:Issaquah, Washington

Image:Issaquah miners homes 1913.jpg{{More citations needed|section|date=April 2023}}

"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.{{cite web

|url=http://www.issaquahchamber.com/about-issaquah/community-and-history

|title=A Diverse and Colorful History

|publisher=Issaquah Chamber of Commerce

|access-date=June 24, 2007

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325234404/http://www.issaquahchamber.com/about-issaquah/community-and-history

|archive-date=March 25, 2012

|url-status=dead

}}{{cite web

|url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=4195

|title=Gilman (later Issaquah) incorporates on April 29, 1892

|first=Alan J.

|last=Stein

|date=June 16, 2003

|work=HistoryLink

|access-date=June 21, 2011

}}{{cite book |last= Bright |first= William |title= Native American Placenames of the United States |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5XfxzCm1qa4C&pg=PA187 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |year= 2004 |publisher= University of Oklahoma Press |page= 187|isbn= 978-0-8061-3598-4 }}

In September 1885, the then-unincorporated area was the scene of an attack on Chinese laborers who had come to pick hops from local fields.{{Cite journal |last=Liestman |first=Daniel |date=1999 |title=Horizontal Inter-Ethnic Relations: Chinese and American Indians in the Nineteenth-Century American West |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/971376 |journal=The Western Historical Quarterly |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=340 |doi=10.2307/971376 |jstor=971376 |issn=0043-3810|url-access=subscription }} Three of the laborers died from gunshot wounds; seven attackers were indicted, but they were later acquitted or charges were dropped.{{Dubious|date=January 2024|reason=In addition to charged statements (“without any [recourse] whatsoever”), this claim is significant enough to warrant a clear, direct citation. It is not readily found in the city’s official website history page or in top results of a Google search.}}

Shortly after becoming known as Squak, the town was briefly renamed to Gilman, an homage to Daniel Hunt Gilman, who brought railways to the town.{{Cite web |title=Issaquah History {{!}} Issaquah, WA - Official Website |url=https://www.issaquahwa.gov/93/History |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=www.issaquahwa.gov}}{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Joan |date=2012-03-03 |title=Issaquah's roots revisited: Area holds a deep history |url=https://www.issaquahreporter.com/news/issaquahs-roots-revisited-area-holds-a-deep-history/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Issaquah Reporter |language=en-US}}

The city was officially incorporated by the Washington State legislature on April 29, 1892. Initially a small mining town, the city has changed noticeably both in its appearance and economic focus. Issaquah was originally developed to service the mining industry (on the two nearby mountains that now lend their names to the Cougar/Squak Corridor Park). As the mining deposits neared depletion in the late 1890s, other companies started to realize Issaquah's potential to support a lucrative lumber business. These companies exported timber from Issaquah and other small, local towns to Seattle and larger, rapidly growing communities throughout western Washington. These early boom industries, however, faded into a period of relative quiet by the time of the Great Depression.

The town's industries remained similar through most of the twentieth century, with Boeing providing the majority of employment in the area. Microsoft and other technological industries moved into Redmond and other cities in the area, and later established operations in Issaquah itself.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} In June 1996, Costco moved its global headquarters to Issaquah from nearby Kirkland.{{cite news |last1=Buck |first1=Richard |last2=Lopez Williams |first2=Sarah |date=March 17, 1996 |title=The East Rises |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}

Issaquah is located {{convert|15|mi|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 {{convert|11.40|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|11.38|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|0.02|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012}}

Issaquah is surrounded on three sides by what are 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,{{cite web|title=Squak Mountain|url=http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Squak%20Mountain|publisher=Washington State Parks|access-date=January 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202225539/http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Squak%20Mountain|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=dead}} Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park,{{cite web|title=COUGAR MOUNTAIN REGIONAL WILDLAND PARK|url=http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/inventory/cougar.aspx|publisher=King County Parks|access-date=January 30, 2013}} West Tiger Mountain NRCA,{{cite web|title=West Tiger Mountain NRCA|url=http://www.dnr.wa.gov/AboutDNR/ManagedLands/Pages/amp_na_tiger.aspx|publisher=WA DNR|access-date=January 30, 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417030417/http://www.dnr.wa.gov/aboutdnr/managedlands/pages/amp_na_tiger.aspx|archive-date=April 17, 2013}} and Tiger Mountain State Forest.{{cite web|title=Tiger Mountain State Forest|url=http://www.stateparks.com/tiger_mountain.html|publisher=WA State Parks|access-date=January 30, 2013}} 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{{Who|date=January 2024}} believe that these three mountains are the remains of a much older mountain range long since eroded by earthquakes, volcanic action, and shifting plates.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

Issaquah has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csb) with chilly, extremely wet winters and warm, moderately humid summers. Although there is no dry season in Issaquah, winters are many times wetter than the summers. Rainfall amounts are extremely similar to the neighboring city of Sammamish, which is 0.06 inches wetter overall, with the same summer rain amounts.

{{Weather box

| location = Issaquah, Washington

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| Jan record high F = 67

| Feb record high F = 75

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| Dec record high F = 67

| year record high F = 108

| Jan high F = 47

| Feb high F = 50

| Mar high F = 54

| Apr high F = 58

| May high F = 64

| Jun high F = 69

| Jul high F = 75

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| Nov high F = 51

| Dec high F = 45

| year high F = 60

| Jan low F = 36

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| Apr low F = 40

| May low F = 46

| Jun low F = 51

| Jul low F = 54

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| Oct low F = 43

| Nov low F = 38

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| year low F = 43

| Jan record low F = −1

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| Apr record low F = 24

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| Jul record low F = 36

| Aug record low F = 35

| Sep record low F = 30

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| year record low F = −3

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 8.85

| Feb precipitation inch = 5.61

| Mar precipitation inch = 6.26

| Apr precipitation inch = 4.81

| May precipitation inch = 4.01

| Jun precipitation inch = 2.94

| Jul precipitation inch = 1.37

| Aug precipitation inch = 1.29

| Sep precipitation inch = 2.85

| Oct precipitation inch = 5.69

| Nov precipitation inch = 10.12

| Dec precipitation inch = 8.45

| year precipitation inch = 62.19

| Jan snow inch = 2.9

| Feb snow inch = 3.1

| Mar snow inch = 1.2

| Apr snow inch = 0

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| Nov snow inch = 1.6

| Dec snow inch = 2.8

| year snow inch = 11.6

| source 1 = Weather.com{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/98027|title=Monthly Averages for Issaquah, WA|publisher=The Weather Channel|access-date=September 2, 2009}}

| date = August 2010

| source =

}}

Warehouse retailer Costco has been headquartered in Issaquah since 1996.{{cite news |last=Conroy |first=Bill |date=September 2019 |title=Costco's First Warehouse Store Was a Springboard to Global Growth |url=https://www.seattlebusinessmag.com/retail/costcos-first-warehouse-store-was-springboard-global-growth |work=Seattle Business |access-date=March 11, 2022}} Other major Issaquah employers include Microsoft, Siemens Medical Solutions' Ultrasound Group, Overtime Technologies, Boehm's Candies, and Darigold.{{cite web |title=Economic Profile |url=https://www.issaquahwa.gov/209/Our-Profile |publisher=City of Issaquah |access-date=March 11, 2022}} Apparel wholesaler SanMar is also headquartered in the city.{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Joey |date=March 11, 2022 |title=SanMar's Lot |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2022/03/11/sanmar-family-business-of-the-year.html |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |access-date=March 11, 2022}}

{{US Census population

|1900= 700

|1910= 628

|1920= 791

|1930= 763

|1940= 812

|1950= 955

|1960= 1870

|1970= 4313

|1980= 5536

|1990= 7786

|2000= 11212

|2010= 30434

|2020= 40051

|estyear=2023

|estimate=38977

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}
2020 Census

}}

According to a 2021 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $132,984, and the median income for a family was $115,814. The per capita income for the city was $78,581.

According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Issaquah ranked 6th of 279 eligible incorporated communities in population growth between 2000 and 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/april1/ |title=Official April 1, 2007 Population Estimates |access-date=August 7, 2007 |date=June 27, 2007|publisher=State of Washington Office of Financial Management}} Forbes.com ranked Issaquah the 2nd fastest-growing suburb in the state and the 89th in the nation.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/2007/07/16/suburbs-growth-housing-forbeslife-cx_mw_0716realestate.html |title=America's Fastest-Growing Suburbs |access-date=August 7, 2007 |author=Woolsey, Matt|date=July 16, 2007|magazine=Forbes |page= 2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031111334/http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/2007/07/16/suburbs-growth-housing-forbeslife-cx_mw_0716realestate_2.html|archive-date=October 31, 2008}}

As of the 2010 census, there were 30,434 people, 12,841 households, and 8,018 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2674.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 13,914 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1222.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 74.7% White, 1.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 17.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 5.8% of the population.

For the same census period, there were 12,841 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.6% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34, and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 35.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.6% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

The population has increased by 40,058 people as of the 2020 census.

As of the 2000 census, there were 11,212 people, 4,840 households, and 2,908 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,330.9 people per square mile (514.1/km²). There were 5,195 housing units at an average density of 616.7 per square mile (238.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.95% White, 0.88% African American, 0.63% Native American, 6.04% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.46% from other races, and 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 4.95% of the population.

There were 4,840 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 36.5% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $57,892, and the median income for a family was $77,274. Males had a median income of $55,049 versus $36,670 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,222. About 3.4% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Issaquah is bisected by Interstate 90, which runs from Seattle to Boston, and Washington State Route 900, which connects the city to neighboring Renton. There is a chronic traffic congestion problem on Front Street, which traverses the historic downtown. Proposals have been made to create a bypass, but opponents have argued that this will only result in more sprawl in the area beyond downtown and thus bring in more traffic and pollution. In 2008, the Issaquah City Council voted to cancel the 15-year-running SE Bypass project. In addition, King County has no funding in its seven-year capital plan to improve Issaquah-Hobart Road, the southern terminus of the proposed bypass.

{{See also|King County Metro|Sound Transit}}

Bus service in Issaquah is provided by King County Metro as well as regional Sound Transit routes to Seattle and Bellevue. There are two primary park-and-rides in the city, at Issaquah Transit Center and Issaquah Highlands Park & Ride, which have a total of 1,999 parking spaces.{{cite web |title=Park & Ride Information |url=http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/parknride/index.html |publisher=King County Metro |access-date=April 30, 2016}}{{cite map |date=March 2016 |title=Metro Transit System: Northeast Area |url=http://metro.kingcounty.gov/maps/system/2016/march/metro-system-map-northeast.pdf |format=PDF |publisher=King County Metro |access-date=April 30, 2016}}

Since August 1995, the city and King County Metro provided a free circulator bus (route 200) between business districts and community centers in Issaquah as a form of traffic congestion relief.{{cite news |last=Lopez Williams |first=Sarah |date=August 1, 1995 |title=Issaquah Shuttle – Free 'Decongestant' Off And Running |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19950801/2134375/issaquah-shuttle----free-decongestant-off-and-running |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 30, 2016}}

As part of the expansion of Sound Transit services, a Link light rail line to Issaquah from Bellevue is proposed to begin service by 2041.{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=March 24, 2016 |title=$50B Sound Transit proposal: big taxes, big spending, big plan |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-proposal-includes-2nd-downtown-seattle-tunnel/ |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 30, 2016}}

File:Issaquah - Village Theatre 03.jpg

The Issaquah Alps are a range of highlands situated around the city of Issaquah that include hiking trails and other outdoor activities. It is primarily composed of three distinct peaks: Tiger Mountain, Cougar Mountain, and Squak Mountain.{{cite news |last=McQuaide |first=Mike |date=November 4, 2004 |title=Issaquah's Squak Mountain is climbing in popularity |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20041104&slug=nwwsquak04 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 25, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Vinh |first=Tan |date=April 4, 2012 |title=Issaquah hiking club aims to get edgier, hipper — and younger |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/issaquah-hiking-club-aims-to-get-edgier-hipper-8212-and-younger/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 25, 2024}} Paragliders and hang gliders launch from Poo Poo Point on Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah Alps.{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Dan A. |date=February 22, 2007 |title=Issaquah paraglider is out to prove he's among the best in the world |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/issaquah-paraglider-is-out-to-prove-hes-among-the-best-in-the-world/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 25, 2024}} Several popular trailheads in the area are served by Trailhead Direct, a shuttle bus service managed by King County Metro.{{cite news |last=Bush |first=Evan |date=August 4, 2017 |title=Hikers in King County can now catch weekend shuttle to popular trailheads |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/hikers-in-king-county-can-now-catch-weekend-shuttle-to-popular-trailheads/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 25, 2024}}

{{Main|Issaquah Valley Trolley}}

File:Issaquah Valley Trolley car 519 crossing Front St in 2014.jpg

The Issaquah Valley Trolley was a heritage trolley service operated by the Issaquah Historical Society on a section of the city's remaining railroad tracks from the Issaquah Depot to Gilman Village. A pilot was organized from 2001 to 2002 with cars borrowed from Yakima Valley Trolleys and followed by the Issaquah Historical Society's acquisition of their own three cars in 2010.{{cite news |last=Gracey |first=Celeste |date=October 26, 2010 |title=Trolley in downtown Issaquah on track to open next summer |url=https://www.issaquahreporter.com/news/trolley-in-downtown-issaquah-on-track-to-open-next-summer/ |work=Issaquah Reporter |access-date=May 25, 2024}}{{cite news|last=Kagarise|first=Warren|title=Trolley returns, and supporters prepare for rides to start in October|newspaper=Issaquah Press|date=August 28, 2012|url=http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/08/28/trolley-returns-and-supporters-prepare-for-rides-to-start-in-october/|access-date=January 28, 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819012315/http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/08/28/trolley-returns-and-supporters-prepare-for-rides-to-start-in-october/|archive-date=August 19, 2013}} Regular public rides started in October 2012{{cite news|author=|title=All aboard, Issaquah, as downtown trolley starts service|newspaper=Issaquah Press|date=October 16, 2012|url=http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/10/16/downtown-trolley-starts-service/|access-date=January 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819012250/http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/10/16/downtown-trolley-starts-service/|archive-date=August 19, 2013|url-status=dead}} and operated seasonally on weekends until November 2020, when it was discontinued permanently because of increased costs and insufficient funding.{{cite magazine |last=Russell |first=Mike |title=Classic Trams: Washington's Two of a Kind, Part 1 |magazine=Tramways & Urban Transit |publisher=LRTA Publishing |date=April 2017 |location=UK |pages=156–157 |issn=1460-8324}}{{cite web |title=Issaquah Valley Trolley To Cease Operations |url=https://issaquahhistory.org/issaquah-valley-trolley-2020-update/ |publisher=Issaquah History Museums |access-date=March 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206064151/https://issaquahhistory.org/issaquah-valley-trolley-2020-update/ |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |date=November 3, 2020 |url-status=dead}}

The Village Theatre has presented live stage plays on its main stage in downtown Issaquah since 1979. It was originally located in a converted movie theater and later built its main stage at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in 1993. Village Theatre is an Equity theater and has an affiliated theater in Everett.{{cite news |date=July 1, 2010 |title=From an old Issaquah movie house to Broadway's bright lights |url=https://www.issaquahreporter.com/life/from-an-old-issaquah-movie-house-to-broadways-bright-lights/ |work=Issaquah Reporter |access-date=May 25, 2024}}

The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery on Issaquah Creek is a state-owned fish hatchery that was built in 1936 by the federal Works Project Administration. It annually raises about Chinook and Coho salmon and is the most visited hatchery in Washington with an estimated 350,000 visitors annually.{{cite web|access-date=August 22, 2015|title=FISH: Mission|url=http://www.issaquahfish.org/about-fish/mission/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009025936/http://www.issaquahfish.org/about-fish/mission/|archive-date=October 9, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{better source needed|date=May 2024}}

Issaquah Salmon Days is an annual two-day festival held in Issaquah during early October to celebrate the return of spawning salmon to the area. It includes a parade, arts and crafts conventions, live entertainment and music, and sporting events.{{cite news |last=Wafai |first=Yasmeen |date=October 2, 2019 |title=Issaquah Salmon Days Festival is swimming with fun things to do for kids and adults |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/issaquah-salmon-days-festival-is-swimming-with-fun-things-to-do-for-kids-and-adults/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 25, 2024}} In 2005, the register revealed over 400,000 people attended the Salmon Days Festival.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

File:Lake Sammamish from Cougar Mountain Zoo panorama 2014.jpg

The Cougar Mountain Zoo is located on {{convert|8|acre|ha}} west of Issaquah on the north slope of Cougar Mountain. The zoo was founded in 1972 and is home to many endangered birds and animals, as well as cougars, lemurs, reindeer, and wallabies.{{cite news |last=Grindeland |first=Sherry |date=March 10, 2007 |title=Cougar gets salmon cake and tea for the big 15 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/cougar-gets-salmon-cake-and-tea-for-the-big-15/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 25, 2024}} In 2007, the zoo added two Bengal tiger cubs who had been raised in a Florida preserve.{{cite news |last=Nash |first=Daniel |date=April 8, 2015 |title=Cougar Mountain tigers Taj and Almos turn 8 |url=https://www.issaquahreporter.com/news/cougar-mountain-tigers-taj-and-almos-turn-8/ |work=Issaquah Reporter |access-date=May 25, 2024}}

Gilman Village is a shopping center created in 1972 from historic residential and commercial buildings that were moved and renovated for use as independent shops and restaurants. The complex has 27 buildings with various businesses, including specialty shops.{{cite news |last=Sires |first=Cameron |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Gilman Village celebrates over 50 years of charm and growth |url=https://www.issaquahreporter.com/business/gilman-village-celebrates-over-50-years-of-charm-and-growth/ |work=Issaquah Reporter |access-date=May 25, 2024}} The shopping center was designed by Baylis Architects, Richard Haag Associates, and landscape architect Stephen G. Ray.{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Alf |date=November 28, 1976 |title=Building design awards to be presented |page=G8 |work=The Seattle Times}}

The High Alpine Chapel opened in 1981 on the grounds of the Boehm's candy shop near downtown Issaquah. It was designed to resemble a 12th-century Swiss church and can hold 57 people. The chapel includes a memorial to deceased mountaineers.{{cite news |last=Webber |first=Pam |date=September 2, 1981 |title=Chapel dedicated to memory of mountaineers |page=G5 |work=The Seattle Times}}

File:Town Hall 127.jpg

The City of Issaquah uses the mayor-council form of government. The City Council acts as the legislative body. The City Council consists of seven councilmembers, who each have four-year terms in staggered tranches.

Mary Lou Pauly was elected mayor of Issaquah in 2017 with 64.19% of the vote.{{cite web|title=King County November 7, 2017 General Election|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20171107/king/|access-date=May 1, 2021|website=results.vote.wa.gov}} She was re-elected in 2021 to another term.{{cite web |title=Mary Lou Pauly, Mayor |url=https://issaquahwa.gov/528/Mary-Lou-Pauly-Mayor |publisher=City of Issaquah |access-date=July 20, 2023}}

In 2023, Issaquah became the first Washington city to be awarded LEED Gold certification for its environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives.{{cite news |last=Stiles |first=Marc |date=July 20, 2023 |title=Issaquah goes for LEED Gold — and becomes the first WA city to get it |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2023/07/19/issaquah-is-gold-city-building-council-says.html |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |access-date=July 20, 2023}}

Public education for 21,358 students within the city and surrounding area is provided by the Issaquah School District,{{cite web |title=Issaquah School District |url=https://www.issaquah.wednet.edu/ |website=www.issaquah.wednet.edu |access-date=July 8, 2020}} which operates 28 schools in and around Issaquah.{{cite web |title=Search for Public School Districts - District Detail for Issaquah School District |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=5303750&DistrictID=5303750 |website=nces.ed.gov |publisher=US Department of Education |access-date=July 8, 2020 |language=EN}} This school district includes the southern part of Sammamish with the zip code 98075. This area also includes the northern part of Renton.

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.{{cite news |last=Hill |first=Shannon |date=November 7, 2011 |title=Swedish/Issaquah Fully Open |url=https://blog.swedish.org/swedish-blog/swedish-issaquah-fully-open |publisher=Swedish Health Services |access-date=May 25, 2024}} The campus also includes medical offices and specialty care facilities.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Eric |date=June 23, 2011 |title='Novel' process lets Swedish Issaquah hit fast forward |url=https://www.djc.com/news/co/12030537.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=May 25, 2024}} Bellevue-based Overlake Hospital Medical Center also petitioned the state government to open a hospital in Issaquah, but lost to Swedish's bid.{{cite news |last=Krishnan |first=Sonia |date=March 1, 2005 |title=Rival hospitals target Issaquah's growth, affluence |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/rival-hospitals-target-issaquahs-growth-affluence/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 25, 2024}}

{{div col}}

• Stella Alexander, first female mayor{{cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Phil |date=February 1, 2008 |title=Alexander, Stella (1881-1960) |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/8474 |website=HistoryLink |access-date=November 3, 2023}}
• Ray Allen, former basketball player for the Seattle SuperSonics
• Cody Baker, soccer player{{Cite web |title=Cody Baker Undergoes Successful Surgery |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/news/cody-baker-undergoes-successful-surgery |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=Seattle Sounders FC}}
• Brian Basset, comic strip artist
• Isaac Brock, musician and songwriter for Modest Mouse{{cite news|url=http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/content/printVersion/136143/|title=Perfect Disguise Modest Mouse Leader Isaac Brock Waxes on the Moon and Speedo|last=Reeves|first=Mosi|date=February 12, 2004|work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach|access-date=January 1, 2011|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=March 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318024120/http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/content/printVersion/136143/|url-status=dead}}
• Jay Buhner, former baseball player{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZCkfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4415,9338956|title=Jay Buhner Announces Retirement|date=December 18, 2001|work=Ellensburg Daily Record|access-date=January 1, 2011}}
• Deb Caletti, author
• David Call, actor{{cite news |last=Lee |first=November 19, 2019 |title="Wallflower" brings to the big screen a fictional account of the 2006 Capitol Hill Massacre |url=https://iexaminer.org/wallflower-brings-to-the-big-screen-a-fictional-account-of-the-2006-capitol-hill-massacre/ |work=International Examiner |access-date=May 25, 2024}}
• Bryan Clay, Olympic decathlon athlete
• Colin Curtis, former baseball player{{cite news|url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/112105aao.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622011548/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/112105aao.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 22, 2011|title=Baseball's Colin Curtis Named to 2006 Wallace Award Watch List|date=November 21, 2005|work=CBS College Sports Network|publisher=CBS Corporation|access-date=January 1, 2011}}
• Joseph C. Decuir, electrical engineer and IEEE fellow{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
• Cynthia Geary, actress{{cite magazine|date=December 24, 2001|title=Chilling Out|magazine=People|volume=56|issue=26|issn=0093-7673|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20136084,00.html|access-date=January 1, 2011}}
• Ken Griffey Jr., former baseball player for the Seattle Mariners{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/baseball/320697_bone21.html|title=Buhner Relishes Old Pal Griffey's Return|last=Johns|first=Greg|date=June 21, 2007|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=January 1, 2011}}
• Byron Howard, animated film director{{cite news |last=Redecker |first=Jerre |date=March 3, 2017 |title=Evergreen alum gets Oscar for 'Zootopia' |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article135224249.html |work=The Olympian |access-date=May 25, 2024}}
• Margaret Larson, journalist
• Phil Lucas, documentary filmmaker{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UfA8AAAAIBAJ&pg=1360,29756650|title=Phil Lucas, 'the biggest heart,' Dies|last=Savelle|first=Jon|date=February 14, 2007|work=Issaquah Press|access-date=January 1, 2011}}
• Patrick Monahan, lead singer of rock band Train
• Jeff Nelson, baseball player{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aXQfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2335,2723274&dq=jeff-nelson+issaquah&hl=en|title=Nelson Happy Anywhere but Minor Leagues|date=July 17, 1994|work=The Spokesman-Review|access-date=January 1, 2011|location=Spokane, WA|agency=Tacoma News Tribune}}
• Chris Pirillo, founder and maintainer of Lockergnome and host of Gnomedex and VloggerFair{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OyoqAAAAIBAJ&pg=6072,1680910&dq=chris-pirillo+issaquah&hl=en|title=How's Vista? Analysts Say Fine; Users Annoyed|date=July 15, 2007|work=Park City Daily News|access-date=January 1, 2011|location=Bowling Green, KY|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web |url=http://vloggerfair.com/ |title=VloggerFair |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603032722/http://www.vloggerfair.com/ |archive-date=June 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
• J. J. Putz, baseball player{{cite magazine|last=Cyphers|first=Luke|title=Joseph Jason Putz Has Slowly Become one of the best Closers in the MLB|magazine=ESPN the Magazine|date=September 10, 2007 |issn=1097-1998|url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3611050|access-date=January 1, 2011}}
• Nate Query, bassist for The Decemberists
• Rick Rizzs, baseball sportscaster for the Seattle Mariners{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=TNTB&d_place=TNTB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EFE5EDC72C73ED9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Rizzs' Renewal the Fan's Choice|date=November 8, 1997|work=The News Tribune|access-date=January 1, 2011}}
• Mark Rosewater, head designer of Magic: The Gathering{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
• Detlef Schrempf, basketball player
• Kyle Seager, baseball player for the Seattle Mariners{{cite news |last=Drayer |first=Shannon |date=February 19, 2020 |title=Now Mariners longest-tenured player, Kyle Seager embracing role to help rebuild along |url=https://sports.mynorthwest.com/819433/drayer-mariners-veteran-kyle-seager-role-rebuild/ |publisher=KIRO-AM |access-date=May 25, 2024}}
• Paul Sorrento, former baseball player for the Seattle Mariners{{cite news|url=http://www.issaquahpress.com/2010/07/06/is-that-a-famous-person-quick-get-the-camera/|title=Is that a famous person? Quick, get the camera!|last=Pfarr|first=Tim|date=July 6, 2010|work=Issaquah Press|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001064550/http://www.issaquahpress.com/2010/07/06/is-that-a-famous-person-quick-get-the-camera/|archive-date=October 1, 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Mel Stottlemyre, baseball pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=YHRB&p_theme=yhrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FCDF6C7B35B938A&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-access=subscription |title='One of a Kind' – Mel Stottlemyre Didn't Even Bother old YVCC Coach With Cancer News|last=Carpenter|first=Les|date=April 11, 2000|work=Yakima Herald-Republic|via=NewsBank|pages=1D–2|access-date=January 1, 2011}}
• Ichiro Suzuki, former baseball player for the Seattle Mariners
• Dave Valle, former baseball player and sportscaster for the Seattle Mariners
• Omar Vizquel, baseball player{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002091126_base15.html|title=Notebook: Vizquel, Giants Agree to Terms|date=November 15, 2004|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=January 1, 2011|agency=Associated Press, New York Daily News}}
• Brian Yorkey, playwright, lyricist, and theatre director

{{div col end}}

• {{flagicon|Norway}} Sunndal, Norway{{cite web |title=Washington's 'Sister' Relationships |url=http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |publisher=Lieutenant Governor of Washington |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105144331/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=September 3, 2019}}
• {{flagicon|Morocco}} Chefchaouen, Morocco (since 2007){{cite news |last=Jennings |first=Nicole |date=May 18, 2017 |title=A decade of sisterhood for Issaquah, Chefchaouen |url=http://www.issaquahreporter.com/news/a-decade-of-sisterhood-for-issaquah-chefchaouen/ |work=Issaquah Reporter |access-date=September 3, 2019}}

• Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Commons category|Issaquah, Washington}}

• {{wikivoyage inline|Issaquah}}
• [https://www.issaquahwa.gov/ City of Issaquah official website]
• [http://www.issaquahhistory.org/ Issaquah Historical Society]

{{King County, Washington}}

{{Washington}}

{{Geographic location

|Northwest = Bellevue

|North = Sammamish

|Northeast = Fall City

|West = Newcastle

|Center = Issaquah

|South = Maple Valley

|Southwest = Renton

|Southeast = Hobart

|East = Preston

|}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Washington (state)

Category:Cities in King County, Washington

Category:Cities in the Seattle metropolitan area

Category:Populated places established in 1892

Category:Washington (state) placenames of Native American origin