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Monroe, WA

Frequently asked questions

Monroe, WA

Monroe is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is located at the confluence of the Skykomish, Snohomish, and Snoqualmie rivers near the Cascade foothills, about 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Seattle. Monroe's population was 19,699 as of the 2020 census.

Monroe was originally founded in 1864 as the town of Park Place, located at the river confluence among several existing settlements in the Tualco Valley. The townsite was previously a trading post used by the indigenous Skykomish people. Park Place was renamed Monroe in 1890 to honor U.S. President James Monroe and was moved northeast to be near the tracks of the Great Northern Railway, which was constructed in 1892. Monroe was incorporated in 1902 and was selected as the home of a major condensed milk plant and the state reformatory.

Monroe became a suburban bedroom community in the late 20th century, serving commuters to Everett, Seattle, and the Eastside. It is home to the Monroe Correctional Complex, which absorbed the original reformatory in 1998, and the Evergreen State Fair, which runs annually in late summer. The city is located at the junction of two highways, U.S. Route 2 and State Route 522, which were expanded in the late 20th century to serve commuters.

Monroe is located in south-central Snohomish County near the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers, which form the Snohomish River. The area is in the western foothills of the Cascade Range and is bisected by U.S. Route 2, a major cross-state highway. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.11 square miles (15.82 km²), of which, 6.05 square miles (15.67 km²) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km²) is water. The city limits are generally defined by Lake Tye and Fryelands Boulevard to the west, the Skykomish River to the south, Woods Creek to the east, and the north by Milwaukee Hill and other foothills. Monroe also has an urban growth area that includes 251 acres (102 ha) of unincorporated areas on the north side of the city limits. The city had annexed 1,367 acres (553 ha) of the urban growth area between 1993 and 2011.

The city lies at the eastern end of the Snohomish River floodplain, with elevations that range from 40 to 210 feet (12 to 64 m). The south and east edges of the city along the Skykomish River are within a 100-year flood hazard zone and also include habitats for migratory birds and game animals. The residential neighborhoods of Monroe lie within the watersheds of French Creek and Woods Creek, which both drain into the Skykomish River before its confluence with the Snoqualmie and Snohomish Rivers. The surrounding area includes hills and plateaus that were formed from glacial till and gravel deposits from the Skykomish River. Monroe also sits on a local fault line that produced a pair of minor earthquakes on July 12, 2019, that were felt as far as Seattle and Vancouver without causing damage.

Monroe places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. EvergreenHealth Monroe offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Anytime Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For fitness enthusiasts, Columbia Athletic Clubs provides a comprehensive facility with various classes and workout options. CrossFit Monroe caters to those looking for high-intensity interval training and a supportive community environment.  For a more relaxed experience, Bliss Yoga Studios offers a range of yoga classes suitable for all levels. Harmony Massage provides various massage therapies to help with relaxation and pain relief. For outdoor enthusiasts, Skykomish River Park offers beautiful trails and picnic areas for a day of nature and relaxation.

Top sites in Monroe, WA include Al Borlin Park, Reptile Zoo, Evergreen Speedway, and Lake Tye Park.

Population: 19,927 (2024). ZIP code: 98272. Area Code: 360. Elevation: 72 ft (22 m). Area: 6.16 sq mi (15.95 km²).

FAQs

What is Monroe, WA known for?

It is still home to the state reformatory, but it's also the home of the Evergreen State Fair, the Evergreen Speedway track, a lovely historic downtown, and is considered the gateway to the Cascade Mountains. The City of Monroe today is a community of approximately 19,800 residents. Located at the confluence of three major highways (US-2, and State Routes 203 and 522), Monroe is uniquely situated as the economic hub of commerce for the more than 90,000 people residing in the Skykomish Valley, between the City of Snohomish and Stevens Pass.

Is Monroe, WA a good place to live?

Monroe is in Snohomish County. Living in Monroe offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Monroe, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families live in Monroe and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Monroe are above average.

What is the crime rate in Monroe, WA?

With a crime rate of 31 per one thousand residents, Monroe has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 32. Within Washington, more than 76% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Monroe.

Sources

City of Monroe

Wikipedia

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Al Borlin Park

Reptile Zoo

Evergreen Speedway

Lake Tye Park

EvergreenHealth Monroe

Anytime Fitness

Columbia Athletic Clubs

CrossFit Monroe

Bliss Yoga Studios

Harmony Massage

Skykomish River Park

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