Lake Stevens, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Stevens
City
Northeast shore of lake on which the city is located
Motto(s):  "One community, around the lake"
Location of Lake Stevens, Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Snohomish
Founded	1889
Incorporated	November 29, 1960
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	9.30 sq mi (24.09 km2)
• Land	9.17 sq mi (23.74 km2)
• Water	0.14 sq mi (0.35 km2)
Elevation	217 ft (66 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	35,630
• Estimate  (2022)	39,848
• Density	3,887.2/sq mi (1,500.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Code	98258
Area code	425
FIPS code	53-37900
GNIS feature ID	1512695

Lake Stevens is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is named after the lake it surrounds. The city is about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Everett. It is next to Marysville to the northwest and Snohomish to the south. In 2020, the city had a population of 35,630 people.

The lake was named in 1859 after Isaac Stevens, who was a governor of the area before Washington became a state. The Skykomish Native American tribe originally lived near the lake. The first modern settlement in Lake Stevens started in 1889. A large sawmill opened in 1907, which helped the town grow. However, the mill closed in 1925 after two big fires.

After the mill closed, Lake Stevens became a popular place for vacations. People would visit the lake for fun. In the 1960s and 1970s, it changed into a "commuter town." This means many people lived there but traveled to other cities for work. Lake Stevens officially became a city in 1960. This happened after many businesses moved from downtown to a new shopping center. Since then, the city has grown a lot by adding nearby areas. Its population quadrupled (grew four times) from 2000 to 2010. The city plans to make its downtown area new and exciting in the 2020s.

History of Lake Stevens: How the City Grew

Lake Stevens was named in 1859 after Isaac Stevens, who was the governor of the Washington Territory. On early maps, it was called "Stevens Lake." The Skykomish tribe used the area around the lake to gather berries and hunt. The first settlers, called homesteaders, arrived in the 1880s. Joseph William Davison claimed land on the east shore in 1886.

A small town called "Outing" was started in 1889 at the northeast end of the lake. A railroad was built nearby in 1889, which helped more settlements grow. Towns like Machias and Hartford also started around this time.

Sawmill Era: Early Growth and Changes

North Cove Park, near where the Rucker Brothers sawmill used to be

The Rucker Brothers bought the land where "Outing" was in 1905. They planned to build a large sawmill. They built a railroad track and changed the flow of Cassidy Creek to prepare the land. Their shingle mill opened in 1907. In 1908, the Rucker Brothers officially created the town of Lake Stevens. It had a business area and homes for the mill's 250 workers.

The sawmill was one of the biggest in the United States. It was partly destroyed by a fire in 1919 but was rebuilt. A second fire in 1925 caused the mill to close for good. Many people left the area after the mill was taken apart. One interesting leftover from the mill was a train engine that sank in the lake in the early 1910s. It was found again in 1995 by a U.S. Navy team.

Resort Town to Commuter Hub: Lake Stevens Evolves

By the mid-1920s, the land around Lake Stevens was divided into small lots for summer homes and resorts. After the sawmill closed, Lake Stevens became a popular place for vacations. About 3,000 visitors would come on busy days to fish, swim, and water-ski on the lake. Even though the lakeside resorts were popular, the town didn't grow much for many years.

Suburban growth began in the 1950s. Plans were made for a large shopping center called Frontier Village west of the lake. Business owners in downtown Lake Stevens wanted to make the town an official city in 1958. They hoped this would stop businesses from moving to the new shopping center. On November 19, 1960, Lake Stevens voted to become a city. The city government bought a former post office to use as a city hall.

The growth of resorts also caused the lake's water quality to get worse. A special district was created in 1963 to manage pollution. They installed a system to add air to the lake, which helped slow down algae growth. Frontier Village opened in 1960 and grew bigger over time. New highways were built, and Lake Stevens became a suburban commuter town in the 1970s and 1980s. Many new homes were built.

Modern Growth: Annexations and Downtown Plans

By the late 1990s, Lake Stevens had over 5,700 residents and was one of the fastest-growing cities in Washington. The areas outside the city limits also grew quickly. Lake Stevens wanted to grow to include these areas. The city adopted a plan to create "one community around the lake."

The first big additions of land happened in 2006. From 2000 to 2010, the city's population grew four times to almost 30,000 people. The biggest addition was in December 2009, adding over 10,000 residents. The city plans to add more areas to fully surround Lake Stevens. In 2018, the city planned to rebuild downtown Lake Stevens with more homes and businesses. The old city hall was taken down in 2017 to make North Cove Park bigger.

Geography: Where is Lake Stevens?

Lake Stevens is about 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Seattle. It is 6 miles (9.7 km) northeast of Everett. The city is located between Marysville and Snohomish. The city's borders are generally State Route 92 to the north, the Centennial Trail to the east, 28th Street Southeast to the south, and State Route 204 to the west.

The city covers about 9.30 square miles (24.09 km2). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. The lake itself is not officially part of the city. However, it is part of the larger urban growth area that the city plans to include.

Lake Stevens: A Natural Feature

The city sits on a flat area between the Snohomish River delta and the Cascade Mountains. It surrounds the north and east sides of Lake Stevens. This lake is the largest and deepest in Snohomish County. It covers about 1,040 acres (420 ha) and is about 64 feet (20 m) deep on average. The lake has about 7.1 miles (11.4 km) of shoreline.

Lundeen Creek, Mitchell (Kokanee) Creek, and Stitch Creek feed the lake. Water flows out of the lake into Catherine Creek, which then goes into the Pilchuck River. To help keep the lake clean, an aeration system was installed in the 1990s. This system helps control a substance called phosphorus, which can cause too much algae to grow. Most of the lake's shoreline has many buildings, with little natural plant life left. People use Lake Stevens for fishing, swimming, boating, and water skiing.

City Centers: Downtown and Frontier Village

Lake Stevens has two main commercial areas. Downtown Lake Stevens is on the northeastern part of the lake. It has been getting new developments since the 1990s. Frontier Village is west of the lake, where State Route 9 and State Route 204 meet. It is a typical suburban shopping area with many stores. The city also has different neighborhoods and planning areas, such as Cavalero Hill and Machias.

Economy: How People Work and Shop in Lake Stevens

In 2018, about 15,084 people in Lake Stevens had jobs. The biggest job areas were manufacturing (making things), educational and health services (schools and hospitals), retail (stores), and professional services (like lawyers or accountants). Most people who live in Lake Stevens travel to other cities for work. About 20% go to Everett, 13% to Seattle, and 4% to Bellevue. Only about 6.3% of Lake Stevens residents work within the city itself. Most workers drive to their jobs alone.

In 2012, there were 1,553 registered businesses in Lake Stevens, providing 4,202 jobs. The most jobs were in services, followed by education and retail. The biggest employer in Lake Stevens is the Lake Stevens School District. Another large employer is Cobalt Enterprises, a company that makes aerospace parts.

Shopping and Businesses

Hewlett-Packard opened a large factory in Lake Stevens in 1985. It made testing and measurement equipment. This factory had 1,000 employees at its busiest time. However, it closed in 2002. The land where the factory was later became a housing complex.

Lake Stevens has a big shopping area called Frontier Village. It is located where State Route 9 and State Route 204 cross. This shopping center started in the 1960s and now has over 208,000 square feet (19,300 sqm) of stores. A Costco store opened in December 2022. It is a very large store with a gas station and many parking spots.

Demographics: Who Lives in Lake Stevens?

Lake Stevens is the fifth-largest city in Snohomish County. In 2018, its population was estimated to be 33,378. It has been the fastest-growing city in Snohomish County since 2000. This growth is due to new homes and the city adding more land. In December 2009, the city added 10,000 people, which helped it jump from the 11th largest to the fifth largest city in the county.

Population Details from 2010

According to the 2010 census, there were 28,069 people living in Lake Stevens. There were 9,810 households, and 7,250 families. The city had about 3,161 people per square mile (1,220 per km2).

Most people in the city were White (85.1%). Other groups included African American (1.7%), Native American (0.9%), Asian (3.6%), and Pacific Islander (0.4%). About 8.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In terms of age, 29.9% of residents were under 18 years old. The average age in the city was 32.5 years. The population was almost evenly split between males (49.9%) and females (50.1%).

Culture and Fun in Lake Stevens

Lake Stevens has a yearly summer festival called Aquafest. It takes place at North Cove Park in downtown Lake Stevens for three days in late July. The festival started in 1960. It includes a boat parade, carnival rides, a car show, and a circus. In 2018, about 30,000 people attended Aquafest.

An annual Ironman 70.3 triathlon was added to Aquafest in the 2000s. A triathlon is a race with three parts: swimming, cycling, and running. This race is 70.3 miles (113.1 km) long. It also helps people qualify for the Ironman World Championship.

Parks and Recreation: Enjoying Nature and Sports

Cascade Mountains seen from Davies Beach

Lake Stevens has 195 acres (79 ha) of parks and open spaces. These are managed by the city, Snohomish County, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The city itself owns 158 acres (64 ha) and has nine parks. These parks include community parks, neighborhood parks, and smaller mini-parks. There are also private parks owned by homeowner groups.

Eagle Ridge Community Park is the largest city-owned park, covering 28 acres (11 ha). Snohomish County also has three community parks in the Lake Stevens area. Cavalero Community Park opened in 2009 and has two fenced dog parks and an open field. Lake Stevens Community Park has several soccer and baseball fields. Davies Beach, on the western lakeshore, has a beach, a boat launch, and a boathouse for rowing teams.

Several city parks are along the shore of Lake Stevens. They offer beaches for swimming and docks for fishing. Lundeen Park is the biggest beach park. It used to be a resort that opened in 1908. You can rent paddleboards and kayaks there. North Cove Park in downtown is being developed into a community gathering space. Catherine Creek Park has a disc golf course and hiking trails.

The Centennial Trail is a long path for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It goes for 30 miles (48 km) between Arlington and Snohomish, passing through the east side of Lake Stevens. The city plans to connect its smaller trails into a full network. Lake Stevens also has a community center. Several local rowing clubs use Lake Stevens, including the Lake Stevens Rowing Club.

Historical Preservation: Remembering the Past

The Lake Stevens Historical Museum, opened in 1989

The local historical society used to run a museum next to the city library. It opened in 1989 and had exhibits with items from old buildings, documents, and photos. The museum grounds also had the Grimm House, a historic house built in 1903. This house was moved to the museum grounds in 1996 and opened for tours in 2004. The museum was closed and taken down in 2017 as part of the North Cove Park redevelopment. The Grimm House was moved to a new spot for a future museum.

Education: Schools and Learning in Lake Stevens

The Lake Stevens School District manages public schools in the city and nearby areas. In 2016, about 8,838 students were enrolled in the district. The district has one high school, Lake Stevens High School. It opened at its current location in 1979 and was approved for renovations in 2016. The renovation cost $116 million and finished its first part in 2019.

The school district also has one mid-high school for grades 8–9, two middle schools, and seven elementary schools. The newest elementary school, Stevens Creek, opened in 2018.

The closest colleges are Everett Community College and Edmonds College. In the late 2000s, Lake Stevens was considered for a new branch campus of the University of Washington. The city offered a large piece of land for the campus. However, the project was stopped in 2008 due to state budget problems.

Library Services

The former Lake Stevens library, managed by Sno-Isle Libraries and open from 1985 to 2021

The first public library in Lake Stevens opened in 1946. It moved to a former pharmacy in 1985. The city then partnered with Sno-Isle Libraries, a system that serves multiple counties. The downtown library building was very small. Plans were made in the 2010s for a new, larger library.

Sno-Isle proposed a bigger library as part of a new civic campus. Voters were asked to approve money for it in 2017 and 2018, but the plans did not pass. The old library was taken down in 2021 as part of North Cove Park renovations. A temporary library opened, and then Sno-Isle moved into a former police station. In 2022, Sno-Isle announced plans to continue working on a permanent library building. Construction for a new two-story library is scheduled to begin in 2025.

Infrastructure: How Lake Stevens Works

Transportation: Getting Around Lake Stevens

Looking west from Lake Stevens at the Hewitt Avenue Trestle, which carries U.S. Route 2 towards Everett

Three state highways pass through Lake Stevens. State Route 9 runs north-south through the west side of the city. State Route 92 goes northeast to Granite Falls. State Route 204 connects Frontier Village to U.S. Route 2 (US 2). The intersection of State Route 9 and State Route 204 was changed to a series of four roundabouts in 2023. The Hewitt Avenue Trestle, which carries US 2 to Everett, is a busy highway that often has traffic jams. Plans are being made to rebuild it to help with traffic.

Community Transit operates bus routes in Snohomish County. Buses from Lake Stevens go to Everett, Granite Falls, Lynnwood, Marysville, and Snohomish. The city has a small park and ride lot where people can leave their cars and take the bus.

Utilities: Water, Power, and Waste

The Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) provides electricity and drinking water to Lake Stevens. The PUD gets its water from the City of Everett system. Natural gas is provided by Puget Sound Energy.

The city works with Republic Services and Waste Management to collect garbage, recycling, and yard waste. The Lake Stevens Sewer District manages the city's sewer system. It built a new treatment plant in 2013.

Healthcare: Medical Care in Lake Stevens

Lake Stevens has two urgent care centers. These clinics provide medical services for immediate, non-life-threatening health issues. They include a branch of The Everett Clinic and a MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care Clinic that opened in 2017.

See also

In Spanish: Lake Stevens (Washington) para niños