Editing Mercer Island, Washington

{{short description|City in Washington, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Mercer Island, Washington
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = Aerial photo of Mercer Island, Washington.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Aerial view of Mercer Island from the north
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = Mercer Island Seal.png
| image_map          = King County Washington Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Mercer Island Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Mercer Island in King County, Washington
<!-- Location ----->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[King County, Washington|King]]
<!-- Government ---->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]<ref>{{cite web|title=City Council|url=https://www.mercerisland.gov/citycouncil|publisher=City of Mercer Island|access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref>
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Salim Nice
| leader_title1      = [[Deputy Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = David Rosenbaum
| leader_title2      = Councilmember
| leader_name2       = Jake Jacobson<br>Craig Reynolds<br>Wendy Weiker<br>Ted Weinberg
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = July 5, 1960
<!-- Area ---->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=February 22, 2024}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 33.41
| area_land_km2      = 16.53
| area_water_km2     = 16.88
| area_total_sq_mi   = 12.90
| area_land_sq_mi    = 6.38
| area_water_sq_mi   = 6.52
<!-- Population ---->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 25748
| population_density_km2 = 1497
| population_density_sq_mi = 3880
| population_est     = 24742
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset         = −8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −7
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 75
| coordinates        = {{coord|47|34|24|N|122|14|19|W|region:US-WA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others ---->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 98040
| area_code          = [[Area code 206|206]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-45005
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2411082<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411082}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://mercerisland.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
}}
[[File:Map of Mercer Island.png|thumb|Map of Mercer Island]]

'''Mercer Island''' is a city in [[King County, Washington|King County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States, located on an island of the same name in the southern portion of [[Lake Washington]]. Mercer Island is in the [[Seattle metropolitan area]],<ref>[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2008/b08-01.pdf Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081117030421/http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2008/b08-01.pdf |date=November 17, 2008}}, [[Office of Management and Budget]], November 20, 2007.  Accessed December 10, 2008.</ref> with [[Seattle]] to its west and [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] to its east.

The island is connected to the mainland on both sides by bridges carrying [[Interstate 90 in Washington|Interstate 90]], with the city of Seattle to the west and the city of Bellevue to the east. The [[Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge]] and the parallel [[Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge]] are [[pontoon bridge|floating bridges]] that span Lake Washington and carry, respectively, eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 90 and connect Mercer Island to the northern portion of Seattle's [[South End, Seattle|South End]]. I-90 traverses the northern portion of Mercer Island and is then carried from the island to Bellevue over the East Channel of Lake Washington by the [[East Channel Bridge]]. Mercer Island is located closer to Bellevue than it is to Seattle, and is therefore often considered to be part of King County's [[Eastside (King County, Washington)|Eastside]].

The population was 25,748 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Mercer_Island_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5345005 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> Mercer Island is one of the 100 richest ZIP codes in the US according to the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] figures for [[Adjusted gross income|Adjusted Gross Income]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wealth.mongabay.com/tables/100_income_zip_codes-10000.html|title=100 richest zip codes in the United States}}</ref>

==History==
{{More citations needed|date=January 2021}}
The western side of the island was home to two [[Snoqualmie people|Snoqualmie]] villages prior to white settlement in the Puget Sound region.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corsaletti |first=Louis T. |date=January 27, 2000 |title=Mercer Island memories |page=B3 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20000127&slug=4001630 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 27, 2020}}</ref> Mercer Island, named for the Mercer family of Seattle, was first settled by non-indigenous people between 1870 and 1880. The Mercer brothers often rowed between the island and Seattle to pick berries, hunt, and fish. Those brothers, [[Thomas Mercer]] and [[Asa Mercer]], were members of the Mercer family of [[Virginia]]. The first large settlement, East Seattle, was toward the northwest side of the island—near the McGilvara neighborhood. During 1889, a [[C.C. Calkins]] built a large and gilded resort, the Calkins Hotel. The hotel was reached via [[Steamboats of Lake Washington|steamboat]] between [[Madison Park (Seattle)|Madison Park]], [[Leschi Park]], and the [[Eastside (King County, Washington)|Eastside]]. Guests included President [[Benjamin Harrison]], of 1901, amongst other well-to-do dignitaries from Seattle to the East Coast of the United States. Burned by a mysterious fire, the hotel was razed during 1908.

The Calkins Landing continued service and presumably aided the establishment of a more permanent population. A denser urban community with business district developed toward the central northern island between the McGilvra neighborhood and Luther Burbank Park. This community now composes the majority of the island's crest through the Middle Island neighborhood.

In 1923, the [[East Channel Bridge]] was built to connect the island with [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]]. In 1930, [[George Lightfoot|George W. Lightfoot]] requested a bridge between Mercer Island and Seattle. The [[Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge]], currently the second longest [[pontoon bridge|floating bridge]] in the world, was built and opened in 1940. In 1989, a second bridge, the [[Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge]], was built parallel to the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge. The East Channel Bridge, Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge, and Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge, carry Interstate 90 from Seattle, across Mercer Island, and into Bellevue.

The City of Mercer Island was incorporated from East Seattle on July 5, 1960, and comprised all the island minus the {{convert|70|acre|sqm|adj=on}} business district. Just over one month later, August 9, the Town of Mercer Island was incorporated from that business district. The two aforementioned municipalities merged as the City of Mercer Island on May 19, 1970.

==Geography==
[[File:I-90 bridge across Lake Washington in Seattle.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Interstate 90 floating bridge connecting Seattle and the northern part of Mercer Island]]

Mercer Island City Hall was located at {{Coord|47|34|14|N|122|13|19|W|type:city}} (47.5706548, -122.2220673),<ref name=gnis/> until it was closed in April 2023 after [[asbestos]] was discovered in the [[heating, ventilation, and air conditioning]] system.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/why-mercer-island-is-permanently-closing-its-city-hall |title=Why Mercer Island is permanently closing its city hall |first1=Dyer |last1=Oxley |date=October 6, 2023 |website=[[KUOW-FM]] |accessdate=January 8, 2024}}</ref> As of August 2024, the city does not  have a plan for a new building.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://letstalk.mercergov.org/city-hall-closure-and-planning |title=Long-Range Facility Planning/City Hall Closure |date=2024-08-25 |website=mercergov.org}}</ref>

The peak elevation in the city is about {{convert|335|ft}}, near the center of the island.<ref name ="MIElevation">{{cite web|title=Mercer Island Topographic Map |url= http://www.floodmap.net/Elevation/ElevationMap/?gi=5803139 |publisher=Sameer Burle |access-date= July 21, 2015}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|12.90|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|6.38|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|6.52|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/> The [[ZIP Code]] 98040 is assigned to Mercer Island.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mercerisland.areaconnect.com/zip2.htm?city=Mercer+Island.html|title=AreaConnect Zip Code Finder}}</ref>

Mercer Island is the most populated island in a lake in the US.<ref>{{cite web|title=American Island Superlatives|url=http://www.worldislandinfo.com/US%20Island%20Superlatives.html}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=September 2013}}

===Climate===
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above {{convert|71.6|F|C}}.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Mercer Island has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=384754&cityname=Mercer%20Island,%20Washington,%20United%20States%20of%20America&units=|title=Mercer Island, Washington Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)}}</ref>

==Education==
The [[Mercer Island School District]] operates seven schools on the island: four primary schools (Lakeridge Elementary, Island Park Elementary, West Mercer Elementary and Northwood Elementary); one middle school (Islander Middle School); one high school ([[Mercer Island High School]]); and one alternative secondary school (Crest Learning Center).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Groundbreaking ceremony scheduled at future site of new elementary school - Mercer Island Reporter |date=March 11, 2015 |url=http://www.mi-reporter.com/news/295995701.html |publisher=Mercer Island Reporter |access-date=November 21, 2015}}</ref>

Mercer Island is also home to St. Monica Catholic School, the French American School of Puget Sound, and the [[Northwest Yeshiva High School]] (9-12).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.nyhs.org/|access-date=January 25, 2021|website=NYHS|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Contact|url=https://www.fasps.org/About-Us/Contact|access-date=January 25, 2021|website=www.fasps.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Map|url=https://stmonicasea.org/map/|access-date=January 25, 2021|website=St. Monica Catholic School|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1970= 19047
|1980= 21522
|1990= 20816
|2000= 22036
|2010= 22699
|2020= 25748
|estyear=2023
|estimate=24742
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 19, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 19, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref>{{fv|date=December 2021|reason=No mention of Mercer Island at the given link}}<br/>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

An estimated 25% of city households are [[Jewish]]; the island also has two [[synagogue]]s and a [[Jewish Community Center]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/fyi-guy/2015/02/02/seattles-jewish-population-jumped-by-70-percent-study-finds/|title=Seattle's Jewish population jumped by 70 percent, study finds|date=February 2, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228005242/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/fyi-guy/2015/02/02/seattles-jewish-population-jumped-by-70-percent-study-finds/ |archive-date=December 28, 2015}}</ref>

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Mercer Island Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mercer Island city, Washington|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Mercer%20Island%20city,%20Washington&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity}}</ref>
!Race
!Number
!Percent
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|16,383
|63.6%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|275
|1.1%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|30
|0.1%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|5,908
|22.9%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|29
|0.1%
|-
|[[Some Other Race]] (NH)
|177
|0.7%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|1,771
|6.9%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|1,175
|4.6%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''25,748'''
|'''100.0%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 25,748 people, 9,927 households, and 7,105 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Mercer%20Island%20city,%20Washington%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=February 22, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|4033.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 10,570 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 64.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 23.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.3% from some other races and 9.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 4.6% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Mercer Island city, Washington |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/mercer-island-city-washington/160-5345005/ |access-date=June 19, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 4.0% were under 5 years of age, and 20.4% were 65 and older.

There were 9,927 households, of which 62.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no spouse present, 2.5% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 29.6% were non-families. 34.2% of households had children under the age of 18 living with them. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

23.6% of residents were under the age of 18, and 20.6% were over the age of 65. 52.5% of residents were female. The median household income was $150,506.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 22,699 people, 9,109 households, and 6,532 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|3591.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 9,930 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1571.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.<ref name="OFM-Census2010">{{cite web |title=Census 2010, Summary File 1: Mercer Island city |pages=2–12, 27–31 |url=https://ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/legacy/pop/census2010/sf1/data/city/wa_2010_sf1_city_16000US5345005.pdf |publisher=[[Washington State Office of Financial Management]] |accessdate=January 8, 2024}}</ref>

According to the [[2010 United States census]], Mercer Island's racial and ethnic composition is as follows:<ref name="OFM-Census2010"/>

* [[White American|White]]: 77.9% ([[Non-Hispanic Whites]]: 75.1%)
* [[Asian American|Asian]]: 15.9% (7.3% [[Chinese American|Chinese]], 2.6% [[Korean American|Korean]], 2.3% [[Japanese American|Japanese]], 1.7% [[Indian American|Indian]], 0.5% [[Filipino American|Filipino]], 0.5% [[Vietnamese American|Vietnamese]], 1.0% Other Asian)
* [[African American|Black or African American]]: 1.3%
* [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race): 2.8% (1.3% [[Mexican American|Mexican]], 0.1% [[Puerto Rican American|Puerto Rican]], 0.1% [[Cuban American|Cuban]], 1.3% Other Hispanic or Latino)
* [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]]: 0.2%
* [[Pacific Islander American|Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander]]: 0.1%
* Other race: 0.7%
* [[Multiracial American|Two or more races]]: 3.9% (2.4% White and Asian, 0.3% White and African American, 0.3% White and Native American, 0.2% White and Other Race)

There were 9,109 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.3% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.97.<ref name="OFM-Census2010"/>

The median age in the city was 46 years. 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 32% were from 45 to 64; and 19.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.<ref name="OFM-Census2010"/>

===2000 census===
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 22,036 people, 8,437 households, and 6,277 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 3,452.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,333.6/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 8,806 housing units at an average density of 1,379.5 per square mile (532.9/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 84.09% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]], 1.14% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|African American]], 0.16% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Native American]], 11.87% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.07% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Pacific Islander]], 0.52% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]], and 2.16% from two or more races. [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Latino]] of any race were 1.86% of the population.

There were 8,437 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $91,904, and the median income for a family was $110,830. Males had a median income of $82,855 versus $46,734 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $53,799. About 1.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2019}}
Mercer Island uses a [[Council–manager government]] and the city council selects the mayor. The City Hall building in the northeast part of the city hosts offices for the City Manager and most local administrative employees, the municipal court, and the police department.

At the national level, Mercer Island is located in [[Washington's 9th congressional district]], which is currently represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Adam Smith (Washington politician)|Adam Smith]].  The City of Mercer Island is part of the 41st Legislative District, served by two State Representatives and one State Senator.

The Mercer Island Fire Department operates out of two facilities, both of which are close to Island Crest Way. The Mercer Island Police Department operates out of one facility, which is adjacent to I-90. The city operates neither a potable water treatment facility nor a wastewater treatment facility, the latter being handled by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, which owns and operates a collector sewer around the island.  The Public Works Department operates an office facility, street maintenance facility, and city shop from a building south of the City Hall.

In February 2021, a 6–1 majority of the Mercer Island City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting outdoor camping on public property, mainly to restrict [[Homelessness in Seattle|homeless and unhoused people]] from overnight stays. The ordinance was criticized by the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] of Washington and other public advocates for the homeless.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornwell |first=Paige |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Mercer Island restricts camping on public property in near-unanimous vote |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/in-near-unanimous-vote-mercer-island-restricts-camping-on-public-property/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moorer |first=Brit |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Mercer Island approves camping ban on public property |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/homeless/mercer-island-camping-ban-approved/281-1998b0ea-b176-42d1-b40b-62de6e19b657 |publisher=KING |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref>

===Parks===
[[Luther Burbank Park]] covers {{convert|77|acre|m2}} of land and has {{convert|0.75|mile|km}} of waterfront.{{fact|date=January 2025}} The park has a public boat dock and fishing pier, a swimming beach, an amphitheater, tennis courts, barbecues and picnic facilities, and an off-leash dog area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercergov.org/page.asp?navid=1138 |title=Luther Burbank Park |access-date=April 9, 2017 |publisher=City of Mercer Island}}</ref> The city assumed maintenance of the park on January 1, 2003, from King County, which had purchased the park land in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=1175 |title=History |access-date=April 9, 2017 |publisher=City of Mercer Island}}</ref>

The [[Aubrey Davis Park]] is atop the I-90 tunnel entrances. This park has softball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic shelters, and the Freeway Sculpture Park. Due to its location atop the I-90 tunnel, the park is also locally referred to as "The Lid."
<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=613 |title= Aubrey Davis Park |access-date= April 9, 2017 |publisher= City of Mercer Island }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19980223/2736107/a-sculpture-garden-grows-on-island-lid |title=A Sculpture Garden Grows On Island 'Lid' |access-date=March 11, 2009 |newspaper=Seattle Times |first=Keiko |last=Morris |date=February 23, 1998}}</ref>

Pioneer Park covers {{convert|113|acre|km2}} and has equestrian, bicycle, and hiking trails.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=1116 |title= Pioneer Park |access-date= April 9, 2017 |publisher= City of Mercer Island}}</ref> Deane's Children's Park, also known as "Dragon Park", is a small park with playground equipment including a large concrete dragon structure.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=3099 |title= Deane's Children's Park |access-date= April 9, 2017 |publisher= City of Mercer Island}}</ref>

Clarke Beach is located at the south end of Mercer Island and is home to the annual polar bear swim on New Year's Day.

Mercer Island also has many smaller parks maintained by the city, some of which have waterfront access. In 2010, the city built a [[water well|well]] in Rotary Park to supply the area with water in the event of a major disaster, specifically an earthquake.<ref>{{cite web |title=Emergency Well |url=https://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=2743 |publisher=City of Mercer Island |access-date=December 2, 2018}}</ref>

==Culture==

===Sister cities===
Mercer Island's [[sister city]], as designated by [[Sister Cities International]], is [[Thonon-les-Bains]], [[France]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Mercer%20Island,%20Washington |access-date= August 1, 2012 |title= Sister Cities International}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mercerislandsistercity.org/|title=Mercer Island Sister City Association - Welcome}}</ref>

===Annual events===
* Summer Celebration is a celebration that occurs once a year on the weekend after the [[Independence Day (United States)|4th of July]]. It lasted for 30 years before being cancelled in 2019 due to budget cuts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 26, 2019|title=Mercer Island Cancels 'Summer Celebration' Citing Prop 1 Failure|url=https://patch.com/washington/mercerisland/mercer-island-cancels-summer-celebration-citing-prop-1-failure|access-date=January 25, 2021|website=Mercer Island, WA Patch|language=en}}</ref> It was revived in 2022.
* The Mercer Island Farmers Market operates most Sundays between June and October. A special version of the market called the Harvest Market occurs on a Sunday in November. There is no farmer's market on the Summer Celebration weekend nor on the Seafair weekend. The market contains local produce including fruit, vegetables and some crafts.<ref>{{cite web |title= Mercer Island Farmer's Market Homepage |access-date= June 9, 2017 |url= https://www.mifarmersmarket.org/}}</ref>

==Notable people==
<!-- People with Wikipedia articles who have lived in or been associated with Mercer Island, Washington now or in the past -->
* [[Paul Allen]], co-founder of [[Microsoft]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bracetti |first1=Alex |title= The Most Baller Mansions of Tech CEOs |url= http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/11/the-most-baller-mansions-of-tech-ceos |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141020063502/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/11/the-most-baller-mansions-of-tech-ceos/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= October 20, 2014 |website= Complex.com |publisher= Complex Media Inc. |access-date= December 26, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Matthew Boyd (baseball)|Matthew Boyd]], Professional Baseball Pitcher for the [[Chicago Cubs]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matthew Boyd Stats, Fantasy & News|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/matthew-boyd-571510|access-date=April 24, 2021|website=MLB.com|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ann Dunham]], mother of former President [[Barack Obama]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Johnathan |date=April 8, 2008 |title=Obama's mother known here as "uncommon" |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/politics/2004334057_obama08m.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Aaron Levie]], CEO and co-founder of [[Box (company)|Box, Inc.]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Lien |first=Tracey |date=October 1, 2017 |title=Box CEO and Mercer Island High School friends turned tech dabbling into 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/box-ceo-and-friends-turned-tech-dabbling-into-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 30, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Rashard Lewis]], former NBA player<ref>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Percy |date=February 20, 2005 |title=Rashard Lewis: A star comes of age |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sports/2002185281_rashard20.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 13, 2019}}</ref>
* [[George Lightfoot]], proponent of building the [[Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge]]<ref>{{Citation |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=April 18, 1941 |title=Obituaries; G. W. Lightfoot Taken By Death |url= http://mercerislandhistory.org/pdf/Lightfootobit.pdf }}</ref>
* [[Howard Lincoln]], former chairman of [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] as well as former CEO and chairman of the [[Seattle Mariners]]<ref name="Glassock2008">{{cite news |last1=Glascock |first1=Stuart |title= No longer an isle unto themselves|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-06-na-tents6-story.html |access-date= December 26, 2014 |work=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |date= August 6, 2008}}</ref>　 
* [[Joel McHale]], [[actor]] [[comedian]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Metzger |first1=Katie |title= Joel McHale entertains Island Books crowd |url= http://www.mi-reporter.com/news/joel-mchale-entertains-island-books-crowd |date=November 3, 2016 |website=mi-reporter.com|access-date= December 17, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Michael Medved]], radio show host, author, political commentator and film critic 
* [[Steve Miller (musician)|Steve Miller]] of the [[Steve Miller Band]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/Steve-Miller-s-former-home-flies-like-an-eagle-5736313.php|title=Steve Miller's former home flies like an eagle off the market|last=Cohen|first=Aubrey|date=September 6, 2014|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|access-date=May 29, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Jordan Morris]], forward for the [[Seattle Sounders FC]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Livarchik |first=Joe |date=January 22, 2016 |title=It's official: Mercer Island's Morris signs with Sounders |url=http://www.mi-reporter.com/news/366228121.html |newspaper=Mercer Island Reporter |access-date=July 6, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Alan Mulally]], former [[CEO]] of [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Song |first=Kyung M. |date=April 8, 2001 |title=Boeing's Mr. Nice Guy: Alan Mulally steps into the limelight |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20010408/mulally08/boeings-mr-nice-guy-alan-mulally-steps-into-the-limelight |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Ted Rand]], illustrator<ref name="Goodnow2012">{{cite news |first1=Cecelisa |last1=Goodnow |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/books/article/Illustrator-Ted-Rand-lends-energy-good-will-to-1157580.php#ixzz23IS1OIEL | title=Ted Rand, 1915-2005: A prolific and generous artist |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=October 25, 2004 |accessdate=August 12, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Bill Russell]], former NBA player and coach, [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]]<ref name="Glassock2008"/> (died on Mercer Island)
* [[George Russell (serial killer)]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Russell, Jr. Trial: 1991 |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-magazines/george-russell-jr-trial-1991 |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=Encyclopedia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Keppel |first1=Robert D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFSkDFSqeSkC |title=Signature Killers |last2=Birnes |first2=William J. |date=1997 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-671-00130-8 |pages=253 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Kyle Seager]], former baseball player<ref>{{cite news |last=Flemming |first=Jack |date=March 22, 2018 |title=Seattle Mariner Kyle Seager finds a taker for his lake house in Washington |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-kyle-seager-20180321-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=May 25, 2024}}</ref>
* [[Frank Shrontz]], former CEO and chairman of [[Boeing]]<ref name="Glassock2008"/>
* [[Quin Snyder]], head coach of the [[Atlanta Hawks]]<ref name="Quin comes home">{{cite news|last=Raley|first=Dan|title=Quin comes home|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Quin-comes-home-1132003.php|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=March 26, 2013|date=December 11, 2003}}</ref>
* [[Mary Wayte]], two-time Olympic gold medal swimmer<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peterson |first1=Matt |title=Flashback: Mary Wayte Bradburne, Mercer Island, Class of 1983 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031014/flashback14/flashback-mary-wayte-bradburne-mercer-island-class-of-1983 |access-date=May 13, 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 14, 2003}}</ref>

==Transportation==
Mercer Island is bisected by [[Interstate 90 in Washington|Interstate 90]], which connects the city to [[Seattle]] in the west and [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] in the east. The freeway travels over the [[Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge|Lacey V. Murrow]] and [[Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge|Homer M. Hadley]] floating bridges over [[Lake Washington]] to Seattle and the [[East Channel Bridge]] towards Bellevue. The bridges also carry the [[Mountains to Sound Greenway]], which includes a multi-purpose pedestrian and bicycle path. A significant section of the freeway is recessed below street level and covered by the [[Mercer Island Lid]], which includes several parks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Jessica |date=May 11, 2017 |title=From the archives: A look back at the I-90 floating bridges before light-rail work begins |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/from-the-archives-a-look-back-on-i-90-floating-bridges-before-light-rail-work-begins/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 19, 2019}}</ref>

The city's public transportation is provided by [[King County Metro]] and [[Sound Transit]], mainly consisting of express bus routes to Seattle and the Eastside. Several routes connect to a [[park and ride]] on the north side of the island with 447 stalls.<ref name="MIR-Layover">{{cite news |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Island transit update: Parking for transit remains limited; layover space plans move forward |url=https://www.mi-reporter.com/news/island-transit-update-parking-for-transit-remains-limited-layover-space-plans-move-forward/ |work=Mercer Island Reporter |access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref> It was expanded into a two-story parking garage in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sound Transit Park-and-Ride |url=http://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=1399 |publisher=City of Mercer Island |access-date=September 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Charles |date=August 25, 2008 |title=Mercer Island's new park-and-ride garage already full |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2008136286_bumper25m.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 19, 2019}}</ref> All-day service for most of the island is provided by Metro Route 204, which is supplemented by Route 630 and several school bus routes during peak periods.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Bus route changes will affect Island commuters |url=http://www.mi-reporter.com/news/bus-route-changes-will-affect-island-commuters/ |work=Mercer Island Reporter |access-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |date=March 2019 |title=Metro Transit System: Central Area |url=https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/transportation/metro/maps/system/03232019/pdf/metro-system-map-central |publisher=King County Metro |access-date=September 19, 2019}}</ref>

In early 2025, a [[Mercer Island station|light rail station]] at the park and ride facility will be opened by Sound Transit, providing service on the [[2 Line (Sound Transit)|2 Line]] to Seattle and the Eastside.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=August 24, 2023 |title=Eastside-only light rail should open in March, Sound Transit says |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/eastside-only-light-rail-should-open-march-2024-sound-transit-says/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 30, 2023}}</ref> The light rail line will replace several express routes on Interstate 90 and Mercer Island is expected to function as a major bus–rail interchange.<ref name="MIR-Layover"/>

==See also==
* '''''<small>{{portal-inline|Pacific Northwest}}</small>'''''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Mercer Island, Washington}}

* [https://www.mercerisland.gov City of Mercer Island – Official Website]
* [https://www.mi-reporter.com/ ''Mercer Island Reporter''], local newspaper

{{King County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in King County, Washington]]
[[Category:Lake islands of Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Islands of King County, Washington]]