Mukilteo in the Number 10 Best Place to Live in America out of the Top 100 Best Cities, as recognized by Money Magazine for 2009. Mukilteo is a Snohomish native word that indicates a good campground and it is definitely that -- While the rest of the West Coast is more or less in economic decline, Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington is not. It's nearly 21,000 residents are living a high-quality, stable, and growing lifestyle

The Unemployment Rate for Mukilteo is about half that of the rest of the West Coast, the diversity of employment bolstered by the presence of Amazon.com and Drugstore.com, the Aerospace Industry, High Tech enterprises and developments, and Microsoft. Healthcare also offers many jobs.

This city is located conveniently on the shoreline of Puget Sound between Everett WA, fewer than 10 miles to the north, and Seattle, 25 miles to the south. Both of these larger metro areas offers employment and other attractions to visitors and new residents as well as local workers seeking new opportunities. Mukilteo is an attractive city close to Seattle, but without the higher cost of living, including offering lower property taxes.

The coast of Puget Sound is one of my favorite places in the world. The waterways, fresh air, gulls, and foghorns are a pleasant backdrop to a good life. Ferry rides over to Vancouver Island provide a relaxing method of traveling to Victoria, Butchert Gardens, First Nations settlements, Canadian lighthouses, museums, shopping, and all sorts of culture and fun.

The following employers list the largest numbers of jobs on Internet search engines, company websites, and via recruiters. For example, in November '09, over 35,000 different jobs were listed between Everett and Seattle WA, where Mukilteo sits in between.   

1. Microsoft
2. Amazon.com
3. University of Washington
4. T-Mobile
5. Cybercoders.com
6. Excell Data
7. Volt Information Sciences
8. Locumtenens.com
9. Providence Health & Services
10. Ajilon Staffing
11. Medical Connections
12. Virginia Mason Medical Center
13. Swedish Medical Center
14. Evergreen Healthcare
15. Worksource Everett
16. A Reputable Company
17. Starbucks
18. Expedia
19. Medical Staffing Source of America
20. Critical Connection
21. AT & T
22. Aerotek
23. Northwest Hospital and Medical Center
24. Everett Public Schools
25. Stevens Hospital

Bold print below indicates jobs already in high demand in local job listings along Puget Sound from Everett to Seattle.

1. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
2. Veterinary Techs
3. Personal Financial Advisors
4. Medical Assistants
5. Insurance Sales Agents
6. Substance Abuse/Behavioral Disorder Counselors
7. Environmental Scientists/Specialists, Including in Health
8. Urban and Regional Planners
9. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
10. Lodging Managers
11. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
12. Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
13. Health Educators
14. Computer Software Engineers
15. Home Health Aides (HHAs)

Additional High-Growth Jobs

1. Personal and Home Care Aides
2. Estheticians or Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
3. Physicians, Dentists, Nurse Practioners, other Diagnosticians
4. Occupational and Physical Therapists’ Assistants
5. Landscapers and Groundskeepers
6. Other Healthcare jobs
7. Special Education Teachers, K-12

Mukilteo played a part in the development of the early Puget Sound area. it was founded in 1947, but a peace treaty with two dozen Snohomish County area native American Nations was signed here back in 1855, nearly a century before the city founding. The city became a seaport, a trading post center, a fishing village, and a lumber town. The USAF later used the town for storage facilities, a lighthouse was built, and the railroads came through successfully.

All this developed the waterfront and encourages annexation of additional lands in 1980 and afterward. Ferries were added all along Puget Sound and today, the Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry carries at least 3,000,000 passengers per year. High speed commuter rail service and other advancements in transport and business are planned to begin from 2010 - 2020. As of 2008, the current commuter line from Mukilteo to Seattle has steadily increased ridership.

• Bastyr University
• Cascadia Community College
• City University - Everett WA
• College of Hope - Everett WA
• Everett Community College
• Edmonds Community College
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University‎ - Everett WA
• ITT Technical Institute
• North Seattle Community College - Seattle, northside
• Northwest Theological Seminary
• Seattle Bible College - Everett WA
• Seattle University - Everett WA
• Shoreline Community College
• Skagit Valley College‎ - Clinton WA
• Trinity Lutheran College

Addtional colleges, universities, and technical schools or career colleges are located in Seattle, Redmond and the greater Sea-Tac Area.

The Snohomish, a long-time nation living inthe Pacific Northwest since about 10,000 BC or earlier, signed a treaty with the US in 1855. At least 20 other Native American Nations joined into this treaty.

The office Snohomish Tribe of Indians is a single community among all of the Small Tribes of Western Washington, but not officially recognized by the US Federal Government in 2009. They take issue with procedures operating via the Bureau of Indian Affairs when their application for recognition was considered and are in process of legal remedies. The Snohomish particularly and specifically seek 1) better nutrition for their senior citizens, and 2) cultural preservation education for their children and youth. 

Snohomish Tribal Summer Gathering is a Pow Wow without the large competitions and prize moneys awarded by Plains Indians groups, and it has been hosted annually since 1999 in August.  

The Snohomish people and adjacent NW Pacific communities continue the tradition of the ancient tribal canoe. Not only are they built and painted in interesting traditional patterns, but joined in a journey together each year for cultural preservation and community building.