Vashon Island is a remnant of the Vashon Glacier, a pleistocene ice sheet that receded from the Puget Sound area about ten thousand years ago. It is a forested island, dominated by Douglas fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, and other flora and fauna typical of the Puget Sound region. With a total area of about 37 square miles, it includes the attached Maury Island.

The human population is about eleven thousand people. It is served by ferries from Seattle, Tacoma, and Kitsap County. The island is governed by King County, with advise from a local community council composed of Vashon citizens.

The town of Vashon is a centrally located, semi-rurual community with a shopping and businesses center. About half the wage earners commute to the mainland for work. The island is known for its vigorous arts community. It is primarily a residential island, with few attractions or facilities to make it a tourist destination.

Zip Codes: 98070, 98013