Cities face housing shortage

Monroe, Bothell and Brier might not have room for thousands of people expected to move into those cities between now and 2025.

Together, the cities’ plans are falling short of housing for about 5,000 people.

Snohomish County officials flagged the three cities during a state-required review of whether local governments can meet population targets.

It’s the first time that county officials have found such a population-planning shortfall. They will have to work with the cities to solve the problem.

“This is uncharted territory,” county principal demographer Steve Toy said. “Whatever the remedy may be, we have to come up with one now.”

Forecasters expect Snohomish County’s population to top 930,000 by 2025. That’s roughly a quarter million more people.

There’s room elsewhere around the county to take up the slack, but cities are supposed to adopt land-use plans that accommodate their share of the target population.

To close the gap, the cities might have to allow taller buildings and more homes or condos or find other ways to create room for more people expected to move into the communities.

The news is in the county’s “Buildable Lands Report.” The analysis was required by the state Legislature in 1997 as a “truth in planning” requirement, something demanded by developers.

It forces governments every five years to show they are making enough room for people, houses and jobs and are not artificially limiting the land supply in urban areas.

When population numbers don’t match, cities are supposed to opt to build up, not out into rural areas.

Monroe agreed to plan for 26,590 people by 2025.

However the county says the city’s plans contain enough room for just 24,252. That falls short in housing for an estimated 2,338 people under current plans, according to the county.

Mostly, the shortfall is in the urban growth areas outside the city limits, which are controlled by Monroe officials through sewer connections.

“We’re going to meet with Snohomish County again in late July to reassess assumptions made in the report,” said Kate Galloway, Monroe senior planner.

The part of Bothell in Snohomish County is predicted to be home to 22,000 people in 2025, but the land and current plans have room for just 19,889 people, Toy said.

Bothell officials plan to dig deeper into the numbers with the county.

“We need to meet with them and figure out the reason for the deficit they’re showing,” said Bill Wiselogle, Bothell’s community development director.

The small town of Brier has about 6,500 people today and is estimated to grow to 7,790, according to the county.

Plans adopted by the city peg the number at 7,500.

Either way, the county’s analysis shows room for just 7,280 under the city’s plans. That falls short by 510 people.

“I’d like to see the report and what they have,” Brier community development director Jim Cutts said.

Cutts said the town requires bigger building lots than the county. That can mean fewer homes constructed.

Even so, the city’s business area might have room for more people if it develops as a mixture of businesses and residential housing, Cutts said.

The city might annex county lands, too, he said.

“They have asked us to annex a couple of the county islands,” Cutts said. “We’re looking at the zoning of that as well.”

Population targets

Three Snohomish County cities might fall short of their 2025 population targets, requiring a change in their plans.

Monroe

2006 population: 17,751 2025 target: 26,590 Actual room for: 24,252

Brier

2006 population: 6,480 2025 target: 7,790 Actual room for: 7,280

Bothell

2006 population: 15,090 (Snohomish County) 2025 target: 26,590 Actual room for: 19,889

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.