The City of Black Diamond was incorporated in 1959, but was first established as a community in the late 1880s for the mining of coal. At the turn of the century the town was a major exporter of coal in the region. The Pacific Coast Coal Company in Black Diamond became the largest coal mining operation on the West Coast. Some historic buildings retain their original locations.

A rich history surrounds the City of Black Diamond from the famous Black Diamond Bakery to the Black Diamond Museum of History.

Black Diamond offers a warm and friendly rural, small town atmosphere with spectacular mountain views. The city is nestled in the foothills within miles of the beautiful Green River Gorge and Flaming Geyser Park.

The City is on the verge of growth. At 4,160 citizens, population projections may reach above 20,000 in the next 20 years. Over the past several years, major annexations have increased the population and acreage of Black Diamond. The annexation of the Lake Sawyer area in 1998 doubled the number of citizens. Recent annexations in the City’s urban growth area have increased the city’s size by approximately 1,600 acres.

Unlike other communities, the city has stood firm to its vision and growth strategies as identified with the community and captured in the Comprehensive Plan. As the final pieces fall into place, Black Diamond is in the position to allow growth to occur in a well-planned, environmentally sensitive manner that protects the rural character of our community. Find out more about Rural by Design.