County Statistical Profile
Snohomish County welcomes people from interstate and overseas with ideas, skills and initiative to share a quality of life that ranks with the best in the world. A relaxed lifestyle, affordable homes and easy commuting make Snohomish County one of Washington State’s most attractive places to live and work.
With up-to-date technology and services, competitive tax rates and plenty of space to develop and expand, Snohomish County is the preferred location for many new businesses each year.
The people of Snohomish County enjoy an outdoor lifestyle with world class coastlines and waterways, county and national parks, warm fertile valleys and snow-capped mountains.
Our pleasant climate (average summer temperatures of 75 degrees and average winter temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit) means that residents enjoy more year-round outdoor activity than most other American states.
Snohomish County's enviable lifestyle ensures that our current population of more than 704,000 continues to grow and prosper.
With up-to-date technology and services, competitive tax rates and plenty of space to develop and expand, Snohomish County is the preferred location for many new businesses each year.
The people of Snohomish County enjoy an outdoor lifestyle with world class coastlines and waterways, county and national parks, warm fertile valleys and snow-capped mountains.
Our pleasant climate (average summer temperatures of 75 degrees and average winter temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit) means that residents enjoy more year-round outdoor activity than most other American states.
Snohomish County's enviable lifestyle ensures that our current population of more than 704,000 continues to grow and prosper.
Location
Snohomish County is located on Puget Sound, between Skagit County to the north and King County (and Seattle) to the south. Covering 2,090 square miles, it is the 13th largest county in total land area in Washington.
Snohomish County’s varied topography ranges from saltwater beaches, rolling hills and rich river bottom farmlands in the west to dense forest and alpine wilderness in the mountainous east. Glacier Peak, at 10,541 feet, is the highest point in Snohomish County and one of the highest in Washington State. Sixty-eight percent of the county land area is forest land, 18% is rural, 9% is urban/city and 5% is agricultural.
Businesses in Snohomish County are within minutes of the WA State’s major research institutions, and Snohomish County is home to University of Washington and Washington State extension centers offering advanced degrees in business, engineering, science and medical technology. Our community colleges educate our workforce with the skills needed by our companies and our students to earn a family-wage living. And, Snohomish County’s healthcare providers are among the best in the State.
Snohomish County Government
The Snohomish County Council is the legislative authority for the County. The five members of the Council are elected to four-year terms. Each member represents a specific geographic district (District Maps). The County Council adopts and enacts ordinances, resolutions, and motions; levies taxes; appropriates revenue; and adopts budgets for the county. 2009 Snohomish County Council: (L-R) Councilmember John Koster, District 1; Vice-Chair Dave Gossett, District 4; Councilmember Dave Somers, District 5; Chair Mike Cooper, District 3; Councilmember Brian Sullivan, District 2.
Snohomish County Executive, Aaron Reardon exercises executive authority over the daily operations of all departments of the County. The Executive is elected to a four-year term.