Help share South Tacoma’s story.
You are the experts on your community. What matters to you, your family and your neighbors help shape how we understand community health, community strengths and opportunities for action.
First people
The first inhabitants of this area were the ancestors of present-day Puyallup, Nisqually, Steilacoom, Squaxin Island, and Muckleshoot tribes. Growth and development in this region came at a significant cost to Native peoples, including displacement and the loss of land. We acknowledge this history as part of understanding South Tacoma’s past, present and future.
Today, Indigenous people from many Tribal nations, including urban Native and intertribal communities continue to live, work, gather and contribute to South Tacoma and Pierce County.
Who lives here?
South Tacoma is a vibrant and diverse community of about 30,000. South Tacoma includes:
- Residential areas.
- Commercial corridors.
- Industrial land uses.
- Transportation routes.
- Green spaces.
- Places where people gather, learn, worship and build community.
Together, these places shape daily life and create opportunities to strengthen health, connection and belonging.
The City of Tacoma describes the core area as roughly South Tacoma Way, South Washington Street and South Puget Sound Avenue between South 47th and South 58th streets. The people of South Tacoma include families, workers, elders, students, small business owners, long-standing residents, newer residents and immigrant and refugee communities. Many community members speak languages other than English.
Local schools reflect diversity, including Edison Elementary, which serves as one of the most diverse student populations in Pierce County.
Strengths and assets
South Tacoma’s strength comes from its people, culture, creativity and deep neighborhood pride.
Community assets include local schools, the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council, South Tacoma Business District Association, Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC), STAR Center, and Boys & Girls Club, parks and community gathering spaces. South Tacoma Way and nearby neighborhood corridors are home to beloved small businesses, creative spaces, neighborhood events, barbershops, beauty and wellness business and a long-standing automotive business community.
Local places such as Dawson’s, Edison Square, Fernseed, Howdy Bagel, Church Cantina, Airport Tavern, Tacoma Night Market and Historic Real Art Tacoma reflect the area’s mix of food, arts, music, culture and local entrepreneurship with many more business and places to explore throughout the district.
The community also benefits from parks like South Park and Manitou Park and Wapato Hills Park, along with public transit connections, including the Sounder Station at 58th and South Tacoma Way.
Community conditions that shape health
Health is shaped by community strengths and by everyday conditions such as housing, transportation, schools, jobs, green space, environmental quality, safety and access to services. Understanding these conditions helps identify opportunities for investment, policy change and community led solutions.
Heat and tree canopy
Trees, shade and green space help communities stay cooler, safer and more comfortable during hot weather.
Combined with regional climatic effects, neighborhoods in South Tacoma experience temperatures as much as 14°F hotter than North Tacoma because of lower tree canopy, more pavement, industrial land use and urban heat island effects.
Expanding tree canopy and cooling strategies can support health and climate resilience.
Housing Affordability
Stable, affordable housing supports physical health and mental health. Many South Tacoma residents work to stay rooted in the community while facing housing cost burdens.
About 34% pay over 30% of their income on rent, continuing to affect household budgets and long-term stability.
Water Protection and Environmental Health
The South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District includes the South Tacoma Aquifer, an important source supplying up to 40% of Tacoma’s drinking water during summer months.
Traffic safety on major corridors like Pacific Avenue remains a priority, prompting recent Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) to guide policy.
Community Action
South Tacoma residents, organizations and partners are already working to strengthen health, safety and quality of life. Community action is visible in neighborhood planning, small business support, youth programs, environmental advocacy, transportation planning, cultural events and resident-led efforts.
Since becoming a Community of Focus, the community has taken significant steps to improve health and equity. Recent and ongoing efforts include:
- The South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan was adopted in June 2025.
- The South Tacoma Way Vision Zero Planning Study is underway. It focuses on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and drivers.
- Our Street Medicine program connects people experiencing homelessness with health care and support.
- Residents are engaged in participatory budgeting and neighborhood improvement efforts that direct resources to local priorities, including tree planting and safer community spaces.
These efforts reflect South Tacoma’s leadership, advocacy, creativity and commitment to solutions.
Health starts where we live, learn, work, play, and pray.
Together we can support a South Tacoma where all people call live, learn, work, play and thrive!
For more information, email bridgingtocommunity@tpchd.org.