Often thought of as the affluent home of Microsoft, Redmond is working to become a vibrant, walkable city built around fast transit, green spaces and housing that people can afford.

Why it matters: Growing cities are required by Washington's Growth Management Act, passed in the early 1990s, to anticipate rising populations, lay out infrastructure investments, and address issues like urban sprawl. 

• After Seattle and Tacoma, Redmond saw the third-largest population boost in the metro area from 2023 to 2024, according to the Puget Sound Regional Council.

Driving the news: Redmond's 2050 comprehensive growth plan update, approved by the City Council on Tuesday, outlines the city's anticipated transformation from a bedroom suburb into a collection of urban centers built around the city's new Sound Transit stations.

• The changes will be implemented beginning Jan. 1.

What they're saying: "We want to stay ahead of the challenges that have plagued other cities," Redmond Mayor Angela Birney told Axios.

• For example, the city is moving forward with a plan to build 100 units of permanent supportive housing for adults exiting homelessness.
• "More people bring new needs, and we're not going to wait around to see what happens," she says. "We're proactively addressing concerns to ensure our housing and public safety systems are ready to support the community as it evolves."

What's happening: Redmond is focusing its growth around light-rail stations and transforming key districts — Downtown, Overlake and Marymoor Village — into hubs of residential, commercial and cultural activity, per the comprehensive plan.

Zoom in: Redmond is introducing "missing middle" housing like duplexes and townhomes and encouraging mixed-use developments.

• The city is also pushing for developers to prioritize two- and three-bedroom apartments, which Birney says are the first to be snapped up by families.

By the numbers: Of the 20,000 new housing units expected by 2044, half are reserved for households earning up to 30% of the area median income, per the plan.

The bottom line: "We want people who love urban life to feel they can raise their families and live their whole lives in Redmond," Birney said.

Go deeper

The Eastside — including Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish and Issaquah — has some of the fastest-growing cities in the state, according to regional population data, drawing a diverse mix of new residents from young professionals to growing families.

Why it matters: The influx is reshaping the Eastside from what was once considered the "boring side" of the Seattle metropolitan area to a haven for foodies, outdoor enthusiasts and tech workers lured by the area's strong job market, quality schools and expanding transit options.

By the numbers: With a growing number of residents from around the world, Eastside neighborhoods are thriving as hubs for multicultural events and amenities, reflecting the area's shifting demographics. 

State of play: Home to several major employers such as Microsoft, Nintendo, T-Mobile and Costco Corporate, the Eastside has been compared to Silicon Valley.

• Bellevue led the world this year in office leasing activity by tech companies, the Seattle Times reported in July. 

What we're watching: The Eastside's transit options are expanding, with Sound Transit's new newly opened 6.5-mile East Link line between Bellevue and Redmond and the upcoming connection that will link to Seattle.

• It's an advantage for young cities to be able to plan expansion around the region's new transit connections and solid population data, says Branden Born, associate professor and chair of the Department of Urban Design and Planning at the University of Washington.

What they're saying: "The way these communities are looking at blending housing and employment along the Bellevue-Redmond corridor is sophisticated and contemporary," Born told Axios.

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🌀 Hurricane-force winds were recorded during a storm on Tuesday that killed two people and knocked out power to over a half a million customers in Western Washington. (FOX 13)

📝 Following public outcry, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said he is "considering withdrawing" his recommendation to close four elementary schools. (KUOW

Eastside schools earned top honors on a national scale, with several of the region's public high schools placing among the best in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report's 2024 rankings.

State of play: Redmond's Nicola Tesla STEM High School was ranked the top public school in Washington and third best in the U.S.

• Bellevue School District's International School, Interlake Senior High School and Newport Senior High School are listed among the top 500 public schools nationally and in the top 10 in the state, per the ranking. 
• Mercer Island High School, Issaquah High School and Bellevue High School also placed among the state's top 10.

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From trails and treats to events and eats, the other side of Lake Washington is brimming with cool spots to explore.

Head to Marymoor Park for Doggy Disneyland; visit Lake Sammamish State Park for hiking and picnicking; explore the Issaquah Alps for scenic mountain hikes; or check out the Sammamish River Trail. 

In Kirkland, try Deru Market for cake, Pomegranate Bistro for comfort food or Noon Cafe for delicious Persian cuisine.

• Stop by Cafecito for conchas or The Third Place for crispy wings while in Redmond, and if you're in Bellevue, check out Supreme Dumplings for, you got it, dumplings.

What's next: Check out the annual Garden d'Lights display at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, where over half a million lights light up the season.