilities in the city. Due to its central location within the metropolitan area, Kent is home to a large and growing warehouse district. To honor the 100th anniversary of Oberto Sausage Company's presence in the city, the city designated a section of South 238th Street as Oberto Drive in May 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentreporter.com/business/kent-street-gets-new-name-of-oberto-drive/|title=Kent street gets new name of Oberto Drive|first=Steve|last=Hunter|date=May 17, 2018|website=Kent Reporter}}</ref>

===Boeing===
[[File:Kent Space Center - Boeing - 2707478027.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of the Kent Space Center]]
Boeing Kent Space Center was opened with a public dedication ceremony on October 24, 1964. Keynote speakers at the event were [[William McPherson Allen|William "Bill" Allen]], Chairman and CEO of The Boeing Company; future Washington Governor [[Daniel J. Evans|Dan Evans]]; and Alex Thorton, Mayor of the City of Kent. The event featured public tours of the labs and facilities that were used to build the [[Lunar Roving Vehicle]]s used in the [[Apollo program]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/history/boeing/lrv.html |title=Lunar Roving Vehicle |publisher=Boeing}}</ref>

===Steel===
Kent is home to a large steel industry dating back to the early 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.steelspider.com/CoDirSF.aspx |title=Facility Directory Listing |publisher=Mountain Hawk Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dexknows.com/local/industrial_goods_and_services/industrial_materials/geo/c-kent-wa/att/metals/ |title=Kent Industrial Materials: Metals |publisher=Dex |access-date=June 11, 2012 |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720230532/http://www.dexknows.com/local/industrial_goods_and_services/industrial_materials/geo/c-kent-wa/att/metals/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Steel and metal manufacturers include:

*Salmon Bay Steel Company:  Operated in Kent for 50 years before closing down. Birmingham Steel purchased Salmon bay in 1991. Salmon bay went on to buy Bethlehem Steel (Seattle Steel) in West Seattle. Years after the purchase, complaints were made of pollution in the Green River valley about pollution from the Salmon Bay melting facility, and the facility was shut down.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/architect/structures/14209/ |title=Salmon Bay Steel Corporation Factory, Kent, WA |publisher=University of Washington}}</ref>
*Puget Sound Steel:  Puget Sound Steel is an independently owned and operated-unique specialty fabricator of reinforcing steel and a supplier of related reinforcement products, since 1961. Puget Sound Steel has been the Northwest's select supplier of fabricated rebar and steel reinforcement to commercial, highway, industrial, and residential building contractors. Works include large scale projects including bridges and skyscrapers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pugetsoundsteel.com/index.html |title=Welcome to Puget Sound Steel |publisher=Puget Sound Steel Co Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pugetsoundsteel.com/projects.php|title=Featured Project |publisher=Puget Sound Steel Co Inc.}}</ref>
*Pacific Metal Company:  In 1947, started in Seattle and opened a 19,000 square foot plant. The business and facilities continued to grow for 30 years to meet local needs as well as the emerging markets of Alaska. Even the expanded 40,000 square foot warehouse and sales office was deemed insufficient, and in 1979, an 80,000 square foot facility was built south of the city of Seattle in the Kent Valley at Tukwila. In September 2010 PMC moved to a new location just 3 miles SE in the city of Kent, Washington. Pacific Metal Company is a stocking distributor of non-ferrous metals specializing in stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and brass products as well as ferrous products specializing in Cold Rolled, Coated (Zinc and Aluminum) and pre-painted coils and sheets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pacificmetal.com/Stockbook/GenInfo/LocHm.htm |title=Seattle |publisher=PACIFIC METAL COMPANY/Reliance Steel}}</ref>
*TMX Aerospace:  TMX Aerospace, a division of ThyssenKrupp Steel North America; provides materials including steel, brass, and copper as well as exclusive supply chain management support for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tmxaerospace.com/tmxa/index.html |title=TMX Aerospace |publisher=ThyssenKrupp Materials NA, Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tmxaerospace.com/tmxa/index.html |title=About ThyssenKrupp Aerospace |publisher=ThyssenKrupp Aerospace}}</ref>

===Employers===
====Largest employers====
According to the city's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web |date=December 15, 2022 |title=2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021 - City of Kent, Washington |url=https://www.kentwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/19979/638137104938800000 |access-date=September 6, 2023 |website=City of Kent: Finance Department - Financial Reports |page=221 (241st page of PDF) |format=PDF}}</ref> the largest employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1 || [[Amazon (company)|Amazon.com LLC]] || 3,073
|-
| 2 || [[Kent School District|Kent Public Schools]] || 2,970
|-
| 3 || [[Boeing|The Boeing Company]] || 2,522
|-
| 4 || [[Blue Origin|Blue Origin, LLC]] || 1,600
|-
| 5 || Exotic Metals Forming Company || 1,047
|-
| 6 || [[Taylor Farms|Taylor Farms NW]] || 850
|-
| 7 || City of Kent || 719
|-
| 8 || King County Maleng Regional Justice Center || 630
|-
| 9 || Coho Distributing LLC || 628
|-
| 10 || [[Carlisle Companies|Carlisle Interconnect Industries]] || 615
|}

====Other notable companies headquartered in Kent====
* [[Diamondback Bicycles]] - a major [[bicycle]] brand 
* [[Door to Door Storage]] - self-storage company; introduced portable, containerized storage to the industry
* [[Fenwick (fishing)|Fenwick]] - Pioneers in fiberglass and graphite fishing rods. Founded in 1952 and named after Fenwick Lake in Kent Washington. They have since been bought and moved to Columbia, South Carolina.
* [[Novara (bicycles)|Novara]] - REI's brand of bicycles and [[cycling]] clothing
* [[Oberto Sausage Company]] - family-owned; makes beef jerky, pepperoni and other snack sausages 
* [[Omax Corporation]] - second largest [[Water jet cutter|water jet]] manufacturer in the US
* [[Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company]] - manufactured and marketed food products, including [[Carnation]] evaporated milk, with its famous slogan that it came from "Contented Cows"
* [[Pay 'n Pak]] - home improvement chain; operated 112 stores on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]]
* [[Powerlight Technologies]] (formerly LaserMotive) - engineering firm developing technologies for efficiently transmitting power via lasers, a form of wireless energy transfer commonly called "laser power beaming"
* [[Puget Sound Electric Railway]] - interurban railway that ran between Tacoma and Seattle 
* [[Puget Systems]] - custom computer business operating primarily through their website; sells a mixture of custom and preconfigured computers including laptops, desktops, and servers
* [[Raleigh Bicycle Company|Raleigh Bicycle Company USA]] - US headquarters of one of the oldest manufacturers of bicycles, [[motorcycle]]s, and [[Three-wheeler|three-wheel cars]] 
* [[Redline bicycles]] - manufacturer of BMX, freestyle, cyclocross, mountain, and road bicycles and components 
* [[Recreational Equipment, Inc.|REI]] - retail corporation organized as a [[consumers' cooperative]], selling outdoor recreation gear, sporting goods, and clothing
* [[Seattle-Tacoma Box Company]] - manufacturer of shipping containers, crates, boxes, and other wooden products
* [[Tazo|Tazo Tea Company]] -  [[tea]] and [[Herbal tea|tisane]] manufacturer specializing in [[New Age]]-style marketing and product labeling 
* [[ThyssenKrupp|ThyssenKrupp Aerospace]] - engineers and manufactures [[carbon fiber]] on a variety of Boeing products, including [[commercial aviation]] aircraft, [[military aircraft]], and space and communications systems
* [[Torker]] - brand of bicycles, [[unicycle]]s, [[stroller]]s, and [[Bicycle trailer|trailers]], as well as cycling clothing
* [[X10 Wireless Technology]] - manufactures and markets wireless video cameras

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 853
|1900= 755
|1910= 1908
|1920= 2282
|1930= 2320
|1940= 2586
|1950= 3278
|1960= 9017
|1970= 17711
|1980= 22961
|1990= 37960
|2000= 79524
|2010= 92411
|2020= 136588
|estyear=2023
|estimate=133378
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|date=May 17, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 17, 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=census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" 
|+'''Kent, Washington – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br>{{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 may be of any race.''}}
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kent city, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US5335415&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kent city, Washington|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US5335415&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kent city, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US5335415&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|53,964
|45,969
|style='background: #ffffe6; |51,132
|67.86%
|49.74%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |37.44%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|6,444
|10,088
|style='background: #ffffe6; |17,058
|8.10%
|10.92%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12.49%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|682
|677
|style='background: #ffffe6; |673
|0.86%
|0.73%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.49%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|7,407
|13,841
|style='background: #ffffe6; |32,021
|9.31%
|14.98%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |23.44%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|587
|1,731
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,534
|0.74%
|1.87%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.59%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|406
|235
|style='background: #ffffe6; |805
|0.51%
|0.25%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.59%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|3,568
|4,484
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8,916
|4.49%
|4.85%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.53%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|6,466
|15,386
|style='background: #ffffe6; |22,449
|8.13%
|16.65%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16.44%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''79,524'''
|'''92,411'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''136,588'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 136,588 people, 47,058 households, and 31,887 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Kent,%20Washington%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=May 17, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|4047.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 49,157 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 39.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 12.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 23.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.6% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 9.7% from some other races and 10.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 16.4% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Kent city, Washington |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/kent-city-washington/160-5335415/ |access-date=May 17, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.4% were under 5 years of age, and 10.8% were 65 and older.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 92,411 people, 34,044 households, and 21,816 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3228.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 36,424 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1272.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 55.5% White (49.7% [[Non-Hispanic White]]), 11.3% African American, 1.0% Native American, 15.2% Asian, 1.9% Pacific Islander, 8.5% from other races, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.6% of the population.

There were 34,044 households, of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.9% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 33 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 8.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 79,524 people, 31,113 households, and 19,601 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,836.7 people per square mile (1,095.4/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 32,488 housing units at an average density of 1,158.9 per square mile (447.5/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 70.81% White, 8.23% African American, 0.98% Native American, 9.42% Asian, 0.76% Pacific Islander, 4.7% from other races, and 5.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.13% of the population.

There were 32,998 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,053, and the median income for a family was $61,016. Males had a median income of $43,136 versus $36,995 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,390. About 8.7% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.3% of those 65 and older.

==Recreation and entertainment==
In 2003, Kent was named ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'''s Sportstown of the year for Washington. In January 2006, an entertainment center, known as Kent Station, opened in downtown Kent adjacent to the transit station of the same name.

The 2012 [[Skate America]] figure skating competition was held in Kent from October 19 to 21, 2012,<ref name="2012skateamerica">{{cite web|url=http://www.2012skateamerica.com/|title=La tenue vestimentaire idéale pour faire du skate|publisher=2012skateamerica.com|access-date=May 19, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721011310/http://2012skateamerica.com/|archive-date=July 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name="isu">{{cite web|url=http://www2.isu.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,4844-205151-222374-nav-list,00.html?id=1066|title=Home – ISU|publisher=www2.isu.org|access-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601034708/http://www2.isu.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,4844-205151-222374-nav-list,00.html?id=1066|archive-date=June 1, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> at [[ShoWare Center]].<ref name="2012skateamerica2">{{cite web|url=http://www.2012skateamerica.com/?page_id=90|title=La tenue vestimentaire idéale pour faire du skate|publisher=2012skateamerica.com|access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref>

In July 2015, Kent hosted the inaugural Junior Roller Derby World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.juniorrollerderbyworldcup2015.com/ |title=Junior Roller Derby World Cup - Home |access-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722063735/http://www.juniorrollerderbyworldcup2015.com/ |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:showarecenter.jpg|thumb|upright|ShoWare Center, home of the Seattle Thunderbirds]]

Riverbend Golf Complex, featuring an 18-hole course which is one of the busiest in Washington state, is located in Kent. An adjacent par 3 course was actively used by locals for years before being shut down in 2017 to make room for a mixed used development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentreporter.com/news/gone-forever-golfers-lament-removal-of-kents-riverbend-par-3-course/|title=Gone forever: Golfers lament removal of Kent's Riverbend par 3 course – Kent Reporter|date=September 28, 2017|website=kentreporter.com|access-date=March 21, 2018}}</ref>

===Events===
* Canterbury Faire, an arts festival in mid-August every year at [[Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks]] park, which stopped in 2006.
* Kent Cornucopia Days in July
* Kent Farmers Market
* Kent Saturday Market

===Entertainment===
The [[accesso ShoWare Center]] hosts two minor-league sports teams: the [[Seattle Thunderbirds]] play ice hockey in the U.S. Division of the [[Western Hockey League]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattlesouthside.com/listing/seattle-thunderbirds/283/|title=Seattle Thunderbirds|website=seattlesouthside.com}}</ref> and the [[Tacoma Stars]] plays indoor soccer in the [[Major Arena Soccer League]].

==Notable people==
<!-- Please do not add anyone to this list who does not have a Wikipedia article. Any redlinked person in this section will be removed. Please add them in alphabetical order. -->
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Ely Allen]], soccer player<ref>{{cite web |title=Player Bio: Ely Allen |url=https://gohuskies.com/sports/2013/4/18/208222809.aspx |website=[[Washington Huskies men's soccer]] |access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref>
* [[Earl Anthony]], professional [[Ten-pin bowling|bowler]]
* [[Kelly Bachand]], contestant of [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History Channel]]'s [[Top Shot]] Season 1, raised in Kent
* [[Red Badgro]], [[National Football League|NFL]] and [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] player, inductee [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
* [[John Bastyr]], influential advocate of [[Naturopathy|naturopathic]] medicine, namesake of [[Bastyr University]]
* [[Joseph and Melissa Batten]], Microsoft software developers in 2008 murder case
* [[Karl Best]], former [[Major League Baseball]] [[relief pitcher]] for [[Seattle Mariners]] and [[Minnesota Twins]]
* [[Josie Bissett]], actress, ''[[Melrose Place]]''
* [[Betty Bowen]], journalist and art promoter
* [[Demitrius Bronson]], professional football player [[Miami Dolphins]]
* [[John Bronson]], professional football [[tight end]] for [[Arizona Cardinals]]
* [[Conner Cappelletti]], soccer player and coach who represented [[Guam national football team|Guam]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heintschel |first1=Nathan |title=Conner Cappelletti Joins Kickers’ Technical Staff As An Assistant Coach |url=https://www.richmondkickers.com/news/2023/02/01/conner-cappelletti-joins-kickers-technical-staff-as-an-assistant-coach/ |website=[[Richmond Kickers]] |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=February 1, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Ernie Conwell]], NFL player
* [[Rebecca Corry]], comedian/actress
* [[Billy Crook (American soccer)|Billy Crook]], [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) [[Defender (association football)|defender]]
* [[Daphne Loves Derby]], indie-pop rock band
* [[Michael Dickerson]], professional basketball player, [[Houston Rockets]] and [[Memphis Grizzlies|Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies]]
* [[Jeff Dye]], comedian and actor, was born and grew up in Kent<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/tv/article/A-moment-with-Jeff-Dye-comedian-1280736.php |title=A moment with ... Jeff Dye, comedian |date=July 30, 2008 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Robin Earl]], [[NFL]] fullback and tight end
* [[Jason Ellis (basketball)|Jason Ellis]], professional basketball player
* [[Kai Ellis]], [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] player
* Michelle Font, Miss Washington USA
* [[The Fung Brothers]], comedians, rappers; raised in Kent
* [[Melissa Goad]], actress and model
* [[Abdulameer Yousef Habeeb]], Iraqi artist and calligrapher, lived in U.S. as [[refugee]]
* [[Matt Hague]], [[first baseman]] for [[Toronto Blue Jays]]
* Benjamin Haggerty, rapper [[Macklemore]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Macklemore not at fault in collision, but was driving on suspended license for unpaid tickets, police say |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/macklemore-not-at-fault-in-collision-but-was-driving-on-suspended-license-for-unpaid-tickets-police-say/ |website=The Seattle Times |access-date=1 January 2023 |date=2 August 2017}}</ref>
* [[Marcus Hahnemann]], professional soccer goalkeeper
* [[Al Hairston]], professional basketball player for [[Seattle SuperSonics]], head coach for [[Bowling Green Falcons men's basketball|Bowling Green University]]
* [[Peter Hallock]], composer and organist
* [[Tess Henley]], singer-songwriter and pianist
* [[Shannon Higgins-Cirovski]], soccer player in [[National Soccer Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]
* [[Jeff Jaeger]], NFL kicker
* [[Billy Jones (baseball)|Billy Jones]], college baseball player, coach of [[Appalachian State Mountaineers baseball|Appalachian State Mountaineers]]
* [[Reggie Jones (cornerback, born 1986)|Reggie Jones]], [[NFL]] cornerback
* [[Nicole Joraanstad]], curler, 2009 Olympic gold medalist
* [[Mike Karney]], college and professional football player
* [[Stefano Langone]], [[American Idol (season 10)|''American Idol'']] contestant
* [[Danny Lorenz]], professional hockey player for [[New York Islanders]]
* [[Ellen MacGregor]], author
* [[William M. Marutani]], judge<ref>{{cite web |title=Guide to the William M. Marutani Papers |url=https://sova.si.edu/record/NMAH.AC.0890 |publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution]] |access-date=July 6, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Kenny Mayne]], [[ESPN]] analyst
* [[Victor Aloysius Meyers|Victor Aloysius "Vic" Meyers]], jazz bandleader and [[Washington State Democratic Party|Democratic]] politician, "Clown Prince of Politics"
* [[PZ Myers]], biology professor at [[University of Minnesota Morris]] and [[intelligent design]] critic
* [[Bob Nelson (screenwriter)|Bob Nelson]], screenwriter and [[Almost Live!]] cast member, [[86th Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nominee for ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]''
* [[Danny Pierce (artist)|Danny Pierce]], painter, printmaker and sculptor
* [[Mark Prothero]], attorney, defense co-counsel for [[Green River Killer]]
* [[Brenda Raganot]], professional [[bodybuilding|bodybuilder]]
* [[Simon Peter Randolph]], pioneer steamboat captain 
* [[Dave Reichert]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]
* [[Gary Ridgway]], "Green River Killer" (former resident)
* [[Mike Roberg]], NFL [[tight end]]
* [[Jerry Ruth|Jerry "The King" Ruth]], professional drag racer
* [[Peter Schweizer]], journalist
* [[Joshua Smith (basketball)|Joshua Smith]], [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown]] and [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] basketball player
* [[Rick Sortun]], former professional football [[offensive lineman]] for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]
* [[Usaia Sotutu]], runner who represented [[Fiji]] at [[1972 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Rodney Stuckey]], basketball player for [[Detroit Pistons]]
* [[Alameda Ta'amu]], NFL player for [[Kansas City Chiefs]]
* [[Harvey Thomas (luthier)|Harvey Thomas]], luthier, built distinctive guitars in 1960s
* [[Courtney Thompson]], [[University of Washington|UW]] and [[United States women's national volleyball team|US national team]] volleyball player, set NCAA assist record
* [[Mason Tobin]], professional baseball player
* [[Kyle Townsend]], record producer, composer and musician
* [[Toussaint Tyler]], NFL running back
* [[Brian Tyms]], professional football player, [[New England Patriots]]
* [[Courtney Vandersloot]], basketball player and [[2021 WNBA Finals]] Champion for [[Chicago Sky]]
* [[Dave Wainhouse]], professional basketball and [[Major League Baseball]] player
* [[Cam Weaver]], professional soccer player, [[Seattle Sounders FC]]
* [[Olivia Van der Jagt]], professional soccer player, [[Seattle Reign FC]]
{{div col end}}

==Sister cities==
Kent has the following [[Town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref name="wa">{{cite web|url=http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929011931/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |archive-date=September 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |title=Sister Cities, States, Counties & Ports |access-date=May 20, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="kentwa">{{cite web|url=http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=1310|title=Sister Cities – City of Kent, Washington|publisher=kentwa.gov|access-date=May 19, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520010047/http://www.kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=1310|archive-date=May 20, 2014}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|Norway}} [[Sunnfjord]], Norway
* {{flagdeco|Japan}} [[Tamba, Hyōgo|Tamba]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture]], Japan
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Yangzhou]], Jiangsu, China

A sister city relationship with [[Kherson]], Ukraine, was formed in the 1990s and later dissolved. {{As of|2022}}, Kent is exploring a sister city relationship with [[Lutsk]], Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Steve |date=June 20, 2022 |title=Kent prepares to form sister city relationship with Lutsk, Ukraine |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/kent-prepares-to-form-sister-city-relationship-with-lutsk-ukraine/ |work=Kent Reporter |accessdate=May 11, 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Companies}}
*[[List of companies based in Kent, Washington]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.kentwa.gov/ City of Kent Government]

{{Geographic location
|Northwest = [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]]
|North     = [[Renton, Washington|Renton]]
|Northeast = [[East Renton Highlands, Washington|East Renton Highlands]]
|West      = [[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]]
|Center    = Kent
|South     = [[Auburn, Washington|Auburn]]
|Southwest = [[Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way]]
|East      = [[Maple Valley, Washington|Maple Valley]]
}}
{{King County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kent, Washington| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in King County, Washington]]
[[Category:Cities in the Seattle metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1890]]
[[Category:1890 establishments in Washington (state)]]