Those living in Issaquah say the city is like a little slice of Heaven! The name Issaquah comes from the Lushootseed language and means either “the sound of birds”, “snake”, or “little stream.” Although close to the big city, Issaquah maintains a small-town charm. The Issaquah Creative District is home to a wide variety of arts and cultural activities. The beautiful, natural environment is perfect for outdoor lovers who enjoy skiing, hiking, boating, fishing, and many other outdoor activities. Issaquah is home to operations for major industries such as Boeing and Microsoft. Even Costco is headquartered in Issaquah!
Check out what you have to look forward to after moving to Issaquah, Washington!
Where Is Issaquah Washington?
Issaquah is a city in King County, Washington, about 15 miles east of Seattle. Issaquah sits in the Mountains to Sound Greenway and is part of the Seattle Metro Area. The city is bordered by mountains on three sides, known locally as the Issaquah Alps: Cougar Mountain on the west, Squak Mountain to the south, and Tiger Mountain to the southeast. North of Issaquah is Lake Sammamish State Park. The town of Bellevue lies to the west, and Sycamore is south of Issaquah.
Issaquah Population & Demographics
Issaquah comes with a rich history of Native American culture. In fact, that’s where its name comes from. Issaquah means “the sound of birds” which is what the Native Americans called this area. Living in Issaquah may seem like you’re residing in a small town, but the truth is that it’s growing quickly. The Issaquah population is 40,051, according to the 2020 Census, which is 32% higher than the 2010 population of 30,434.
Issaquah Demographics:
- Population density: 3000/sq mi
- Median age: 37.2
- Sex ratio: 51.4% females to 48.6% males
- Median household income: $132,984
- Educational attainment: 97.9% high school grad or higher, 70.5% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 29.9%
- Veteran population: 1,567
The racial and ethnic composition of Issaquah is 63.1% White (60.1% Non-Hispanic), 1.9% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian or Native Alaskan, 25.5% Asian, and 5.8% two or more races. Hispanics make up 7.6% of the population.
Issaquah’s crime rates are 81% higher than the national average, but violent crimes in Issaquah are 90% lower. In Issaquah, you have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Issaquah Police Department serves the people of Issaquah with over 38 sworn police officers, a correctional staff of 15, and a dedicated professional staff that is committed to providing the highest level of service to the city.
Issaquah Cost Of Living – Is Issaquah, WA Expensive?
Issaquah is fairly expensive. The cost of living is 59% higher than the national average. That being said, Washington as a whole is a bit more of an expensive state to reside in. When it comes to Issaquah, groceries are 30% higher, goods and services are 32% higher, healthcare is 22% higher, transportation is 35% higher, and utilities are 8% higher.
Typical Issaquah Living Expenses:
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant: $25.00
- Domestic beer: $6.50
- One gallon of milk: $4.00
- One dozen eggs: $3.43
- One pound of chicken: $5.10
- Average Issaquah monthly utility bill: $222.77
The biggest cost of living expense in Issaquah is housing. If you are planning to rent in Issaquah, the average rent for an apartment in Issaquah is $2,757, according to RentCafe. Issaquah apartments average about 1,063 square feet. The cost of rent varies depending on location, size, and quality. Average rents in Seattle are $2,260 per month, which is slightly cheaper, but you’ll get less apartment for that price.
Housing costs are 131% higher than the national average and 96% higher than the Washington State average. The Issaquah housing market is very competitive. The average home in Issaquah receives two offers and sells in 10 days. The median sale price of a home in Issaquah is $745,000, down 24.0% since last year. The median sale price per square foot in Issaquah is $485, which is more than double the national average. Check out homes for sale Issaquah WA to get an idea of how much a home in Issaquah will cost you.
Best Neighborhoods In Issaquah
Issaquah has some great neighborhoods to choose from. Many communities are close to parks, excellent schools, restaurants, and shopping. Here are some of the top neighborhoods in Issaquah, depending on what you’re looking for:
Issaquah Highlands | Higher Priced Homes With Lots Of Outdoor Options
Issaquah Highlands features Built Green communities, highly-rated schools, lots of outdoor recreational opportunities, retail stores, and good public transit options. Established in 1998, Issaquah Highlands has over 4,000 homes, a community center, a fire station, a hospital, and thousands of acres of preserved open space, parks, trails, and sports fields. The neighborhood hosts many community events that help connect neighbors. The median price for a home in Issaquah Highlands is $1.06M.
Montreux | Master-Planned, Affordable HOA Community
Montreux is a master planned community covering 260 acres on the northern slopes of Cougar Mountain. The community consists of mostly single-family homes with lots of wooded areas around. Many of the homes in the neighborhood have scenic views of Lake Sammamish and the Cascade Mountains. The average price for a home in Montreux is $380,000.
Sycamore | Great For Families And Outdoor Lovers
Sycamore is located south of Issaquah’s Olde Town in the foothills of Tiger Mountain and Squak Mountain. This mostly single-family neighborhood is great for families and outdoor lovers. The lots are large, and most are populated with a variety of native trees and shrubs. The community is close to great schools, Squak Mountain State Park, and the popular Poo-Poo Point Trail Head. Homes average $745,000 in the community.
Issaquah Weather & Climate
Issaquah has chilly, extremely wet winters and warm, moderately humid summers. You’ll definitely need a raincoat, a snow coat, and lots of summer clothes! Summer runs from the end of June to mid-September. The hottest month of the year is August, where high temperatures average 76°F and lows average 57°F. Winter starts in mid-November and ends at the end of February 27. December is the coldest month. Average lows are 36°F and highs are 44°F. Issaquah gets a lot of rain, 53 inches per year, which is way above the national average of 38 inches. Issaquah averages 6 inches of snow per year as well.
Things To Do In Issaquah
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Issaquah has many opportunities for fun and excitement, including tourist attractions, parks, trails, theaters, cultural events, and more. Don’t miss out on Costco Issaquah and Target Issaquah for all your essentials. In addition, Issaquah has local shops and malls for shopping. Check out Gilman Village, Issaquah Commons, and Grand Ridge Plaza. Here are some of the best things to do in Issaquah:
Cougar Mountain Zoo
Cougar Mountain Zoo spans 11 acres and houses many endangered species, including lemurs, Bengal tigers, wolves, reindeer, cranes, wallabies, macaws, cougars, and more from around the world. The zoo is committed to raising awareness about wildlife conservation through education.
19525 SE 54th Street, Issaquah, Washington 98027, (425) 391-5508
Lake Sammamish State Park
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Lake Sammamish State Park is 531 acres that includes 6,858 feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish. Activities include 1.5 miles of biking trails, 1.5 miles of hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayak and paddleboard rentals, swimming, watercraft launches, waterskiing, baseball/softball fields, and plenty of wildlife viewing. Dogs are welcome on leashes.
2010 N.W. Sammamish Road, Issaquah, WA 98027, (425) 455-7010
Village Theatre
Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theater in the Pacific Northwest and has offered stage productions of classics like How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Annie Get Your Gun, The Full Monty, Show Boat, and Jesus Christ Superstar. The theater also has a youth education program and a Village Originals program that has launched over 160 musical productions since 1995.
303 Front St N, Issaquah, WA 98027, (425) 392-2202
Additional Attractions near Issaquah:
The fun doesn’t have to stop there! The City of Issaquah Parks and Community Services offers parks, trails, athletic fields, shelters, tennis and pickleball courts, and many more fun things to do in Issaquah.
Issaquah Restaurants
Issaquah offers a variety of dining options that are sure to please everyone. You can find everything from fine dining to cafes in Issaquah. Don’t miss out on some of the top-rated restaurants near Issaquah:
Montalcino Ristorante Italiano
Montalcino Ristorante Italiano is an award-winning fine dining restaurant located in Historic Downtown Issaquah that serves gourmet Italian dishes, traditionally prepared using only the freshest, high-quality ingredients. The candlelit, romantic atmosphere puts you right in the heart of Italy.
15 NW Alder Pl, Issaquah, WA 98027, (425) 270-3677
Jak’s Grill
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At Jak’s Grill, there are no reservations, only the finest grilled steaks and seafood in the area. Besides expertly prepared meals, Jaks has cocktails and a variety of other beverages. Dinner entrees include salad, veggies, choice of potato, and hot sourdough bread. Come on Monday night for the prime rib special!
14 Front Street N, Issaquah, WA 98027, (425) 585-2746
Issaquah Cafe
Issaquah is a classic 1940s-themed café featuring unique décor and personality. They make all their classic American dishes fresh, including favorites such as omelets, pancakes, waffles, corned beef hash, triple-decker club sandwiches, and hot turkey sandwiches.
1580 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, WA 98027, (425) 391-9690
Jobs In Issaquah
Issaquah is a great place to reside if you want to commute. Many residents commute from Issaquah to Seattle for a variety of job opportunities. However, there are still some really big companies that are in Issaquah.
Major employers in Issaquah include:
According to Payscale, the average salary in Issaquah is $91,000 a year. If you can’t find what you need in Issaquah, Seattle isn’t too far, and there are constant opportunities there! If you’re looking for an Issaquah job, check out Issaquah jobs and employment on Indeed. And if working in government or for the city sounds like a dream come true, check out the Issaquah City Job Board.
Issaquah School District & Other Education Opportunities
The Issaquah School District consists of 16 elementary schools, six middle schools, and five high schools. The school district is consistently rated one of the best in the state. Some of the top-rated schools are Discovery Elementary, Beaver Lake Middle, and Issaquah High School. For more information and dates, check out the Issaquah School District Calendar. Issaquah also has several good private schools, including Brightmont Academy (K-12) and Dartmoor School (K-12).
You can keep furthering your education while you reside here. A total of 35 colleges are within 50 miles of Issaquah. If you want somewhere nearby, the nearest college is Bellevue College in Bellevue, 5.9 miles from Issaquah. However, the top school and the largest school in the area is the University of Washington Seattle Campus in Seattle. The most affordable school is Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, with a tuition of $3,029 per year.
The Issaquah Library of the King County Library system serves the residents of Issaquah.
Issaquah Washington Statistics & Information
- County: King
- Area: 13.18 square miles
- Issaquah zip code: 98027, 98029, 98075
- Area codes: 425
- Elevation: 108 feet
- Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8)
- Closest airport: Seattle (SEA) Airport, 13.9 miles away
Issaquah, WA Map
Issaquah is beautiful, and this map of Issaquah Washington can help you find your way around.
Is moving to Issaquah calling your name? This beautiful town is one you don’t want to miss out on. When it comes time to do the heavy lifting, trust the best Issaquah movers to help you at All Ready Moving! Give us a call at 360-507-2447 for a free quote.
