Arlington, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arlington, Washington
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Olympic Avenue in downtown Arlington
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Location of Arlington within Snohomish County
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 Arlington, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Arlington, Washington
Location in the United States
Arlington, Washington
Location in North America
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Washington | ||
| County | Snohomish | ||
| Incorporated | May 20, 1903 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor–council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 9.81 sq mi (25.4 km2) | ||
| • Land | 9.80 sq mi (25.4 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 115 ft (35 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 19,868 | ||
| • Estimate
(2022)
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21,059 | ||
| • Density | 2,024.45/sq mi (781.64/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
98223
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| Area code | 360 | ||
| FIPS code | 53-02585 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1515947 | ||
Arlington is a city in northern Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is part of the larger Seattle metropolitan area. The city sits on the Stillaguamish River, at the base of the Cascade Range mountains. It is next to Marysville.
Arlington is about 10 miles (16 km) north of Everett, which is the county seat. It is also about 40 miles (64 km) north of Seattle, Washington's biggest city. In 2020, Arlington had a population of 19,868 people. By 2021, its population was estimated to be around 20,075.
The land where Arlington is today was traditionally home to the Stillaguamish people. They are an indigenous group from the Coast Salish family. Settlers started the town in the 1880s. It was first planned as two towns: Arlington and Haller City. Haller City later became part of Arlington. Arlington officially became a city in 1903.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many projects helped people find jobs. These projects included building a municipal airport. This airport later became a naval air station during World War II. In the 1980s, Arlington started to grow quickly. Many new homes were built, and the city's population grew by over 450 percent by 2000. It also added the area of Smokey Point to its borders.
Arlington's economy used to rely on timber (wood) and agriculture (farming). Now, it mostly has a service economy, meaning jobs are in services like retail or healthcare. There are also some aviation (airplane) jobs near the airport. The city is run by a mayor–council government. This means people elect a mayor and seven city council members. The city government takes care of parks and water services. Other services, like public transportation and schools, are handled by larger regional groups.
Contents
History of Arlington
Early Days and Native Peoples
The Coast Salish peoples have lived in the Puget Sound region for about 12,000 years. The Stillaguamish people traditionally lived in the area where Arlington is now. They had at least ten villages along the Stillaguamish River. Two of these villages were in the Arlington area.
One village was called sq'ʷuʔalqʷuʔ, meaning "confluence" (where two rivers meet). It was located where the two forks of the Stillaguamish River join. This village had large winter homes and was home to 200–300 people. Other Coast Salish groups would visit this village in the summer to catch fish. The area known as Kent Prairie was a place where the Stillaguamish, Sauk, and Snohomish tribes gathered wild plants. In the modern Lushootseed language, Arlington is called stiqayuʔ, which means "wolf".
Coming of Settlers and Logging
American explorers first came to the area in 1851. They were led by Native American guides up the Stillaguamish River. The area became open for logging after the Treaty of Point Elliott was signed in 1855. This treaty was between the U.S. government and various Puget Sound tribes. The Stillaguamish tribe was told to move to the Tulalip Indian Reservation. However, many members chose to stay on their traditional lands. The tribe was officially recognized by the government in 1976. They were granted a reservation in 2014.
In 1856, the U.S. Army built a military road through the area. It connected Fort Steilacoom to Fort Bellingham. This road crossed the Stillaguamish River near the confluence. In the 1880s, wagon roads were built to this area. These roads brought business people to the logging camps, which were called "The Forks". The first store opened in 1888. A hotel for loggers soon followed.
Two Towns Become One
Two towns were started on the south side of the river. This happened because people expected the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway to build a track there. G. Morris Haller started a settlement in 1883. He named it "Haller City".
However, the railroad decided to build its station on higher ground. This was south of Haller City. So, contractors Earl & McLeod started a new town there on March 15, 1890. They named the new town "Arlington". It was named after Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, a member of King Charles II of England's government. Both Arlington and Haller City were planned out in 1890. They quickly became rivals.
Arlington and Haller City grew fast. By 1893, they had a combined population of 500. They made money from farming, dairy, and making wood shingles. Both towns had their own schools, post offices, and stores. The two towns were separated by a 40-acre (16 ha) piece of land. This prevented one town from taking over the other. Later, this land dispute was settled. Businesses started moving to the bigger, more successful Arlington. This marked the end of Haller City. Today, Haller City is remembered by a park in downtown Arlington. A middle school in the Arlington School District is also named after it.
Becoming a City and Early Growth
Arlington officially became a city on May 20, 1903. This included the remaining parts of Haller City. The people voted for this on May 5, with 134 out of 173 voters saying yes. John M. Smith, who owned a shingle mill, was elected as the first mayor. After becoming a city, Arlington got a local bank, a cooperative creamery, a city park, a library, electricity, and telephone service.
In the early 1900s, Arlington's biggest employers were its shingle and sawmills. Other businesses like dairy processing and shops grew after World War I. The Great Depression in the 1930s caused most mills to close. This led to many people losing their jobs. The government created programs to help. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a camp near Darrington. Young men from the CCC built structures and fought fires in the Mount Baker National Forest. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped build sidewalks, a high school, and a municipal airport. The airport opened in 1934.
When the United States entered World War II, the U.S. Navy came to Arlington. They turned the municipal airport into a naval air station in 1943. The Navy built new runways and hangars. After 1946, the city was allowed to use the airport for civilian flights. The airport was given back to the city of Arlington in 1959.
On October 19, 1959, a Boeing 707-227 airplane crashed near the Stillaguamish River. Four of eight people on board died. The plane was on a test flight. It lost three engines and caught fire after a difficult maneuver. The plane tried to land in a nearby field but crashed in the riverbed instead.
Modern Growth and Changes
In the late 1960s, new highways like Interstate 5 and State Route 9 were finished. This led to more homes being built in Arlington. It became a "bedroom community" for people who worked in Everett and Seattle. This means people lived in Arlington but commuted to other cities for work. Even with new residents, Arlington kept its small-town feel.
New housing developments started in the 1980s and 1990s. This caused Arlington's population to jump by 450 percent, reaching 15,000 by 2007. In 1999, Arlington added the community of Smokey Point to its city limits. This happened after a long legal fight with Marysville. The city also started building a large business park near the airport in the 1990s. By 2003, Arlington had 11,000 jobs.
In 2003, Arlington celebrated its 100th birthday. There was a parade, a festival, sports, and music. The celebrations ended with the opening of the new $44 million Arlington High School. In 2007, the city improved Olympic Avenue in downtown Arlington. They spent $4.4 million to widen sidewalks, add trees, and new streetlights. This project helped make downtown a lively place for events and gatherings.
On March 22, 2014, a large landslide happened near Oso. It blocked the Stillaguamish River. The mud and debris covered about 1 square mile (2.6 sq km). 43 people died, and almost 50 buildings were destroyed. The landslide closed State Route 530, cutting off Darrington. Arlington became the center for helping with the disaster. The city was praised for its help. U.S. President Barack Obama visited Arlington in April.
Arlington has continued to grow in recent years. New apartment buildings have been built in Smokey Point, including homes for older adults. In 2019, the Cascade Industrial Center was created between Arlington and Marysville. This large area is planned for manufacturing and other industrial businesses.
Geography of Arlington
Arlington covers about 9.26 square miles (24.0 sq km). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. The city is in the northwest part of Snohomish County. It is part of the Seattle metropolitan area. Arlington is about 41 miles (66 km) north of Seattle.
The city's borders are generally defined by Marysville to the south. Interstate 5 is to the west. The Stillaguamish River valley is to the north. The Cascade Range foothills are to the east. The city's planned growth area includes 10.3 square miles (27 sq km) both inside and outside the city limits.
Arlington sits on a glacial terrace. This was formed by melting ice sheets long ago. The city has several hills, about 100 to 200 feet (30 to 61 m) above sea level. Downtown Arlington is on a bluff above where the Stillaguamish River's forks meet. Most of Arlington is in the watersheds of the Stillaguamish River, Portage Creek, and Quilceda Creek. From Arlington, you can see the Olympic Mountains, Mount Pilchuck, and Mount Rainier.
The Stillaguamish River valley, including Arlington, is in a lahar hazard zone. A lahar is a dangerous mudflow from a volcano. This zone is 60 miles (97 km) downstream from Glacier Peak. Glacier Peak is an active volcano in the eastern part of the county. About 13,000 years ago, lahars from an eruption covered modern-day Arlington with more than 7 feet (2.1 m) of sediment.
Neighborhoods and Areas
Arlington has a plan that divides its growth area into ten subareas. These areas contain different neighborhoods.
- Old Town is downtown Arlington and the homes built around it in the early 1900s.
- Arlington Bluff is a residential area between the river and the airport's industrial center.
- Kent Prairie is a residential area south of Old Town. It also has stores around State Route 9 and 204th Street NE. This area was once a Stillaguamish village and had Arlington's first schoolhouse.
- The Manufacturing Industrial Center is an industrial area southwest of Old Town. It surrounds the Arlington Municipal Airport and the city's only active railroad.
- Hilltop has Arlington's largest planned neighborhoods. These include High Clover Park, Gleneagle, and Crown Ridge. It is south of Kent Prairie. Gleneagle is Arlington's biggest development, with over 1,000 homes and a private golf course.
- The Brekhus/Beach area, also called Burn Hill, is a residential area southeast of Old Town.
The West Arlington Subarea includes neighborhoods added to Arlington in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Smokey Point was added in 1999. It is a major shopping and residential area at the junction of Interstate 5 and State Route 531. Parts of Smokey Point also extend into Marysville.
- Island Crossing is a rural community with some stores. It was added in 2008 and is planned for commercial development.
Arlington's Climate
Arlington has a climate similar to most of the Puget Sound area. Summers are dry, and winters are mild and rainy. This is because of the ocean's influence. Most rain falls in winter and early spring. Arlington gets rain about 181 days a year.
Because Arlington is in the foothills of the Cascade Range, it gets more rain than nearby towns. It averages 46 inches (1,168 mm) of rain each year. Everett, for example, gets about 33 inches (838 mm). Arlington rarely gets a lot of snowfall. It averages about 7 inches (18 cm) of snow per year since 1922.
July is the warmest month in Arlington. The average high temperature is 77.3°F (25.2°C). January is the coolest month. The average high is 45.3°F (7.4°C). The hottest temperature ever recorded was 103°F (39°C) on June 28, 2021. The coldest was 7°F (-14°C) on January 1, 1979. Arlington has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 1,476 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,418 | −3.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,439 | 1.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,460 | 1.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,635 | 12.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,025 | 23.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,261 | 11.7% | |
| 1980 | 3,282 | 45.2% | |
| 1990 | 4,037 | 23.0% | |
| 2000 | 11,713 | 190.1% | |
| 2010 | 17,926 | 53.0% | |
| 2020 | 19,868 | 10.8% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 20,075 | 12.0% | |
| Source: U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, Arlington had 19,868 people. This made it the tenth largest city in Snohomish County. From 1980 to 2010, Arlington's population grew by over 450 percent. This growth was due to new homes and adding nearby areas to the city. In July 2022, the population was estimated to be 21,059.
Who Lives in Arlington?
Based on the 2010 census, there were 17,926 people living in Arlington. There were 6,563 households. About 40.3% of households had children under 18. About 50.7% were married couples.
The average age in the city was 34.3 years old. About 28.3% of residents were under 18. About 11.3% were 65 or older. The population was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
Arlington's Economy
In 2015, about 9,481 Arlington residents were working or looking for work. Most workers (85%) drove alone to their jobs. About 7% carpooled, and 2% used public transit. Only 12% of employed Arlington residents worked within the city. Many commuted to Everett (17%), Seattle (9%), or Marysville (8%).
The biggest industries for Arlington workers are education and healthcare (19%). Manufacturing is next (18%), followed by retail (11%) and food services (10%).
From Timber to Technology
Arlington's early economy depended on cutting and processing timber. It was known for making red cedar wood shingles. Some even called Arlington the "Shingle Capital of the World." However, most mills closed during the Great Depression. Farming and dairy became important in the early 1900s. A large dairy processing plant opened in the 1910s.
When Arlington became a "bedroom community" in the 1980s and 1990s, its economy changed. It moved towards a service economy. Many Arlington residents work for large companies like the Boeing Everett Factory and Naval Station Everett. Arlington has also developed its municipal airport into an aerospace job center. This area has many companies that work with Boeing. Glasair Aviation, an aircraft manufacturer, is based in Arlington. Eviation Aircraft uses hangars in Arlington to assemble and test its electric plane, the Eviation Alice.
The city of Arlington plans to have over 20,000 jobs by 2035. This will be helped by the Cascade Industrial Center. This industrial area, located near Smokey Point, already has large distribution centers. In 2023, a huge, five-story Amazon distribution center opened near the airport. It is the company's largest facility in Washington. It is expected to employ 1,200 workers.
Culture and Fun in Arlington
Art and Creativity
Arlington has supported Public art since 2007. The city sets aside 1% of its budget for new public art. The Arlington Arts Council, a volunteer group, has collected 30 sculptures and murals. These form the city's Sculpture Walk in downtown Arlington and along the Centennial Trail.
Arlington High School has a performing arts center called the Byrnes Performing Arts Center. It opened in 2007. An annual arts and crafts festival is held at Legion Park from June to September. The city is also close to the Pilchuck Glass School, which teaches glass art.
A scene from the 2014 movie 7 Minutes was filmed at Haller Stadium in Arlington.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
Arlington has 17 city parks. They offer over 257 acres (104 ha) of public open space. These parks have nature areas, sports fields, playgrounds, and boat launches. The Arlington School District also has sports fields and playgrounds. These are open to the public when school is not in session.
The largest park is the County Charm Park and Conservation Area. It is east of downtown Arlington. This 150-acre (61 ha) park is being developed with sports fields, hiking trails, and a swimming beach. Twin Rivers Park is the second-largest park. It has sports fields and is owned by Snohomish County but maintained by Arlington. Bill Quake Memorial Park has soccer and baseball fields.
The county also owns the Portage Creek Wildlife Area. This 157-acre (64 ha) wildlife reserve is near downtown Arlington. It used to be a dairy farm. It was turned into a wetland habitat in the 1990s and 2000s.
Arlington is a hub for two major county trails. These trails are used by cyclists, walkers, and horseback riders. The Centennial Trail is 29 miles (47 km) long. The Whitehorse Trail will be 27 miles (43 km) long. Both trails use old railroad paths. The city of Arlington also has a 6-mile (9.7 km) walking trail around the Arlington Municipal Airport.
Festivals and Events
The Arlington Municipal Airport hosts the annual "Arlington Fly-In" air show. It happens in the summer, usually in August. The Fly-In has been held every year since 1969. It is the third-largest event of its kind in the United States. Over 50,000 visitors and 1,600 planes take part.
The Downtown Arlington Business Association hosts several yearly events. These include a car show in June and a street fair in July. There is also a Viking festival in October. Legion Park hosts a weekend farmers' market from June to September. It is also used for holiday parades. The Stillaguamish Tribe holds an annual powwow and river festival in August.
Media and Libraries
Arlington has a weekly newspaper, The Arlington Times. It has been published since 1890. It is owned by the same company as the Marysville Globe. However, both papers stopped printing in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Herald in Everett covers the entire county, including Arlington. Arlington is also part of the Seattle–Tacoma media market. This means it gets news from Seattle TV and radio stations.
Arlington has been part of the Sno-Isle Libraries system since 1962. This system runs public libraries in Island and Snohomish counties. A 5,055-square-foot (469.6 sq m) library opened near downtown Arlington in 1981. It holds over 54,000 items. Sno-Isle plans to renovate and expand the Arlington Library. A smaller library for Smokey Point opened in 2018. Arlington used to have a movie theater, the Olympic Theatre. It operated from 1939 to 2014.
Preserving History
The Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum opened in 1997. It is run by volunteers and is southwest of downtown Arlington. The museum has old household items, logging tools, and vehicles. It also has historic newspapers and photos from the Arlington area.
Two places in the Arlington area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Trafton School was built in 1888 and rebuilt in 1912. It was listed in 2006. The Naval Auxiliary Air Station-Arlington (part of the modern Arlington Municipal Airport) was listed in 1995.
Notable People from Arlington
- Kenneth Boulton, a pianist
- Bob Drewel, a former County Executive
- McKenna Geer, a Paralympian in shooting
- Celia M. Hunter, an environmentalist
- John Koster, a former state legislator
- Rick Larsen, a U.S. Congressman
- Erik Norgard, an American football player
- Ryan Walker, a baseball player
Education in Arlington
Public schools in Arlington are run by the Arlington School District. This district covers most of the city and nearby areas. In 2014, the district had about 5,528 students. It has nine schools: one high school, two middle schools, four elementary schools, and two alternative learning centers. In the early 2000s, the district opened four new schools. The Smokey Point neighborhood is served by the Lakewood School District.
Arlington is about 15 miles (24 km) from Everett Community College. This is the closest college. The college has offered job training courses at Arlington's Weston High School since 2016.
In 1966, the Smokey Point area was suggested as a location for a new four-year college. However, the state decided to build The Evergreen State College in Olympia instead. In the 2000s, Arlington and Marysville again offered Smokey Point for a University of Washington branch campus. But this plan was also put on hold. The state legislature chose a Washington State University branch campus in Everett instead.
City Infrastructure
Getting Around Arlington
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Downtown Arlington is near where State Route 9 and State Route 530 meet. These are the main highways into the city. State Route 9 goes north into Skagit County and south to Snohomish. State Route 530 goes west to Interstate 5, a major highway, and east to Darrington. Another state highway, State Route 531, connects Smokey Point, the airport, and Gleneagle to Interstate 5.
Community Transit provides public transportation in Arlington. This agency runs buses in most of Snohomish County. Community Transit has a local bus route from downtown Arlington to Smokey Point. It also has four other routes to nearby cities from a transit center in Smokey Point.
Arlington has one active railroad line. It is a 6.9-mile (11.1 km) long spur line from Marysville to downtown Arlington. It is operated by BNSF Railway. BNSF Railway plans to build two more rail lines to the airport soon. Arlington does not have passenger rail service. However, there are Amtrak stations in Everett and Stanwood.
Historically, Arlington grew along several railroads. These lines are now abandoned or used for other purposes. The Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway helped establish Arlington in the 1880s. This railroad was later abandoned in 1972. Its path was turned into the Centennial Trail. Another railroad branch to Darrington was built in 1901 and abandoned in 1990. This path will be used for the Whitehorse Trail.
The city of Arlington owns the Arlington Municipal Airport. It is 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown. The airport is mainly used for general aviation (private planes) and light business. It is home to 475 aircraft. About 130 businesses are located at the airport. In the 1990s, there were plans to expand the airport into a regional airport. This would help reduce traffic at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. However, this plan was dropped in 1996.
City Services
Electric power in Arlington comes from the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD). This is a public utility that buys most of its electricity from the federal Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The BPA manages the region's electrical transmission lines.
Cascade Natural Gas and Puget Sound Energy provide natural gas to Arlington. Two major gas pipelines run through Arlington. They are maintained by the Olympic Pipeline Company and the Northwest Pipeline Company. Arlington has three telephone companies and internet service providers: Comcast (Xfinity), Frontier Communications, and Wave Broadband.
The city of Arlington provides water and water treatment services. The city's water comes from groundwater near the Stillaguamish River and the airport. It also buys water from the Snohomish County PUD. The Smokey Point neighborhood gets its water from the City of Marysville.
Wastewater and stormwater are collected and treated by the city government. Then, they are released into the Stillaguamish River basin. Waste Management handles Arlington's municipal solid waste (trash) and single-stream recycling. Snohomish County also has a transfer station in Arlington.
See also
In Spanish: Arlington (Washington) para niños
