Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city in and the county seat of Pierce County. Tacoma is Washington state's third-largest city. Located at the foot of Mount Rainier and along the shores of Commencement Bay in Washington state, Tacoma is recognized as a livable and progressive international city. The city incorporated in 1884 has grown from its historical roots as a home of sawmills and a bustling port that exported goods around the world to a center for international exports, the arts and healthy, affordable living.

Tacoma adopted its name after the nearby Mount Rainier, originally called Mount Tacoma or Mount Tahoma. It is known as the "City of Destiny" because the area was chosen to be the western terminus of the Norther Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s.

Are you looking for something to do while you're in Tacoma? There are plenty of opportunities for recreation and entertainment in the Tacoma area. Whether you want to spend a peaceful afternoon in a museum, have lunch at a sidewalk cafe, watch an exciting game of baseball, or take in a concert or exhibition at the Tacoma Dome -- if you're in Tacoma, you've got choices.

There are eleven colleges or adult education facilities in Tacoma City proper. They range from the large branch of the University of Washington, to small vocational or technical schools for mid-career adults. With so many technology companies in the Tacoma area, vocational training is taken seriously and is an important aspect of the overall Tacoma employment picture. Within a 40-mile range of downtown Tacoma there are eleven full-fledged four-year colleges as well.

As a city in full renewal, Tacoma attracts new young residents chasing the high-tech jobs that once only served Seattle and Redmond. As a medium sized city, Tacoma also has its fair share of cultural institutions like Fort Nisqually, Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, Commencement Bay Maritime Center, Camp 6 Logging Museum, Museum of Glass, and Children's Museum of Tacoma. Pacific Northwest weather is known for its moderation. Winters are damp and cool, and summers are pleasant with only an odd spell of sweltering heat.

The Tacoma area offers a rich variety of performances, exhibits and arts facilities for every taste. Diversity is not limited to just the arts; there is an exciting variety of residential options, from waterfront homes to in-city condominiums. Mountain and salt-water views are common throughout the area.

Housing Cost and neighborhoods

Tacoma's history and its neighborhoods go back to its earliest settlements. From the time Old Town and New Tacoma united to form the City of Tacoma in 1884, neighborhoods have served as the foundation upon which Tacoma has been built.

Today, with the formation of neighborhood councils, citizens and city government continue to build on that foundation by focusing on the places about which people care the most ??? their neighborhoods.

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $251,700

Demographics

Population in July 2007: 196,520. Tacoma covers 50.1 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 380 feet above sea level.

Area code: 253

Weather

Tacoma, WA climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.

The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 76.60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 35.10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 21 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 13 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Tacoma is 38.95 Inches. Winter months tend to be wetter than summer months. The wettest month of the year is November with an average rainfall of 6.10 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com