Tacoma is the heart of the Puget Sound Metropolitan area - located 36 miles south of Seattle, 28 miles north of the state capital, Olympia, and 20 miles south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Tacoma rests on the shores of Commencement Bay, on the southern end of Puget Sound. Pierce County sustains a diverse collection of ecological settings, ranging from working farmlands to protected old-growth forests.

The name Tacoma stems from the Indian name for Mount Rainier, "Tacobet," meaning "Mother of the Waters." "City of Destiny" became Tacoma’s moniker when it was designated as the Northern Pacific Railroad’s western terminus for its transcontinental railroad in 1873.

Today, Tacoma continues to capitalize on its status as a destination and gateway to the Pacific Rim. Whether by ship, train or plane, the city continues to evolve, connecting with its global neighborhood and moving closer to being a world-class leader in the new economy.

Pierce County is home to dozens of high-powered firms including Frank Russell, Labor Ready, Columbia Bank, Boeing, State Farm Insurance, Sagem Morpho, Microchip Technology, SuperValu, Milgard Manufacturing, Da Vita and REI. These companies have corporate headquarters or major regional operations in the area.

More than a century after Captain George Vancouver first set foot on its shores, Tacoma remains a destination spot with the amenities of a big city and the charm of a small town. An ever-changing community full of potential and excitement, Tacoma is poised to embrace the future.