Snohomish, Washington facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Snohomish
City
First Street during the annual Kla-Ha-Ya Days celebration, 2006

Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Snohomish
Founded	1859
Incorporated	June 26, 1890
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	3.72 sq mi (9.64 km²)
• Land	3.52 sq mi (9.12 km²)
• Water	0.20 sq mi (0.52 km²) 5.37%
Elevation	66 ft (20 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	10,126
• Estimate (2022)	10,150
• Density	2,875.9/sq mi (1,110.4/km²)
Time zone	UTC−8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes	98290–98291, 98296
Area code	360
FIPS code	53-65170
GNIS feature ID	1531910

Snohomish (/snoʊˈhoʊmɪʃ/) is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. In 2020, about 10,126 people lived there. The city is located on the Snohomish River. It is southeast of Everett and northwest of Monroe. Snohomish is where U.S. Route 2 and State Route 9 meet. The city's airport, Harvey Airfield, is mainly used for small planes.

The city was started in 1859. It was first called Cadyville after an early settler. In 1871, its name changed to Snohomish. From 1861 to 1897, Snohomish was the main government center, or county seat, for Snohomish County. Later, the county government moved to Everett. Downtown Snohomish is well-known for its many antique shops. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its important history.

History of Snohomish

Snohomish was founded around 1858 by Emory C. Ferguson, E. F. Cady, and others. It was first named Cadyville. In 1871, its name changed to Snohomish City. The name Snohomish comes from the local Native American tribe, the "sdoh-doh-hohbsh". The meaning of this name is still debated.

Early Growth and County Seat Status

Snohomish was one of the first cities built away from the coast in the Puget Sound area. It was planned where a military road would cross the Snohomish River. This road was meant to connect Fort Steilacoom and Fort Bellingham. It was designed to be safe from British naval attacks. Even though the road was never finished, Snohomish quickly became a busy trading center.

In 1861, Snohomish County became separate from Island County. The village of Snohomish was chosen as the county seat. This meant it was the center for the county's government. Snohomish remained the county seat until 1897. Then, the government moved to Everett after a vote.

Development and Challenges

Snohomish's first school opened around 1867 or 1869. The city officially became a city in 1890. Hyrcanus Blackman became the first mayor. In 1893, a roller skating rink was built. The first students graduated from Snohomish High School in 1894. By 1899, Snohomish was a busy town with about 2,000 people. It had 25 businesses and 80 homes.

The steamboat Marguerite in Snohomish, around 1907.

In 1901, Snohomish got the first car in the county. In 1903, First Street was paved with bricks. People were so proud of this street that they washed it every week with a fire hose.

The town's first librarian, Emma C. Patric, was appointed in 1901. This led to the opening of the Carnegie Library in 1910. It is the oldest public building still standing in the city. In 1911, a big fire destroyed many businesses on First Street. Despite this, the town kept growing. By 1920, the population reached over 3,000.

Mid-20th Century and Decline

The Great Depression did not hit Snohomish very hard. This was because its economy relied mostly on farming. Bickford Ford, a large car dealership, started in 1934 and did well. Snohomish also became known as the hometown of baseball star Earl Averill. He is the only Washingtonian in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

In the 1960s, Snohomish faced tough times. Many people lost their jobs at the Boeing Company and moved away. In 1965, a plan was made to tear down historic buildings on First Street. The idea was to build a modern shopping mall. However, this plan was never carried out due to a lack of money. Because of this, the historic area remains today.

The Alcazar Opera House, built in 1892, is now an antique store.

The town's economic struggles continued into the 1970s. In 1973, the city passed a rule to protect its historic buildings. In 1974, the Historic Business District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This helped protect 36 blocks of old buildings.

In 1975, a big flood caused damage to over 300 homes. It also affected many farm animals. But the community worked together to help those who were impacted. Snohomish High School also won state football championships in 1976 and 1978.

Revitalization and Modern Snohomish

The 1980s brought new energy to Snohomish. New businesses like 7-Eleven and McDonald's opened. In 1981, parts of the movie Bustin' Loose were filmed in town. Snohomish High School was also mentioned in the 1983 movie WarGames.

Around 1985, a new road, the U.S. Route 2 bypass, was finished. This road allowed traffic to go around the city instead of through it. This greatly reduced traffic jams and made the city more peaceful.

In the 1990s, First Street was improved to attract tourists. Its sidewalks were rebuilt, and public restrooms were added. City hall and the police station moved, allowing their old historic buildings to be fixed up.

Today, Snohomish is a great example of how cities can grow while keeping their historic charm. It has continued to develop, especially along Bickford Avenue. Snohomish balances modern businesses for locals with special shops in its historic areas for visitors.

Geography of Snohomish

Location of Snohomish, Washington.

Snohomish is located at 47°55′9″N 122°5′28″W / 47.91917°N 122.09111°W / 47.91917; -122.09111.

The city covers about 3.60 square miles (9.32 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.44 square miles (8.91 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.16 square miles (0.41 square kilometers), is water.

Population Information

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	149	—
1890	1,903	1,177.2%
1900	2,101	10.4%
1910	3,244	54.4%
1920	2,985	−8.0%
1930	2,688	−9.9%
1940	2,794	3.9%
1950	3,094	10.7%
1960	3,894	25.9%
1970	5,174	32.9%
1980	5,294	2.3%
1990	6,499	22.8%
2000	8,494	30.7%
2010	9,098	7.1%
2020	10,126	11.3%
2022 (est.)	10,150	11.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

The Snohomish River as seen from downtown Snohomish in 2006.

2020 Population Data

In 2020, Snohomish had 10,126 people living in 4,221 households. There were about 2,876 people per square mile (1,110 per square kilometer).

Most residents, 88.0%, were White. Other groups included 0.4% African American, 0.5% Native American, and 3.2% Asian. About 5.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in the city was 38.0 years old. About 22.5% of residents were under 18. About 17.1% were 65 or older. The population was 45.5% male and 54.5% female.

The average household income was $70,234. The income per person was $36,717. About 8.0% of the people lived below the poverty line.

Parks and Fun Activities

The city has nine developed parks. These parks cover about 167 acres (68 hectares) of land. They are used for public fun, nature, and other purposes. Some parks include Ferguson Park, Hill Park, Morgantown Park, and Cady Park.

These parks offer playgrounds, walking trails, and picnic areas. They also have boat launches and sports fields. The city also owns the local Boys and Girls Club and a senior center.

Trails and Aquatic Center

Snohomish is the start of the Centennial Trail. This is a long path for walking, biking, and horseback riding. It goes from Snohomish through Lake Stevens and Arlington. It ends near Skagit County. The city also has its own paths, including trails along the Snohomish River.

The city is home to the Snohomish Aquatic Center. This is a public swimming pool complex. It was built for high school swim teams and opened in 2014. The city government helped fund it, and residents get discounts.

Education in Snohomish

The Snohomish School District runs public schools for Snohomish and nearby areas. In 2020, the district had 9,421 students and 18 schools. It has two main high schools, Snohomish High School and Glacier Peak High School. There is also an alternative high school program.

These high schools are fed by two middle schools. The middle schools get students from ten elementary schools. A five-member school board manages the district.

Private Schools

The Snohomish area also has several private schools. These schools are run by churches and other groups. St. Michael Catholic Church opened its parish school in 2007. Other Christian schools include Lighthouse Christian Academy and Zion Lutheran School.

Culture and Events

Arts and Entertainment

The largest place for performing arts in Snohomish is Tim Noah's Thumbnail Theater. This non-profit theater is in the historic Church of Christ, Scientist. It opened in 2003 and hosts plays, concerts, and improv comedy.

Some movies have been filmed in Snohomish. These include the 1981 film Bustin' Loose. The city's high school was also a setting in the 1983 movie WarGames.

Community Events

Snohomish holds an annual summer festival called Kla Ha Ya Days. This event started in 1913 and attracts many visitors. It is part of the larger regional Seafair events held every July.

Local Media and Library

The city is part of the Seattle–Tacoma media area. It is served by the daily newspaper, The Everett Herald. A local weekly newspaper, the Snohomish County Tribune, is also published in Snohomish.

Snohomish's public library is part of the Sno-Isle Libraries system. The library building is about 23,000 square feet (2,100 square meters). It is the third-largest in the Sno-Isle system. It opened in 2003 and serves over 5,000 people each week.

The city had Snohomish County's first lending library, started in 1876. A permanent library building, funded by Andrew Carnegie, opened in 1910. This building was later renovated and reopened in 2021.

Sports in Snohomish

Snohomish has several semi-professional soccer teams. It also hosts big youth soccer tournaments at Stocker Fields. Snohomish Youth Soccer runs these tournaments. They also operate Snohomish United, a soccer team set to start in 2025.

The Snohomish Sky team was founded in 2023. It has men's and women's teams in different soccer leagues. The Snohomish Soccer Dome also hosts practices for the Washington Wolfpack, an Arena Football League team.

Notable People from Snohomish

Snohomish has been home to several professional athletes. These include players in American football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey.

Earl Averill, a famous professional baseball player
Lexi Bender, a professional ice hockey player
Jon Brockman, a professional basketball player
Tom Cable, an American football coach
Adam Eaton, a professional baseball player
Chrissy Teigen, an author and model

City Infrastructure

Transportation in Snohomish

Snohomish is crossed by two main highways. U.S. Route 2 (US 2) goes around the city to the north and east. State Route 9 runs north and south. It connects to Woodinville and Lake Stevens.

Community Transit, the county's public transportation system, offers bus services. Buses travel from Everett Station to Snohomish and continue east. Another route connects Snohomish to Lynnwood and Lake Stevens. There is also a bus route that connects Snohomish to Downtown Seattle.

A privately owned airport, Harvey Airfield, is south of downtown Snohomish. It was started in 1944 and is still owned by the Harvey family. It is used for small planes and activities like skydiving and hot air balloon rides.

City Services

The city government and other companies provide services to Snohomish residents. The Snohomish County Public Utility District provides electric power. Puget Sound Energy supplies natural gas. The city also works with Republic Services for collecting garbage, recycling, and yard waste.

The city government manages the tap water service. Snohomish buys most of its water from the City of Everett. This water comes from Spada Lake and the Sultan River basin.

Snohomish has a wastewater system. The city's wastewater treatment plant on the Snohomish River was updated. This helps treat water before it goes back into the environment.