Earning a living in Snohomish County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there were 351,535 working people in 2012 who called Snohomish County home. That’s about half the population. More than 35 percent of them earned their living in another county — no surprise given the number of folks who reside in north Seattle suburbs. So commute times are greater than the state or national averages. We also have a proportionately bigger middle class than most places, due in large part to numerous aerospace engineers and highly skilled blue-collar workers. Here’s a look at Snohomish County’s diverse working class.

Commuting in 2012

One-way travel time to work. Among Snohomish County workers, 30-34 minutes is most prevalent. Statewide, it’s 15-19 minutes.

Snohomish County Washington U.S.
PLACE OF WORK:
Worked in county of residence 64.3% 81.2% 72.5%
Worked outside county of residence 35.7% 18.8% 27.5%
TRAVEL TIME TO WORK:
Less than 10 minutes 9.1% 12.5% 13.1%
10 to 14 minutes 10.8% 13.2% 13.8%
15 to 19 minutes 12.8% 14.9% 14.9%
20 to 24 minutes 13.0% 14.0% 14.1%
25 to 29 minutes 6.0% 6.1% 5.8%
30 to 34 minutes 14.4% 12.9% 13.0%
35 to 39 minutes 3.3% 2.8% 2.6%
40 to 44 minutes 4.8% 3.7% 3.5%
45 to 59 minutes 10.4% 7.1% 7.2%
60 or more minutes 10.5% 7.4% 7.7%

Employment by industry in 2012

Snohomish County Washington
Education, health care and social assistance 18.9% 21.3%
Manufacturing 16.0% 10.5%
Retail trade 12.3% 11.6%
Professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management 10.6% 12.0%
Arts, entertainment, recreation, accomodation and food 8.2% 8.8%
Construction 8.2% 6.6%
Finance and insurance; real estate 6.3% 5.8%
Other services, except public administration 4.9% 4.8%
Transportation, warehousing and utilities 4.4% 5.2%
Public administration 4.2% 5.5%
Information 2.6% 2.4%
Wholesale trade 2.6% 3.0%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; mining 0.8% 2.6%

Household incomes in 2012

Snohomish County Washington U.S.
Less than $10,000 4.5% 6.1% 7.2%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.2% 4.3% 5.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 7.2% 9.0% 10.7%
$25,000 to $34,999 7.8% 9.5% 10.4%
$35,000 to $49,999 12.8% 13.4% 13.7%
$50,000 to $74,999 19.2% 19.0% 18.2%
$75,000 to $99,999 15.8% 13.6% 12.2%
$100,000 to $149,999 18.7% 14.9% 12.8%
$150,000 to $199,999 6.6% 5.5% 4.8%
$200,000 or more 4.2% 4.7% 4.6%

SOURCES: U.S. Census, U.S. Department of Commerce via Headwaters Economics

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