Washington Everett

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Moving to Everett, Washington

Everett is a dynamic and diverse city that blends its rich maritime and industrial heritage with modern amenities and a growing economy. Historically known for its shipbuilding and aerospace industries, the city values preserving its traditions while fostering innovation and development. Residents enjoy a high quality of life, supported by strong schools, vibrant neighborhoods, and a revitalized downtown with thriving local businesses. Everett offers plentiful parks, waterfront areas, and recreational opportunities, including walking and biking trails, sports fields, and access to Puget Sound for boating and outdoor activities. Community events, cultural festivals, and arts programs celebrate the city’s creativity and bring residents together, highlighting Everett’s spirited, family-friendly, and livable character in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.

Everett by the numbers

113,011

City population

31% Higher

Cost of living vs the national average

$625,000

Median home price

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Discover Everett: Top Attractions and Things to Do

Local Experiences

Local Experiences

Everett offers a lively mix of maritime character, outdoor recreation, and community energy. Its waterfront parks and scenic trails invite residents and visitors to hike, paddle, or enjoy stunning views, while local sports fields and recreation centers host youth leagues and seasonal events. Food lovers can savor Pacific Northwest flavors—from fresh-caught salmon and oysters to local microbreweries, coffee shops, and restaurants that celebrate regional ingredients. Everett’s rich cultural identity shines through attractions like the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, Imagine Children’s Museum, and Schack Art Center, each highlighting creativity and history in unique ways. The city also thrives on its community events, from the annual Sorticulture Garden Arts Festival to neighborhood parades and the bustling Everett Farmers Market, which brings together local makers and growers. With its parks, waterfront activities, local dining, and vibrant arts scene, Everett captures the authentic spirit of the Pacific Northwest.

Visit Everett
Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum
City of Everett – Festivals & Events
City of Everett – Parks & Activities

Sports and Recreation

Sports and Recreation

Everett offers a broad range of recreational opportunities and community sports that engage residents of all ages. The city’s extensive parks, trails, and waterfront areas create natural gathering spaces for outdoor activities, family events, and seasonal celebrations. From baseball and soccer to basketball, volleyball, and track, Everett’s athletic programs encourage active lifestyles and community connection. Nearly 1,000 acres of parkland—featuring trails, sports fields, and playgrounds—provide countless options for recreation, while Forest Park, Howarth Park, and Legion Memorial Park remain local favorites for hiking, biking, and outdoor fun. Community organizations, schools, and local sports associations further enrich Everett’s recreational landscape, fostering teamwork, wellness, and neighborhood pride throughout the year.

Everett Parks & Facilities / Parks & Community Services
Everett Parks, Trails & Open Space
Everett Boys & Girls Club – Sports Programs
Everett Youth Sports – i9 Sports

Adventures

Adventures

Everett thrives where water meets wilderness. On any given day, you can launch a paddleboard or kayak from Jetty Island or the Port of Everett Marina, wander the waterfront trails of the Millwright Loop or Pigeon Creek Trail, or follow the Mill Town Trail, the Lowell Riverfront Trail, or Langus Riverfront Park & Nature Trail for scenic walking and biking.

For those who crave forested paths and hidden greenspaces within city limits, Forest Park offers nearly 5 miles of wooded trails and orienteering routes. WTA Nearby Japanese Gulch (straddling Everett/Mukilteo) also provides trails through ravines, forest, and creek-lined ravines.

History and culture aren’t far behind. Museums such as the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, Imagine Children’s Museum, and Schack Art Center offer windows into aviation, art, and hands-on discovery. Tripadvisor The annual Fresh Paint Festival brings downtown streets alive with glassblowing, live art, and makers in motion.

When it’s time to eat, Everett’s food scene blends Northwest freshness with neighborhood charm. In the midst of city festivals, markets, and events, local cafés, bistros, and food trucks serve seasonal and regional fare.

Festivals and community celebrations anchor the city’s spirit. From Wintertide holiday lights and tree-lightings to the July 4th Festival & Thunder on the Bay fireworks in Legion Park, Everett’s year is dotted with gatherings that bring people out to share food, music, and viewscapes over water.

Everett Outdoor Activities
Everett Parks, Trails, and Open Space
Everett Festivals & Events
Fresh Paint Festival, Schack Art Center

Seasonal Events

Seasonal Events

Everett embraces year-round festivities that knit the community together and celebrate the Pacific Northwest spirit.

Spring
As daylight lengthens and blooms emerge, Everett kicks off events like community cleanups, garden popping, and early market openings. The Everett Farmers Market returns in late spring, offering fresh produce, local crafts, and weekend gathering energy.

Summer
Summertime brings major festivals, outdoor concerts, and waterfront fun. Highlights include the Fresh Paint Festival, where artists create live downtown and vendors display their work.

The July 4th Festival & Thunder on the Bay spectacle is held at Legion Park, featuring fireworks over Puget Sound, music, and food trucks. Also, Salty Sea Days turns downtown Everett into a summer block party, with live music and family-friendly activities.

Fall
When cooler air and changing leaves arrive, Everett pivots to AutumnFest Family Fun in the Evergreen Arboretum, complete with planting, crafts, and seasonal displays.

Meanwhile, Haunted Harbor offers waterfront Halloween fun with trick-or-treating, spooky paddles, and themed events at the Port of Everett.

Winter
Everett’s Wintertide season sparks holiday joy, beginning with a downtown tree lighting and festive kickoff celebration. The city also hosts seasonal markets, exhibitions, and special performances like holiday bazaars and craft events.

All year long, you’ll find farmers markets, art walks, block parties, and local cultural events keeping the calendar lively.

Visit Everett – Festivals & Events
Everett WA Official – Festivals & Events
Wintertide Everett
Fresh Paint Festival

Community Resources

Healthcare
Hospitals and Medical Centers

Everett is served by major healthcare providers that ensure residents have access to high-quality care. Providence Regional Medical Center Everett offers trauma, surgery, maternity, and specialty services. Kaiser Permanente Everett Medical Center provides integrated outpatient and inpatient care, while Swedish Mill Creek Campus and The Everett Clinic (Optum Care Washington) offer additional emergency, primary, and specialty services.

Governance, Safety, and Emergency Services

Everett operates under a mayor–council government. The Everett Police Department focuses on community safety and crime prevention, while the Everett Fire Department provides 24/7 fire suppression, rescue, and EMS services to the city.

Weather and Climate

Everett has a marine climate with cool, wet winters and mild, dry summers. Average winter temperatures stay in the 40s°F and summer highs in the 70s°F. The city promotes sustainability through its Climate Action and Sustainability Plan, focusing on energy efficiency and emission reduction.

Transportation and Utilities

Interstate 5 and State Route 526 provide regional road access, while Everett Station offers Amtrak, Sounder commuter rail, and bus services. Everett Transit operates local routes with a growing electric bus fleet, and the Swift BRT system links Everett to neighboring cities. Essential utilities—including electricity from Snohomish County PUD, sewer, stormwater, and waste management—are managed by the city’s Public Works Department with sustainability initiatives in place.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett
Kaiser Permanente Everett Medical Center
Swedish Mill Creek Campus
The Everett Clinic / Optum Care Washington
City of Everett – Climate Action & Sustainability
Everett Transit – Electric Fleet Plan
Swift BRT – Green Line
Everett, WA – General Overview

Education
Schools and Learning Institutes

K–12 Education
Everett Public Schools serves the city and surrounding areas, operating 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 4 high schools. The district emphasizes academic achievement, STEM programs, arts, and athletics. Notable high schools include Everett High School, Cascade High School, and Jackson High School. The district also offers alternative education options such as Sequoia High School and Port Gardner K–12, which provide personalized learning experiences.

Private and Charter Schools
Everett is home to several private and charter schools that offer diverse educational choices. Northshore Christian Academy provides a Christ-centered education for grades K–8, focusing on academic excellence and character development. Washington Preparatory School offers a differentiated curriculum with small class sizes and a focus on STEM education. Other private institutions include Brighton School, which serves preschool through middle school students, and The Clearwater School, an alternative education option located in nearby Bothell.

Higher Education
Everett is a hub for higher education in Snohomish County. Everett Community College offers a range of programs, including associate degrees and workforce training. Washington State University Everett provides bachelor's and master's degree programs in fields such as engineering, business, and hospitality management. Additionally, Western Washington University offers undergraduate and graduate programs through its Everett campus, including degrees in education and business administration.

These educational institutions contribute to a robust learning environment in Everett, providing opportunities for students from preschool through higher education.

Sources:

Everett Public Schools
Northshore Christian Academy
Washington Preparatory School
Everett Community College
Washington State University Everett
Western Washington University Everett

Public Resources
Regional Services and Agencies

Public Safety

The Everett Police Department is dedicated to community-oriented policing, aiming to enhance quality of life and reduce crime through integrity, professionalism, and honor.

The Everett Fire Department operates from six stations across the city, providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, and specialized response teams for hazardous materials, technical rescue, and marine emergencies.

Climate

Everett experiences a temperate climate with mild, wet winters and cool, dry summers. Average annual precipitation is approximately 33.37 inches, and the city has an average of 173 days of precipitation per year.

Transportation and Mobility

Everett Transit operates local bus services within the city, with key hubs at Everett Station, Everett Community College, and Everett Mall Station.

Community Transit provides regional bus services connecting Everett to other cities in Snohomish County.

Sound Transit offers commuter rail services through the Sounder train, with Everett Station serving as a major transit hub.

Utilities and Waste Management

The City of Everett Public Works Department manages essential services including water, sewer, stormwater, and street maintenance. Residents can report urgent issues by calling the 24/7 dispatch at 425-257-8821.

Utility services such as water and sewer can be requested by contacting the City of Everett at 425-257-8999.

Everett Police Department
Everett Fire Department
Everett Climate Data
Everett Transit
Community Transit
Sound Transit
City of Everett Public Works
City of Everett Utility Services

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