The first part of this series looked at the growth of Renton and how the city's ethnic composition has changed. Now, let's take a look at the changes in the city's population. Violet Aesquivel, a longtime resident of Renton, moved to the city in 1979 and has lived in Renton ever since. She first settled in downtown Renton and says that she didn't feel like part of the community, more like an outsider.
The population of Renton is expected to reach 105,500 by the year 2020. This medium-sized city is situated on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, eleven miles from Seattle. It is known for being a family-oriented city; 72% of its residents are married and 52% have children under 18 years of age. It has a diverse economy with many industries, including Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, and Facebook.
The median age for Renton city residents was 36.2, compared to 32 for native-born citizens and 42 for foreign-born citizens. These figures indicate that Renton is becoming an older city. In fact, Renton residents were 36 years old on average in 2018. In 2019, the largest percentage of foreign-born residents in Renton city are White, followed by Blacks and Hispanics. In terms of family size, the average Renton household had two cars, while the youngest member of the family was 35 years old.
The city is becoming a more tolerant place for minority citizens. The Filipino and Asian communities now make up 22 percent of the population of Renton. These communities represent an important demographic group, and the city is doing all it can to make its residents feel comfortable. And, with a diverse population, Renton can become an even more tolerant and friendly place to live. So, come and visit the city and get to know its diverse residents!