Snohomish County Economic Overview 2025: Aerospace, Manufacturing, and Workforce Growth

Regional Economic Snapshot

Snohomish County is a major economic center in the North Puget Sound region and an important contributor to the Greater Seattle economy. Anchored by aerospace manufacturing, advanced industries, healthcare, and a growing innovation ecosystem, the county continues to attract residents, employers, and investment across the Pacific Northwest.

As of 2025, Snohomish County is home to 868,765 residents, reflecting continued population growth within the broader Seattle metropolitan area. The Snohomish County economy supports approximately 339,768 jobs across manufacturing, healthcare, retail, government, construction, and professional services industries.

Median household income reached $108,000, significantly above the national median and reflective of the county’s strong earnings potential, skilled workforce, and concentration of high-value industries.

Population growth has remained steady in recent years. Since 2020, the county has added nearly 39,000 residents, with projections indicating an additional 37,342 residents by 2030 as the region continues to attract workers, families, and business investment.

2025 Population

Total Employment

Median Household Income

Labor Force

Millennial Workforce

Businesses

Employment and Labor Market Trends

Snohomish County’s economy continues to expand across multiple industries. Between 2020 and 2025, the county added 24,637 jobs, representing 7.8% employment growth over the five-year period. Continued expansion is expected through the end of the decade, with more than 16,000 additional jobs projected by 2030.

The unemployment rate declined significantly following the pandemic, falling from 9.5% in 2020 to approximately 5.1% in late 2025, reflecting ongoing labor market recovery and regional economic resilience. While employment growth remains strong, labor force participation declined modestly from 68.2% in 2020 to approximately 66.4% in 2025, reflecting evolving workforce dynamics, demographic shifts, and changing employment patterns across the county.

Strong labor market fundamentals continue to support Snohomish County’s role as a major manufacturing and aerospace employment center within the Greater Seattle region.

Key Industries Driving the Snohomish County Economy

The Snohomish County economy is supported by a diverse mix of advanced manufacturing, aerospace production, healthcare systems, construction activity, retail, and professional services. Manufacturing remains the county’s most economically significant sector and a major contributor to regional competitiveness.

Major employment sectors include:

Accommodation and Food Services
Construction
Government
Health Care and Social Assistance
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Retail Trade

Snohomish County is globally recognized for its aerospace manufacturing ecosystem, including major Boeing production and supply chain operations. Major employers in the county include Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft, Providence, the U.S. Navy, and the University of Washington, alongside numerous growing companies in healthcare, education, and advanced industries.

The Port of Everett further strengthens Snohomish County’s economic position as a center for aerospace manufacturing, maritime industry, and global trade. As one of the largest public ports in Washington state and the largest public marina on the West Coast, the port plays a critical role in transporting oversized aerospace components, supporting advanced manufacturing, and advancing waterfront economic development. Port-related activity supports more than 40,000 jobs regionally and generates approximately $433 million in annual tax revenue, while ongoing investments in cargo terminals, industrial infrastructure, and mixed-use redevelopment continue expanding economic opportunity across the North Puget Sound region.

Population and Workforce Demographics

Snohomish County benefits from a large working-age population and strong workforce demographics. The county is home to more than 202,000 millennials, significantly above the national average for similarly sized regions and an important contributor to long-term workforce growth and economic vitality.

The county also maintains a substantial veteran population of more than 46,000 residents, reflecting long-standing connections to military service, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Educational attainment remains relatively high, with 25.2% of residents holding a bachelor’s degree and 10.5% holding an associate degree, both above national averages and supportive of the county’s skilled labor force.

Migration and Regional Connectivity

Migration patterns highlight strong economic connectivity throughout the Puget Sound region. In 2022, 18,818 residents moved from King County, Washington to Snohomish County, while 10,137 residents moved from Snohomish County to King County, reflecting close labor market integration and regional commuting patterns.

Additional migration connections include Island County, Washington; Pierce County, Washington; Skagit County, Washington; and Whatcom County, Washington, reinforcing Snohomish County’s role within the broader regional economy.

Business Environment and Innovation Ecosystem

Snohomish County maintains a vibrant business ecosystem with more than 51,700 companies employing workers across the county. The region also saw more than 6,700 companies posting job openings within the past year, demonstrating continued employer demand for talent across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, retail, and professional services.

The county’s business landscape is dominated by small businesses. According to the business size chart on page 23, over 70% of firms employ fewer than 10 workers, reflecting a strong entrepreneurial culture alongside the region’s large employers.

Sources: Lightcast, 2026; Puget Sound Business Journal Book of Lists, 2026.

The report was researched and written by Dr. Victoria DePalma, Greater Seattle Partners Research Director.