Find Career Counselors Serving
Issaquah, WA

Frequently asked questions

Issaquah, WA

Issaquah is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 40,051 at the 2020 census. Located in a valley and bisected by Interstate 90, the city is bordered by the Sammamish Plateau to the north and the "Issaquah Alps" to the south. It is home to the headquarters of the multinational retail company Costco Wholesale Corporation. Issaquah is included in the Seattle metropolitan area.

Issaquah is located 15 miles (24 km) east-southeast of Seattle at the south end of Lake Sammamish. Its neighboring cities are Bellevue to the west and Sammamish to the north. Issaquah resides within the Mountains to Sound Greenway.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.40 square miles (29.53 km²), of which 11.38 square miles (29.47 km²) are land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) are water.

Issaquah is surrounded on three sides by what is known locally as the Issaquah Alps: Cougar Mountain on the west, Squak Mountain to the south, and Tiger Mountain to the southeast. To the north of Issaquah is Lake Sammamish. Cougar and Squak Mountains are home to sizable neighborhoods on their lower slopes, though the bulk of all three mountains are preserved in public ownership as Squak Mountain State Park, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, West Tiger Mountain NRCA, and Tiger Mountain State Forest. Geologists have noted the chemical and geological content of these three mountains to be much different from that of the Cascade Range, because they are not volcanic in origin, while the entire Cascade Range is postulated to have formed from volcanic action. They believe that these three mountains are the remains of a much older mountain range long since eroded by earthquakes, volcanic action, and shifting plates.

Swedish Medical Center opened a full-service hospital and healthcare facility in the Issaquah Highlands with a capacity of 175 inpatient beds and a 24-hour emergency room in November 2011. The campus also includes medical offices and specialty care facilities. Bellevue-based Overlake Hospital Medical Center also petitioned the state government to open a hospital in Issaquah but lost to Swedish's bid.

Issaquah places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, evident in its array of facilities and programs dedicated to residents' well-being. The Issaquah Community Center, equipped with fitness amenities and hosting various classes, stands as a testament to the city's commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Several parks, including the popular Issaquah Alps Trail Club and Lake Sammamish State Park, provide abundant opportunities for outdoor exercise and relaxation. Swedish Issaquah Medical Campus and Snoqualmie Valley Hospital offer comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Kutting Edge Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For a rejuvenating massage, visit Elements Massage, which provides personalized massage therapy sessions. Fitness enthusiasts can check out Transform Fitness for group classes and personal training. 

Top sites in Issaquah, WA are Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah Depot Museum, Cougar Mountain Zoo, and Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.

Population: 39,664 (2024). ZIP codes: 98027, 98029, 98075. Area code: 425. Elevation: 108 ft (33 m). Area: 11.40 square miles (29.53 km²).

FAQs

What are the demographics of Issaquah, WA?

In 2021, Issaquah, WA had a population of 39.1k people with a median age of 36.8 and a median household income of $132,984. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Issaquah, WA grew from 38,707 to 39,057, a 0.904% increase and its median household income grew from $122,053 to $132,984, an 8.96% increase. The 5 largest ethnic groups in Issaquah, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (60.1%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (25.4%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.67%), White (Hispanic) (3.04%), and Other (Hispanic) (2.97%).

What is Issaquah, WA known for?

The city of Issaquah, WA has a rich history, full of culture and diversity. Once known as Squak, a Native American term for bird calls, the city got its current name in 1899. Railroads brought residents to the area, and today, Issaquah’s real estate is highly sought-after by families moving into the state. Since 1956, Issaquah, WA has been home to the famous Boehm’s Candies & Chocolates.

What does the word Issaquah, WA mean?

"Issaquah" is an anglicization of the Southern Lushootseed placename /sqʷáxʷ/, meaning either "the sound of birds", "snake", or "little stream". "Squak Valley", an older name for the area, also derives from this same Native American name. Shortly after becoming known as Squak, the town was briefly renamed Gilman, an homage to Daniel Hunt Gilman, who brought railways to the town. The city was officially incorporated by the Washington State legislature on April 29, 1892.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Issaquah

Data USA

Reflection Of Perfection

Lake Sammamish State Park 

Issaquah Depot Museum 

Cougar Mountain Zoo 

Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

Issaquah Alps Trail Club

Lake Sammamish State Park

Swedish Issaquah Medical Campus

Snoqualmie Valley Hospital

Kutting Edge Fitness

Elements Massage

Transform Fitness

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.