The population of Vashon Island is roughly 11,000. The island has two ferry terminals. The southern terminus of the Vashon Highway is the Tahlequah Ferry Terminal, which connects to the Point Defiance neighborhood of Tacoma. The northern terminus of the Vashon Highway is the Heights Dock at Point Vashon. This terminal services the Puget Sound ferry docks in Southworth, Fauntleroy Cove (West Seattle) and Downtown Seattle.

Vashon Island was the home of novelist Betty MacDonald and the setting of her book Onions in the Stew.