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City in Washington, United States

Orting is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 9,041 at the 2020 census.

The first recorded claims for land in Orting were made in 1854 by William Henry Whitesell, Thomas Headley, Daniel Lane, and Daniel Varner. Streets in the modern city are named after the four men, and a monument in Orting City Park commemorates them. Orting was officially incorporated as a city on April 22, 1889. Early growth surrounded the area's production and logging industries. Later, Christmas tree and bulb farms also became part of the local economy. Orting was also a supply town for the coal mining towns Wilkeson and Carbonado The first railroad in the city was built in 1877 by the Northern Pacific Railway, called "Whitesell's Crossing" because it ran right through the Whitesell property. Because railroads eased transportation, Orting's population quickly increased. Remaining parts from the railroad are part of the Meeker Southern Railroad, which runs between Puyallup and McMillin.

Its coordinates are (47.096071, −122.205401). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.80 square miles (7 km2), of which 2.73 square miles (7 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0 km2) is water.

The city sits in a fertile valley between two major rivers, the Carbon and Puyallup. It is built entirely on several layers of lahar deposits. Orting is located about 30 mile (48 km) from Mount Rainier. Based on studies of past lahar flow and the mountain's structure, Orting has been designated the most at risk city from Mount Rainier's lahar activity; scientists predict that lahar could reach Orting in 30 minutes from the mountain. The Mount Rainier Volcano Lahar Warning System has installed sirens throughout the area, activated by sensors on Mount Rainier. Local schools regularly stage lahar evacuation drills and residents are informed of lahar escape routes. Local citizens are designing the Bridge for Kids, a walking bridge across the Carbon River that could be used for recreation and rapid evacuation toward Cascadia, Washington.

The median household income was $53,464 and the median family income was $55,335. Males had a median income of $41,486 and females $26,438. The per capita income was $18,951. About 4.2% of families and 6.5% of the population had incomes below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under the age of 18 and 15.8% of those 65 and older.

The Washington Soldiers Home provides nursing care, medical care and support services for veterans and family members. It is located on the Orting Kapowsin Highway southwest of the city. Nearby, the Soldiers Home Cemetery contains 2,265 graves, including four Medal of Honor recipients from the American Civil War.

The Voights Creek Hatchery is located outside Orting, attracting fishermen for its salmon.

Orting's parks are filled with trees. Picnics are common in the center of the historic downtown area. Historic murals are scattered on buildings throughout the city.

Orting is the fourth and final stop in the annual Daffodil Festival Parade. With the exception of 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic and 1943 1945 due to the Second World War, the parade has gone through downtown Orting since 1934 and draws over 10,000 people in early April to festivities. The parade can be seen in late afternoon. It also goes through the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner. School bands play and the Daffodil Queen appears.

The Orting Police handle law enforcement within city limits, comprising 11 commissioned officers and one full time working civilian. Despite large growth in population, the police department's staffing levels have experienced little change. In November 2016, the City of Orting paid $250,000 to a former Orting police officer, Gerry Pickens, to settle a racial discrimation lawsuit. Pickens was the first black officer in the city and was fired a few days before his probationary period was due to end. His personal vehicle was spray painted with a racial slur and a threat to not sue the police chief. Pickens had filed two complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation; in its response to these complaints, representatives for the city said that he improperly completed some reports, did not respond quickly enough to a high risk traffic stop, and made other decisions that justified his firing. Orting Valley Fire and Rescue handles all fire and medical aid service needs in the city and the surrounding unincorporated area. It operates three stations.

Orting is close to Washington State Route 162. The closest Sounder commuter rail station is in Sumner, Washington.

The Pierce County Foothills Trail is a paved trail built on an old railroad bed. It runs through Orting to South Prairie in one direction and to Sumner in the other. Activities allowed on the trail include walking, bicycling, horseback riding, skating, skateboarding and scooter riding. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Although the trail was built for recreation, many bicycle commuters use it.