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Maple Valley, WA

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Maple Valley, WA

Maple Valley is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 28,013 at the 2020 census. The city functions as a commuter town for residents, though there is an increasing amount of commercial activity in the area. 

The area was settled in 1879 by three men who were improving a trail and brought their families in. When a name for a future community was proposed, the names Vine Maple Valley and Maple Ridge were suggested. A vote was taken by writing the names on slips of paper and placing them in a hat. Vine Maple Valley won by 2/3, but the word "Vine" was later cut by the post office because it made the name too long.

The town's early history mainly had to do with coal, lumber milling to build homes, and a railroad that ran through town. Coal was brought in from Black Diamond to the south, but the town itself also mined coal from Cedar Mountain. The mine was used as late as 1947. Rail workers for lines like the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Cedar River Watershed, closed off by the City of Seattle, meant more workers for those things. More residents meant more lumber milling. More lumber milling meant more workers. Suquamish tribe chairperson Martha George was born near Maple Valley in Sheridan in 1892, at a logging camp where her mother and grandmother worked as cooks.

The town grew inward. Blacksmith shops, hotels, saloons, and stores took up the town in the 1910s and 1920s. Schools went up as well. Early schools were shacks at best. A two-room school went up in 1910, and a larger high school was built in 1929 as the first school in the Tahoma School District. The school, after extensive renovations, still stands today as an elementary school. Much of this early development did not take place in the modern-day city, but rather in Hobart, northeast of incorporated Maple Valley.

The city of Maple Valley was officially incorporated on August 31, 1997. The Green to Cedar River trail runs through the city, along SR 169 and Witte Road while passing through the former Gaffney's Grove site, now the Lake Wilderness City Park. The park includes a swimming beach and sprawling grass fields and sees the annual Maple Valley Days Parade each year in June. The Lake Wilderness Arboretum is also located here.

Maple Valley is located at 47°21′58″N 122°2′41″W (47.366160, -122.044692). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.90 square miles (15.28 km²), of which, 5.72 square miles (14.81 km²) is land and 0.18 square miles (0.47 km²) is water.

The main bodies of water in the city limits are Lake Wilderness, Lake Lucerne, Rock Creek, and part of Pipe Lake. The Cedar River passes through unincorporated King County very near the northeastern border of the city. The city is bordered by Hobart, Fairwood, and Ravensdale, two unincorporated King County census-designated places, along with the cities of Covington, Renton, Kent, and Black Diamond.

Maple Valley places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Tahoma Athletic Club offers a friendly neighborhood feel, with lots of group fitness classes, an indoor cycling studio, personal coaching, and more. MultiCare Maple Valley Clinic offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. The Buffalo Gym offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. 9Round Kickboxing Fitness is known for its kickboxing-themed fitness programs, 9Round offers a dynamic workout experience. Maple Valley Farmers Market is a community hub offering fresh produce and locally made goods, supporting healthy eating choices. Maple Valley Community Center hosts wellness workshops, fitness classes, and recreational activities for all ages, fostering community health. Maple Valley Library offers resources on nutrition, fitness, and mental health through workshops and access to wellness literature. Cedar River Trail is ideal for walking, running, and cycling, providing scenic views and outdoor exercise opportunities along the Cedar River.

The top sites in Maple Valley, WA are Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Lake Wilderness Golf Course, and Gaffney's Grove Disc Golf Course.

Population: 28,220 (2022). Area code: 425. Elevation: 343 ft (105 m). ZIP code: 98682. Area: 5.90 square miles (15.28 km²).

FAQs

What is the median household income in Maple Valley, WA?

In 2022, Maple Valley, WA had a population of 27.9k people with a median age of 36.4 and a median household income of $137,595. The economy of Maple Valley, WA employs 13.3k people. The largest industries in Maple Valley, WA are Retail Trade (1,704 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1,539 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1,464 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($153,819), Manufacturing ($122,929), and Wholesale Trade ($117,537).

What is Maple Valley, WA known for?

Maple Valley is the location of several major events each year, including the Annual Fishing Derby at Lake Wilderness, the fourth weekend in April. Music in the Park, Thursdays in August. Maple Valley Days, the second weekend in June. The biggest community festival is Maple Valley Days, organized and supported by local volunteers. It features a community parade, amusement park rides, stage presentations, fun runs, classic car displays, crafts, food, vendors, and informational booths. In past years Maple Valley Days has also featured an Arts Festival, the Wenatchee Youth Circus, and special presentations by the South King County Arboretum Foundation at the Lake Wilderness Arboretum. Maple Valley Days are held in our beautiful Lake Wilderness Park.

Is Maple Valley, WA a good place to live?

Maple Valley is in King County and is one of the best places to live in Washington. Living in Maple Valley offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Maple Valley, there are a lot of parks. The public schools in Maple Valley are highly rated.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Maple Valley

Niche

Data USA

Lake Wilderness Arboretum 

Lake Wilderness Golf Course 

Gaffney's Grove Disc Golf Course

Tahoma Athletic Club

MultiCare Maple Valley Clinic

The Buffalo Gym

9Round Kickboxing Fitness

Maple Valley Farmers Market

Maple Valley Community Center

Maple Valley Library

Cedar River Trail

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