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1. What is Snohomish County's current population and growth rate?

The total population of Snohomish County was estimated to be 757,600 as of April 1, 2015, according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management. This includes a total unincorporated population estimate of 330,260 (44% of total county population) and a total incorporated (city) population estimate of 427,340 (56% of total county population).
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Total population in Snohomish County has increased by 44,265 (6.2%) since the 2010 US Census showed a total population of 713,335 for Snohomish County. This translates into an annual average population growth rate for the county of 1.2% since 2010.

2. How many residential building permits have been issued?

During 2014, residential building permits were issued for a total of 3,494 new housing units countywide (including single family units, duplexes, multi-family units and mobile homes). Of this total, 1,981 (57%) were issued by the county in unincorporated areas, while the cities issued permits for 1,513 units (43%) in incorporated areas.
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The annual volume of residential permits issued in Snohomish County has increased since 2010 when 2,279 new housing units were permitted, of which 1,955 were single family detached units. Since 2010, the overall increase in housing production can be almost entirely attributed to multi-family permit activity. The volume of multi-family units permitted countywide reached a 13-year high in 2013, with 2,112 units permitted. Most recently, the number of multi-family units permitted fell slightly in 2014, to 1,331 new units.

3. What are the population and job forecasts?

The population forecast for Snohomish County for the year 2035 is 955,257. This number represents the total future population that Snohomish County and its cities have planned for in their comprehensive plans. The employment forecast is for 396,373 jobs in 2035, an increase of 147,383 (59%) from the countywide 2011 employment estimate of 248,990 jobs.

4. How many jobs are in Snohomish County?

Nonagricultural wage and salary employment in Snohomish County as of November 2015 totaled 284,500 jobs, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department. This amount was up by 7,600 jobs (2.7%) compared with the November 2014 total of 276,900 non-agricultural jobs.

5. What is the unemployment rate?

The November 2015 unemployment rate was 5.0% for Snohomish County, matching the county’s unemployment rate of 5.0% in November 2014, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department. Snohomish County's current unemployment rate is down considerably from the highest unemployment rate recorded during the past ten years, 11.2% in January and February 2010, but up from the post-recession low of 3.6% recorded in April 2015

6. What is the minority and racial makeup of Snohomish County?

The 2010 Census showed that Snohomish County's population was 74% white and non-Hispanic, while 26% was a racial or ethnic minority. Among the minority groups, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian populations were the largest, with each group individually representing 9% of the county's total population.
In 2000, by comparison, Snohomish County's population was 83% white and non-Hispanic, while 17% was a racial or ethnic minority. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian populations were the largest minority groups at that time as well, accounting for 5% and 6%, respectively, of the county's total population.
White non-Hispanic population growth accounted for 23% of the county's total population growth between 2000 and 2010, while minority population growth accounted for 77%. In particular, most minority population growth was either Hispanic or non-Hispanic Asian population growth, with these two groups representing 33% and 26%, respectively, of Snohomish County's total population growth during this time period.
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In 2000, by comparison, Snohomish County's population was 83% white and non-Hispanic, while 17% was a racial or ethnic minority. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian populations were the largest minority groups at that time as well, accounting for 5% and 6%, respectively, of the county's total population.

White non-Hispanic population growth accounted for 23% of the county's total population growth between 2000 and 2010, while minority population growth accounted for 77%. In particular, most minority population growth was either Hispanic or non-Hispanic Asian population growth, with these two groups representing 33% and 26%, respectively, of Snohomish County's total population growth during this time period.