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Sedro-Woolley, WA

Frequently asked questions

Sedro-Woolley WA

Sedro-Woolley is a city in Skagit County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Mount Vernon–Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and had a population of 12,421 at the 2020 census. The city is home to North Cascades National Park.

Incorporated on December 19, 1898, Sedro-Woolley was formed from neighboring rival towns of Sedro (once known as Bug) and Woolley in Skagit County, northwestern Washington, 40 kilometers (25 mi) inland from the Puget Sound, 64 kilometers (40 mi) south of the border with Canada and 105 kilometers (65 mi) north of Seattle.

Four British bachelors, led by David Batey, homesteaded the area in 1878, the time logjam obstructions were cleared downriver at the site of Mount Vernon. In 1884–85, Batey built a store and home for the Mortimer Cook family from Santa Barbara, California where Cook had been mayor for two terms. Cook intended to name his new Pacific Northwest town Bug due to the number of mosquitos present, but his wife protested along with a handful of other local wives. Cook was already the namesake for the town Cook's Ferry on the Thompson River in British Columbia. With "Bug" being so unpopular, Cook derived a town name from Spanish; knowing "cedro" was the word for cedar, he replaced one letter to make the name unique, settling on "Sedro".

Sedro, on the northern banks of the Skagit River, proved susceptible to floods. In 1889, Northern Pacific Railway developer Nelson Bennett began laying track from the town of Fairhaven, 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Bellingham Bay, and real estate developer Norman R. Kelley platted a new city of Sedro on high ground a mile northwest of Cook's site. The Fairhaven and Southern Railroad arrived in Sedro on Christmas Eve, 1889, in time for Bennett to receive a performance bonus from the towns at both ends and a month after Washington became the 42nd state in the Union.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.81 square miles (9.87 square kilometers), all of it land.

Regarding health and wellness, Sedro-Woolley provides residents and visitors access to several parks and recreational areas. PeaceHealth United General Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Riverside Health Club offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For fitness enthusiasts, the Sedro-Woolley YMCA provides a range of exercise programs and facilities. Yoga Northwest offers yoga classes that help improve flexibility and reduce stress. For those interested in holistic wellness, Natural Way Chiropractic provides chiropractic care and massage therapy. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking and nature walks in Rasar State Park. For mental wellness, Northwest Psychological Resources offers counseling and therapy services. 

Top sites in Sedro-Woolley WA include the Sedro-Woolley Museum, Children's Museum of Skagit County, and North Cascades National Park.

Population: 12,912 (2022). Elevation: 56 ft (17 m). Area:4.31 sq mi (11.16 km²). Main ZIP Code: 98284. Main Area Code: 360. 

FAQs

What is the crime rate in Sedro-Woolley, WA?

The crime rate in Sedro-Woolley is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 22 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Sedro-Woolley is 1 in 45. Based on FBI crime data, Sedro-Woolley is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Washington, Sedro-Woolley has a crime rate that is higher than 63% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

What is Sedro-Woolley WA famous for?

Sedro-Woolley is known as the "Gateway to the North Cascades" because it is located on the western edge of the majestic Cascade Mountain Range in northwest Washington State. It is situated north of Seattle, Washington, and south of Bellingham, Washington on Highway 20, along the banks of the Skagit River. Sedro-Woolley celebrated its 100th year, honoring the city's incorporation on December 19, 1898, which officially merged the neighboring towns of Sedro and Woolley.

How did Sedro-Woolley, WA get its name?

The name "Sedro-Woolley" is a combination of two older towns, Sedro and Woolley, that were located near each other. The town of Sedro was originally named by the Northern Pacific Railway in the 1880s. The name "Sedro" is believed to have been derived from the Native American word "Cedro" which means cedar tree. The town of Woolley was named after Samuel Woolley, who was one of the early settlers in the area.

Sources

City of Sedro-Woolley

Wikipedia

Newstalk Kit

Neighborhood Scout

Sedro-Woolley Museum

Children's Museum of Skagit County

North Cascades National Park

PeaceHealth United General Medical Center

Riverside Health Club

Sedro-Woolley YMCA

Yoga Northwest

Natural Way Chiropractic

Rasar State Park

Northwest Psychological Resources

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