At the beginning of the 20th century, Lake Stevens was primarily a resort town, with many small beaches and rental properties surrounding Snohomish County’s largest and deepest lake. By the millennium the city was blossoming with over 35,000 residents by 2020. Today, Lake Stevens continues to thrive as a picturesque community, rife with plentiful outdoor opportunities, boasting a highly rated school district and organizing many exciting local events.
North Lake Stevens residents head to the annual Show 'n' Shine car show in Granite Falls.
Lake Stevens has many quaint residential areas surrounding the lake.
Behold incredible views of Lake Stevens and mountain peaks.
Lake Stevens is an absolutely picturesque place on a sunny day.
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Diving into Lake Stevens and hiking the Centennial Trail
Lake Stevens has a few parks to augment its already unique outdoor recreation. Lundeen Park is a popular spot to relax under the pavilion or dive off the public dock. On land, there is a basketball court and a playground. Lundeen Park is also one of two public access points to the water, since most lakeside space is claimed by those who own homes on the water. The other access point is the Lake Stevens Public Boat Launch, located adjacent to North Cove Park on the northeast end. While the lake is a major draw, people are just as likely to go hiking, rock climbing and camping. The paved Centennial Trail is popular with runners, bikers and horseback riders.
Spend the day outside with your pup at Lundeen Park in Lake Stevens.
Spend some time on beautiful Lake Stevens to get to know the area.
Go for a paddle on the lake from the Lake Stevens Public Boat Launch.
Go for a bike ride or walk on the Centennial Trail in Lake Stevens.
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Thousands flock to Aquafest and other events
Because of the city's small size, Lake Stevens has fewer events to offer Washingtonians than its big city counterparts. That said, it's still quite capable of throwing local shindigs. Locals take pride in the annual Aquafest, a three-day summer festival with a boat parade, circus and fireworks. The colder months bring in seasonal celebrations like AutumnFest and WinterFest.
North Lake Stevens residents head to the Lake Stevens Farmers Market every Wednesday afternoon.
Head to the annual Show 'n' Shine car show in North Lake Stevens.
Buy locally made goods at the Vendor Market at The Stoat near North Lake Stevens.
Make new community at the Lake Stevens Harvest Market.
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Homes fetch up to $1 million in Lake Stevens
Winding residential streets of older homes mingle with their waterfront counterparts. Many of the homes available in this city are in the ranch and two-story bungalow styles. And no amount of space is wasted on the shoreline, with nearly every acre claimed by a small dock and woodsy cabin or modern mansion. Pricing for these typically ranges from $600,000 to $1 million, with a median price of $808,475. Many of these builds date back from the 1980s to the early 2000s, but newer developments on the southwest tip of the lake have sprung up since 2020. These 4 and 5-bedroom homes continue to be in demand, selling for $800,000 to $900,000.
Lake Stevens boasts New Developments around the lake.
Some Lake Stevens residents live in charming ranch homes.
Mid Century homes are common in the Lake Stevens area.
Small residential streets lined with bungalows populate many parts of the Lake Stevens area.
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Highly rated public schools in Lake Stevens
Students in Lake Stevens can attend classes within the Lake Stevens School District, which earns an A-minus grade from Niche and a no. 1 ranking above all public schools in Snohomish County. Seven elementary, two middle and three public high schools serve the area.
Hillcrest Elementary School serves Lake Stevens Kids.
Middle Schoolers attend Lake Stevens Middle School in the West Lake Stevens.
Cavelero Mid High School serves Lake Stevens teenagers.
Some students in Lake Steven attend Skyline Elementary School.
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Lake Stevens' modest restaurant selection
The restaurant scene in Lake Stevens is limited. Recognizable fast-food chains are located at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 204 on the west end. For equally casual, locally owned joints, folks head to the east end near the boat launch. Shoppers can get groceries and home goods from the local Costco and Target, less than two miles away. The Lake Stevens Marketplace and Frontier Village shopping centers include a number of spots to shop and dine.
Stop in to the beloved, Jay’s Market for a groceries in Lake Stevens.
Head to Frontier Village on the West side of Lake Stevens for major box stores and chains.
The Main Street Center is East Lake Stevens closest shopping and dining center.
Locals head to West Lake Stevens for major retail and dining pavilions.
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Driving in town and commuting to Everett
Route 9 runs north to south on the city's west end, with Snohomish a 9-mile drive south and Seattle 40 miles southwest. Public transportation is limited, with just one bus stop on the southwest end along Route 9 and two on the northeast tip of the lake. Nearby Everett is a 9-mile drive. The nearest 24-hour medical center is Providence Regional Medical Center, a 12-mile drive. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 50 miles away.
Crime and environmental concerns for Lake Stevens
Per the FBI’s data for 2023, the Lake Stevens Police Department reported a 45% increase in violent crimes and a 35% decrease in property crimes. Both are below state and national averages.
Lake Stevens residents have minimal environmental factors to be concerned about. According to First Street data, the air quality around Lake Stevens is only better than 33% of Washington’s other cities, giving it a major risk factor. Other natural disasters pose moderate or minor risks. However, water quality is a point of investigation: studies have shown that the lake contains elevated phosphorus levels. This leads to advanced algae blooming and less clear water. Officials have laid out ways for residents to curtail their own phosphorus pollution, like properly disposing of pet waste and minimizing the amount of lawn care chemicals used.
Additional Writing by Malcolm Longerbeam
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
