Midland, WA
Midland is a suburban community and census-designated place in Pierce County, Washington, located just south of Tacoma with a population of nearly 10,000.
About the City
Official Status and Administrative Affiliation
The community's full official name is Midland. It is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) located in Pierce County, Washington, United States . It does not have a municipal government of its own. The region is part of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area, known for its technology industry, aerospace manufacturing (Boeing), and as a major port hub for trade with Asia.
Date of Establishment and Age
The name "Midland" first appeared in writing on the Midland Townsite Plat, filed by the Olympic Land Company on April 10, 1890 . The community's development is closely tied to the arrival of the trolley line in the same year. The area was originally settled much earlier, in 1855, by pioneers Ezra and Oliver Meeker, who took advantage of the Donation Land Grant Act . The community is often said to have been named for its location at the midpoint of the old Puyallup Hill trolley line that connected Tacoma and Puyallup .
Geographic Location and Coordinates
Midland is located in the Puget Sound lowlands at coordinates 47°10′24″N 122°24′43″W . It is situated approximately 8 miles (13 km) south of downtown Tacoma and about 35 miles (56 km) south of Seattle. The center of the CDP is at an elevation of about 433 feet (132 meters) above sea level . It is a suburban residential area situated on what was historically referred to as "Puyallup Hill" .
City Type and Economic Specialization
Midland is primarily a residential suburban community. Its economy is linked to the broader Tacoma and Seattle metropolitan areas, with many residents commuting to jobs in nearby cities. It does not have a distinct industrial or commercial core of its own. Historically, the area was heavily forested and tied to railroad and trolley lines that spurred its initial development .
Population and Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Midland had a population of 9,962 residents . With a land area of 3.04 square miles, the population density is approximately 3,280 people per square mile . By population size, it falls into the category of a small-to-medium sized community. It is part of the rapidly growing Puget Sound region.
City's "Business Card" (Brief)
Midland, Washington, is a quiet, unincorporated suburban community nestled on the hills south of Tacoma. Its identity is shaped by its roots as a late 19th-century railroad and trolley town, offering a residential base within reach of the major urban centers of the Pacific Northwest.
Climate and Weather
Climate Type and General Characteristics
Midland has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) , characterized by mild, dry summers and cool, very wet winters. The weather is heavily influenced by its proximity to the Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its overcast skies and substantial rainfall from late autumn through spring .
Average Monthly Temperatures
Temperatures in Midland are moderate throughout the year, with a narrow range between summer and winter averages.
- Warmest Month: August, with an average high of 79°F (26°C) and an average low of 54°F (12°C) .
- Coolest Month: December, with an average high of 46°F (8°C) and an average low of 35°F (2°C) .
- Extreme Temperatures: Temperatures rarely rise above 89°F (32°C) or drop below 24°F (-4°C) .
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High (°F/°C) | 47/8 | 50/10 | 54/12 | 60/16 | 66/19 | 71/22 | 77/25 | 79/26 | 71/22 | 61/16 | 51/11 | 46/8 |
| Avg. Low (°F/°C) | 35/2 | 36/2 | 38/3 | 41/5 | 46/8 | 51/11 | 54/12 | 54/12 | 50/10 | 44/7 | 39/4 | 35/2 |
*Source: *
Precipitation and Humidity
Midland experiences extreme seasonal variation in rainfall.
- Annual Precipitation: The region receives a significant amount of rain, averaging over 40 inches annually.
- Wettest Month: November, with an average of 8.2 inches (208 mm) of rain .
- Driest Month: July, with an average of only 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain .
- Snowfall: Snow is infrequent but possible, with January seeing the most snow, averaging 1.7 inches .
Sunny Days and UV Index
The amount of sunshine varies drastically by season.
- Sunniest Months: July and August, when the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy over 70% of the time .
- Cloudiest Months: November through January, with overcast or mostly cloudy conditions around 75% of the time .
- Daylight: The longest day is in June with nearly 16 hours of daylight, while the shortest day in December has only about 8.5 hours .
Seasonality and Best Time to Visit
- Summer (June - August) : This is the peak season for warm-weather activities. The weather is mild, dry, and sunny, with pleasant high temperatures in the low 70s to high 70s°F. It is the ideal time for outdoor exploration .
- Autumn (September - November) : September remains pleasant, but October and November bring increasing clouds and rain. This is a time of vibrant fall colors in the foliage before the grey of winter sets in.
- Winter (December - February) : Winters are very cold, wet, and overcast. While temperatures rarely drop below freezing, the persistent dampness and short days make it a less desirable time for outdoor visits .
- Spring (March - May) : Spring is a transition period with gradually warming temperatures and decreasing rainfall. May offers a good balance of mild weather and longer daylight hours.
The best time to visit Midland for warm-weather activities is from early July to late August .
Transport
Major Airports
Midland does not have its own airport. Residents and visitors are served by the airports of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area.
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) , also known as Sea-Tac, is the primary commercial airport for the region, located approximately 30 miles north of Midland. It is a major international hub.
- Tacoma Narrows Airport (TIW) is a smaller general aviation airport located about 15 miles west in Tacoma, serving private and corporate aircraft.
Local Public Transportation
Public transit in Midland is provided by Pierce Transit .
- Bus Service: Several Pierce Transit bus routes serve the Midland area, connecting it to the Tacoma Dome Station, a major regional transportation hub, and other parts of Pierce County.
- On-Demand Service: Midland is partially covered by the Spanaway Runner, an on-demand transit service that allows users to book trips within a designated zone using a smartphone app . It connects residents to local destinations and regional transit hubs .
Major Highways
The primary roadway access to Midland is via Washington State Route 7 (Pacific Avenue/South Tacoma Way), which runs north-south through the area and connects to Tacoma and Spanaway. The community is also located just east of Interstate 5, the primary interstate highway on the West Coast, which provides direct access to Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and Portland.
Historical Railways
Midland has a rich railroad history. In the late 19th century, it was served by the Tacoma Puyallup Railway (the "Puyallup Hill Line" or "Grapevine Line"), a streetcar line that spurred development, and the Tacoma Eastern Railroad, a logging line . These lines are no longer in service for passengers.
Museums
Midland Junction Arts Centre
Located in the heart of Midland, the Midland Junction Arts Centre is a vibrant hub for visual and performing arts . Housed in a historic building that originally opened in 1904 as a technical school, the centre has been rejuvenated to serve as a convergent point for community creativity and education .
The centre delivers a diverse arts program, including curated exhibitions, workshops for all ages, an artist-in-residence program, and various cultural events . Its facilities are extensive and include three galleries, a 142-seat theatre, ceramics and print studios, textiles and drawing rooms, classrooms, and function rooms . It stands as a key cultural destination in the City of Swan, managed by Mundaring Arts Centre Inc. .
Healthcare and Medical Facilities
St John of God Midland Public & Private Hospitals
Midland is served by a major health complex, the St John of God Midland Public & Private Hospitals, also known as the Midland Health Campus . This 307-bed facility, which opened in 2015, was built and is operated by St John of God Health Care under a public-private partnership with the state government, replacing the former Swan District Hospital .
The campus provides a comprehensive range of services to the east metropolitan and wheat belt regions, including:
- Emergency medicine and critical care
- Maternity, neonatology, and paediatric care
- General and specialist surgery
- Day chemotherapy
- Aged care, stroke care, and a mental health unit
The 60-bed private hospital is co-located with the public hospital, offering access to leading specialists and a range of private treatment options . The campus was also planned to host a new medical school from Curtin University .
St John Medical - Midland
For general practice and primary healthcare needs, St John Medical - Midland is a leading AGPAL-accredited clinic located nearby at 8 Clayton Street . The clinic offers comprehensive primary care services for acute and chronic conditions, with onsite radiology facilities and a pharmacy nearby for patient convenience . It also offers extended hours, with weekend openings on both Saturdays and Sundays .