Washington 2014
Washington’s capital city is Olympia, located on the southern end of Puget Sound. It is the state’s political center and home to several government agencies. Olympia has a population of just over 50,000 people and is known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse local businesses. According to countryaah.com, the largest city in Washington is Seattle, situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. It is the economic and cultural hub of the Pacific Northwest with a population of over 700,000 people. Seattle has an impressive skyline with iconic landmarks such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Seattle Center. It is also home to many world-renowned companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, and Nordstrom. There are numerous attractions in Seattle including parks, museums, restaurants, shopping centers and much more. It’s a great place to visit or live!
Politics of Washington in 2014
In 2014, politics in Washington were dominated by several key issues. One of the most controversial topics was the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA was passed in 2010 and its implementation began in 2014. The law aimed to increase access to health care and reduce costs for millions of Americans. However, it was met with strong opposition from Republicans who argued that it was an overreach of government power and would lead to higher taxes.
The debate over immigration reform also took center stage during the year. Both parties agreed that reform was necessary but disagreed on how it should be done. Democrats wanted a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants while Republicans proposed more stringent border security measures as well as other restrictions on immigration.
The economy also played an important role in discussions on Capitol Hill. Democrats pushed for an increase in the minimum wage, while Republicans advocated tax cuts for businesses and individuals as a way to stimulate economic growth. In addition, Congress discussed measures to reduce the federal budget deficit and debt levels through spending cuts and revenue increases such as raising taxes on wealthy individuals.
Foreign policy issues were also discussed throughout the year including tensions between Russia and Ukraine, negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, efforts to combat terrorism in Iraq and Syria, and diplomatic relations with Cuba following President Obama’s historic visit to Havana in March 2014.
Overall, 2014 proved to be a contentious year for Washington politics with both parties struggling to find common ground on key issues such as health care reform, immigration reform, economic policy, and foreign affairs.
Population of Washington in 2014
In 2014, according to beautyphoon, the population of Washington was estimated to be 7,061,530 people. This number represented a 6.6% increase from the previous year and made Washington the 13th most populous state in the country.
The majority of Washington’s population (76%) was comprised of non-Hispanic whites. The second largest racial group in the state were Hispanics who made up 11.3% of the population. Other significant racial groups included African Americans (4%), Asians (5%), and Native Americans (1%).
Washington’s population was distributed mostly among its urban areas with Seattle being the largest city and home to over 660,000 people. Other major cities included Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Yakima, and Renton. Additionally, there were numerous smaller towns and rural areas spread throughout the state.
The median age of Washington’s population in 2014 was 37 years old with a gender split of 50% male and 50% female. The median household income was $60,879 which placed it slightly above the national average for that year.
In terms of education attainment levels in 2014, 80% of Washington residents had completed high school or higher while 30% had obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification.
Overall, in 2014 Washington had a diverse population that was spread out across its many cities and towns as well as rural areas throughout the state.
Economy of Washington in 2014
In 2014, according to ablogtophone, Washington’s economy was one of the strongest in the nation. Despite an Overall, sluggish economic recovery nationwide, Washington’s GDP grew by a robust 4.2%, outpacing all other states in the country. This growth was largely driven by strong performance in the technology, manufacturing, and retail sectors.
The state’s unemployment rate also dropped from 6.8% to 5.7% during this period, which was well below the national average of 6.2%. This made Washington one of only seven states to have an unemployment rate lower than the national average at that time.
Washington’s largest industry in 2014 was aerospace manufacturing which accounted for 11% of all jobs in the state and generated $76 billion in economic output that year. The state’s second largest industry was technology which accounted for 10% of jobs and generated $60 billion in output that year. Other major industries included retail trade (9%), health care (9%), and professional services (8%).
Washington also had a strong agricultural sector with over 37,000 farms covering more than 14 million acres of land and generating revenue of over $7 billion annually. The most common crops grown were apples, wheat, potatoes, hay, sweet corn, cherries, pears, onions and hops while dairy farming and livestock production were also significant contributors to the state’s agricultural economy.
Overall, Washington had a strong economy in 2014 with growth driven largely by its technology and manufacturing sectors as well as its thriving agricultural industry.
Events Held in Washington in 2014
Washington was host to a wide array of events in 2014. From large-scale music festivals to smaller-scale cultural celebrations, the state had something for everyone throughout the year.
One of the largest events held in Washington in 2014 was the Sasquatch. Music Festival which took place over Memorial Day weekend in George, WA. This four-day event featured performances from some of the biggest names in music including Outkast, The National, Queens of the Stone Age and more. Over 20,000 people attended this festival each day making it one of the largest music festivals on the West Coast.
In addition to music festivals, Washington also hosted a number of art and cultural events throughout 2014. The Seattle International Film Festival was one such event which featured over 400 films from 75 different countries and attracted over 150,000 attendees during its 25-day run. Other notable cultural events included Seattle Art Fair and Bumbershoot—an annual music and arts festival that takes place at Seattle Center every September.
On a smaller scale, Washington hosted a variety of local community festivals throughout 2014 as well. These included Seafair—a weeklong celebration that includes air shows, boat races and other activities—as well as Taste Washington Wine Festival which celebrated local winemakers with tastings and live entertainment. Other notable community events included Bite of Seattle—a food festival featuring regional cuisine—and Fisherman’s Village Music Festival which showcased local talent from around Puget Sound area.
Overall, there were plenty of events held in Washington throughout 2014 ranging from large-scale festivals to smaller community celebrations that highlighted local culture and talent.
