Kirkland is a vibrant waterfront destination with an unparalleled blend of outdoor recreation, art, dining and boutique shopping. Located on the shores of Lake Washington just east of Seattle, no other city in the Puget Sound region has as many waterfront parks and beaches as Kirkland. Incorporated in 1905 with a population of 530, Kirkland is the 13th largest city in Washington and the sixth largest in King County with a population of just over 83,000. The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government in which the City Council is the policy-making branch.