Waterfront Houses for Sale in King County, Washington

King County History and Demographics

The most populous county in Washington, King County is home to more than 2.2 million people. Formed out of Thurston County, King County was created in 1852 and named after Vice President William R. King. However, its original namesake was replaced with another on February 24, 1986, when the King County Council renamed the county to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. The racial makeup of King County is more diverse than most counties in Washington according to recent census data, with just over 66% of King County residents identifying as white, almost 20% identifying as Asian, just under 10% identifying as Hispanic or Latino, and 7% identifying as Black or African American. King County is also home to two federally recognized tribes — the Muckleshoot and Snoqualmie tribes — as well as many other indigenous groups. The county is comprised of 39 cities and towns.

GEOGRAPHICAL SPLENDOR MEETS THE CITY

King County sits between Puget Sound and the Cascade Range, the home of Mount Rainier. It boasts nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline along rivers and lakes and Vashon-Maury Island — two tied islands in Puget Sound connected by an isthmus that was built back in 1913 by local homeowners. This much shoreline not only offers stunning views of waterways and mountain ranges, but it also provides ample opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and shellfish harvesting.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

In the middle of it all, of course, is Seattle, and it has its own memorable landmarks, although many of them — like the Space Needle — are human-made. Named after Chief Seathl of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes, Seattle is one of the most fun and exciting cities in the country. Home to world-class museums — including the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, the National Nordic Museum, and the Seattle Pinball Museum, to name a few — it also offers the best in shopping, entertainment, dining, and music. Festivals, large and small, like the Seattle International Film Festival and Donut Fest,  fill the calendar throughout the year. Whether you’re a child in search of adventure or an adult in search of illumination on one day and distraction on another, the city can be counted on to deliver.

NEARBY COUNTIES

Across Puget Sound from King County is Kitsap County, a less urban area with plenty of shoreline to explore. To the north of King County is Snohomish County, home to Glacier Peak and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, one of the most popular national forests in the country. To the south of King County is Pierce County, the second most populous county in the state and the home of Mount Rainier.