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Map of Snohomish County, WA eviction risk by city, county average 5.1 out of 10
County brief·Updated July 26, 2026

Snohomish County, Washington Eviction Risk: Elevated

61 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of Everett (7.3) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.

In 2026
Risk score
6.8
ELEVATED

Ranked #17 of 39 WA counties

737k residents · 61 cities · 173 tracts

1976–2026 · pop-weighted from cities

Snohomish County eviction risk score history

Min2.3 Average3.8 Now6.8
10 5 1976 · score 2.4 1977 · score 2.4 1978 · score 2.3 1979 · score 2.3 1980 · score 2.4 1981 · score 2.4 1982 · score 2.5 1983 · score 2.5 1984 · score 2.4 1985 · score 2.4 1986 · score 2.4 1987 · score 2.4 1988 · score 2.6 1989 · score 2.6 1990 · score 2.6 1991 · score 2.7 1992 · score 3.1 1993 · score 3.2 1994 · score 3.2 1995 · score 3.2 1996 · score 3.3 1997 · score 3.3 1998 · score 3.3 1999 · score 3.4 2000 · score 3.4 2001 · score 3.4 2002 · score 3.4 2003 · score 3.4 2004 · score 3.4 2005 · score 3.4 2006 · score 3.4 2007 · score 3.5 2008 · score 4.0 2009 · score 4.3 2010 · score 4.4 2011 · score 4.4 2012 · score 4.3 2013 · score 4.3 2014 · score 4.3 2015 · score 4.3 2016 · score 4.4 2017 · score 4.5 2018 · score 4.9 2019 · score 5.0 2020 · score 6.7 2021 · score 6.9 2022 · score 6.7 2023 · score 6.6 2024 · score 6.6 2025 · score 6.8 2026 · score 6.8

Key metrics

Time machine

Scrub 50 years

2026
● LIVE · today ◀ REPLAY · historical

Snohomish County averages 5.1/10 across its 61 cities, with scores running from a low of 3.6 to a high of 5.7, the peak held by Everett.

Ranked 14 of 39 Washington counties by eviction risk.

How Snohomish County ranks in Washington

Lower number means more extreme, where #1 is the most
Eviction Risk Score
Elevated
#17 of 39 WA counties 6.8 / 10
Eviction Risk Score, 58th percentileLowHigh
#17 of 39 counties in Washington for landlord eviction risk.
Cost of living
Very High
#6 of 51 states (statewide) 107.0 index
Cost of living, 90th percentileLowHigh
Washington ranks #6 of 51 states on overall cost of living (7.0% more expensive than the U.S. avg).
Housing services cost
Very High
#6 of 51 states (statewide) 126.0 index
Housing services cost, 90th percentileLowHigh
Washington ranks #6 of 51 states on housing services (26.0% more expensive than the U.S. avg).
Income spent on rent
High
#6 of 39 WA counties 33.3% of income
Income spent on rent, 87th percentileLowHigh
#6 of 39 counties in Washington on % of income spent on rent.

Landlord guides for Washington

State-specific playbooks
Washington Eviction Costs →
Filing fees, attorney fees, lost rent, sheriff lockout
Washington Eviction Process →
Step-by-step timeline, notices, statute cites
Washington Rent Control →
Statewide caps, local ordinances, just-cause
Washington Tenant Screening →
Five-point protocol, legal rules, protected classes
Washington Tenant Protections →
Just cause, retaliation, habitability, entry
Cities in Snohomish County
Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first
Map view
CityPopulationRisk% income on rentAverage rentLean
001 Everett Pop 111,845 · 32.1% income · $1,740 rent · Dem 111,845 6.9 32.1% $1,740 Dem
002 Marysville Pop 73,002 · 31.9% income · $1,997 rent · Dem 73,002 6.9 31.9% $1,997 Dem
003 Edmonds Pop 42,735 · 28.8% income · $1,903 rent · Dem 42,735 6.7 28.8% $1,903 Dem
004 Lake Stevens Pop 40,253 · 33.1% income · $2,224 rent · Dem 40,253 6.9 33.1% $2,224 Dem
005 Lynnwood Pop 40,110 · 36.0% income · $1,742 rent · Dem 40,110 7.1 36.0% $1,742 Dem
006 Mill Creek East Pop 25,453 · 27.9% income · $3,152 rent · Dem 25,453 6.7 27.9% $3,152 Dem
007 Eastmont Pop 23,721 · 37.3% income · $2,443 rent · Dem 23,721 7.0 37.3% $2,443 Dem
008 North Lynnwood Pop 23,339 · 32.0% income · $2,145 rent · Dem 23,339 6.8 32.0% $2,145 Dem
009 Mountlake Terrace Pop 23,104 · 28.9% income · $2,004 rent · Dem 23,104 6.8 28.9% $2,004 Dem
010 Martha Lake Pop 22,634 · 29.3% income · $2,185 rent · Dem 22,634 7.0 29.3% $2,185 Dem
011 Silver Firs Pop 22,306 · 27.8% income · $2,881 rent · Dem 22,306 6.6 27.8% $2,881 Dem
012 Bothell West Pop 22,029 · 24.7% income · $2,511 rent · Dem 22,029 6.6 24.7% $2,511 Dem
013 Mukilteo Pop 21,323 · 31.5% income · $2,166 rent · Dem 21,323 6.6 31.5% $2,166 Dem
014 Arlington Pop 21,095 · 33.4% income · $1,905 rent · Dem 21,095 6.9 33.4% $1,905 Dem
015 Mill Creek Pop 20,956 · 29.3% income · $2,249 rent · Dem 20,956 6.8 29.3% $2,249 Dem
016 Monroe Pop 19,755 · 30.2% income · $1,950 rent · Dem 19,755 6.9 30.2% $1,950 Dem
017 Lake Stickney Pop 15,890 · 33.2% income · $1,806 rent · Dem 15,890 6.8 33.2% $1,806 Dem
018 Bothell East Pop 14,578 · 27.0% income · $2,406 rent · Dem 14,578 6.8 27.0% $2,406 Dem
019 Maltby Pop 10,910 · 45.7% income · $2,158 rent · Dem 10,910 6.7 45.7% $2,158 Dem
020 Alderwood Manor Pop 10,266 · 35.1% income · $1,919 rent · Dem 10,266 6.9 35.1% $1,919 Dem
021 Picnic Point Pop 10,261 · 33.2% income · $2,319 rent · Dem 10,261 6.7 33.2% $2,319 Dem
022 Snohomish Pop 10,239 · 31.7% income · $1,654 rent · Dem 10,239 7.1 31.7% $1,654 Dem
023 Stanwood Pop 8,373 · 37.4% income · $1,766 rent · Dem 8,373 6.8 37.4% $1,766 Dem
024 Woods Creek Pop 6,943 · 14.1% income · $2,603 rent · Dem 6,943 6.8 14.1% $2,603 Dem
025 Brier Pop 6,545 · 51.0% income · $2,318 rent · Dem 6,545 6.9 51.0% $2,318 Dem
026 Sultan Pop 6,116 · 29.3% income · $1,729 rent · Dem 6,116 6.6 29.3% $1,729 Dem
027 Lake Goodwin Pop 5,536 · 26.4% income · $1,316 rent · Dem 5,536 6.7 26.4% $1,316 Dem
028 Chain Lake Pop 4,950 · 17.4% income · $1,755 rent · Dem 4,950 6.6 17.4% $1,755 Dem
029 Granite Falls Pop 4,659 · 38.3% income · $1,825 rent · Dem 4,659 6.5 38.3% $1,825 Dem
030 Larch Way Pop 4,424 · 40.7% income · $2,002 rent · Dem 4,424 6.7 40.7% $2,002 Dem
031 Esperance Pop 4,189 · 19.9% income · $2,463 rent · Dem 4,189 6.7 19.9% $2,463 Dem
032 Three Lakes Pop 4,055 · 51.0% income · $1,730 rent · Dem 4,055 6.8 51.0% $1,730 Dem
033 Canyon Creek Pop 3,910 · 51.0% income · $1,821 rent · Dem 3,910 7.3 51.0% $1,821 Dem
034 Bunk Foss Pop 3,627 · 21.9% income · $2,705 rent · Dem 3,627 6.7 21.9% $2,705 Dem
035 Warm Beach Pop 3,442 · 51.0% income · $2,111 rent · Dem 3,442 6.7 51.0% $2,111 Dem
036 Lake Cassidy Pop 3,292 · 24.8% income · $1,734 rent · Dem 3,292 6.4 24.8% $1,734 Dem
037 Clearview Pop 3,254 · 23.4% income · $2,357 rent · Dem 3,254 6.3 23.4% $2,357 Dem
038 High Bridge Pop 3,196 · 51.0% income · $2,433 rent · Dem 3,196 6.9 51.0% $2,433 Dem
039 Lochsloy Pop 3,029 · 19.5% income · $1,250 rent · Dem 3,029 6.7 19.5% $1,250 Dem
040 Sisco Heights Pop 3,015 · 51.0% income · $1,701 rent · Dem 3,015 6.9 51.0% $1,701 Dem
041 Meadowdale Pop 3,009 · 47.7% income · $3,038 rent · Dem 3,009 6.9 47.7% $3,038 Dem
042 Arlington Heights Pop 2,727 · 49.5% income · $1,873 rent · Dem 2,727 6.8 49.5% $1,873 Dem
043 Bryant Pop 2,648 · 48.5% income · $1,213 rent · Dem 2,648 6.4 48.5% $1,213 Dem
044 Fobes Hill Pop 2,569 · 32.0% income · $1,401 rent · Dem 2,569 6.7 32.0% $1,401 Dem
045 Gold Bar Pop 2,390 · 43.7% income · $1,843 rent · Dem 2,390 7.1 43.7% $1,843 Dem
046 Cathcart Pop 2,064 · 20.2% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 2,064 6.5 20.2% $2,085 Dem
047 Kayak Point Pop 1,883 · 18.5% income · $945 rent · Dem 1,883 6.6 18.5% $945 Dem
048 Cavalero Pop 1,591 · 23.5% income · $3,127 rent · Dem 1,591 6.2 23.5% $3,127 Dem
049 Monroe North Pop 1,456 · 31.5% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 1,456 6.6 31.5% $2,085 Dem
050 Darrington Pop 1,412 · 33.3% income · $879 rent · Dem 1,412 7.3 33.3% $879 Dem
051 Machias Pop 1,276 · 22.6% income · $3,102 rent · Dem 1,276 6.8 22.6% $3,102 Dem
052 Woodway Pop 1,251 · 22.2% income · $2,001 rent · Dem 1,251 6.6 22.2% $2,001 Dem
053 Lake Bosworth Pop 907 · 31.5% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 907 6.7 31.5% $2,085 Dem
054 Lake Roesiger Pop 815 · 35.4% income · $1,473 rent · Dem 815 6.5 35.4% $1,473 Dem
055 May Creek Pop 791 · 31.5% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 791 7.2 31.5% $2,085 Dem
056 Swede Heaven Pop 746 · 31.5% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 746 6.6 31.5% $2,085 Dem
057 Startup Pop 555 · 31.5% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 555 6.6 31.5% $2,085 Dem
058 North Sultan Pop 355 · 31.5% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 355 6.5 31.5% $2,085 Dem
059 Verlot Pop 224 · 31.5% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 224 6.4 31.5% $2,085 Dem
060 Baring Pop 177 · 31.5% income · $2,085 rent · Dem 177 7.2 31.5% $2,085 Dem
061 Index Pop 173 · 60.5% income · $1,383 rent · Dem 173 6.6 60.5% $1,383 Dem

County heatmap

Geographic distribution
Local landlord context

One county, multiple regulatory regimes.

Snohomish County carries an average eviction-risk score of 6.8/10, placing it in the Elevated tier and in the higher-risk third of Washington state. Only 6 of Washington eviction laws's 39 counties score worse, meaning 32 are measurably more landlord-friendly than operating here. Across 61 cities and a total county population of roughly 737,000, landlords face a legal environment that tilts toward tenant protections, backed by one of the more prescriptive residential landlord-tenant statutes in the country. Average rents of $2,067 per month provide reasonable revenue potential, but cost and timeline risk in an eviction can erode that margin quickly.

The county-wide score of 6.8/10 is an average, and averages obscure the full picture. Scores within Snohomish County run from 4.7 to 7.4, a spread wide enough that portfolio decisions made at the county level without city-level data can lead landlords into materially different risk exposures than they bargained for. Where you buy or lease within the county matters nearly as much as the decision to operate in Washington eviction laws at all.

The cities inside Snohomish County

At the top of the risk range, Woodway scores 7.4/10, the highest in the county. Close behind are North Lynnwood at 7.3/10 (population 23,339) and High Bridge at 7.2/10, followed by Lake Stickney and Sisco Heights, both at 7.1/10. The county seat and largest city, Everett (population 111,845), scores 7/10, a significant risk level given the concentration of rental inventory there. Eastmont and Chain Lake also land at 7/10.

Lower-risk options exist but require deliberate selection. Edmonds scores 5.7/10 (population 42,735), the most landlord-favorable reading among the county's larger cities. Lake Stevens comes in at 6/10 (population 40,253) and Mill Creek East at 6.1/10. The difference between Edmonds and Woodway, 1.7 points, is the difference between a manageable operating environment and one of the county's most constrained. Risk here is genuinely hyper-local, and the city grid on this page is the right starting point for any site-selection analysis.

State-level laws that apply here

Every landlord in Snohomish County operates under RCW § 59.18 (Washington eviction laws's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act). Notice requirements vary by cause: nonpayment of rent triggers a 14-day notice under RCW 59.18.057; a material, curable breach requires 10 days; waste, nuisance, or unlawful activity requires only 3 days; a no-cause termination for a tenancy under 6 months requires 20 days; and just-cause no-fault situations such as owner move-in or substantial rehabilitation require a full 90-day notice. Washington eviction laws state law requires just cause to terminate most tenancies, and a rent cap formula of 7% plus CPI, capped at 10%, applies. Source-of-income discrimination is a protected class under state law, which limits how landlords screen applicants. Reviewing the Washington eviction laws eviction process before filing is essential, because an uncontested case still takes 30 to 60 days from filing to lockout, and a contested case can run 60 to 150 days.

On the cost side, the court filing fee is a flat $83, sheriff lockout fees run $50 to $150, and attorney fees for a litigated matter typically fall between $1,000 and $3,500, making Washington eviction costs a material line item whenever a case is contested. Landlords must also provide 48 hours notice before entry under RCW § 59.18.060. Understanding Washington tenant protections, including the retaliation statute at RCW § 59.18.240, is equally important before taking any adverse action.

With a 7.6% average poverty rate and 32.1% of households renting, Snohomish County carries a renter base large enough to support active portfolio activity, but the city-level score spread from 4.7 to 7.4 means the risk profile of any individual asset depends heavily on its specific location, not just its county address.

Historical eviction filings in Snohomish County

From 2004 to 2018, eviction filings in Snohomish County declined 35%. The peak was 2,945 filings in 2004.1

Annual filings 2004–2018 No filing data published after 2018
Annual eviction filings in Snohomish County 2000-2018 (Eviction Lab)2004: 2,945 filings2005: 2,785 filings2006: 2,636 filings2007: 2,436 filings2008: 2,261 filings2009: 2,278 filings2010: 2,368 filings2011: 2,617 filings2012: 2,283 filings2013: 2,259 filings2014: 2,181 filings2015: 2,178 filings2016: 2,160 filings2017: 2,069 filings2018: 1,928 filings

Data covers 2000–2018, the full span of the Princeton Eviction Lab's national county court-records dataset.

How Snohomish County compares

Within Washington, Snohomish County ranks 14 of 39 counties for eviction risk at 5.1/10, placing it firmly in the Moderate band. It tracks just below its closest peers, Benton County at 5.12 and Whatcom County at 5.15, and sits clearly under Yakima County at 5.23 and Spokane County at 5.54.

On the lighter side, Snohomish County reads slightly higher than Kitsap County at 4.94, so landlords weighing Puget Sound submarkets will find Snohomish County a touch more eviction-prone than Kitsap but calmer than the larger eastern Washington eviction laws metros.

Peer counties in Washington

Same state, closest by population and Eviction Risk Score
Peer county
Spokane County eviction risk
6.8
/ 10 · Elevated
Pop. 414K
Peer county
Clark County eviction risk
7
/ 10 · Elevated
Pop. 448K
Peer county
Pierce County eviction risk
7.1
/ 10 · Elevated
Pop. 870K
Peer county
Kitsap County eviction risk
6.8
/ 10 · Elevated
Pop. 199K

Where eviction risk concentrates in Snohomish County

Top cities + top neighborhoods · click any card for the full breakdown

Top cities by population

Top neighborhoods by risk

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Snohomish County

Q1

What does the 6.8/10 county-average mean?

The 6.8/10 county-average is a population-weighted mean of 61 municipal landlord-risk scores. The internal range is 6.2 to 7.3.
Q2

What share of Snohomish County households rent?

About 32.1% of occupied units in Snohomish County are renter-occupied, per ACS 2023 5-year data.