Snohomish County

Snohomish County is one of the many counties situated within Washington State. It’s the third most populous in the state after Pierce and neighboring King counties, with a population of about 82,957 (according to the 2020 census). Moreover, it’s also the 75^th-most populous county in the entire United States. The largest city in the county is Everett, which also happens to be the county seat.  

Given its proximity to King County, they both share the same labor market. And for that reason, Snohomish County is integrated into the Seattle – Tacoma – Bellevue Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Seattle – Bellevue – Everett Metropolitan Division by the OMB (Office of Management and Budget).  

Geography 

Snohomish County swanks an area adding up to 2,196 square miles, as per the U.S. Census Bureau. Only 5.0% (109 square miles) makes up the county waters, with the remaining 95.0% (2,087 square miles) being land. 

The county’s western portion facing the Puget Sound and other adjacent water bodies hosts most cities and residents. The contrary eastern region forms part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Cascade Mountains. The Volcanic Glacier Peak, part of the Cascade Mountains, is the highest point in the county at 10,541 feet above sea level. With such mountainous terrain, the county’s east doesn’t feature many settlements but does accommodate a few along major rivers. 

Major rivers in Snohomish County include Snoqualmie River, Stillaguamish River, Pilchuck River, Snohomish River, Skykomish River, and Sauk River. The county then features three major lakes: Lake Stevens, Lake Goodwin, and Spada Lake.   

History  

First formed on January 14, 1861, Snohomish County is named after the Snohomish tribe and was initially incorporated inside Island County lines. The area, inclusive of the present-day Whidbey, Hat, and Camano islands, was home to the Snohomish people and other related tribes for thousands of years. However, the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855 saw most inhabitants relocate to an established reservation in Tulalip.  

Later in the 18^th century, early white settlers set camp on the area and took advantage of its mining, logging, industrial, and agricultural potential. And much later in the 1920s, agriculture, lumbering, and logging dominated the region’s economy, although that has changed over the years. As of the present day, most economical drivers are in the building, tourism, service, technology, and aerospace industries. Given its economic diversity, Snohomish County cuts it among the fastest-growing counties in Washington state.         

Neighboring Counties 

From the county map, there are only four counties adjacent to Snohomish County. They include King County to the South, Chelan County to the East, Skagit County to the North, and Island County to the West. 

Snohomish County Departments and Offices 

Sheriff’s Office 

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office prioritizes community safety and public trust by cutting down crime through professional, effective policing and county correctional services based on compassion and answerability.  

Through partnering with dedicated civilian personnel, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for investigating crime, pursuing and jailing criminals. Moreover, the Sheriff oversees the Snohomish County Correctional Facility, conducts both road and marine patrols within their jurisdiction, attends to court duties, among other assigned tasks. 

Public Works Department  

As a principal department in Snohomish County, Public Works is liable for various services, most of which regularly affect citizens’ lives. These services are categorized into two: 

• Solid Waste: Supervising disposal and recycling of trash in all of Snohomish County.
• Roads: Developing, repairing, and maintaining county roads, bridges, and the general transport system even in the unincorporated areas of Snohomish County.  

Office of Public Defense 

The Office of Public Defense in Snohomish County is liable for administering legal counsel programs that offer defense services to needy individuals in those civil or criminal cases that might potentially sanction a jail sentence. This counseling assignment is provided to persons who could face loss of liberty and can’t afford private counsel by themselves. After all, it is a right guaranteed by both the Revised Code of Washington State (Chapter 10.101) and the U.S. Constitution (Amendment VI). 

Performance Auditor’s Office 

The Office of the Snohomish County Performance Auditor independently and objectively encourages accountable, efficient, and effective county governance through making recommendations and promoting positive practices to improve county operations performance.  

Being part of the legislative branch of county government and legally independent, the Performance Auditor reviews: county programs, offices, functions, and departments to ensure they are as economical and efficient as possible. 

By conducting and completing performance audits, the auditor collects information to strengthen public accountability, facilitate good decision-making, and enhance operations in Snohomish County. 

Hearing Examiner’s Office  

The Hearing Examiner, who is also the administrator of the Hearings Administration Office is appointed by the Snohomish County Council. This office aims to deliver independent, efficient decision-making and fact-finding service for the Snohomish County Government. 

The office’s jurisdiction applies to an assortment of subject matters, including different kinds of land use appeals and applications, such as planned residential developments, subdivisions, code enforcement appeals, false alarm notice appeals, rezones, administrative permit appeals, animal and business license appeals, and State Environmental Policy Act appeals. 

Medical Examiner’s Office 

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office handles forensic death investigations with officials boasting advanced training in the field. Some of their operations include fingerprinting, evidence collection, accident reconstructions, and carrying out witness interviews.  

Investigators in this office also perform profiles required in suicide ascertainments along with evaluating office and hospital records. Through their vast knowledge in ammunition, ballistics, and how they affect the human body, these practitioners determine the time of death by employing techniques such as insect life cycles and cooling patterns. 

Prosecutor’s Office  

The Prosecuting Attorney is liable for prosecuting all juvenile and adult felony cases. The office also prosecutes all misdemeanor cases presented by the Snohomish County Sheriff, state agencies, state patrols, and even cities or towns who, through contracting, can access misdemeanor prosecution services from the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Citizen Public Advocate  

The Office of the Public Advocate is responsible for finding remedies and resolutions to public concerns and complaints involving governance in Snohomish County. As a private and independent entity, the office is, in other words, an impartial intermediary between the Snohomish County government and citizens.  

Public Records Office 

As you’d expect, Snohomish County offers public records in adherence to applicable laws. If you wish to submit a public records request, visit the county’s Public Records Request Portal. 

Snohomish County Offices by Type