- Newcastle, Washington
-
Newcastle, Washington — City — 
SealLocation of Newcastle in
King County and WashingtonCoordinates: 47°32′00″N 122°10′20″W / 47.5333333°N 122.17222°W Country United States State Washington County King Government – Mayor John Dulcich Area – Total 4.5 sq mi (44.8 km2) – Land 4.5 sq mi (44.1 km2) – Water 0.0 sq mi (0.7 km2) Elevation 561 ft (171 m) Population (2010) – Total 10,380 – Density 1,730.9/sq mi (668.3/km2) Time zone PST (UTC-8) – Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7) ZIP codes 98056, 98059 Area code(s) 425 FIPS code 53-48645[1] GNIS feature ID 1512503[2] Website http://www.ci.newcastle.wa.us Newcastle is an Eastside city in King County, Washington, United States. Its population was 10,380 at the 2010 census.
Although Newcastle was not incorporated until 1994, it has been an important settlement and town since the late 19th century and played a major role in the development of Seattle and the Seattle region.[3] Newcastle was one of the region's earliest coal mining areas and its railroad link to Seattle was the first in King County. Timber also played a role in the early history of Newcastle. Coal delivered by rail from Newcastle's mines to Seattle fueled the growth of the Port of Seattle and attracted railroads, most notably the Great Northern Railway.
The Newcastle coal mine began producing coal by the 1870s. More than 13 million tons of coal had been extracted by the time the mine closed in 1963. Newcastle's coal mining legacy, and the mines many Chinese laborers, remains in place names such as Coal Creek, Coal Creek Parkway, and China Creek Golf Course.
Based on per capita income Newcastle ranks 23rd of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked. In CNN Money's 2011 rankings of best places to live in the United States, Newcastle was in the top 20, along with nearby Sammamish, WA. In Newsweek's 2009 rankings of best places to live in the United States, Newcastle was honored with the 17th spot.
Contents
History
Newcastle was most likely named after Newcastle upon Tyne in England, as it was originally a coal mining town founded in the 1870s. Coal was discovered along Coal Creek in 1863. The surveyors Philip H. Lewis and Edwin Richardson made the discovery while surveying the area for the General Land Office.[4] By 1872 75-100 tons of coal per day were being produced at Newcastle. About 60 men worked at the mines.[5] The Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad, the first railroad in King County, was built from Seattle to Newcastle in the late 19th century. Coal mining ended in 1963. The area was an unincorporated area within King County until it incorporated as a city on September 30, 1994. Currently the city is a suburban community. Most residents work in nearby Seattle, Bellevue, or Renton. Notable attractions of the area include the Golf Club at Newcastle, a brand new Family YMCA, Lake Boren Park, nearby Cougar Mountain, and Newcastle's many parks and trails.
The city is currently working to obtain its own zip code, as postage taxes are going to Renton instead of to the belonging Newcastle.[citation needed]
Geography
Newcastle is located at 47°32′00″N 122°10′20″W / 47.533215°N 122.172101°WCoordinates: 47°32′00″N 122°10′20″W / 47.533215°N 122.172101°W (47.533215, -122.172101).[6] Coal Creek flows through the city from the Issaquah Alps to Lake Washington.
Bordering Newcastle to the north is Bellevue, to the south is Renton, to the east is Issaquah, and to the west is Lake Washington.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²) of it is land and 0.22% is water.
Newcastle is near the Seattle Seahawks Headquarters and training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton.
Schools
The City of Newcastle is served by two school districts with the boundary line roughly going north-south just to the west of Coal Creek Parkway. The two "in-city" schools are Newcastle elementary, which is operated by the Issaquah School District 411 and Hazlewood elementary, which is operated by Renton School District.
District: Issaquah School District 411
Schools: Newcastle Elementary School, Maywood Middle School, Liberty Senior High School
Neighborhoods Highlands at Newcastle, East Olympus, Mile Post, Lake Boren, The Trails at Newcastle, China Creek, China Falls, Reserve at Newcastle, The Golf Club at Newcastle
District: Renton School District, [1]
Schools: Hazelwood Elementary School, McKnight Middle School, Hazen High School
Neighborhoods Lake Washington Ridge, West Olympus, Hazelwood
Politics
The city council is the legislative branch of Newcastle city government and is the chief policy-making body.
The role of the city council is to establish policies and to enact ordinances and resolutions that are deemed to be in the city's best interests. The city council hires a city manager to ensure that the council's policies, ordinances, and resolutions are implemented.
The policy-making work of the city council is aided by the parks and planning commissions. Members of those commissions are recommended by the mayor and confirmed by a majority of the council.
The current mayor (2008) is John Dulcich. Other councilmembers are: Bill Erxleven, Lisa Jensen, Carol Simpson, Steve Buri, Sonny Putter, and Rich Crispo.
Interim city manager Rob Wyman is the chief executive officer of the municipal corporation and administers the day-to-day operations of the city. The city manager seeks to implement the policy direction established by the city council, and also brings to the city council policy items for its consideration and action. Wyman was appointed as an interim replacement for former city manager John Starbard after a January 12, 2010, meeting in which the city council voted 6-1 to fire Starbard, effective immediately.
The duties of the city manager include supervising the administrative affairs of the city, appointing all employees and addressing all personnel matters, preparing a recommended operating and capital budget for the fiscal year, and working with staff to see that the city's laws and ordinances are carried out (see RCW 35A.13.080).
While most projects and services are assigned to the city's operating departments, the Office of the city manager often provides the lead staffing support to certain high priorities, such as new initiatives, special real estate transactions, or activities that involve intergovernmental relations.
Newcastle is located in the 41st Legislative District. The state senator is Steve Litzow (R) and the two state representatives are Marcie Maxwell (D) and Judy Clibborn (D). The King County Councilmember representing Newcastle is Reagan Dunn (R).
Newcastle is located in the 8th Congressional District. The two US Senators are Maria Cantwell (D) and Patty Murray (D), and the US Representative is Dave Reichert (R).
Newcastle leans toward the Democratic Party. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry received 55 percent of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush, who received around 44 percent.
An unusual snowy winter day in Newcastle
Police
Newcastle contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office for police services. Deputies assigned to Newcastle wear city uniforms and drive patrol cars marked with the city logo. There are currently 6 patrol officers and one chief assigned full time to the city.
Surrounding Cities
Bellevue Factoria Mercer Island 
Issaquah 
Newcastle 
Kennydale Renton Demographics
Historical populations Census Pop. %± 1980 12,245 — 1990 14,736 20.3% 2000 7,737 −47.5% 2010 10,380 34.2% source:[7][8] As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 7,737 people, 3,028 households, and 2,189 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,731.5 people per square mile (668.3/km²). There were 3,117 housing units at an average density of 697.6 per square mile (269.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.05% White, 1.62% African American, 0.45% Native American, 18.25% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 3.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.88% of the population.
There were 3,028 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 37.9% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $80,320, and the median income for a family was $91,381. Males had a median income of $60,639 versus $41,868 for females. The per capita income for the city was $35,057. About 1.8% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
Although the present-day African American population of Newcastle is small, in the 1880s when it was a mining center, Newcastle had the Puget Sound area's largest African American population, greater even than that of Seattle.[9]
Notable residents
James Hasty - Former NFL player for the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets.
Mack Strong - Former NFL Player for the Seattle Seahawks. He was a fullback.
Alan White - Drummer for the progressive rock band Yes.
Marcus Trufant - Current NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks. He is a defensive corner back.
John Carlson - Current NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks. He is a tight end.
City landmarks
The City of Newcastle has designated the following landmarks:
Landmark Built Listed Address Photo Newcastle Cemetery[10] c. 1870 1982 SW of 69th Way off 129th Avenue SE Pacific Coast Coal Co. House#75[10] 1870s 1982 7210 138th Avenue SE Newcastle Shell[10] 1960s 1991 6420 Lake Washington Blvd. SE Thomas Rouse Road[10] 1880 1984 136th SE & 144th Place SE References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "City Profile and History". City of Newcastle. http://www.ci.newcastle.wa.us/r_an_city_profile_and_history.asp. Retrieved 9 August 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Surveyors discover coal at Newcastle (east King County) in October 1863.". HistoryLink. http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=149. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
- ^ "Newcastle (King County) produces 75 to 100 tons of coal per day in 1872.". HistoryLink. http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=195. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING (1790-2000)". U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
- ^ Census figures for 1980 & 1990 enumerated prior to incorporation as Newport Hills CDP. The city's boundaries are much smaller than the CDP area, as the remainder of the CDP area was annexed by Bellevue. See "Census 2000 Boundary Change Notes for Washington" for further information.
- ^ Esther Hall Mumford (1980), Seattle's Black Victorians 1852-1901, Seattle: Ananse Press, p. 13.
- ^ a b c d King County and Local Landmarks List, King County (undated, last modified 2003-02-26). Accessed online 2009-05-08.
External links
Categories:- Cities in King County, Washington
- Cities in the Seattle metropolitan area
- Former census-designated places in Washington (state)
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