The DuPont Company established a town in 1906 as a means to support the community of workers and their families that were employed at the company powder factory. Resident families who first moved to the area colloquially dubbed the community "The Village."
DuPont's roots extend deep into the history of Washington State and the development of our fledgling nation
The DuPont Company established a town in 1906 as a means to support the community of workers and their families that were employed at the company powder factory. Resident families who first moved to the area colloquially dubbed the community "The Village."
DuPont's roots extend deep into the history of Washington State and the development of our fledgling nation. When the British-owned Hudson's Bay Company initially arrived in the northwest territory in the early 1830s, they established Fort Nisqually in what is now DuPont, Washington. The trade center operated for several decades exchanging furs, agriculture and other northwest goods across the developing United States. The Hudson's Bay Company is still in operation today-350 years after its founding-and the company is active in parts of the northern U.S. and Canada. The Powder Works Explosives factory facilitated the growth of the area, and the town eventually developed into the historic city it is today.
The DuPont Museum is located in this first planned community, and is a popular attraction for visitors. The Museum features award-winning displays of early northwest life, and proudly shares its history and recent recognition of being added to the National Register of Historic Places, where it remains the only company town in Washington State with nearly all of its original 110 historic homes intact. Amidst its homes are 19th-century amenities that seem commonplace in modern-day neighborhoods, as well. These include a general store, a hotel, club house, walking trails, and parks that were all added into the original planning for the community.
When moving to the region, you'll want to take several factors into consideration. In general, DuPont is easily accessible as it is located near to the interstate connecting Washington with Oregon and Canada, as well as being located between to of the largest cities in Western Washington: Olympia and Seattle.
Weathering it Out
Consider the weather of Western Washington and when you're hoping to move. The late summer months are the best for this side of the state, and clear, sunny days begin reliably in late June and continue through July, August, and the first half of September. March, April, and May are beautiful as well, but expect plenty of daily showers that wake up the region after winter. Many tourism guides consider April to be one of the best times to see the sites of Washington while still experiencing the normal rainy climate the defines the northwest.
Getting Around Town
Accessing the town is relatively easy, as regular city bus routes run throughout the neighborhoods Charter buses and the Amtrak train line connect much of the rest of the Pacific Coast and western Washington, as well. DuPont is less than a 30 minute drive south of SeaTac International Airport, and within an hour from Seattle proper. Consider seeing the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge just south of the city limits of DuPont, as well as Washington State's capital, Olympia, which is within a 15-minute drive. For the outdoor adventurer, the south Puget Sound is a beautiful locale for water sports, island camping, and exploration, with the Cascades and the Olympic Mountain Range all visible on clear days and within a two-hour drive east or west.
DuPont has no designated neighborhoods, but the community is widely spaced around several green spaces and natural lakes. Housing developments and real estate investment have been popular in the past two decades, and more and more rentals are becoming available yearly. Some hi rise apartments have been built to support the rental market, although they can fill up quickly. If looking for apts to rent, consider smaller facilities with larger units that have been recently updated.
Nisqually Wildlife Refuge: The western corner of the DuPont city limits is primarily comprised of protected state land. The Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is reserved for local northwest species, and no commercial or residential building is allowed. The refuge is named after the local Native American group that called the area home, and extends considerably further southwest outside of DuPont toward Olympia.
West DuPont: The western side of the city (to the east of the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge), offers a slower pace of life and is less populated than the city center area. This area does have quite a few good-eats options-nearer to I-5 are McNamara's Pub and Eatery and Viva Mexico.
City Center: Many residents and renters moving to DuPont are members of the military or their family, as Joint-Base Lewis McCord (JBLM) is several miles to the northeast. Pioneer Middle School serves many of the smaller developments in the area, and Kevin's Drive Thru is an absolute must. For apartment renters, consider Clock Tower Village closer to town, or the Creekside Village apartments in a more tranquil setting.
Numerous charming attractions and community services draw visitors and young families to the city's developments and job markets. This expansionism is relatively recent, beginning in the early 1990s with a push for building into "New Urbanism." Northwest Landing was the first of these areas designed by the pioneer of this movement, Peter Calthorpe, who finished the project in 1994. Over the next fifteen years, DuPont grew in population from about 600 people to well over 8,000. The 2010 census reported 8,199 residents in the town, whereas a decade prior the census reported only 2,452 residents (a growth of over 300% from 2000-2010). This dramatic increase has spurred a housing boom as well, where more apts for rent and apartments with paid utilities are being offered than previously. Two bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom apartments are popping up in DuPont and the surrounding areas, which all have access to the same school district.
Beyond the recent growth of the area, the city maintains 50 acres of park lands and 12 miles of bike lanes and walking paths. Accompanying this growth are two new schools, Chloe Elementary and Pioneer Middle School. These two schools were added to the existing Steilacoom Historical School District No. 1, the oldest and traditionally one of the smaller school districts in Pierce County. Those searching for a lease in the area will have options for family housing like 3 bedroom houses for rent or a condo for rent. However, hi rise apartments in DuPont may be more difficult to find. The city also supports a variety of annual events like the We Love our Military celebration and the Fourth of July celebration. Other yearly festivals include the Shamrock Walk, Annual Cherry Blossom Tea, Sequalitchew Creek National Trails Day walk, and others. Residents also enjoy local groups and activities with options like the DuPont Lions Club, the Historical Society and the DuPont Museum, as well as local municipal committees that are very active in the town; these include the Parks Agency, the Tourism Board, and the Planning Agency.
