Kent (Washington) 6.48

Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States. It is the sixth largest city in the state and third largest in the county. Kent is in the heart of the Seattle–Tacoma metropolitan area, located 19 miles south of Seattle and 19 miles northeast of Tacoma. Incorporated in 1890, it is the second oldest incorporated city in King County, after Seattle. Kent's population as of April, 2010 was 92,411 according to the 2010 census. The total grew to an estimated 126,952 as of July 1, 2015, owing primarily to annexation.HistoryThe Kent area was first permanently settled by European Americans in the early to mid 1850's along the banks of the White River. The first settler was Samuel Russell who sailed the White and Duamish rivers until he claimed a plot of land southeast of modern day downtown Kent in the spring of 1853. Russel was followed by several other settlers who quickly staked claims in the area. 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. . 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 attacked by Native Americans when David Neely served as a lieutenant in the Territorial Army. By 1870 the population was 277 and all of the quality bottom-land had been claimed.