Lynnwood, WA

Named after Lynn Oburn, the wife of one of the city's developers, Lynnwood, Washington, is located between the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound. Prior to being incorporated in April 1959, the city was a part of the larger, unincorporated region referred to as Alderwood Manor. This land had been logged by the locally established Puget Mill Company and experienced significant growth during the suburban boom of the 1940s, as families and individuals sought areas with positive economic growth and friendly, stable communities.

With more than 33,000 residents, Lynnwood ranks in the top 3 percent in the state when it comes to racial diversity. In fact, more than 20 percent of the residents in Lynnwood are foreign-born. In addition to English, other commonly spoken languages in the city include Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. Approximately 22 percent of residents age 25 and older have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

Part of Snohomish County, Lynnwood provides residents and visitors with a number of retail shopping opportunities. It is located on the junction of Interstates 405 and 5 and is about a 15-minute drive to Seattle, making it an ideal bedroom community.

Lynwood residents enjoy an average of 165 sunny days a year and 148 days without any measurable participation, although the town does get an average of 33 inches of rainfall and 24 inches of snowfall each year. The hottest month out of the year is typically July, when the average temperature is 76 degrees Fahrenheit. January, traditionally the coldest month, brings average temperatures of 30 degrees.

EDUCATION

Lynnwood Public School District ranks better than 71 percent of other districts in the state of Washington and better than 67 percent of other districts in the nation. More than 21,000 students are enrolled in the district's 42 schools. Lynnwood's public schools have an average of 20 students per classroom. There are also a number of private institutions in Lynnwood, many of which are religious-based. These include Harvest Time Church and Saint Thomas More Parish elementary schools.

For those seeking higher education, Edmonds Community College is a public school that offers curriculum equal to the first two years of a four-year degree. Students then can go on to complete a bachelor's degree through local partnerships with other area schools. Edmonds also offers career training degrees and certificates.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

In the past, Lynnwood and the rest of Snohomish County have relied heavily on manufacturing in order to promote and stabilize their economy. However, in recent years the economy has been turning more toward retail. Today, one of the major economic producers of Lynnwood is Alderwood Mall, which finished its most recent expansion in 2004. The mall includes major national retailers, many of which employ a large number of Lynnwood's population, including Sears, Macy's, and Nordstrom.

Other common industries in Lynnwood include construction, transportation equipment, health care, public administration, finance and insurance, social assistance, and business operations.

The region also understands the value of the military families stationed nearby at Fort Lewis. The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce has announced an initiative for the region that encourages local businesses to hire dependants of military service members.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

More than half of the residents in Lynnwood own their own homes. However, the median household income of the residents ranks lower than comparable cities in the same county. Some of the most notable neighborhood areas in Lynnwood include:

• Alderwood Mall Parkway/164th Street: The homes in this neighborhood are mostly single-family dwellings, consisting of one to two bedrooms.
• Route 99/176th Street: Houses are mostly single-family dwellings, with one to two bedrooms.

BEST BETS

Some of the most popular museums and attractions in Lynnwood include the Transportation Museum, which offers a number of exhibits on the various modes of transportation, including the interurban rail line, and Scriber Lake Park, which offers residents and visitors one of the most beautiful lake views in the area.

Additional museums in the area include:

• Burke Museum of Natural History, which displays exhibits of historical importance, many on topics specific to Washington state and the Pacific Rim area
• Imagine Children's Museum, located in nearby Everett, Washington, and offers a variety of interactive exhibits and activities designed to stimulate and entertain children

FOR VISITORS

There are a number of recreational opportunities available to the residents and visitors of Lynnwood:

• Parks: In addition to neighborhood and community parks, Lynwood has several recreational facilities, including a golf course, a recreation center, and a senior center.
• Trails: There are a number of hiking, biking, and walking trails available in the city, including Golf Course Trail, Interurban Trail, Mesika Trail, and Scriber Creek Trail.