Everett
Population gains across the Seattle metropolitan area have increasingly moved away from central urban cores over the past six years, with Snohomish County recording higher increases than any other county.
Estimates issued by the Washington Office of Financial Management show that smaller municipalities statewide, including Black Diamond in King County and Ridgefield in Clark County, have posted population gains exceeding 60% since 2020.
Sultan occupies the third position on that list, recording a 45.4% rise in residents between 2020 and 2026, adding more than 2,300 people over that span. Four of the 14 cities statewide that have experienced growth above 17% are located within Snohomish County.
The other three are Stanwood, which grew by 21% between 2020 and 2026, Lake Stevens at 19.5%, and Arlington at 17.7%.
Clark County contains two municipalities on that roster and remains the only other county with more than one entry.
Black Diamond represents the sole city in King County to exceed 17% growth during this period, while Seattle grew by less than 12% in that timeframe. Pierce County does not appear on the list, though the small town of South Prairie saw its population rise from 373 to 630, a 68.9% increase.
Between 2010 and 2020, larger municipalities such as Bothell, which grew 43.7%, Marysville, which grew 17.8%, and Mill Creek experienced substantial increases. Following 2020, those larger cities have shifted to single-digit growth rates.
Sultan Mayor Russell Wiita explained that residents are drawn to the area because it retains a small-town atmosphere, offering quiet living and a strong sense of community. He noted that the city is also affordable, particularly regarding housing costs, when compared to much of the greater Puget Sound region.
To manage this expansion, the city has prioritized utility maintenance. Last year, Sultan completed upgrades to its water treatment facility that doubled its capacity. The city also depends on U.S. 2 and is collaborating with the state Department of Transportation to alleviate congestion on the highway through the installation of multiple roundabouts.
Urban expansion in Washington is largely governed by the Growth Management Act, a series of statutes originally adopted in 1990 to curb urban sprawl and establish population benchmarks.
Sultan's population benchmark for 2044 is set at 9,500. The city's population grew from 5,146 to 7,480 between 2020 and 2026. Consequently, Sultan's growth rate is expected to decelerate, leaving 18 years to add approximately 2,000 more residents.
Wiita stated that the city does not have much space left. He noted that new developments have filled the land off Sultan Basin Road, but little room remains. Wiita said developers have expressed interest in the downtown area.
The mayor added that remote work capabilities and high-speed internet have enabled more people to live in Sultan while maintaining jobs in Everett, Redmond, or Seattle.
Mayor Sid Roberts of Stanwood echoed these sentiments in an interview.
Shawn Smith, Stanwood city administrator, stated that people want to live in the area because it is a great town with a great city that controls its budget and maintains healthy finances without raising taxes like other cities.
Stanwood's population has climbed to approximately 9,300, rising from 7,700 in 2020. Future expansion is expected to center on Cedarside Commons, a development in progress that will feature 444 apartments, 72 townhomes, and spaces for retail, offices, and recreation.
Some longtime residents have expressed opposition to the large apartment structures included in the plan.
The city council lacked the authority to reject the project, Roberts stated. The property was rezoned in 2015, and the local government is neither pro-development nor anti-development; it is pro-law and must follow the Growth Management Act.
Existing zoning and regulations permitted the construction, Roberts said, adding that the city entered into an agreement with the developer to maintain a level of oversight.
According to the city's comprehensive plan, Stanwood's population is projected to reach 10,963 by 2044.
The city's primary focus for managing this growth involves finalizing a transportation plan with the state Department of Transportation regarding the Highway 532 corridor, according to Stanwood spokesperson Nicole Strachila.
We are studying the situation to mitigate traffic on 532, Roberts said. While there are approximately three other routes to Interstate 5, Highway 532 remains the sole exit for those residing on Camano.
Lake Stevens has seen steady growth since 2010. The city annexed a significant portion of its current boundaries between 2003 and 2009, followed by another series of smaller annexations between 2018 and 2022.
In 2010, Lake Stevens recorded a population of 28,069. By 2020, the population had grown by 26.9% to 35,630. Current estimates place the population at 42,590.
Russell Wright, Lake Stevens community development director, stated that the city accepted its responsibilities under state and county growth guidelines. However, the growth has been planned, with the city considering infrastructure needs alongside housing.
Roads, parks, and public amenities were addressed in three sub-area plans tailored to the specific regions annexed by the city, Wright said. To date, Lake Stevens has added 2,000 housing units and over 300,000 square feet of new commercial space.
Development continues with more than 150 homes currently under construction and hundreds recently completed. The city's primary development project centers on revitalizing the downtown core north of the lake, including a new museum, a new city hall, and additional commercial space.
We looked at constructing a freestanding city hall funded by a bond, but the numbers did not work, said Gene Brazel, Lake Stevens city administrator.
Instead, the city purchased a business complex as the previous owner constructed a new building on a vacant lot they already owned, Brazel said.
We receive increased property tax from that and sales tax from the construction, Brazel said. We have kept all tenants in place, which covers the bond measure for the complex we are moving into.
For the Lake Stevens School District, this growth is viewed as a positive development, Superintendent Mary Templeton said.
Many districts across Washington are seeing fewer students enrolling each year, though this trend is not universal. Lakewood School District, for instance, has bucked the statewide pattern with consistent growth, positioning itself as a sought-after educational hub. Leaders highlight the district’s strong reputation and market presence as key factors in its appeal.
The district is currently managing approximately $400 million in active construction initiatives. Officials describe the effort as preparing for both current learners and those yet to arrive, noting that enrollment stands at more than 2,600, including nearly 10,000 total students served districtwide, with around 800 in temporary classroom spaces.
Portable classrooms, while necessary, come with notable trade-offs, according to a Lakewood school board member. “It’s kind of suboptimal investment,” they said, pointing to the higher maintenance and operational costs of these structures, though their utility remains vital given space constraints.
Lakewood draws students beyond its city limits, including from Marysville and Arlington, and currently operates 19 portables accommodating roughly 400 pupils. Visual evidence of expansion is evident along Highway 531, where several large residential developments are under way just steps from the district office. One complex of 288 apartments is rising directly opposite the main administrative building, while another project nearby will add more than 180 single-family homes.
Yearly student increases are modest but reliable, averaging more than 20 new learners annually. District leadership emphasizes that this growth has been gradual rather than explosive, with no signs of slowing in the foreseeable future.
Nearby, Lake Stevens School District is expanding at a pace of 50 to 100 students each year. To meet demand, a new elementary school is underway at 9332 29th Street NE, adjacent to Stevens Creek Elementary, with an expected opening this fall. District leaders stress urgency in completing facilities to relocate students from portables into permanent classrooms, noting that suitable land for new schools in this corridor is both limited and costly.
Lakewood officials acknowledge that constructing a new school is inevitable, though they are proceeding with caution. A bond measure or major facility investment represents a significant commitment, so timing remains a central consideration, especially as growth unfolds incrementally.
In Arlington, city officials report steady development without sacrificing the community’s familiar, small-town character. The city’s population rose from nearly 20,000 in 2020 to an estimated 23,400, with projections indicating further expansion to about 35,000 by 2044.
Efforts to diversify housing options have played a role in sustaining this growth. City administrators pointed to updated planning frameworks that prioritized new apartment buildings and townhome-style units, types of housing that were previously underrepresented. These options support younger residents seeking independence and offer downsizing opportunities for retirees looking to reduce living costs.
Arlington's expansion potential is limited by the state highways that border the city: Highway 531 to the south, Highway 530 to the north, and Highway 9 to the east. The need to coordinate with state authorities to secure necessary roadway upgrades as the population grows is a significant planning challenge. "That's probably the single biggest pressure that the community feels," said Ellis.