[4] The city functions as a commuter town for residents, though there is an increasing amount of commercial activity in the area.

Suquamish tribe chairperson Martha George was born near Maple Valley in Sheridan in 1892, at a logging camp where her mother and grandmother worked as cooks.

Much of this early development actually did not take place in the modern-day city, but rather in Hobart, northeast of incorporated Maple Valley.

Later, the resort grew to include an airstrip, lodge, rental cabins, a nine-hole golf course and a bowling alley.

In the early 1960s, the construction of State Route 18 between Auburn and North Bend ran through the city, requiring many landmarks to be either demolished or moved.

[citation needed] The city of Maple Valley was officially incorporated on August 31, 1997.

The park includes a swimming beach and sprawling grass fields, and sees the annual Maple Valley Days Parade each year in June.

[citation needed] Due to the urban growth boundaries of King County, the city is uniquely split into different sectors along Maple Valley Black Diamond Road (SR 169), the main thoroughfare through the city.

At the northern and southern boundaries of the city lie two large commercial areas, while central Maple Valley is predominantly residential.

[10] The south side's Four Corners district is the main commercial area of the city.

[11] The northwestern corner underwent massive reconstruction in the early 2010s and now features several large retailers, apartments, and a strip mall.

[13] The southern corners feature strip malls, retailers, an apartment complex, and a housing development.

The Cedar River passes through unincorporated King County very near the northeastern border of the city.

Maple Valley's climate is classified under the Köppen system as mediterranean or maritime.

[citation needed] It generally has cooler nights and more precipitation than Seattle year round.

High household earnings and comparatively low cost of housing provide Maple Valley residents, on average, with more disposable income.

The district operates its transportation facility adjacent to SR 18 on Petrovitsky near the city limits.

It was to be built in a small unincorporated area southeast of Four Corners that was completely surrounded by Maple Valley, known informally as the ‘Donut Hole’.

[22] The area was annexed into Maple Valley and the new three-story Tahoma High School was completed in 2017.

"[26] Maple Valley is a contract city with the King County Sheriff's Office for police services.