Marysville, Washington

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Marysville, Washington
Official seal of Marysville, Washington
Seal
Nickname: The Strawberry City
Marysville in Washington State
Marysville in Washington State
Coordinates: 48°3′46″N 122°9′48″W / 48.06278, -122.16333
Country United States
State Washington
County Snohomish
Government
 - Mayor Dennis Kendall
Area
 - Total 9.8 sq mi (25.3 km²)
 - Land 9.6 sq mi (24.8 km²)
 - Water 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Elevation 20 ft (6 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 25,315
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes 98270-98271
Area code(s) 360
FIPS code 53-43955[1]
GNIS feature ID 1512435[2]
Website: http://www.ci.marysville.wa.us/

Marysville is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, USA. The population was 25,315 at the 2000 census. Marysville is known as "The Strawberry City" due to the large number of strawberry farms that once surrounded the city in its earlier days. Over the past decade, and continuing today, large residential, commercial, and industrial growth has transformed this city. With a population of over 36,000 residents (2007 figures) and growing, Marysville ranks as the 25th largest city in the state, and third largest in the county after Everett (101,800) and Edmonds (40,560).[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] History

Marysville's history begins with the signing of the Point Elliott Treaty in 1855. After the treaty was signed, the local area had opened for settlement and the timber industry quickly took hold, with several claims being staked during the 1860s in the area that would become Marysville. The loggers and the nearby Tulalip reservation provided ample opportunities for trade, and in 1872 a small government trading post was established. James P. Comeford and his wife, Maria, moved to the area after he was appointed proprietor of the trading post by the federal government.

Comeford Park in Marysville, named for James and Maria Comeford.
Comeford Park in Marysville, named for James and Maria Comeford.

In 1874, Comeford paid $450 for logged timber claims consisting of 1,280 acres (5.2 km²) of land. Four years later, they built a new store with living quarters attached and a small dock with a plank road called Front Street. Mrs. Comeford began teaching classes to local children and Mr. Comeford ran the post office, both of these provided out of their home.

Little growth took place in Marysville until the mid-1880s. The first saw mill opened in 1887, followed by three additional mills over the next few years. The railroad came to town in 1889, which was followed by more growth.

Marysville was officially incorporated on March 20, 1891.

[edit] City Council

The Marysville City Council meets for work sessions the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the regular business meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Each meeting starts at 7pm in the City Hall and there are no meetings in August.

[edit] 2008 Make-over

In his 2008 State of the City Address, mayor Dennis Kendall announced that the Marysville City Council has decided to re-make over Downtown.[3] The project will involve:

Later on, the city will redevelop the Marysville Mall. The Council is doing this to make Marysville look utopian compared to other areas. This probably will attract visitors and tourists.

Also, the Marysville City Hall will be moved to a new civics campus that will be designed by Everett Community College students.

[edit] Economy

The Fred Meyer along State Avenue (old U.S. Route 99) gives some of the cash flow in Marysville's economy.
The Fred Meyer along State Avenue (old U.S. Route 99) gives some of the cash flow in Marysville's economy.

For much of its existence, Marysville was a rural area known for farming and for lumber production, although other, smaller industries existed, providing a diverse economy that has played an important role in Marysville's growth over the years. This economic diversity has also been a major factor during times of economic crisis such as the Great Depression, when Marysville's economy did not suffer to the same extent as other towns in the area, which had largely been dependent on the timber trade and mining[4].

Although farms still operate in the area around the city, the lumber industry has all but ceased and is no longer a major factor in the local economy. The community has largely transitioned over the past two decades into a city with a large retail and service-based economy, and is closely intertwined economically with its neighbors throughout the Puget Sound area through large regional employers such as Boeing and Microsoft. The naval station in nearby Everett and its support facilities also play an increasing role in the local economy.

Newer shopping places in the area include the Seattle Premium Outlets on the west side of I-5. A new shopping center is near there including a Kohl's and Ross. There is also a WinCo grocery store in that shopping center.

[edit] Education

Totem Middle School (formerly Marysville Junior High School) in Marysville.  Mount Pilchuck can be seen in the background.
Totem Middle School (formerly Marysville Junior High School) in Marysville. Mount Pilchuck can be seen in the background.

For most of its history, the city of Marysville had a single school district within its municipal boundaries, the Marysville School District. However, over the past decade the geographic territory of the city has increased substantially due to annexations. As a result, parts of four school districts are contained within the city limits:

The school district is host to four high schools: Marysville Pilchuck High School, Heritage High School, Marysville Alternative High School, and Marysville Arts and Technology High School. A fifth high school, Getchell High School, is expected to open in 2010 or 2011[5]. Marysville Pilchuck High School (MPHS) has the second largest campus in the state and the highest number of students in any high school in Washington. Heritage High School is located on the Tulalip Reservation and has mainly Native American students. The district is also known for it's 2003 teachers' strike, which is still the largest education strike in state history.

[edit] Geography

Marysville is located at 48°3′46″N, 122°9′48″W (48.062743, -122.163332)[6]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.3 km²), of which, 9.6 square miles (24.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (1.94%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000,[2006 estimate is about 31,000] there were 25,315 people, 9,400 households, and 6,608 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,640.1 people per square mile (1,019.2/km²). There were 9,730 housing units at an average density of 1,014.7/sq mi (391.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.21% White, 1.02% African American, 1.60% Native American, 3.82% Asian, 0.36% Pacific Islander, 1.89% from other races, and 3.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.83% of the population.

There were 9,400 households out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,088, and the median income for a family was $55,796. Males had a median income of $42,391 versus $30,185 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,414. About 3.7% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Yearly public festivals

Marysville holds an annual Strawberry Festival in the second week of June, which is highlighted by a grand parade. The first Strawberry Festival was held in 1932.

Summer Jubilee is an August event that offers free school supplies and haircuts for children in the community, typically drawing over 10,000 visitors to its Asbery Field location. Summer Jubilee is a ministry of several Christian churches within Marysville.

[edit] Media

Marysville is served by a weekly newspaper, the Marysville Globe. Other newspapers that provide coverage of Marysville include the daily Everett Herald and the daily newspaper The Seattle Times. There is also a local talk show, put on by Marysville Pilchuck High School called Tommie Talk, which is broadcast for everyone in Marysville with basic cable.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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