Brier, Washington
City
Location of Brier, Washington
Location of Brier, Washington
Coordinates: 47°47′24″N 122°16′23″W / 47.79000°N 122.27306°W / 47.79000; -122.27306
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountySnohomish
Founded1883
IncorporatedFebruary 11, 1965
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorDale Kaemingk
Area
[1]
 • Total2.20 sq mi (5.69 km2)
 • Land2.20 sq mi (5.69 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
420 ft (128 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total6,560
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
6,970
 • Density3,173.95/sq mi (1,225.24/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
98036
Area code425
FIPS code53-07940
GNIS feature ID1512029[4]
Websiteci.brier.wa.us

Brier is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is bordered by Mountlake Terrace to the west, Lynnwood to the north, Bothell to the east, and Lake Forest Park to the south. The population was 6,560 at the 2020 census.

History

Brier is located in the traditional territory of several Coast Salish peoples, including the Sammamish, Snohomish, and Suquamish. The area around modern-day Swamp Creek was known as dxʷɬ(ə)q̓ ab, meaning "other side of something" and "a wide place", in the Lushootseed language.[5]

The first European-descendant settlers in the Brier area, the Salty family, arrived from Finland in 1883 and constructed a cabin to establish a Homestead Act claim. They were followed by loggers who cleared land that had already been sold to the founders of the Puget Mill Company. The first area school was built on land donated by the Salty family in September 1896 and later replaced with the Cedar Valley School in 1911.[5]: 6–7  By 1915, much of the forestland around modern-day Brier was cleared.[6]

The Brier area was known for its mink farms and later gave way to suburban ranch houses in the 1950s and 1960s.[6] The Shasta Park subdivision was created in 1924 and further developed into smaller lots by the early 1950s.[5]: 9  Brier was named for an existing road that bisected the subdivision where the community was developed in the 1950s.[7]

Brier was officially incorporated as a city on February 11, 1965, after an emergency vote following a proposal from a developer to annex the area into neighboring Mountlake Terrace.[8] The area was gradually developed into a suburban community, growing to over 6,000 people by 1999.[6] Since its incorporation, several elected officials in Brier have been recalled or forced to resign over various misconduct allegations and convictions.[9] A permanent city hall opened in April 2005, replacing a leased office.[10]

Geography

Brier is located 15 miles (24 km) north of Seattle in southern Snohomish County, bordered to the south by Lake Forest Park in King County. The cities of Mountlake Terrace and Bothell lie to the west and east, respectively.[11] The unincorporated area to the north is connected by Brier Road, which continues towards Lynnwood.[12]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.13 square miles (5.52 km2), all of it land.[13] The city has large lot sizes for residential homes, at a minimum of 12,500 square feet (1,160 m2) and is exclusively zoned for single-family homes.[11]

Economy

Brier is described as a "one-store and one-restaurant town", with few businesses on its lone commercial strip.[14]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19703,093—
19802,915−5.8%
19905,63393.2%
20006,38313.3%
20106,087−4.6%
2019 (est.)6,970[3]14.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
2019 U.S. Census Estimate[16]

Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Brier ranks 68th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.

In the 2004 US presidential election, Brier cast 57.37% of its vote for Democrat John Kerry.[17]

2010 census

As of the 2010 U.S. census, there were 6,087 people, 2,165 households, and 1,758 families living in the city. The population density was 2,857.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,103.4/km2). There were 2,220 housing units at an average density of 1,042.3 per square mile (402.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.9% White, 1.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 7.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.[2]

There were 2,165 households, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 18.8% were non-families. 12.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.05.[2]

The median age in the city was 44.4 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.6% were from 25 to 44; 39.6% were from 45 to 64; and 9.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.1% male and 49.9% female.[2]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 6,383 people, 2,095 households, and 1,766 families living in the city. The population density was 2,996.6 people per square mile (1,157.0/km2). There were 2,115 housing units at an average density of 992.9 per square mile (383.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.42% White, 0.83% African American, 0.66% Native American, 7.77% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races, and 3.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.23% of the population.[18]

There were 2,095 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.9% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.7% were non-families. 11.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.29.[18]

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 30.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.[18]

The median income for a household in the city was $73,558, and the median income for a family was $77,226. Males had a median income of $52,407 versus $37,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,675. About 0.8% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[18]

Government

The Brier city government has 19 total employees and budgeted expenditures of $3.66 million for 2021. It derives most of its revenue from property taxes.[14][19] Former city councilmember Dale Kaemingk was appointed as mayor in July 2020 and was elected to a full four-year term in 2021.[20][21]

Culture

The community holds an annual one-day event in August called SeaScare, a play on the name of Seattle's Seafair. The event includes a Porch Light Parade, contests, music and a screening of a classic movie, among other activities. It involves nautical themes, in keeping with its Seafair ties, anc is supported by the small number of Brier businesses.[22][23]

References

  1. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "QuickFacts: Brier city, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019". United States Census Bureau. May 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Brier, Washington". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. September 10, 1979. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 Brier: We Haven't Changed...Much (PDF). City of Brier. 2020. p. 4. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Slivka, Judd (June 12, 1999). "Here, it's all play and no work". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. D1.
  7. ↑ Phillips, James W. (1971). Washington State Place Names. University of Washington Press. p. 17. ISBN 0-295-95158-3. OCLC 1052713900. Retrieved November 18, 2019 – via The Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ Dougherty, Phil (March 19, 2008). "Brier incorporates on February 11, 1965". HistoryLink. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  9. ↑ Brooks, Diane (June 8, 2005). "Brier's rocky political history". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  10. ↑ Schwarzen, Christopher (April 27, 2005). "New City Hall leaves trailers, basements behind". The Seattle Times. p. H6. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  11. 1 2 Schuster, Chad (January 14, 2006). "Rural feel, large lot sizes give Brier a relaxed pace". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  12. ↑ Brown, Andrea (August 6, 2019). "Mom-and-pop shop hits the jackpot for selling a $12M ticket". The Everett Herald. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  13. ↑ "2017 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  14. 1 2 Giordano, Lizz (March 28, 2022). "Why six small WA cities left thousands in federal relief unclaimed". Crosscut.com. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019". United States Census Bureau. May 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  17. ↑ Atlas of US Presidential Elections
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Brier city, Washington" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2020 – via Puget Sound Regional Council.
  19. ↑ "City of Brier 2021 Final Budget" (PDF). City of Brier. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  20. ↑ Goldstein-Street, Jake (October 28, 2021). "Small-town policing takes center stage in Brier mayoral race". The Everett Herald. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  21. ↑ Bratt, Cal (October 13, 2022). "Following in dad's footsteps". Lynden Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  22. ↑ SeaScare overview information, SeaScare.com
  23. ↑ Seafair's over — now it's time for SeaScare Archived July 9, 2012, at archive.today, SeattleTimes.com, August 9, 2006
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