Parkland, Washington

Parkland, Washington
Location of Parkland, Washington
Location of Parkland, Washington
Coordinates: 47°8′28″N 122°26′16″W / 47.14111°N 122.43778°W / 47.14111; -122.43778
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyPierce
Area
 • Total7.4 sq mi (19.1 km2)
 • Land7.4 sq mi (19.1 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation
377 ft (115 m)
Population
 (April 1, 2020)
 • Total38,623
 • Density5,200/sq mi (2,000/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
98444-98446
Area code253
FIPS code53-53335[1]
GNIS feature ID1512548[2]

Parkland is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pierce County, Washington. The population was 35,803 at the time of the 2010 census and had grown to 38,623 as of the 2020 census.[3] It is an unincorporated suburb of the city of Tacoma and is home to Pacific Lutheran University.

Parkland borders most of Tacoma's southern cutoff at 96th St, and borders with much of the northern cutoff of Spanaway, Washington, at 152nd St (or Military Rd E).

The most influential motorway is State Route 7/Pacific Ave, which travels north and south, and leads from Interstate 5 in Tacoma all the way to Mount Rainier. Pacific Ave is also a main commercial corridor through much of the county, including Parkland.

It was given its name by early white settlers for the park-like nature of the vast Garry Oak and blue camas flower prairie, and the many meandering creeks crossing it. In 1890, Norwegian-Americans from the Midwest chose this area as the site of their new college, which is now Pacific Lutheran University, home to 3,500 full-time students and the Lutes varsity sports teams.[definition needed]

  1. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "QuickFacts - Parkland CDP, Washington" (Web). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2021.