Woodway, Washington

Woodway, Washington
City
Boundary sign
Location of Woodway, Washington
Coordinates: 47°47′24″N122°22′56″W / 47.79000°N 122.38222°W / 47.79000; -122.38222
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Snohomish
Incorporated	1958
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
•  Mayor	Mike Quinn
Area [1]
• Total	1.43 sq mi (3.71 km2)
• Land	1.17 sq mi (3.03 km2)
• Water	0.26 sq mi (0.68 km2)
Elevation	203 ft (62 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	1,318
• Estimate  (2022) [3]	1,305
• Density	1,128.4/sq mi (435.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98020
Area code,	206, 425
FIPS code	53-79835
GNIS feature ID	1512815 [4]
Website	townofwoodway.com

Woodway is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,318 at the 2020 census.

Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Woodway ranks sixth of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked, and ranks first in Snohomish County.

History

The community was founded in 1914 by attorney turned real estate developer David Whitcomb, who acquired 320 acres (130 ha) and began developing "Woodway Park". ^[5] The city includes areas north and south of the original Woodway Park which offer one third acre lots and 1-acre (4,000 m²) lots in addition to the 2-acre (8,100 m²) lots in the park where the original secluded, wooded environment remains.

Woodway was officially incorporated on February 26, 1958, in an effort to protect the heavily forested area from development and avoid annexation by Edmonds. ^{[6] [7]} Lot sizes were deed restricted to a minimum of 2 acres (8,100 m²) (though existing smaller lot sizes were grandfathered) and also mandated nunneries for lots larger than 10 acres (4.0 ha). ^[8] as a way of grandfathering in the existing convent, Rosary Heights, mother house of the Edmonds Dominican Sisters (originally built as the estate of Boeing vice-president Philip G. Johnson). ^[9] The city was named for its natural setting by a real estate developer. ^[10] At that time, Woodway high school students attended the old Edmonds High school until the new Woodway High School was opened in 1970. In 1990, this school merged with Edmonds High School to create Edmonds Woodway High School.

Woodway was reclassified as a “city” in 1986 due to changes in state law, but continues to refer to itself as the Town of Woodway on its letterhead and web site. It is served by the Edmonds post office, sharing the 98020 ZIP Code. Well into the 1980s, the city lacked businesses, sidewalks (except on parts of Woodway Park Road), and parks; it was almost entirely zoned for single-family homes, which were among the most expensive in Snohomish County. ^[5] Its first major development since incorporation, the 94-home Woodway Highlands, was approved in 1999 following disputes between residents and the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board. ^[11] Its first homes were completed in 2003. ^[12] As of 2021, no part of Woodway is zoned for commercial use.

Woodway is the only city in Snohomish County to have telephone numbers in the 206 area code, but some areas were switched to area code 425 in 1997. ^[13] Landline phone numbers in Woodway originally shared LIncoln prefixes (542 and 546) with Richmond Beach, but PRospect prefixes (771, 774, 775, 776) shared with Edmonds were later added.

Geography

Woodway is located at the southwestern edge of Snohomish County, bordered to the north and east by Edmonds and the south by Shoreline in King County. Puget Sound lies to the west of the town, including an unincorporated area known as Point Wells. ^[14]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.43 square miles (3.70 km²), of which, 1.17 square miles (3.03 km²) is land and 0.26 square miles (0.67 km²) is water. ^[1]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1960	713		—
1970	879		23.3%
1980	832		−5.3%
1990	914		9.9%
2000	936		2.4%
2010	1,307		39.6%
2020	1,318		0.8%
2022 (est.)	1,305	[3]	−1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [15]

2010 census

As of the 2010 U.S. census, there were 1,307 people, 448 households, and 373 families living in the city. The population density was 1,177.5 inhabitants per square mile (454.6/km²). There were 466 housing units at an average density of 419.8 per square mile (162.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.5% White, 0.6% African American, 0.8% Native American, 7.8% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population. ^[16]

There were 448 households, of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.7% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 16.7% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.18. ^[16]

The median age in the city was 45.8 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.9% were from 25 to 44; 37.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female. ^[16]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 936 people, 336 households, and 280 families living in the city. The population density was 840.1 people per square mile (325.6/km²). There were 343 housing units at an average density of 307.9 per square mile (119.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.12% White, 0.32% Native American, 3.85% Asian, 0.43% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population. ^[17]

There were 336 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.7% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.02. ^[17]

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 24.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 17.8% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males. ^[17]

The median income for a household in the city was $101,633, and the median income for a family was $109,428. Males had a median income of $86,928 versus $33,333 for females. The per capita income for the city was $51,613. About 0.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over. ^[17]

Government and politics

Woodway's town hall, opened in 2013

Woodway is an incorporated code city, but its official name remains the Town of Woodway. It has a mayor–council government with six elected officials on four-year terms: the mayor and five town councilmembers. ^[18] Woodway's town hall was moved in 2013 to a new building designed by GGLO. ^[19] Woodway is the only community in Snohomish County without public library service; residents have repeatedly voted against paying into the Sno-Isle Libraries system, with individuals citing high property taxes as their primary reason for opting out. ^[20]

At the federal level, Woodway is part of the 2nd congressional district, which encompasses western Snohomish County and the entirety of Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. ^[21] From 2012 to 2022, it was part of the 7th congressional district along with Edmonds and most of Seattle. ^{[22] [23]} At the state level, the city is part of the 32nd legislative district, which also includes Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, and parts of Edmonds and Seattle. ^[24] Woodway lies within the Snohomish County Council's 3rd district, which also includes Edmonds and Lynnwood. ^[25]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Woodway is served by State Route 104, which clips the city's northeast corner and connects it to the Edmonds ferry terminal and Interstate 5 (I-5) in Mountlake Terrace. ^[26] The BNSF Railway's Scenic Subdivision runs along the city's western coastline and carries Sounder commuter rail service, which stops at Edmonds station. ^[27] The city is part of the public transportation benefit area for Community Transit, but is not served by its buses; it is, however, part of the dial-a-ride service area for paratransit routes. ^{[28] [29]}

Notable residents

• Morris Graves, artist ^[30]
• Matt Cameron, musician ^{[31] [ unreliable source? ]}
• Jeannette Wood, state legislator ^[32]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
2. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Woodway city, Washington". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 20, 2024.
3. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
4. "Woodway, Washington". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. September 10, 1979. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
5. Casey, Carolyn (September 16, 1987). "Main Streets: Residents of 'secret' town cherish their quiet lifestyle". The Seattle Times . p. H1.
6. "Woodway O.K's Incorporation". The Seattle Times. February 19, 1958. p. 29.
7. A Short History of the Town of Woodway (PDF)
8. Aweeka, Charles (March 28, 1984). "Survey reveals legal leftovers on the books". The Seattle Times. p. F1.
9. "Construction of Boeing Executive Philip G. Johnson 's Home in Woodway, Washington". The Museum of Flight. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
10. Phillips, James W. (1971). Washington State Place Names . University of Washington Press. p.  162. ISBN   0-295-95158-3. OCLC   1052713900 . Retrieved November 18, 2019– via The Internet Archive.
11. Thompson, Lynn (April 16, 2003). "'The Quiet Place' is getting noisier". The Seattle Times. p. H20. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
12. Thompson, Lynn (December 31, 2003). "Woodway tract getting established". The Seattle Times. p. H25. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
13. Brooks, Diane (November 14, 1997). "Mayor's call splits up Woodway". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
14. Brunner, Jim (March 11, 1999). "Sewage is lesser 'evil'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
15. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
16. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing Data Tables". United States Census Bureau. September 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
17. "Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Woodway city, Washington" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2020– via Puget Sound Regional Council.
18. "Woodway Municipal Code Chapter 1.08: Classification of Town". Town of Woodway. Retrieved September 30, 2019– via Code Publishing.
19. "Woodway Town Hall". GGLO . Retrieved February 23, 2019.
20. Brooks, Diane (August 9, 2006). "No library cards?! Families' petition spurs Sept. 19 vote". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
21. Census Bureau Geography Division (2023). 118th Congress of the United States: Washington – Congressional District 2 (PDF) (Map). 1:295,000. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
22. Smith, Evan (December 29, 2011). "Edmonds council president decries move to 7th District". The Everett Herald. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
23. Census Bureau Geography Division (2013). 113th Congress of the United States: Washington – Congressional District 7 (PDF) (Map). 1:103,000. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
24. Washington State Redistricting Commission (July 15, 2022). "Legislative District 32" (PDF) (Map). District Maps Booklet 2022. Washington State Legislative Information Center. p. 33. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
25. Snohomish County: County Council Districts (Map). Snohomish County Elections. May 12, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
26. Snohomish County Southwest County UGA (Southwest Portion) Urban Growth Areas and Incorporated Cities (PDF) (Map). Snohomish County. March 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
27. Switzer, Jeff (September 4, 2006). "Sounder Takes You With a Flash". The Everett Herald. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
28. "2021–2026 Transit Development Plan" (PDF). Community Transit. September 2, 2021. p. 23. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
29. Solomon, Chris (October 16, 1998). "Metro passes throw school buses in park". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
30. Farr, Sheila (December 9, 2001). "The House That Morris Graves Built". The Seattle Times. p. 18. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
31. tlp333 (April 6, 2009). "Matt Cameron's House". Virtual Globetrotting. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
32. "Former legislator Jeannette Wood dies at 88". Mukilteo Beacon . February 3, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2022.

External links

• City website