Orting, Washington Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Orting, Washington is a small city located in Pierce County. It has a population of about 8,000 people and is known for its rural atmosphere. The geography of the area is mostly flat, with the Cascade Mountains to the east and Mount Rainier to the west. Orting is known for its mild climate with warm summers and cool winters. It also receives an average of 40 inches of rain each year.

The history of Orting goes back to 1853 when it was founded by settlers from New England who were drawn to the area by its great natural resources and potential for agriculture. The economy of Orting was initially based on agriculture, but today it has diversified into other industries such as technology, health care, and education. The town has several educational institutions including Orting High School, which serves students from grades 9-12; Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom; and Bates Technical College.

Orting has several landmarks that are popular with both visitors and locals alike. These include the historic downtown district which features many Victorian-era buildings as well as numerous restaurants, shops, art galleries, and museums. Other landmarks include the Nisqually Riverwalk Trail which runs through downtown offering beautiful views of the river; Pioneer Park which features a playground and picnic areas; Lake Tapps which is popular for swimming, fishing, boating, camping; and Foothills Trail System which offers more than 20 miles of hiking trails throughout Pierce County.

Population: 3,760. Estimated population in July 2024: 4,789 (+27.4% change)
Males: 1,913 (50.9%), Females: 1,847 (49.1%)

Pierce County

Zip code: 98360

Demographics

Median resident age: 30.2 years
Median household income: $53,464
Median house value: $135,900

Population by Race

Races in Orting:

  • White Non-Hispanic (90.7%)
  • Hispanic (3.4%)
  • Two or more races (3.2%)
  • American Indian (2.1%)
  • Other race (1.3%)
  • Black (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (21.3%), English (12.3%), Irish (12.1%), United States (5.5%), Norwegian (4.5%), Italian (4.3%).

Elevation: 215 feet

Land area: 2.7 square miles

Population by Education

Orting, Washington is a small city located in Pierce County, about 30 miles south of Seattle. The population of Orting is estimated to be around 8,000 people. The median age is 36.7 years and the median household income is $59,876. Most of the population are Caucasian with a small percentage of African American and Hispanic residents.

The cost of living in Orting is slightly lower than the national average but still higher than most other cities in Washington State. The median home value is $308,000 and the median rent is $1,200 per month. Groceries and utilities are also slightly more expensive than average when compared to other cities in the region. Transportation costs such as gas prices and public transportation fares are also higher than average due to its proximity to Seattle.

Despite its high cost of living, Orting has plenty of amenities for its residents to enjoy. There are several parks located throughout the city where people can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and biking trails or simply take a stroll along the riverfront pathways. Orting also boasts a variety of restaurants ranging from casual diners to upscale eateries offering fine dining experiences for its residents. Additionally, there are several local shops and boutiques that offer unique items that can’t be found anywhere else in Washington State.

For population 25 years and over in Orting

  • High school or higher: 89.3%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.3%
  • Unemployed: 3.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 36.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Orting city

  • Never married: 19.8%
  • Now married: 63.5%
  • Separated: 0.5%
  • Widowed: 5.5%
  • Divorced: 10.7%

5.6% Foreign born (3.8% Europe, 1.0% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +1,749 (+87.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Orting:

  • MARY BRIDGE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL (about 7 miles; TACOMA, WA)
  • PUGET SOUND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (about 7 miles; TACOMA, WA)
  • TACOMA GENERAL ALLENMORE HOSPITAL (about 7 miles; TACOMA, WA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Orting:

  • MCCHORD AFB (about 19 miles; TACOMA, WA; Abbreviation: TCM)
  • SEATTLE-TACOMA INTL (about 25 miles; SEATTLE, WA; Abbreviation: SEA)
  • GRAY AAF (about 26 miles; FORT LEWIS/TACOMA, WA; Abbreviation: GRF)

Other public-use airports nearest to Orting:

  • PIERCE COUNTY – THUN FIELD (about 6 miles; PUYALLUP, WA; Abbreviation: 1S0)
  • SHADY ACRES (about 12 miles; SPANAWAY, WA; Abbreviation: 3B8)
  • SPANAWAY (about 15 miles; SPANAWAY, WA; Abbreviation: S44)

Amtrak station near Orting:

  • 18 miles: TACOMA (1001 PUYALLUP AVE.). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, full-service food facilities, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service, intercity bus service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Orting:

  • PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY (about 7 miles; TACOMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,265)
  • GREEN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 15 miles; AUBURN, WA; Full-time enrollment: 4,568)
  • BATES TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 21 miles; TACOMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,710)
  • CLOVER PARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 22 miles; LAKEWOOD, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,819)
  • HIGHLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 23 miles; DES MOINES, WA; Full-time enrollment: 4,288)
  • UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND (about 23 miles; TACOMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,754)
  • TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 25 miles; TACOMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,710)

Schools

Public high school in Orting:

  • ORTING HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 524; Location: 320 WASHINGTON AVENUE NORTH; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Orting:

  • ORTING MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 530; Location: 121 WHITESELL STREET EAST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • PTARMIGAN RIDGE INTERMEDIATE SCH (Students: 436; Location: 805 OLD PIONEER WAY NW; Grades: 03 – 05)
  • ORTING PRIMARY SCHOOL (Students: 422; Location: 316 WASHINGTON AVENUE NORTH; Grades: PK – 02)