Retirement in Washington State
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on December 07, 2018
Retirement in Washington State
About Marysville WA
Marysville WA is part of the greater Seattle area and is located in Snohomish County, Washington. It is conveniently located only 35 miles north of Seattle.
Interesting and Fun Facts
- The made for TV movie Trouble in High Timber Country was filmed in Marysville. (1980)
- Marysville borders the Tulalip Indian Reservation to the west and Mount Pilchuck to the east whose 5,300-foot high peak can be seen from several points in Marysville.
- Mount Pilchuck is the image that is on the city’s flag and seal.
- The Marysville skyline also includes beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains.
- In 1892, Thomas P. Hopp established a newspaper named the Marysville Globe which is still published today.
- Marysville wasn’t impacted by the Great Depression
- Marysville has an annual Strawberry Festival the third week of June with a grand parade and a fireworks show. This event attracts over 100,000 visitors.
History of Marysville WA
Established in 1872 as a trading post by James P. Comeford. He was a government-appointed Indian agent and an Irish immigrant who had served in the Civil War. Marysville did not have early settlers till 1883. The Point Elliot Treaty of 1855 opened Snohomish County to American settlement and commercial activities which included trapping, fishing, and logging.
It was after 1885 that Marysville underwent an industrial revolution. During the 1860s and 1870’s the timber industry was the largest industry in the area. The hillsides of modern-day Marysville were cleared by loggers for dairy farms. In 1883, a post office and school district were established using the names and signatures of Native American neighbors of Comeford’s. A two-story hotel to welcome new settlers was also completed in 1883 by Comeford. In 1891, Marysville was incorporated, and the Great Northern Railway was welcomed. In 1901, the first city hall was opened which also was home to the city’s first fire department, and in 1907, the first public library. In 1906, electric and water supply systems were inaugurated. The growth of strawberry fields led to the city being nicknamed the “Strawberry City” in the 1920’s. The annual Strawberry Festival began in 1932. Marysville saw little change throughout the Great Depression. The diversity of industries is credited for Marysville avoiding the worst of economic times which was experienced elsewhere.
The 1970s and 1980s brought the first signs of suburbanization to the city, and today it is a thriving commercial location. Between 1980 and 2000, the population increased significantly.
In 2005, the opening of the city’s waterfront park and public boat launch created interest in the redevelopment of downtown Marysville. In 2009, a twenty-year plan was released and adopted by the Marysville City Council. It included the renewal of the Marysville Towne Center Mall into a pedestrian-friendly and mixed-use area. The waterfront area contains trails, residential buildings, retail spaces, a new city hall, and civic center.
Marysville Demographics
Marysville is the fastest-growing city in Washington state and is the second-largest city in Snohomish County, and as of 2016, Marysville is the 17th largest city in Washington. In 2015, the estimated population in Marysville was 66,773.
According to the 2010 Census, the racial makeup of Marysville was
- 80% of the population was White
- 1.9% of the population was African American
- 1.9% of the population was Native American
- 5.6% of the population was Asian
- 0.6% of the population were Pacific Islander
- 10.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race
- 4.4 % of the population was other races
- 5.5% of the population was from two or more races.
There were 21,219 households with 40.5% who had children under the age of 18 living with them, and 53.8% were married couples. Female households with no husband present made up 12.5%, and the male households with no wife present made up 6.2%. Non-families were 27.6%, and 20.9% of all households were made of individuals while 7.7% had someone 65 years of age or older living alone.
The median age in Marysville was 34.2 years old. The gender makeup of Marysville was 50.6 female and 49.4% male. The residents who are 65 years of age or older make up 9.9% of residents.
About 10% of residents work within the Marysville city limits with the majority commuting to nearby Everett and Seattle. Popular employers include Boeing, the Naval Station, Amazon.com, and Microsoft. 79% of workers drive alone to their workplace, 12% carpool, and 3% use public transit.
Things To Do and Places To Go
There is an abundance of things to do when you are in Marysville. You can choose to get lost in nature and enjoy some peace, or you can divide your time between wineries, gardens, walking trails and more.
If you want to spend time in a casino hotel that offers excellent dining and spa options, then you should head to the Tulalip Resort Casino.
During the day, you can pay a visit to the sprawling Jennings Memorial Park. The Ebey Waterfront Park also makes for a scenic picnic spot and offers many activities. Marysville has numerous other places for recreation including the Comeford Park, named for the town founder and is the city’s oldest municipal park and has a gazebo, playground, and spray park. The city of Marysville maintains 35 public recreational facilities including parks, playgrounds, sports fields, nature preserves, community centers, a golf course, and other facilities.
Marysville also offers many excellent walking and hiking trails to explore which you can find at Cambarville Trails, the Cathedral Ranges, and the Lady Talbot Trails. You can visit and enjoy the picturesque waterfall, Steavenson Falls.
Jennings Park is located just east of downtown Marysville and is a 53-acre park which has play areas, gardens, composting sites, sports fields, a nature walking a trail, a preserved barn, and historical exhibits.
Other attractions in the include a telephone museum, the Bruno’s Art & Sculpture Garden, the Buxton Ridge Winery, the Marysville and District Historical Society, and the Little Fishes Art Studio.
The Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts offers music, art and theatre classes. Other great places in the area supporting the arts include the Marysville Arts Coalition, the Sonus Boreal women’s choir, and nearby is the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett.
The Marysville Library is a 23,000 square foot facility located on Grove Street in downtown Marysville. It is a favorite place to visit, relax, read and attend special educational events.
The Essentials
Marysville is located near the Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett and Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington. There are also several community clinics located in Marysville.
Marysville is home to casual dining and fine cuisine. You may just have difficulty deciding where to dine because of the numerous choices. Some of the most popular places to eat are Blackfish Grill, Black Spur Inn, Terracotta Restaurant and Bar, and Duck Inn.
There are many quality hair salons and barber shops in Marysville and the downtown area. They offer friendly service, affordable pricing, and excellent service.
Marysville is also home to many providers for eye care, dental care, and therapies.
Senior Center
The Ken Baxter Community Center opened in 1997. It is a favorite place to spend time for many baby boomers, senior citizens, and other community members. This popular community center is ADA accessible, has ample parking, and meeting rooms. The Ken Baxter Community center is located on the well-maintained and scenic grounds of Comeford Park in the heart of downtown Marysville. The Ken Baxter Community Center is known for offering intergenerational activities where everyone can spend time together and appreciate the wisdom of the senior citizens in the community. There is no membership required and no set age limit to participate in most of the programs and activities which include
- Arts and Crafts Workshops
- Clogging
- Games
- Genealogy
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Senior Aerobics
- Senior Yoga
- Woodcarving
- And more classes, activities, presentations, and special events.
The Cottages Of Marysville
The Cottages Of Marysville is a memory care community where you can be confident your loved one is well cared for and safe. Here you will find a perfect combination of an assisted living facility and an adult family home. The professional staff provides skilled and compassionate care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week where your loved one's strengths and abilities are emphasized.
The Cottages of Marysville is conveniently located in downtown Marysville. Each cottage opens to a serene outside courtyard where residents can stroll, exercise and enjoy fresh air and open space. The Cottages Of Marysville provides four cozy cottages, each with a maximum of 12 residents where your loved one is provided with personalized one-on-one senior care in an intimate, calm, and safe environment. Every cottage is self-contained with its own kitchen, dining room, laundry, living room, and private resident rooms. The private bedrooms can be personalized with cherished mementos and familiar furnishings.
The Cottages of Marysville encourages family involvement and frequent visits. The nursing staff is available 24 hours each day along with other necessary medical services to meet the needs of the residents in the comfort of their own bedroom.
You can walk over to La Te Da Espresso and enjoy a good cup of coffee by baristas who really know their coffee and how to make you what you like. They are located at 1098 Cedar Avenue in downtown Marysville. It’s just a brief walk from The Cottages of Marysville.
Want more resources? Learn More >>
Want to stay updated with our blog posts and other resources? Sign up for monthly newsletter >>