Marysville, Washington
A Guide to the city of Marysville
From the Marysville-Tulalip Chamber of Commerce
Marysville is a family-friendly community with lively big city attractions you might not expect while striving to preserve its historic charm and appeal. The city's motto "Where quality of life is our way of life" is exemplified by our residents and business alike.
In recognition of the regions' flourishing agricultural production of raspberries and strawberries, Marysville earned the nickname "The Strawberry City". Today, Marysville continues to preserve a strong sense of community for its residents, guests and businesses creating a great place to live, work and play.
Beautifully situated near mountains, lakes, rivers and Puget Sound, Marysville lies 40 miles north of Seattle and 75 miles south of the Canadian border. Located on the north crescent of the fertile Snohomish River Delta, Marysville enjoys a panorama of the clear water of Puget Sound to the west and the Cascade Mountains to the east. With a population of 27,580 people, the city of Marysville has grown over 90 percent since 1990, due mostly to annexations, and the 8.2 square-mile area is almost twice that of ten years ago. Marysville neighbors the Tulalip Indian Reservation with immediate proximity to Interstate 5 and east bound State Route 528, making it a natural crossroads of Snohomish County and allowing efficient access to all major points within the county and beyond.
Tucked at the base of nearby Mt. Pilchuck National Forest, our location provides year round vistas for camping, hiking and snow skiing. Local boat launches offer easy access to boating and fishing activities in both fresh and saltwater. Marysville entertains multi-national tourists with a variety of sights and sounds to suit everyone's interests. Downtown golf, cinema, gaming, restaurants and retail shopping compliment the growth of our neighboring Quil Ceda Entertainment Center .
Marysville is a clear example of economic diversity and growth within Snohomish County. Area business are highly varied, with strengths in all sectors including manufacturing, distribution, retail services, agriculture, construction, educational and technical occupations. With an average annual job growth of over 50% during the past decade, Marysville continues to demonstrate that this is a quality place to work for long time established businesses as well as an excellent platform for relocation and the creation of new businesses.
Marysville offers a wide range of recreational activities and community events for all ages. The city maintains fourteen parks that feature playgrounds, fishing ponds, a Petting Zoo and trails for joggers, hikers, bikers and horseback riders. There is also a roller skating rink, Skateboard Park, batting cages, miniature golf, 18-hole golf course, bowling alley, tennis courts, and public swimming pool.
Local community events include the Strawberry Festival and Parade, the Homegrown Arts and Crafts Show, Free Concerts in the park, outdoor public market and “Merrysville for the Holidays”. With a wide array of retail shopping experiences available throughout town, bargain hunters looking for that special knick-knack or gift should include a visit to historic downtown Third Street, with its rustic, unhurried charm and friendliness. Cross the street to find more values at the Marysville Towne Centre Mall.
Marysville School District serves over 12,000 students from Marysville, Tulalip and outlying areas. The district has ten elementary schools, four middle schools, one comprehensive high school, one alternative high school and several option schools. Students are offered a full array of curricular and organizational options. The district is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected from the community and administered by the superintendent and support staff. Higher education is readily available to Marysville residents. Columbia College, a private liberal arts college based in Columbia, Missouri, opened its Marysville Extended Studies Branch in 1995 in the Smokey Point Navy Support Complex. Many other colleges and universities are readily available in Everett, Edmonds, Seattle and Bellingham.
The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber's new office and Visitor Information Center that functions as a regional facility under the North Tower of the new Quil Ceda Retail Center, located at the northwest corner of the I-5 / 88 th street interchange - placing it at the north/south/east/west center of the two communities it serves. Big-city needs are met by several metropolitan areas nearby. Everett is the closest, Seattle is 33 miles south and Vancouver, BC is 107 miles north.
The fire department combined forces with the Snohomish County Fire Protection District #12 in 1992 to provide more efficient service to the Marysville and Tulalip areas. The Marysville Fire District operates four fire stations with 64 full-time and about 70 part time firefighters.
The full service library offers free cards to residents and cards to nonresidents for a nominal fee.
Government: Marysville is served by a mayor-council form of government, with executive authority vested in the mayor. A seven-member council acts as the city's legislative and policy making body.