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03/09/2005: "Spokane now #2"

Spokane has ascended to its lofty former perch as Washington's second-largest city, crushing poor Tacoma like a stink bug under a steamroller. ..."

“I think this is an act of desperation by Spokane", said (Tacoma) City Councilman Tom Stenger. Stenger, a history buff, claimed Spokane originally got in front of Tacoma by cheating on the 1910 Census. Their ploy became apparent when the 1920 Census count came around and the city showed no growth.

“They’re just desperate now,” Stenger said. “I’m sorry for them.”

Population estimate released in June 2004, by the Washington Office of Financial Management:
Spokane: 197,400
Tacoma: 196,800

Population estimate for 2003, according to the U.S. Census Bureau:
Tacoma: 196,790
Spokane: 196,624

Spokane officials on Monday appeared more eager about increasing the city's tax revenue than staying ahead of Tacoma. The new city territory holds an assessed property valuation of $55.7 million, which would yield another $400,000 a year in property taxes to the city, officials said.