King County Washington - info, facts, communities on Key to the City

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Information & Facts about King County, Washington

Location

King County, Washington is located in the northwest corner of the United States, in the heart of the Puget Sound region

Adjoining counties to King County are:
Kitsap, Snohomish, Chelan, Kittitas, Yakima, and Pierce

Weather & Climate

The climate here is mild and moist.
Average summer high temperature: about 75 degrees F., only rarely does it get over 90 degrees.
Average winter lows are almost always above freezing.
Average high: 60 degrees F.
Average low: 46.4 degrees F.
Average temperature: 53.2 degrees F.

Rainfall: 36 inches per year average. The rainy season is usually from October through April. The rain is usually light or moderate. Because of the varying climates of the county, some areas receive much more while other areas receive less

Government

King County Website

King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
Phone: (206) 296-0100<br>
Toll-free: (800) 325-6165
TTY: (206) 296-0100

Seattle was designated the County seat in 1853 by the Oregon Territorial Legislature

King County has 37 cities and unincorporated regions

A page about South King County

King County Clerk Of Council
516 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98104-2312
Phone: 206-296-1020

King County Records Section
500 4th Ave # 311
Seattle, WA 98104-2337
Phone: 206-296-1570

History:

King County was created in 1852 from Thurston County. The original naming was for William R. King, the vice-president of the United States under President Franklin Pierce. In 1986, it was designated as being named for civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The first settlements in the county area were in September of 1851 in the Duwamish Valley area of what is now Seattle. Luther Collins, Henry Van Aselt and Jacob Maple were major settlers during this time. A few months later, in November, another settlement at Alki Point was started by David Denny and Leader Terry. These new settlers moved the next year to a better place for loading their lumber. They named their new area "Seattle" after the chief of the Duwamish Indians there.

In 1852, Henry Yesler began a steam sawmill on Puget Sound. The lumber industry began to blossom and grow with both shipping and lumber-related expansions. After World War II, there was another surge in the economy with aircraft production and shipbuilding.

Seattle was the first city. It was settled in 1851 and was incorporated in 1869. A number of municipalities have merged or have been annexed into other cities. Only one municipality, Ravensdale, has disincorporated to date

Area & Other facts:

2,235 square miles
Ranking in state: 11th largest county in the state of Washington
King County is larger in area than either of the states of Delaware or Rhode Island

Elevatoin:0 to 7,980 feet
Highest point: Mt. Daniel

Seattle, the county seat, has a reputation for being one of the most livable cities in the USA.
Median Home prices: low $100,000's to the mid $200,000's

Population:

1990 - 1,507,305
1996 - 1,628,800
1998 - 1,665,800

Main Economic Activities:

Manufacturing
Shipping and Trade
Agriculture
Business Services
Shipbuilding
Fishing
Wood Products
Tourism

Library

King County Library System

Organizations & Groups

Seattle-King County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Attractions and Other Information

King County Fair in Enumclaw in July each year

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