Kirkland, Washington

city in King County, Washington, United States

Kirkland is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is a suburb of Seattle. Its population was 92,175 at the 2020 census.[2] It is on the coast of Lake Washington.

Kirkland, Washington
The downtown waterfront area of Kirkland, on the shores of Lake Washington
The downtown waterfront area of Kirkland, on the shores of Lake Washington
Location of Kirkland within King County, Washington, and King County within Washington
Location of Kirkland within King County, Washington, and King County within Washington
Coordinates: 47°41′9″N 122°11′30″W / 47.68583°N 122.19167°W / 47.68583; -122.19167
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyKing
Founded1888
Incorporated1905
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
Area
 • Total22.66 sq mi (58.69 km2)
 • Land17.81 sq mi (46.12 km2)
 • Water4.86 sq mi (12.58 km2)
Elevation
14–500 ft (4–152 m)
Population
 • Total92,175
 • RankUS: 370th
WA: 13th
 • Density5,223.52/sq mi (2,016.80/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (Pacific)
ZIP codes
98033, 98034, 98083
Area code425
FIPS code53-35940
GNIS feature ID1512352[3]
Websitewww.kirklandwa.gov

History change

The land around Lake Washington was first settled by Native Americans. English settlers arrived in the late 1860s. More families settled the area in the 1870s.[4] By the end of the 1880s, there were a small number of communities that logged, farmed and built boats.[5]

In 1886, Peter Kirk, a businessman, wanted to start a steel mill in Washington near the water. Leigh S. J. Hunt, a newspaper owner, said that he would be Kirk's partner. They bought land in July 1888. They started building a steel mill shortly afterwards. Kirk started the city of Kirkland in 1888. The steel mill was completed in late 1892. The mill later closed because of financial problems. It had not made any steel.

 
Map of Kirkland in 2006, prior to annexations

Kirkland was finally incorporated in 1905. Its population was approximately 532.

In the early 1900s, the Curtis family had a business that made boats.[6] In later years, wool milling and warship building were the major industries.

Annexations change

Kirkland has consolidated with other towns and annexed land many times. The area of Kirkland is now approximately 12 times its area when it was incorporated in 1905.[7]

Landmarks change

The city of Kirkland has said that three buildings are city landmarks.[8]

Landmark Built Listed Address Photo
Heritage Hall 1922 2000 NW corner of Market St. & Lake Ave. W.  
Heritage Hall (historical
First Church of Christ, Scientist - now
home to Kirkland Heritage Society) in 2010
Peter Kirk Building 1890-92 2003 620 Market Street  
Peter Kirk Building in 2006
Kirkland Woman's Club 1925 2011 407 First Street  
Woman's Club building in 2009

Geography and climate change

Kirkland is located at 47°41′9″N 122°11′30″W / 47.68583°N 122.19167°W / 47.68583; -122.19167 (47.685821, -122.191729).[9] Lake Washington is west of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.66 square miles (58.69 km2). 17.81 square miles (46.13 km2) of this is land and 4.86 square miles (12.59 km2) is water.[1]

Demographics change

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900264
1910532101.5%
19201,354154.5%
19301,71426.6%
19402,08421.6%
19504,713126.2%
19606,02527.8%
197014,970148.5%
198018,78525.5%
199040,052113.2%
200045,05412.5%
201048,7878.3%
202092,17588.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

2010 census change

As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 48,787 people living in the city. Racially, the city was 79.3% White, 1.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 11.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.3% of the population.

Government and politics change

Kirkland has a council-manager form of government; there are seven council members. The city council selects one of their members to be the mayor from among its members. The mayor is Amy Walen[12] and the city manager is Kurt Triplett.[13]

Sports change

Kirkland was the original home of the Seattle Seahawks. Now, this team is based in Seattle.

Sister city change

Kirkland has one sister city. It is Emmerich, Germany.[14][15]

Notable people change

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "QuickFacts: Kirkland city, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  3. "Kirkland". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  4. Stein, Alan. "Juanita Beach Park (Kirkland): HistoryLink.org Essay 4009". Retrieved 2007-12-24.
  5. Alan J. Stein (1998). "A Short History of Kirkland".
  6. Alan J. Stein (August 30, 2000). "The ferry Leschi makes its last run, ending ferry service on Lake Washington on August 31, 1950". HistoryLink.org.
  7. Community Profile: City of Kirkland
  8. "King County Local and Landmarks List". King County Historic Preservation Program, Department of Natural Resources and Parks. August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2012-10-09. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  11. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  12. "Meet The Council". www.kirklandwa.gov. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
  13. "Meet the City Manager". www.kirklandwa.gov. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
  14. "Washington sister cities". Sister Cities International. Archived from the original on 2010-03-06.
  15. Washington State Lieutenant Governor's Office. "Sister Relationships". Archived from the original on 2006-09-29.

Other websites change