Just over five miles long and two miles wide, Mercer Island is a true island
community consisting of high‐quality residential areas, preserved parks
and open space, as well as miles of developed shoreline. Incorporated in
July 1960, “The Island” has its own sense of identity, distinct from its
neighbors, Seattle, and Bellevue. It is just 10 minutes from downtown
Seattle via the Interstate 90 floating bridge, and a similar distance from
the commercial centers and high‐density residential communities of the
Eastside.
Mercer Island has been widely recognized as one of the premier
residential communities in the State of Washington. The City currently
has over 500 acres of City owned park and open space lands, which helps
maintain the Island’s natural beauty. The result is quiet, forested
neighborhoods and parks, which are complemented by stunning views of
Seattle, the Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, and Lake Washington. It
is an active community where the many volunteers, boards, and
commissions work closely with the City Council and City staff.