Incorporated August 31, 1995 with an initial population of 51,500. It is named for the school district running along the shore of Puget Sound to the shore of Lake Washington from the Seattle City limits north to the King-Snohomish County line.

In the 1940s, as the tour passed through Shoreline, it ran between fruit and vegetable stands, scattered houses, and suburban beer parlors, roadhouses, and skating rinks catering to those seeking out-of-town amusements. Tawdry during the day, the establishments at night were brilliant with the blaze of red, white, green, and blue neon signs. On Saturday night, especially, business flourished. From the dance floors came the throb of drums, the wail of saxophone, and the blare of trumpet and clarinet. In the early morning hours the music ceased, the lights were extinguished, and the traffic flowed back to the city.

Today, to the bars and skating rinks, have been added long stretches of commercial and retail shops.