Discover The Largest Cities In Washington
Washington is the 42nd state of the United States, bordering Idaho, Oregon, the Pacific Ocean, and British Columbia. Named in honor of President George Washington, people began living in the Evergreen State at least 10,000 years ago. Today, over 7.7 million call Washington home, with many of its population residing in the state's urban areas.
From Everett to Seattle, Washington's populous cities are an economic driver to the state's wealth, serving as a home to many job-generating businesses and a place where state residents can spend their income. Simultaneously, Washington's bustling cities are also hubs of history, culture, and diverse communities, playing a significant role in shaping Washington's unique identity.
Everett - 111,337
Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Snohomish (and other Native American communities) inhabited the area around Everett. In 1792, the first European settlers landed on the beach of modern-day Everett, claiming the land for England the same year. The city’s settlement plans were eventually conceived in 1890, though many loggers settled into the community years before.
In its early days, Everett was promoted as a manufacturing hub, though it was later developed as a port. Today, the seventh-largest city in Washington enjoys an economy reliant on maritime activities, technologies, the service industry, and aerospace manufacturing. The Port of Everett is a significant factor in the city’s economy, supporting nearly 40,000 jobs in the area and contributing to about $433 million in local and state taxes.
The city boasts plenty of attractions suited for diverse interests. From Everett, outdoor enthusiasts can venture to the Cascade Mountains in the east or soak in the bay views on the west. The city also has well over 30 city parks to enjoy and is home to notable attractions like the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum, which has nearly 75,000 square feet of exhibit space highlighting restored vehicles from 20th-century global conflicts. Travelers can also check out local happenings at the Port of Everett, of which more than half of its space is dedicated to public access.
Kent - 134,392
Before the arrival of European-American settlers in the 1850s, the area in which Kent now resides was within the traditional homelands of Coast Salish peoples, including the Duwamish, Muckleshoot, and Puyallup communities.
Originally, Kent was known as a prominent agricultural community and was once the world’s largest hops producer and the lettuce capital of the US. Eventually, the city shifted into an industrial hub.
Today, Kent stands as one of the largest cities in King County and the state of Washington. Sitting between Seattle and Tacoma, the city is also the second-oldest incorporated city in the county after Seattle.
The city has much to offer for both residents and tourists, including a rich history and a culturally diverse community. Kent is even regarded as an ideal base camp for plenty of adventures on the West Coast, given its location. This populous Washington city is within a driveable distance of Seattle, Portland, the Tri-Cities, and the Mount Rainier National Park. Kent is also only 3 hours south of the Canadian border.
The city itself is a treasure trove of attractions—catch an event at the 6500-seat venue and arena, the ShoWare Center, or peruse Kent’s history inside the historical Bereiter House at the Greater Kent Historical Society Museum. Lovers of the outdoors can hike, bike, or swim within the expanse of the Dash Point State Park, featuring year-round camping accommodations and breathtaking views of Puget Sound.
Bellevue - 152,767
At one point in time, Bellevue once existed as a densely wooded piece of land between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. In some parts of the year, the Coast Salish peoples occupied villages nearby. European settlers began settling in the area, especially after the discovery of coal around Coal Creek in 1867. Eventually, the area became incorporated as a proper city in 1953, with its name, Bellevue, derived from the French phrase “beautiful view.”
Today, Bellevue enjoys an esteemed reputation. This populous Washington city is famous for its diversity and its top schools and is nicknamed the “City in a Park” for its network of trails, greenbelts, and parks. Bellevue is also Eastside’s high-tech and retail center, serving as a destination for the headquarters of many international firms and major companies.
Visitors can enjoy the small-town vibes of this populous Washington city. Bellevue is famous for its arts and crafts fairs, which especially draw over 300,000 people to its downtown area every year on the last weekend in July. The Bellevue Arts Market is also a chance for travelers to appreciate the local creative community, from juried sculptures to glasswork goodies.
Travelers who crave the outdoors can easily get up and close to nature at the “City in a Park” thanks to its 2,700 acres (and more) of parks and open spaces. The Cascade Mountains are only a short drive away from Bellevue.
Vancouver - 194,512
Vancouver was founded in the 1820s as a Hudson’s Bay Company post known as Fort Vancouver, though Native American communities like the Chinook and Klickitat originally inhabited the area. The city—named after Captain George Vancouver—transformed into a US military reservation in 1848 and became incorporated in 1857.
The city’s economy is a melange of manufacturing, farming, lumbering, and port operations, and is known as a distribution center for hydroelectric power produced in the Columbia Basin.
Sharing its name with the Canadian city in Southern British Columbia, Washington’s populous city of Vancouver is north of Portland and is linked to Oregon by a steel, vertical-lift bridge. Vancouver enjoys a reputation as a trendy city and was even named Northwest’s “top value town.”
Tourists will be pleased to discover Vancouver is a beautiful year-round destination, conveniently nested between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. During their stay, visitors should visit Fort Vancouver to learn some local history and discover Southwest Washington’s largest tourist attraction. The Vancouver Waterfront is also a great place to spend the day strolling along the water and watching passing ships from the Grant Street Pier. Vancouver’s Main Street is another gem worth exploring, chalked with local goodies and eateries, including artistic murals and independently-run coffee shops.
Tacoma - 221,776
Originally, the original settlers of Tacoma's Pierce County were ancestors of the Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin, Steilacoom, and Muckleshoot peoples. Tacoma itself was founded in 1872 by Morton Matthew McCarver, who named it "Commencement City." Later on, the city was renamed Tacoma, which was considered to be the Native American name for Mount Rainier. The city was officially incorporated in 1875 by an act of the Territorial Legislature.
Tacoma is a major lumber processing center, though the city is also involved in other industrial activities such as shipyards, smelters, foundries, electrochemical plants, and food processing factories. The city's economy also includes its educational institutions, including the University of Washington Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma College, and other local trade and technical colleges.
Known to some as "T-Town," Tacoma is known for its network of artists, including being the birthplace of world-famous glass artist Dale Chihuly. Washington's populous city is also known as a haven for runners, cyclists, and hikers while blending its heritage, history, and storied culture.
Tacoma is brimming with attractions perfect for the curious traveler, including its historic Port of Tacoma, a major seaport and top ten container port in the country bustling with economic activity in Pierce County. Tacoma's Museum of Glass by the waterfront is also a world-class attraction, showcasing contemporary glass art, including vibrant works by Chihuly, and is also home to the world's largest Hot Shop Amphitheater. Nature lovers can also find their peace within the 760 acres of trails and beaches at Point Defiance Park or within the glass walls of the WW Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Wright Park.
Spokane - 230,160
Before the arrival of European settlers, Spokane was a gathering place for nearby communities and served as a source of salmon for them. In fact, the city's name is derived from the Spokanes or "Children of the Sun." In 1881, the destination became incorporated as a city.
Defined by its proximity to the Spokane River, Washington's second-most populous city experienced several major historical events, including a major fire in 1889 (that destroyed 32 blocks in the city) and the 1974 World's Fair at Riverfront Park. Today, Spokane is regarded as an all-American city, boasting a diverse population, a storied past, and tons of eye-catching attractions.
Spokane is an excellent year-round destination and an attractive destination for travelers who love exploring destinations through biking and walking (as opposed to cars). The city has a network of bike lanes, traffic-separated bike trails, and bike-designated parking spaces!
Travelers ought to visit the Riverfront Park to see the famous Spokane Falls while riding SkyRide Gondolas. Art-loving tourists can also visit the Spokane Civic Theatre, a historic venue that's been around since 1947. Then, travelers can soak in some local culture and visit the Smithsonian-affiliated Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, the first destination in the country to host The Exhibition Journey from Sketch to Screen from DreamWorks Animation. The museum also hosts one of the nation's foremost collections of Plateau tribal art.
Seattle - 749,256
Washington’s most populous city is alongside Puget Sound in King County, surrounded by the cities of Everett, Bellevue, and Tacoma. Seattle was built on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish communities (specifically, the Suquamish and Duwamish), who lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In 1851, Europeans settled into the area, establishing a townsite they initially named “New York.” Eventually, the village was named “Seattle” in honor of (and a derivative of) the Duwamish leader, Sealth.
Seattle is one of the most affluent centers in the US and the largest metropolis in the Pacific Northwest, enjoying a strong economy fueled by Internet-based commerce and the manufacturing of high technologies. Seattle is also linked to international distribution networks by air, roads, rails, and ships. The city is also home to well-known educational institutions, including the University of Washington.
Despite enjoying a prosperous economy and massive growth, Seattle maintains its social and public services, as well as its school networks, parks, and greenbelts, earning its nickname “Emerald City.”
This world-class city is a treasure trove for discovery and is jam-packed with culture, history, and more. Seattle is home to over two dozen museums and hosts plenty of cultural events year-round, including the Northwest Folklife Festival, the Earshot Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot, and Seafair. While visiting Emerald City, tourists can make their way to iconic attractions like the Space Needle or the exhibits at the Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Tourists who crave nature and the outdoors will love that Seattle is a gateway to 3 national parks, located only a few hour's drive from the city. Pack your bags and venture to the stunning landscapes of the Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, or North Cascades National Park.
Traveling foodies can also enjoy their trip to Seattle and can find local goodies at Pike Place Market on the waterfront, one of the country’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s markets. Coffee-loving tourists can effortlessly find a fresh cup of coffee since Emerald City offers hundreds of independently-run coffee shops, given its reputation as the highest per capita consumption of coffee in the US.
From the coffee-loving residents of Seattle to the bustling waterfront of Everett, Washington's most populous cities serve as an economic driver and a center to showcase the state's diverse culture and history to the world. Travelers planning their trip to the Evergreen State will undoubtedly find adventure and cultural gems in the state's bustling cities. As hubs of innovation and outdoor adventure, Washington's cities embody the essence of the Pacific Northwest and are must-visit locations.
