Situated on Commencement Bay, an inlet of Puget Sound, Tacoma lies at the foot of Mt. Rainier in the Puyallup River valley, bordered by mountains. It is about 36 miles south of Seattle. The climate is quite mild throughout the year. Although the area has the reputation of being rainy, Tacoma actually receives less rain than New York City. Most of the precipitation falls in the winter, when snow blankets the mountains.
Area: 50 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 380 feet above sea level
Average Temperatures: January, 40.8° F; July, 65.4° F; annual average: 53.1°
Average Annual Precipitation: 39.2 inches