Snohomish County’s Multifamily Market Plays the Long Game as Seattle Stalls

With just 2 percent of inventory under construction, developers in Washington’s third-largest county are betting big on tomorrow while keeping powder dry today

The multifamily development game north of Seattle is shifting into a distinctly different gear than its urban neighbor. While Seattle grapples with political uncertainty and stalled construction starts, Snohomish County’s apartment pipeline tells a more nuanced story—one of cautious optimism mixed with strategic patience.

With a total inventory of 48,250 units, Snohomish County represents the smallest apartment market among Puget Sound’s four major counties. But don’t mistake size for lack of ambition. The county’s development pipeline contains 10,901 units across all stages—nearly 23 percent of its existing stock—signaling sustai