Map of South Hill CDP, Washington

South Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pierce County, Washington, immediately south of Puyallup. The population was 64,708 at time of the 2020 census, up from 52,431 in 2010. The area primarily consists of suburban housing and shopping with several retail shopping centers, residential neighborhoods, and apartment/condo complexes throughout.

Most commercial areas are located along the main thoroughfare, Meridian Avenue (SR161). Major neighborhoods include Manorwood, Sunrise (Sunrise Master Association), Lipoma Firs, Silvercreek, and Gem Heights. There are also a few popular public parks: Bradley Lake Park, South Hill Community Park/Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail and Wildwood Park.

The area was first settled in the 1880s after a military road was built through the area in the 1850s. Several logging camps, farms, and hunting grounds sprouted up as the area was settled. It also was the main route to the towns of Kapowsin and Eatonville (Meridian Avenue or SR 161). Population growth was slow until after World War II, when roads improved and people could commute to nearby Tacoma, Fort Lewis, and Seattle.

South Hill CDP overview:
Name:	South Hill CDP
LSAD Code:	57
LSAD Description:	CDP (suffix)
State:	Washington
County:	Pierce County
Elevation:	535 ft (163 m)
Total Area:	18.1 sq mi (46.8 km²)
Land Area:	18.0 sq mi (46.6 km²)
Water Area:	0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Total Population:	64,708
Population Density:	3,600/sq mi (1,400/km²)
ZIP code:	98373-98375
Area code:	253 & 360
FIPS code:	5365922
GNISfeature ID:	1867636

Online Interactive Map

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South Hill online map. Source: Basemap layers from Google Map, Open Street Map (OSM), Arcgisonline, Wmflabs. Boundary Data from Database of Global Administrative Areas.

South Hill location map. Where is South Hill CDP?

South Hill location on the U.S. Map. Where is South Hill CDP. — South Hill location on the U.S. Map.

South Hill location on the Washington map. Where is South Hill CDP. — Location of South Hill in Washington.

History

South Hill Historical Society gathers data and memories on the history of South Hill.

Major events

1853- Longmire-Biles wagon train crosses South Hill
1870- South Hill inhabited
1895- Firgrove School District is established
1905- Main route through South Hill named Ball-Wood Road
1909- Tacoma-Puyallup Interurban Line rail operates through South Hill
1930- SagMiller Airstrip opens
1944- Thun Field opens (Pierce County Airport today), although John Thun doesn’t buy it until 1949
1945- Japan uses balloon bomb system to bomb mainland USA in World War II, and two of the bombs landed in South Hill
1950- Firgrove School District consolidates with Puyallup School District
1972- State Route 512 is completed
1986- EPA places Pierce County Landfill in South Hill on the National Priorities List
1998- Proposal for South Hill’s incorporation into Southview is defeated by voters

South Hill Road Map

South Hill city Satellite Map

Geography

South Hill is located at 47°7′16″N 122°17′26″W / 47.12111°N 122.29056°W / 47.12111; -122.29056 (47.121080, -122.290506).

The community’s name describes its location above the south side of the Puyallup River valley. This also contrasts with the nearby Edgewood and Milton areas, which are known informally as North Hill.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 18.1 square miles (46.8 km), of which, 18.0 square miles (46.6 km) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km) of it (0.39%) is water.