Green River near Riverbend Golf Complex
Located midway between Seattle and Tacoma, Kent, Washington is the fourth largest city in King County. It currently has a population of around 113,00 including the July 2010 annexation of Panther Lake.
Maleng Regional Justice Center
The city is approximately 29 square miles in size and is known for its rolling hills, lush valleys, Green River and views of Mt. Rainier. Boasting dozens of parks and award winning schools, Kent retains some of its agricultural roots while also serving as an industry hub to companies including Boeing, REI, Flow International and OMAX Corporation and as the home to the Maleng Regional Justice Center and the Kent campus of Green River Community College.
Proud of its local sports programs, the City of Kent was named “Sportstown USA” by Sports Illustrated in November 2003. This is due to the many sports and recreation programs offered by the city as well as the Kent Valley Ice Centre, Kent-Meridian Pool and the Riverbend Golf Complex. Since this designation, the city was instrumental in building the LEED certified ShoWare Center which is home to the Seattle Thunderbirds, a junior hockey league, and the Kent Predators, an IFL expansion team started in 2009.
In addition to its lush landscape and sports & recreation opportunities, the City of Kent offers a wide variety of shopping, dining and cultural options for its residents and visitors. Highlights include Kent’s historic district, Kent Station, South Side Dance Force, the Kent Historical Museum and a range of live entertainment at local restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. Kent features popular chain stores at Kent Station, as well as a wide variety of locally-owned and operated businesses and restaurants.
Mexico Lindo
The area boasts a diverse population of different races, religions and cultures spanning the globe. To honor that heritage, the city is planning its second annual Kent International Festival for June 26, 2010. This year’s theme for the event is “Learn From Each Other.”
The population is represented in the Kent School District where more than 120+ languages are spoken, and in the informally named “international district” on 104th on the East Hill which features a variety of ethnic businesses including Punjab Sweets, a popular local restaurant serving authentic Indian meals and treats; Los Agaves, a gourmet Mexican restaurant; and Valley Harvest, an international market.
