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Kirkland, Washington

Coordinates: 47°41′9″N 122°11′30″W / 47.68583°N 122.19167°W / 47.68583; -122.19167
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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

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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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]

2020 census

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In the 2020 census, there were 92,175 people, 38,037 households, and 23,835 families living in Kirkland. The population density was 5,176.6 people per square mile (1,998.7/km²). There were 40,019 housing units. The breakdown by race was 65.5% White, 17.9% Asian, 2.1% Black, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 3.6% from one other race, and 10.3% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos made up 7.9% of the people.

The median (middle) age was 37.9 years. The age breakdown was 20.6% under age 18, 65.8% from 18 to 65, and 13.6% over 65. The gender breakdown was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

Of the households, 29.2% had children under age 18, 51.1% had a married couple, 7.1% had an unmarried couple, 23.9% had a woman with no partner, 17.9% had a man with no partner, and 27.9% had one person living alone. The average household size was 2.39 people.[11][12]

Government and politics

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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. As of July 2024, the mayor is Kelli Curtis[13] and the city manager is Kurt Triplett.[14]

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

Sister city

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Kirkland has one sister city. It is Emmerich, Germany.[15][16]

Notable people

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References

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  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. "DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  12. "P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  13. "City Council - City of Kirkland". www.kirklandwa.gov. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  14. "City Manager's Office - City of Kirkland". www.kirklandwa.gov. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  15. "Washington sister cities". Sister Cities International. Archived from the original on 2010-03-06.
  16. Washington State Lieutenant Governor's Office. "Sister Relationships". Archived from the original on 2006-09-29.

Other websites

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