Geographic Location

Snohomish County is located in the Puget Sound region between King County, to the south, and Skagit County, to the north. Snohomish County covers 2,090 square miles, making it the thirteenth largest county in total land area in Washington. Snohomish County’s varied topography ranges from saltwater beaches, rolling hills, and rich farmland to dense forest and alpine wilderness. Glacier Peak, at 10,541 feet, is the highest peak in Snohomish County and one of the highest in Washington. Sixty-eight percent of the county is forest land, eighteen percent is rural, nine percent is urban/city, and five percent is agricultural.

Population

Snohomish County had a population of 696,600 in 2008. Snohomish County accounts for nearly ten percent of the state population, which is the third highest behind King and Pierce Counties. Between 1996 and 2006, only King County added more people than Snohomish County with Snohomish County adding 133,700 for a growth rate of nearly 25 percent. Everett is the largest city in Snohomish County, followed by Edmonds and Marysville.

Projections show the population of Snohomish County will grow two percent annually, meaning that by 2025 the county will be home to nearly 930,000 residents. The most rapid growth will take place in the northern (Arlington, Darrington, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville, and Stanwood), eastern (Gold Bar, Index, Monroe, Snohomish, and Sultan), and central (Everett, Mill Creek, and Mukilteo) regions of Snohomish County.

Age

Snohomish County has a higher proportion of people under the age of 60 than either the state or nation. In 2006, only thirteen percent of the population was in the 60+ category. The 60+ category in Snohomish County is expected to increase in coming years.

A top demographic consideration regarding age is the near retirement of many in the baby-boomer generation. A large number of employees will likely retire within a short period of time, taking with them knowledge and experience. It is often the case that older employees are in management positions, meaning a large number of managers will retire and companies will need to quickly fill open positions.

The hope is that recruitment of younger workers and retention of older workers will alleviate challenges caused by a large proportion of workers nearing retirement. This means, however, that companies must alter recruitment methods and perhaps organizational culture to attract workers from the Generation X and Millennial generations, while also making efforts to offer older workers more flexible schedules and options. Effective management of this dynamic workforce will enable a smooth transition between generations—retaining the experience and expertise of older workers and maximizing the contributions of younger workers—while preserving a recognizable culture within the organization.

Race/Ethnicity

County forecasts are consistent with state forecasts, which show the population becoming increasingly diverse. By looking at the languages spoken at home, we see that many of the people who moved to Snohomish County since 1990 are recent immigrants. In 1990, two percent of households spoke an Asian language at home. That had grown to five percent by 2000 and to 6 percent by 2006. Spanish speakers accounted for only one percent of the population in 1990, and grew to three percent in 2000 and five percent in 2006. Information on other languages spoken at home is not available, as English, Spanish, Asian, and Other Indo European were the only language groups that the U.S. Census collected data from in 1990, 2000, and 2006.

The workforce is increasingly mirroring the demographics of the population. Education and workforce development systems must prepare for more diverse students and a more diverse workplace. Lower levels of education and skills have negatively affected labor market experiences of individuals from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds; they tend to earn less and are underrepresented in higher-level positions. Studies show that employees from these racial/ethnic groups earn higher wages after participation in workforce development programs. Community and technical college programs, apprenticeship programs, and English as a Second Language courses (if necessary), are important if individuals are to move into high pay, high skill jobs. While education cannot completely eliminate the challenges people from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds face in the workforce, it goes a long way in offering those individuals an opportunity to move up in the workforce.

Over the next ten years the workplace will undergo increasing global integration, and organizations will operate more freely across borders. Workers from diverse ethnic/racial backgrounds are critical if companies are to succeed in the global marketplace. By acting now, new opportunities can be created for previously underutilized populations, and lives and the economy will benefit as a result.

Gender

Gender distribution in 2015 is expected to remain at its current breakdown of about 50/50. Over the last three decades women entered the workforce in increasing numbers due to higher education attainment, decisions to delay marriage and childbearing, changing gender roles, and household economic pressures. To better and more fully utilize women in the workforce, companies must consider workplace policies that address issues such as child care. Research shows that productivity increases when employers adopt family-friendly policies, such as on on-site childcare. With such policies women are able to establish a more stable work history, move into positions of higher level management, and achieve greater pay equity. Companies benefit from the retention of productive employees who desire to move up into higher level jobs.

People with Disabilities

Snohomish County is home to many people with disabilities. Nearly nineteen percent of Snohomish County residents report having a disability. These conditions include visual and hearing impairments as well as conditions that substantially limit physical activities. Difficulties learning, remembering, or concentrating; dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home; going outside the home; and/or working at a job may also impact the ability to obtain and retain employment. Since the incidence of most types of disability increases with age and as the population ages, the need for expanded capacity to address these issues also rises. Data shows that of people 21-64 years of age who experience a disability, only 63 percent are employed.

Veterans

Veterans also constitute a significant population within Snohomish County. One out of every ten of the 670,628 veterans in Washington lives in Snohomish County. More than fifteen percent of Snohomish County’s residents between the age of eighteen and 64 are veterans, a veteran population density 25 percent higher than that of neighboring King County.