Mill Creek
cityMill Creek is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, located approximately 20 miles northeast of Seattle, nestled between Everett and Lynnwood. As of 2020, the city had a population of 20,926, which has grown to an estimated 21,033 in 2026. Known as one of the highest-income suburbs in the Seattle metropolitan area, Mill Creek was initially conceived as a planned community in the 1970s, centered around a country club and golf course. Mill Creek's economy is diverse, with major employment sectors including educational services, healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, and retail trade. While only a small percentage of residents work within the city limits, major employers in the area include Albertson's, Central Market, Lowe's Home Improvement, and The Everett Clinic. The city's commercial hub is the Mill Creek Town Center, a mixed-use lifestyle center featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and services. What makes Mill Creek distinctive is its origin as a master-planned community with a focus on quality of life, well-maintained parks, and community engagement. The city offers a range of recreational opportunities, including numerous parks, trails, and community events, fostering a strong sense of community among its residents.
Mill Creek, Washington
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 53-45865
- Country
- United States
- County
- Snohomish County
- Region
- Puget Sound
- Elevation
- 377 ft
- Total Area
- 4.69 sq mi
- Land Area
- 4.64 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.015 sq mi
- Latitude
- 47.86167
- Longitude
- -122.20444
- Climate
- Warm and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. Has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate.
- Notable Features
- North Creek · Penny Creek · Nickel Creek
- Neighboring Areas
- Everett · Lynnwood · Martha Lake · Silver Firs
- Population (2020)
- 20,926
- Est. Population (2026)
- 21,033
- Median Age
- 39.3
- Median Income
- $124,364
- Poverty Rate
- 6.42%
- Owner-Occupied
- 58.6%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of Mill Creek includes 65.1% White, 20.41% Asian, 3.43% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for other race, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Native American and multiracial populations.
- Government Type
- Council–manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 7 members
- School District
- Everett Public Schools
- Municipal Services
- Police · Parks & Recreation · City Planning · Public Works · Emergency Services












- Unemployment Rate
- 6.3%
- Economic Profile
- Residential · Suburban
- Employment Sectors
- Educational services · Healthcare · Manufacturing · Professional services · Retail trade
- Major Employers
- Albertson's · Central Market · Lowe's Home Improvement · The Everett Clinic · QFC
- Schools
- 7
- Students
- 20,200
- School Districts
- Everett Public Schools
- Colleges & Universities
- University of Washington Bothell
- Transportation
- Interstate 5 · State Route 527 · State Route 96 · Community Transit · Swift Green Line · Swift Orange Line
- Utilities
- Water distribution · Electricity · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- The Everett Clinic
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Nickel Creek Park · Heron Park · Highland Park · Cougar Park · Mill Creek Sports Park · McCollum Park · Martha Lake Park · North Creek Park
- Parks & Trails
- Neighborhood parks · Community parks · North Creek Trail
- Founded
- Early 1900s
- Incorporated
- 1983
- Named After
- Mill Creek (renamed Smokehouse Creek in 2001)
- Historical Significance
- Mill Creek is significant as one of the first master-planned communities in the region, offering a high quality of life and a strong sense of community.
- Key Events
- Early settlement by farming families · Development as a planned community in the 1970s · Incorporation as a city on September 30, 1983 · Development of Mill Creek Town Center in 2004
