# Pullman

> city in Whitman County, Washington State, USA

**Wikidata**: [Q983540](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q983540)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman,_Washington)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pullman

## Summary

Pullman is a city located in Whitman County, Washington State, United States. Founded in 1875 and incorporated on April 11, 1888, it serves as an incorporated urban settlement in the Pacific Time Zone with an official population of 32,901 as of the 2020 United States Census. The city covers an area of approximately 27.64 square kilometres at an elevation of 717 metres above sea level and is home to Washington State University, which has its own dedicated postal code (99164).

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Pullman
- **Classification**: City in the United States, city, town
- **Location**: Whitman County, Washington State, USA; North America
- **Coordinates**: 46.733333333333°N, -117.16666666667°W
- **Inception**: 1875
- **Incorporation Date**: April 11, 1888
- **Total Area**: 27.64 square kilometres
- **Land Area**: 25.594878 square kilometres (as of April 1, 2010)
- **Water Area**: 0% of total area (as of April 1, 2010)
- **Elevation**: 717 metres above sea level
- **Population**: 29,799 (April 1, 2010 Census); 32,901 (April 1, 2020 Census)
- **Number of Households**: 12,275 (2016–2020 American Community Survey)
- **Per Capita Income**: $21,785 USD (2016–2020 American Community Survey)
- **Official Language**: English
- **Time Zone**: Pacific Time Zone
- **Local Dialing Code**: 509
- **Postal Codes**: 99163 (general); 99164 (Washington State University)
- **UN/LOCODE**: USPUW
- **Official Website**: http://www.pullman-wa.gov/
- **Current Mayor**: Francis A. Benjamin (term starting 2024)
- **Body of Water**: South Fork Palouse River
- **Sister City**: Kasai

## FAQs

**Where is Pullman located geographically?**
Pullman is situated in Whitman County within Washington State, United States, on the continent of North America. The city is positioned at coordinates 46.733°N latitude and -117.167°W longitude, and it is located near the South Fork Palouse River.

**What is the population of Pullman?**
According to the 2020 United States Census, Pullman has a population of 32,901 residents, an increase from the 2010 Census count of 29,799. The city contains 12,275 households based on the 2016–2020 American Community Survey data.

**When was Pullman founded and incorporated?**
Pullman was founded in 1875 and was officially incorporated as a city on April 11, 1888.

**Who is the current leader of Pullman?**
Francis A. Benjamin serves as the mayor of Pullman, holding the position of head of government with a term beginning in 2024.

**What educational institution is associated with Pullman?**
Washington State University is located in Pullman and has its own designated postal code, 99164, separate from the city's general postal code of 99163.

## Why It Matters

Pullman represents a significant urban centre in the inland Pacific Northwest region of the United States. As the home of Washington State University, the city serves as an important educational hub, attracting students, faculty, and researchers from across the nation and internationally. The dedicated postal code for the university (99164) underscores the institution's substantial presence within the community. The city's steady population growth from 29,799 in 2010 to 32,901 in 2020 demonstrates its continued development and appeal as a place to live and work. Pullman's establishment in 1875 and subsequent incorporation in 1888 place it among the historical settlements of Washington State, which achieved statehood in 1889. The city maintains a sister city relationship with Kasai, reflecting its engagement in international municipal cooperation. Its location near the South Fork Palouse River and at an elevation of 717 metres in the rolling Palouse region gives it a distinctive geographic character within the broader Columbia River watershed.

## Notable For

- **University Town**: Home to Washington State University, which maintains a separate postal code (99164) due to its significant institutional presence
- **Population Growth**: Demonstrated consistent growth with a 10.4% population increase between the 2010 and 2020 decennial censuses
- **High Elevation**: Situated at 717 metres above sea level, reflecting its position in the Palouse hill country
- **Zero Water Coverage**: Uniquely characterized by having 0% of its area covered by water as of 2010 measurements
- **Historical Significance**: One of Washington's older incorporated cities, established before Washington achieved statehood
- **International Recognition**: Listed in the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) system as USPUW
- **Global Sister City Relationship**: Maintains a twinning arrangement with Kasai
- **Extensive Wikipedia Presence**: Documented in 49 different language versions of Wikipedia

## Body

### Geography and Location

Pullman occupies a land area of 27.64 square kilometres in the Palouse region of eastern Washington State. The city's precise coordinates place it at 46.733333333333 degrees north latitude and -117.16666666667 degrees west longitude. According to 2010 data, the land area measured 25.594878 square kilometres with absolutely no water coverage—0% of the total area consists of water bodies. The city sits at an elevation of 717 metres above sea level. Pullman is positioned along or adjacent to the South Fork Palouse River, a waterway that contributes to the regional drainage system.

### Administrative and Political Structure

Pullman operates as an incorporated city within Whitman County, Washington State, United States. The city's government structure includes a mayor as the head of government. Francis A. Benjamin currently serves as mayor, with his term commencing in 2024. The city maintains an official website at http://www.pullman-wa.gov/ and recognizes English as its official language. Pullman participates in international municipal relations through its sister city partnership with Kasai.

### Demographics

The United States Census Bureau provides detailed population data for Pullman. The 2010 Census, conducted on April 1, recorded a population of 29,799 residents. By the 2020 Census, also dated April 1, the population had grown to 32,901 people. The 2016–2020 American Community Survey documented 12,275 households within the city. Economic data from the same survey period indicates a per capita income of $21,785 in United States dollars.

### History

Pullman's origins trace back to 1875, when the settlement was first established. The community developed sufficiently to incorporate as a city on April 11, 1888—approximately 13 years after its founding and just one year before Washington achieved statehood. Historical documentation of Pullman appears in HistoryLink essays numbered 11116 ("Pullman -- Thumbnail History") and 11117 ("Pullman incorporates on April 11, 1888"), providing detailed accounts of the city's development. The Washington Place Names database assigns Pullman the identifier 7829.

### Infrastructure and Services

The city's postal infrastructure includes two zip codes: 99163 serves the general Pullman community, while 99164 is specifically designated for Washington State University. Telephone service operates under the local dialing code 509. Pullman observes the Pacific Time Zone for timekeeping purposes. The city holds the UN/LOCODE designation USPUW for international trade and transport identification. Multiple geographic information systems track Pullman, including GNIS feature IDs 1531905 (human settlement) and 2411502 (administrative territorial entity), the Natural Atlas ID 1900893, and the Who's On First ID 101730359.

### Educational and Cultural Significance

Washington State University represents the dominant educational institution in Pullman, so significant that it warrants a distinct postal code. The city's cultural and academic importance extends to its inclusion in the MusicBrainz database with area ID e9ad42b7-3781-4eb7-85af-40d9f0882f01. Wikipedia maintains entries about Pullman in 49 languages including Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Chinese variants, among many others. The topic's main category on Wikimedia Commons is "Category:Pullman, Washington," and categories exist for people born in, associated with, or deceased in the city.

### Reference Identifiers

Pullman appears in numerous international knowledge bases and reference systems. The Integrated Authority File (GND) assigns it the identifier 4115669-9. The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) lists Pullman under ID 144233236. The Library of Congress Authority ID is n79065111. Additional identifiers include the Quora topic "Pullman-WA," the Curlie directory path "Regional/North_America/United_States/Washington/Localities/P/Pullman/," the Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID "place/Pullman," and the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID "pullman." The WorldCat Entities system identifies Pullman as E39PBJc7TR3GDQXRT6k6DBg3Qq. The FIPS 55-3 code for the location is 53-56625. The OpenStreetMap relation ID is 237725.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.pullman-wa.gov/government/mayor.php)
2. archINFORM
3. [Source](https://www.pullman-wa.gov/)
4. [The National Map](https://apps.nationalmap.gov/viewer/)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. [Geographic Names Information System](http://geonames.usgs.gov/docs/federalcodes/NationalFedCodes_20160801.zip)
8. MusicBrainz
9. 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files
10. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
11. [2020 United States Census](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/pullmancitywashington/POP010220)
12. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
13. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
14. GeoNames
15. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/us.htm)
16. 2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files
17. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
18. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)