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Mercer Island, WA

Frequently asked questions

Mercer Island, WA

Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located on an island of the same name in the southern portion of Lake Washington. Mercer Island is in the Seattle metropolitan area, with Seattle to its west and Bellevue to its east.

The island is connected to the mainland on both sides by bridges carrying Interstate 90, with the city of Seattle to the west and the city of Bellevue to the east. The Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge and the parallel Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge are floating bridges that span Lake Washington and carry, respectively, eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 90 and connect Mercer Island to the northern portion of Seattle's South End. I-90 traverses the northern portion of Mercer Island and is then carried from the island to Bellevue over the East Channel of Lake Washington by the East Channel Bridge. Mercer Island is located closer to Bellevue than it is to Seattle and is therefore often considered to be part of King County's Eastside.

The population was 25,748 at the 2020 census. Mercer Island has the fifth highest per-capita income in the state of Washington and is one of the 100 richest ZIP codes in the US according to the IRS figures for Adjusted Gross Income.

The western side of the island was home to two Snoqualmie villages before white settlement in the Puget Sound region. Mercer Island, named for the Mercer family of Seattle, was first settled by non-indigenous people between 1870 and 1880. The Mercer brothers often rowed between the island and Seattle to pick berries, hunt, and fish. Those brothers, Thomas Mercer and Asa Mercer, were members of the Mercer family of Virginia. The first large settlement, East Seattle, was toward the northwest side of the island—near the McGilvara neighborhood. In 1889, C.C. Calkins built a large and gilded resort, the Calkins Hotel. The hotel was reached via steamboat between Madison Park, Leschi Park, and the Eastside. Guests included President Benjamin Harrison, of 1901, amongst other well-to-do dignitaries from Seattle to the East Coast of the United States. Burned by a mysterious fire, the hotel was razed in 1908.

The City of Mercer Island was incorporated from East Seattle on July 5, 1960, and comprised all of the island minus the 70-acre (280,000 m²) business district. Just over one month later, on August 9, the Town of Mercer Island was incorporated from that business district. The two aforementioned municipalities merged as the City of Mercer Island on May 19, 1970.

Mercer Island City Hall was located at 47°34′14″N 122°13′19″W (47.5706548, -122.2220673), until it was closed in April 2023 after asbestos was discovered in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The peak elevation in the city is about 335 feet (102 m), near the center of the island.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.90 square miles (33.41 km²), of which 6.38 square miles (16.52 km²) are land and 6.52 square miles (16.89 km²) are water. The ZIP Code 98040 is assigned to Mercer Island. Mercer Island is the most populated island in a lake in the US.

Mercer Island places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Overlake Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Mercer Island Fitness and Orangetheory Fitness offer comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. YogaSix provides numerous yoga classes designed to improve flexibility and reduce stress. Mercer Island Community Center hosts various wellness programs, including fitness classes and health seminars. Island Books not only sells books but also hosts wellness-related events and book clubs. Mercer Island Martial Arts offers martial arts classes that focus on physical fitness and mental discipline. 

Top sites in Mercer Island, WA are Luther Burbank Park, Groveland Beach Park, Deane's Children's Park, and Aubrey Davis Park.

Population: 24,742 (2023). Area code: 206.  Elevation: 338 ft (103 m). ZIP code: 98040. Area: 12.90 square miles (33.41 km²).

FAQs

Why is Mercer Island, WA famous?

Located at the center of Lake Washington, Mercer Island is connected by a bridge to Seattle and Bellevue and is recognized as a top 50 suburb in the United States. It offers over 475 acres of parks and open space, including three public beaches, and more than 50 miles of hiking trails. Mercer Island is highly sought after by families looking to raise their children on the island for its safety and excellent schools; young professionals who enjoy the easy commute and quiet remove; and retirees who seek out the many opportunities for community gathering and involvement.

Is Mercer Island, WA a wealthy area?

Mercer Island, WA is one of the richest cities in the country. Mercer Island, Washington, is one place where the median household income is more than double the national figure. The typical household in the area earns $170,000 a year, the 28th highest among all cities with sufficient data and 146.3% more than the national median. Incomes in the United States, for individuals and across broad populations, tend to rise with higher levels of educational attainment. In Mercer Island, an estimated 77.5% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the 33.7% share of adults nationwide with similar education levels.

Is Mercer Island WA expensive to live in?

The cost of living index for Mercer Island is 52.7% higher than the national average. The median home price in Mercer Island is $1,386,300, which is almost quadruple the average Washington home price of $366,800. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Mercer Island is $2,599 per month. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four will need a yearly income of $107,916 to live here.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Mercer Island

24/7 Wall St.

My Mercer Island

Already Moving

Luther Burbank Park 

Groveland Beach Park 

Deane's Children's Park 

Aubrey Davis Park

Overlake Medical Center

Mercer Island Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness

YogaSix

Island Books

Mercer Island Martial Arts

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