The sun rises in a view looking toward Cougar Mountain and Mount Rainier from Newcastle City Hall.
A Young City with Deep Roots in History
Incorporated in 1994, Newcastle is a relatively new city with a storied past. Before Washington became a state, Newcastle was one of the most successful coal mining towns in northwestern Washington. Nearly 11 million tons of coal was extracted from the area between 1869 and 1963. Coal from Newcastle helped fuel the growth of the entire Puget Sound region. View this page for more about the city's history.
Thirty years after the end of the coal mining era, a movement began toward local government and control. In April 1993, proponents succeeded in passing a ballot measure to establish 4.4 square miles of unincorporated King County into the City of Newport Hills. The city officially incorporated Sept. 30, 1994, as Newport Hills, and after a November 1994 vote, the city's name was changed to Newcastle.
At the time of incorporation, the city's population was about 4,654, according to U.S. Census estimates. According to the Census Bureau's 2015 population estimate, 11,370 people call Newcastle home, and the city continues to grow with record levels of new development. Due to housing market conditions, several high-density residential projects are under construction or are under review. View the Newcastle at a Glance page for additional demographic data.
Newcastle is a peaceful, small residential community located between Bellevue, Renton and Issaquah within the Seattle metropolitan area. Residents enjoy a scenic atmosphere, a short commute to work centers and convenient access to recreation and urban amenities.
Educational Resources
Newcastle is served by two school districts. Newcastle Elementary, within the Issaquah School District, is located here. Hazelwood Elementary and the Risdon Middle School, within the Renton School District, also are located in Newcastle.
Both children and adults will find a resource for learning at the Newcastle Library, a King County Library System branch located in the city's downtown area. The library offers a variety of programs and spaces that are an amenity to the community.
Musicians take over the entrance at the Newcastle Library during a music event.
Public Safety
The City of Newcastle contracts with the Bellevue Fire Department for emergency and fire services, and one fire station is located within the city limits. Dedicated King County Sheriff's Office staff provide policing services to the city. Newcastle's police chief and officers are based in Newcastle City Hall.
Parks, Recreation and Culture
Residents enjoy nearly 40 acres of developed parks and 11 miles of trails distributed throughout the city. The city maintains 17 parks, totaling 251.39 acres. King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, which is 3,000 acres in area with 35 miles of hiking trails and 12 miles of equestrian trails is located on Newcastle's eastern boundary. The Coal Creek Family YMCA provides a number of recreational opportunities and programs.
Community events such as Concerts in the Park, the Fourth at the Lake and Newcastle Days celebrations are held at Lake Boren Park, a large, centrally located community park. A historic cemetery is located near Lake Boren Park, and tells the stories of the city's earliest residents and mining history.
Newcastle is known throughout the region as home to a world class golf course, The Golf Club at Newcastle. Standing on the 350-acre golf course feels like standing on top of the world with panoramic views of Lake Washington, Seattle and the surrounding mountains.
Newcastle's Downtown Area
Newcastle Fruit and Produce is a farmers market providing a variety of locally grown and organic fruits and vegetables, seasonal plants and gardening supplies, located in the heart of the city. B &E Meats, a local butcher shop, is found across from the market. A variety of businesses in the downtown area provide essentials. For more information on the city's businesses, view the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce website.
Fresh strawberries await shoppers at the Newcastle Fruit and Produce stand.
Infrastructure and Utilities
Newcastle is known for its quality roads and expanding system of sidewalks. The city maintains approximately 40 miles of paved roads. Public Works maintenance crews monitor and maintain numerous storm water management facilities including 3,300 catch basins/storm drains. Coal Creek Utility District owns and maintains water and sewer conveyance systems and provides these services. Puget Sound Energy provides electricity and maintains the majority of streetlights in Newcastle. Garbage removal and recycling services are provided by Waste Management.