Population2,344,939 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Your Local Guide Starts Here
King County, WashingtonExplore local resources and participating businesses in King County, Washington.
King County at a Glance
Population2,344,939 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatSeattle
Largest City (2026)Seattle (2026 OFM)
Year Organized1852 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code Examples98001, 98008, 98010, 98058, 98092
Total Area, Including Water2,307.453 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-5, I-90, I-405
Local Area Codes206 / 253 / 425 / 564
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover King County
King County
King County was created in 1852 and originally named for William Rufus King. County leaders began pursuing a change of namesake in 1986, and state legislation in 2005 formally honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The name remained the same while its commemorative meaning changed. County archives document other institutional and community developments, offering evidence of how public decisions affect local places. This combination of symbolic identity and documentary history provides a useful introduction beyond the region's best-known urban landmarks.
Use the county's namesake history as a starting point for exploring civic identity, then choose a particular community or archival topic for greater detail. Records collections and public landmarks provide different kinds of experience. Confirm current research arrangements before visiting the archives, and narrow the inquiry by place and date. A focused approach can reveal county-wide connections that are easy to miss in a visit centered only on Seattle's main attractions.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Martin Luther King Jr. County archives preserve another dimension of local life, connecting Seattle-area institutions with communities and public decisions across a wider regional landscape.
The Local Story
King County was created in 1852 and originally named for William Rufus King. County leaders began pursuing a change of namesake in 1986, and state legislation in 2005 formally honored Dr.
Explore The County
Use the county's namesake history as a starting point for exploring civic identity, then choose a particular community or archival topic for greater detail.
Discover the community decisions that shape a shared civic identity.
A Closer Look
King County
Places and perspectives from King County
West Seattle Blog · West Seattle
ELECTION 2026: One more look at 34th District State House Position 2 candidate Mary Anito
(WSB photo) By Tracy Record West Seattle Blog editor Your decisions to make on the general-election ballot include…
Read the Story Oct 26, 2026 • Read at sourceAround King County
Local coverage first, followed by Washington and national updates when needed.
West Seattle Blog · West Seattle
ELECTION 2026: One more look at 34th District State House Position 2 candidate Mary Anito
(WSB photo) By Tracy Record West Seattle Blog editor Your decisions to make on the general-election ballot include…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
West Seattle Blog · West Seattle
WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEN: Nightmare Before Christmas, by night and by day
Stephanie sent views of her movie-inspired home by night and by day: Nightmare Before Christmas, Dawson/Fauntleroy. We thought…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
West Seattle Blog · West Seattle
UPDATE: About those low-flying military helicopters
5:08 PM: Thanks for all the tips and visuals; they went right over our house, low, along the…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
West Seattle Blog · West Seattle
UPDATE: Hazardous materials response along West Marginal Way SW
4:38 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a hazmat response to an address in the 4700 block of West…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
West Seattle Blog · West Seattle
WHALES: Orcas heading north off West Seattle (photos added)
6:36 PM: Thanks to Sid for the tip – at least two NB orcas seen from Seola. Kersti…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
King County government — County offices and public services.
Departments and services — Find the office responsible for your request.
Washington state services — State agencies and programs.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Chinook Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 3502 Auburn Way S, AUBURN, WA 98092. 253-931-4980.
Ardmore Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 16616 NE 32nd Street, Bellevue, WA 98008. 425-456-4700.
Black Diamond Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-05. 25314 Baker Street, Black Diamond, WA 98010. 360-272-5006.
Camelot Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 4041 S 298TH, AUBURN, WA 98001. 253-945-2500.
Cedarhurst Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 611 S 132nd St, Burien, WA 98168. 206-631-3600.
Impact | Black River Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-05. 16950 116th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058. 206-712-7640.
Impact Public Schools – Elementary; grades KG-05. 3438 S. 148th Street, Tukwila, WA 98168. 206-712-7640.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Multicare Auburn Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 202 North Division Street Plaza One, Auburn, WA 98001. 253-833-7711.
Overlake Hospital Medical Center & Clinics – Acute Care Hospitals. 1035-116Th Ave Ne, Bellevue, WA 98004. 425-688-5000.
Highline Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 16251 Sylvester Road Sw, Burien, WA 98166. 206-431-5237.
Multicare Covington Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 17700 Se 272Nd St, Covington, WA 98042. 253-372-7400.
St Elizabeth Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 1450 Battersby Avenue, Enumclaw, WA 98022. 360-825-2505.
St Francis Community Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 34515 9Th Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98003. 253-944-8100.
Swedish Issaquah – Acute Care Hospitals. 751 Ne Blakely Dr, Issaquah, WA 98029. 425-313-4000.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911. Use the department website for non-emergency contact information.
King County sheriff — Law enforcement information and departmental contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for an immediate emergency.
Emergency management — Preparedness resources and local alerts.
National Weather Service — Forecasts and weather warnings; search by location.
Ready.gov — Household emergency planning.
State Parks
Lake Sammamish State Park — Park information, maps and current notices.
Find Washington state parks — Search additional parks and activities.
Discover Pass — Parking pass information.
Trails
King County parks and trails — Local recreation destinations and maps.
Lake Sammamish State Park maps and visitor information — Review the park map and current trail notices before a visit.
Utilities
Garbage, recycling, and compost services
Puget Sound Energy — Service, billing and outage information. Confirm whether this provider serves your address.
County services directory — Find local water, sewer and waste service information.
Electricity, gas, water, sewer and waste services can have different providers. Check service boundaries for the specific property.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Central Library – 1000 4Th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. 206-386-4636.
Auburn Library – 1102 Auburn Way South, Auburn, WA 98002. 253-931-3018.
Bellevue Library – 1111 110Th Avenue Ne, Bellevue, WA 98004. 425-450-1765.
Black Diamond Library – 24707 Roberts Drive, Black Diamond, WA 98010. 360-886-1105.
Bothell Library – 18215 98Th Avenue Ne, Bothell, WA 98011. 425-486-7811.
Burien Library – 400 Sw 152Nd Street, Burien, WA 98166. 206-243-3490.
Courts
King County court services — Court information and local contacts.
Washington Courts directory — Choose King County to find superior, district, municipal and juvenile courts.
DMV
Washington — Renew or replace a driver license
Washington — Find a driver licensing office
Washington — Renew or replace vehicle tabs
Transportation
most of our offices will be closed, and transit and service schedules may be different
King County Metro — Routes, schedules, rider information and service-area details.
WSDOT maps — State highway maps and travel planning.
Washington State Ferries — Routes, sailing schedules and service notices.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know King County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
King County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
2,344,939 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,307.453 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Careers, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
For emergencies, call 911.
King County sheriff — Use the official department page for non-emergency contacts and services.
King County government — Find county departments, public meetings and services.
Start with Veterans Program, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Transit GO ticket, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Solid waste facilities, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Document library, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with these official Washington resources: Renew or replace a driver license; Find a driver licensing office; Renew or replace vehicle tabs. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Explore King County
Featured local businesses
Parks and outdoor places
Lake Sammamish State Park — Plan a visit using the official park information.
Getting around
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below