Sultan, Washington

The area around the Sultan and Skykomish rivers was occupied by the Skykomish, a branch of the Snohomish people, prior to the arrival of American settlers. The Skykomish had a permanent village at the confluence named {{lang|lut|tʷ'tsɬitɬd}}, along with a nearby fishery named {{lang|lut|stək'talidubc}}.{{cite book |last1=Hollenbeck |first1=Jan L. |last2=Moss |first2=Madonna |year=1987 |title=A Cultural Resource Overview: Prehistory, Ethnography and History: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |publisher=United States Forest Service |pages=161–164 |oclc=892024380 |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005998596 |via=HathiTrust |access-date=January 5, 2019}} Following the discovery of a rich gold vein along the Sultan River, the land around the confluence was claimed for a homestead by John Nailor and his wife in 1880.{{cite book |editor-last=Damkaer |editor-first=David M. |year=2000 |title=Sultan City, W.T. — Where the Bright Waters Meet |publisher=Sky Valley Historical Society |edition=3rd |page=10 |oclc=44631560 }} Among the first arrivals to the area were Chinese prospectors, who later settled the land but were evicted in 1885.{{cite book |last1=Kirk |first1=Ruth |last2=Alexander |first2=Carmela |year=1995 |title=Exploring Washington's Past: A Road Guide to History |page=262 |publisher=University of Washington Press |location=Seattle |isbn=0-295-97443-5 |oclc=33206378 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BNAYPXb22sYC |via=Google Books |access-date=January 5, 2019}}{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|page=71}} Nailor built a small store and hotel to serve miners and loggers, eventually serving as the first postmaster after the settlement received a post office in 1885.{{cite web |last=Riddle |first=Margaret |date=July 1, 2014 |title=Sultan is incorporated on June 28, 1905. |url=http://historylink.org/File/10802 |work=HistoryLink |access-date=January 5, 2019}} The town and river were named "Sultan", an anglicization of {{lang|lut|Tseul-tud}} (also known as Tseul-dan), then chief of the Skykomish tribe.{{cite book |last=Meany |first=Edmond S. |author-link=Edmond S. Meany |year=1923 |title=Origin of Washington Geographic Names |page=295 |publisher=University of Washington Press |oclc=1963675 |jstor=40474647 |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001444300 |via=HathiTrust |access-date=January 5, 2019}}

File:Street scene, Sultan, ca 1913 (PICKETT 784).jpeg

The Nailors sold {{convert|20|acre|ha}} of their homestead to William B. Stevens in 1889, who filed the first plat for Sultan City that October.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|p=13}} The Great Northern Railway placed a supply depot for its railroad workers in Sultan in 1891, meeting river steamboats and contributing to the town's early growth.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|pages=33–34}} Sultan gained its first sawmill in 1891 and a shingle mill in 1895, as the local economy transitioned away from mining and towards logging.{{cite book |last1=Hunt |first1=Herbert |last2=Kaylor |first2=Floyd C. |year=1917 |title=Washington, West of the Cascades: Historical and Descriptive |page=[https://archive.org/details/washingtonwestc00kaylgoog/page/n583 399] |publisher=S. J. Clarke Publishing Company |location=Chicago |oclc=10086413 |url=https://archive.org/details/washingtonwestc00kaylgoog |via=Internet Archive |access-date=January 5, 2019}} Sultan was officially incorporated as a city on June 28, 1905. At the time, the city had a population of 700 people and three general stores, along with a variety of small industries.{{cite journal |last=Warner |first=John F. |editor-last=Wilhelm |editor-first=Honor L. |date=November 1908 |title=Sultan, Washington |journal=The Coast |publisher=The Coast Publishing Company |location=Seattle |volume=XVI |issue=5 |pages=332–333 |oclc=81457448 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0LARAAAAYAAJ |via=Google Books |access-date=January 5, 2019}} By 1912, the city had a public library, electrical service, paved streets, and was considering a plan to build a hydroelectric dam that would also provide municipal water service.{{cite news |last=Darwin |first=L. H. |date=May 24, 1912 |title=Profits Come From Sultan's Industries |page=23 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite book |author=The Historical Committee |date=April 1959 |title=The History of Sultan |page=17 |publisher=Sultan Community Development Project }} A bridge across the Skykomish River was built in 1908 to connect to new farms on the south bank.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|page=45}}

An economic slowdown after World War I led to a population decrease in the Skykomish Valley, causing Sultan voters to approve a reduction in the city's size in June 1920. The area was home to various illicit industries during the Prohibition era and experienced several major crimes, including the murder of town marshal Percy Brewster on March 2, 1927, by a serial robber who later escaped from prison before being re-captured.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|page=56}}{{cite news |last=Stevick |first=Eric |date=January 29, 2016 |title=Modern theft of vintage gun revives 1927 Sultan murder tale |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/modern-theft-of-vintage-gun-revives-1927-sultan-murder-tale/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The area also experienced an economic downturn during the Great Depression and was home to a Civilian Conservation Corps camp that primarily dealt with firefighting and forest management.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|pages=57–58}} The Works Progress Administration also completed several projects in the city, including two expansions of the high school and its gymnasium in 1929 and 1939.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|pages=23–26}} Several major fires struck Sultan in the 1940s, including one in October 1945 that destroyed a block of buildings on Main Street and another in 1947 that decimated the Sultan Union High School.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|page=62}}

Sultan residents participated a civic improvement program during the 1950s and 1960s that upgraded or replaced several major facilities, often with assistance from the state government. A new city hall was opened in 1954, the elementary school was expanded in 1957, and a new landing field for airplanes and helicopters opened in 1958. The city annexed {{convert|33|acre|ha}} of rural land to the southeast in 1958 and it was subsequently developed for housing. The Skykomish River Bridge was also replaced by a new span in 1961.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|pages=66–67}} The Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) constructed the Culmback Dam on the Sultan River, creating the Spada Lake reservoir and providing electricity and drinking water for Everett and much of the county beginning in 1965.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|page=65}}{{cite news |last=Winters |first=Chris |date=February 13, 2017 |title=After 90 years, salmon are returning to upper Sultan River |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/after-90-years-salmon-are-returning-to-upper-sultan-river/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

The Sky River Rock Festival and Lighter Than Air Fair, one of the first outdoor U.S. music festivals, was hosted at a raspberry farm south of Sultan beginning August 30, 1968.{{cite news |last=de Barros |first=Paul |date=August 11, 2011 |title=1968's Sky River Rock Festival revisited Friday |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/musicnightlife/2015887006_river12.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The three-day festival, organized by radio station KRAB and the Helix newspaper, attracted an estimated 20,000 hippies, of whom 13,000 had paid tickets, and was considered to be a forerunner for later festivals like Woodstock.{{cite news |last=Muhlstein |first=Julie |date=August 30, 2008 |title=On this weekend 40 years ago, Sultan really rocked |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/on-this-weekend-40-years-ago-sultan-really-rocked/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}} Musical acts at the festival included Santana, the Grateful Dead, Country Joe McDonald, Muddy Waters, Buffy St. Marie, and John Fahey, among others.{{cite news |last=Fiege |first=Gale |date=August 24, 2017 |title=Sky River Rock Festival returns to Sultan nearly 50 years later |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/sky-river-rock-festival-returns-to-sultan-nearly-50-years-later/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The Sultan city government declined to allow the festival to return the following year due to the traffic and logistical issues that were experienced, including the venue running out of drinking water. The event was largely forgotten by local residents, but was revived for a one-time festival in 2017.

File:Sultan, Washington aerial view - 2018.jpg

Sultan has since developed into a bedroom community for workers commuting to Everett, Seattle, and Bellevue.{{harvp|Damkaer|2000|pages=103–104}} Several suburban subdivisions were built in the 1990s and early 2000s, contributing to a population boom and political strife over the area's rural and small-town character.{{cite news |last=Langston |first=Jennifer |date=September 16, 2002 |title=Ungainly growth brings calls for city managers |page=A1 |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Ungainly-growth-brings-calls-for-city-managers-1096193.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=January 5, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Schwarzen |first=Christopher |date=December 31, 2003 |title=Sultan eyes its more-crowded future |page=H14 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031231/sultan31n/sultan-eyes-its-more-crowded-future |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The Department of Veteran Affairs considered the Sultan area for a new national military cemetery, but ultimately chose a site near Kent.{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Geordie |date=December 14, 1991 |title=Maple Valley to get veterans' cemetery |page=B7 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19911214/1322905/maple-valley-to-get-veterans-cemetery----officials-disappointed-in-bremerton-sultan |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 2, 2019}} Sultan celebrated its centennial in 2005 with several festivals and the dedication of a new visitor's center.{{cite news |last=O'Harran |first=Kristi |date=October 28, 2005 |title=Sultan opens long-awaited visitor center |url= |work=The Everett Herald}} Despite the population growth, the city's traditional businesses have left Sultan and caused a decline in local employment options.{{cite news |last=Hui Hsu |first=Judy Chia |date=April 13, 2005 |title=Proud of the past, wary of the future |page=H14 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/proud-of-the-past-wary-of-the-future/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

During the 2007 financial crisis, a Monroe city councilmember unsuccessfully suggested merging the two cities to resolve development issues and Sultan's city budget shortfall.{{cite news |last=Nohara |first=Yoshiaki |date=July 29, 2007 |title=Monroe eat Sultan? Idea causes heartburn |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/monroe-eat-sultan-idea-causes-heartburn/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The Sultan city government instead began outsourcing its policing and library services to county agencies while undergoing other reforms.{{cite news |last=Nohara |first=Yoshiaki |date=July 14, 2007 |title=Sultan in red; may cut library |work=The Everett Herald}}{{cite news |last=Nohara |first=Yoshiaki |date=November 25, 2007 |title=Sultan cautious about '08 budget |work=The Everett Herald}} The city government has endorsed schemes to lure new industries, including offering tracts of land and opening new parks and a shooting range in a bid to appeal to outdoor recreation companies.{{cite news |last=Batdorf |first=Kurt |date=April 23, 2012 |title=Sultan looks to lure outdoors firms to Sky Valley |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/sultan-looks-to-lure-outdoors-firms-to-sky-valley/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Schwarzen |first=Christopher |date=February 7, 2007 |title=Sultan attempts to manage commercial growing pains |page=B4 |work=The Seattle Times}}

File:Skykomish River and Cascade Mountains from Sultan, WA.jpg and the Skykomish River from Sultan]]

Sultan is located along the Skykomish River at its confluences with the Sultan and Wallace rivers in south-central Snohomish County, approximately {{convert|23|mi|km}} east of Everett, the county seat.{{cite web |title=About Sultan |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/about-sultan/ |publisher=City of Sultan, Washington |access-date=January 5, 2019}}{{cite report |date=September 2015 |title=Snohomish County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, Volume 2: Planning Partner Annexes |page=19-1 |url=https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14608/2010-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-Vol-2?bidId= |publisher=Snohomish County |access-date=January 5, 2019}} U.S. Route 2 and the BNSF Railway's Scenic Subdivision bisect the city from west to east, connecting it to Everett, Monroe, Gold Bar, and Stevens Pass.{{cite map |author=Washington State Department of Transportation |year=2014 |title=Washington State Highways, 2014–2015 |url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2006/06/13/TouristMapFront_withoutHillshade.pdf |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221194441/https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/2D10703F-9ADF-4A95-A14E-2A36FEAF1C20/0/Statewide2014NoHillshade.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2017 |url-status=dead }} The city limits of Sultan are generally defined by the Skykomish River to the south, the Sultan River and Old Owens Road to the west, and several county roads to the north and east.{{cite map |date=March 2013 |title=Sultan Urban Growth Area |url=http://www.snoco.org/docs/scd/PDF/PDS_UGA/SultanUGA.pdf |publisher=Snohomish County |access-date=January 5, 2019}} According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|3.15|sqmi|sqkm|2}}.{{cite web |title=2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2018_Gazetteer/2018_gaz_place_53.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 16, 2020}}

The city is located within the Skykomish Valley, which is flanked to the north and south by the Cascade foothills. Several prominent peaks of the mountain range are visible on the northern and eastern horizons, including Mount Pilchuck, Mount Index, Mount Persis, and Mount Stickney. The Sultan Basin is located on the north side of the Skykomish River and is a flat plain with some rolling hills.

Downtown Sultan is one of three identified flood zones within the city, which covers 30 percent of residents, and has experienced major floods as recently as 1991 and 2009.{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Lynn |date=March 7, 2010 |title=FEMA's new flood maps go too far, some cities say |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011285355_floodmaps08m.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 2, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Flood Information |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/flood-information/ |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The city government installed three emergency sirens to alert residents of an incoming flood or another disaster.{{cite news |last=King |first=Rikki |date=August 11, 2014 |title=Sultan adds to its siren system |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultan-adds-to-its-siren-system/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

{{As of|2015}}, Sultan had an estimated workforce population of 3,709 and an unemployment rate of 10.4 percent—far above the county average of 3.1 percent.{{cite web |date=September 15, 2016 |title=Selected Economic Characteristics: Sultan, Washington |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP03/1600000US5368260 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213105546/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/DP03/1600000US5368260 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |work=American Community Survey |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 15, 2019}} The most common employers for Sultan residents are in the retail sector (20.9%), followed by educational and health services (15.3%), manufacturing (11.9%), and construction (7.0%). Only 8.8 percent of employed residents work within Sultan city limits, while the rest commute to other areas for work. The most common commuting destinations for Sultan residents include Monroe (11.0%), Seattle (9.7%), Everett (8.2%), Redmond (6.0%), and Bellevue (5.5%).{{cite web |title=Work Destination Report — Where Workers are Employed Who Live in the Selection Area — by Places (Cities, CDPs, etc.) |url=https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/ |publisher=United States Census Bureau |via=OnTheMap |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The average one-way commute for the city's workers was approximately 38.8 minutes; 80 percent of commuters drove alone to their workplace, while 9.4 percent carpooled and 3.6 percent used public transit.

Sultan businesses and employers provide approximately 1,010 jobs, and are primarily in the services and manufacturing industries.{{cite web |date=September 2008 |title=City of Sultan Comprehensive Plan |pages=27–28 |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/wp-content/uploads/City_Hall/City_Departments/Community_Development/Comprehensive_Plan_Drafts/2008-09-15/attachments/01_Final_Print_Copy.pdf |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043602/https://ci.sultan.wa.us/wp-content/uploads/City_Hall/City_Departments/Community_Development/Comprehensive_Plan_Drafts/2008-09-15/attachments/01_Final_Print_Copy.pdf |url-status=dead }} The city's largest employer is the Sultan School District, which provides 254 jobs.{{cite web |year=2018 |title=Top 50 Snohomish County Employers |url=https://www.economicalliancesc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/For-Web-Top-50-SnoCo-Employers-2018-update.pdf |publisher=Economic Alliance Snohomish County |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

{{US Census population

|1910= 576

|1920= 687

|1930= 830

|1940= 961

|1950= 814

|1960= 821

|1970= 1119

|1980= 1578

|1990= 2236

|2000= 3344

|2010= 4651

|2020= 5146

|estyear=2022

|estimate=6205

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web |title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 26, 2013}}

}}

Sultan is one of the smallest cities in Snohomish County, with a population of 5,146 at the 2020 census.{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Joseph |date=August 13, 2021 |title=2020 Census: Snohomish County grows by more than 114,000 |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/2020-census-snohomish-county-grows-by-more-than-114000/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=March 22, 2024}} The city's population has significantly increased since the start of suburban development in the late 1960s, reaching over 3,300 by 2000. Sultan's population grew an additional 20 percent between 2000 and 2005.{{cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Jennifer |date=September 22, 2004 |title='Valley' girls and guys plan bash for city's centennial |page=H18 |work=The Seattle Times}} The city government has made various preparations for additional population growth, including new connections to the Spada Lake water supply to supplement its own system.{{cite news |last=Schwarzen |first=Christopher |date=June 25, 2003 |title=Sultan to tap into Everett's supply of drinking water |page=H17 |work=The Seattle Times}} By 2035, the city and its surrounding urban growth area is expected to have a population of 8,369.{{cite web |date=November 2016 |title=Growth Targets |page=2 |url=https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8737/Appendix-D-Tables1-and-2 |publisher=Snohomish County |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

As of the 2010 U.S. census, there were 4,651 people, 1,607 households, and 1,142 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1476.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,752 housing units at an average density of {{convert|556.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 86.2% White, 0.2% African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 7.1% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.2% of the population.{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Sultan, Washington |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/sultancitywashington |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 26, 2020}}

Of the 1,607 households, 44.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a single female householder with no spouse present, 6.3% had a single male householder with no spouse present, and 28.9% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.36.

The median age in the city was 32.3 years. 30.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32% were from 25 to 44; 21.6% were from 45 to 64; and 7.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.5% male and 48.5% female.

As of the 2000 census, there were 3,344 people, 1,211 households, and 858 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,121.2 people per square mile (433.3/km²). There were 1,291 housing units at an average density of 432.8 per square mile (167.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.30% White, 0.27% African American, 1.20% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.56% from other races, and 4.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.78% of the population.{{cite web |year=2000 |title=Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Sultan city, Washington |url=https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/sultan.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |via=Puget Sound Regional Council |access-date=February 15, 2019}}

Of the 1,211 households, 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a single female householder with no spouse present, and 29.1% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.25.

The median age in the city was 32 years. 31.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 34.5% were from 25 to 44; 18.0% were from 45 to 64; and 8.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.3% male and 49.7% female.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,619, and the median income for a family was $51,038. Males had a median income of $38,924 versus $26,096 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,822. About 4.9% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

File:City hall and library, Sultan, WA.jpg and public library]]

Sultan is a non-charter code city with a mayor–council government.{{cite web |title=Chapter 1.05: Noncharter Code City |url=https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Sultan/#!/Sultan01/Sultan0105.html#1.05 |work=Sultan Municipal Code |publisher=City of Sultan |via=Code Publishing |access-date=February 1, 2019}} The city council meets twice per month at city hall and has seven members who are elected to four-year terms in non-partisan elections.{{cite press release |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Sultan City Council seeks to fill council vacancy |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/sultan-city-council-seeks-to-fill-council-vacancy/ |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=February 1, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423055335/https://ci.sultan.wa.us/sultan-city-council-seeks-to-fill-council-vacancy/ |url-status=dead }} The office of mayor is also a four-year position and is currently held by Russell Wiita, a former city councilmember who was elected in 2019.{{cite web |title=Mayor |url=https://www.ci.sultan.wa.us/195/Mayor |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=January 13, 2020}} The city hall, located in downtown Sultan, is shared with a public library operated by Sno-Isle Libraries.{{cite news |last=Nohara |first=Yoshiaki |date=July 13, 2007 |title=Sultan in red; may cut library |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultan-in-red-may-cut-library/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 1, 2019}} An attempt to switch to a council–manager government was defeated by voters in 2003.{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=October 10, 2015 |title=Granite Falls to choose between mayor, city manager |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/granite-falls-to-choose-between-mayor-city-manager/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=January 5, 2019}}

The city government has 15 full-time employees and had a budgeted expenditure of $11.1 million in 2016.{{cite web |date=December 2015 |title=City of Sultan 2016 Budget |pages=5, 15, 89 |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2016-Budget-for-website.pdf |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=February 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212044/https://ci.sultan.wa.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2016-Budget-for-website.pdf |url-status=dead }} The city funds various departments and services, including public sanitation, water and sewer systems, planning, and parks. Other services, including fire services and the library, are contracted out to regional agencies.{{cite news |last=King |first=Rikki |date=July 3, 2014 |title=Fire District 5 in Sultan asking voters to approve levy |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/fire-district-5-in-sultan-asking-voters-to-approve-levy/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 1, 2019}}{{cite web |date=September 22, 2014 |title=Financial Statements and Federal Single Audit Report: City of Sultan |page=22 |url=https://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch/Home/ViewReportFile?isFinding=false&arn=1012640 |publisher=Washington State Auditor |access-date=February 1, 2019}} The local police department was disbanded in 2008 and transitioned to services from the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office for public safety.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Debra |date=November 14, 2008 |title=Sultan eliminates its police department |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultan-eliminates-its-police-department/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 28, 2019}}

Sultan's public library was established in 1927 by the Women's Improvement Club, but was later transferred to city control. It is currently operated by the countywide Sno-Isle Libraries system and located in the city hall building in downtown.{{cite web |title=Friends of the Sultan Library |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/friends-of-the-sultan-library/ |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-date=February 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217201020/https://ci.sultan.wa.us/friends-of-the-sultan-library/ |url-status=dead }} The library was formerly operated by the city government, but was annexed into the Sno-Isle system in March 2008 due to a potential shutdown caused by the budget shortfall.{{cite news |last=Nohara |first=Yoshiaki |date=April 14, 2008 |title=Sultan Library celebrates its future |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultan-library-celebrates-its-future/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

At the federal level, Sultan is part of the 8th congressional district, which encompasses the eastern portions of the Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties as well as the entirety of Chelan and Kittitas counties.{{cite map |author=Census Bureau Geography Division |year=2023 |title=118th Congress of the United States: Washington – Congressional District 8 |scale=1:368,000 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST53/CD118_WA08.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 15, 2024}} It was part of the 1st congressional district until 2022, when the 8th district was extended into Snohomish County.{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Snohomish County in middle of key battle for control of U.S. House |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/snohomish-county-in-middle-of-key-battle-for-control-of-u-s-house/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 15, 2024}} At the state level, the city is part of the 12th legislative district, which also crosses the Cascade Mountains and includes Skykomish, part of Snoqualmie, and all of Chelan County except for Wenatchee.{{cite map |date=July 2024 |title=Washington State Legislative & Congressional District Map |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Road%20Map_01.pdf |at=[https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Road%20Map%20Inset_01.pdf Puget Sound inset] |publisher=Washington State Redistricting Commission |accessdate=October 24, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=November 24, 2021 |title=Proposed political map links cities from Monroe to Wenatchee |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/proposed-political-map-links-cities-from-monroe-to-wenatchee/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 15, 2024}} Sultan was previously part of the 39th legislative district until it was moved into the cross-mountain district as part of a redistricting compromise in 2022.{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=December 3, 2021 |title=State Supreme Court declines to draw new redistricting plan |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/state-supreme-court-declines-to-draw-new-redistricting-plan/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 15, 2024}} The city lies within the Snohomish County Council's 5th district, which includes the Skykomish Valley, Snohomish, and Lake Stevens.{{cite map |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Snohomish County: County Council Districts |url=https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/99589/County-Council-Districts-PDF |publisher=Snohomish County Elections |accessdate=January 15, 2024}}

File:2014-07-03, United States Post Office, Sultan, Washington, 02.jpg

The city hosts an annual three-day street fair in July, known as the "Sultan Shindig", which was established in 1983 and attracts 20,000 visitors.{{cite news |last=Chen |first=Tieh-Pai |date=July 6, 2006 |title=Mill Creek festival offers treats to those who venture past mall |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/mill-creek-festival-offers-treats-to-those-who-venture-past-mall/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 16, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Nile |first=Amy |date=July 7, 2015 |title=Shindig celebrates Sultan's logging history |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/shindig-celebrates-sultans-logging-history/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 16, 2019}} It includes carnival rides, street vendors, live music, games, a parade, and a car show.{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=July 6, 2016 |title=Celebrate the Sky Valley at Sultan Shindig, Gold Dust Days |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/celebrate-the-sky-valley-at-sultan-shindig-gold-dust-days/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 16, 2019}}

The celebration also honors the history of the Skykomish Valley by holding several logging contests, including axe throwing, firewood chopping, speed climbing, and wood sculpting.{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Diane |date=July 5, 2006 |title=Logging heritage part of Sultan's weekend Shindig |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2003103361_shindig05n.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 16, 2019}} The 2018 festival marked the debut of the Shindig Shandy, a sweet beer produced by Timber Monster Brewing for the event.{{cite news |last=Swaney |first=Aaron |date=July 13, 2018 |title=It will be hot in Sultan, but there will be lots of beer |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/timber-monsters-summer-shandy-is-light-and-crisp-with-a-lemon-snap/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 16, 2019}} Another festival is held in late September to commemorate the return of spawning salmon to the Sultan River.{{cite news |last=Fiege |first=Gale |date=September 18, 2015 |title=Visit the lower Skykomish River Valley to explore nature, history, hammocks |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150919/LIVING/150918942 |work=The Everett Herald |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211015513/http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150919/LIVING/150918942 |archive-date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=March 26, 2019}}

Sultan has four city parks, all located near downtown, and several athletic and recreational facilities.{{cite web |title=Parks |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/departments/parks/ |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=February 16, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Debra |date=January 26, 2009 |title=Sultan tightens rules for behavior in parks |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultan-tightens-rules-for-behavior-in-parks/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 17, 2019}} The city's largest park is the {{convert|76|acre|ha|adj=mid}} Osprey Park, located along the eastern bank of the Sultan River and home to a regular salmon spawning ground. The park also features picnic tables, sports fields, basketball courts, and a dog park.{{cite web |title=Osprey Park |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/osprey-park/ |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=February 16, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Nile |first=Amy |date=January 15, 2016 |title=Volunteer seeks help in expanding Sultan off-leash dog park |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/volunteer-seeks-help-in-expanding-sultan-off-leash-dog-park/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 16, 2019}} Traveler's Park on U.S. Route 2 features a tree round from a 1,000-year-old Douglas fir that was donated to the city government in 1976 by a local logging company.{{cite news |last=Allison |first=Jacqueline |date=December 31, 2022 |title=Vehicle crashes into Sultan tree monument |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/vehicles-crashes-into-sultan-tree-monument/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=December 31, 2022}} Sultan opened a skate park in 2008. The city is also home to a Boys & Girls Club that opened at its current location in 2015, five years after a fire destroyed the previous club.{{cite news |last=Nile |first=Amy |date=May 29, 2015 |title=Sultan's new Boys & Girls Club opens to enthusiastic approval |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultans-new-boys-girls-club-opens-to-enthusiastic-approval/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

• Carolyn Eslick, state legislator and former mayor{{cite news |last=Salyer |first=Sharon |date=August 11, 2019 |title=Get 'er done: Volunteers in Startup save town's historic gym |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/get-er-done-volunteers-in-startup-save-towns-historic-gym/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=September 5, 2021}}
• John Koster, former state legislator and county councilmember{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Diane |date=November 6, 1996 |title=Rep. Stevens, Dunshee ahead in 39th district |page=B9 |work=The Seattle Times}}
• Boeda Strand, basket weaver and member of the Snohomish tribe{{cite book |last=Snodgrass |first=Mary Ellen |year=2018 |title=Frontier Women and Their Art: A Chronological Encyclopedia |page=75 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=9781538109755 |oclc=1022977640 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDBZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA75 |via=Google Books |access-date=February 1, 2019}}

Public schools in the Sultan area are operated by the Sultan School District, which also covers nearby Gold Bar and other rural areas north and west of Index.{{cite map |date=December 21, 2017 |title=Snohomish County School Districts Map |url=http://www.snoco.org/docs/scd/PDF/PDS_CFP/Snohomish%20County%20School%20District.pdf |publisher=Snohomish County |access-date=February 15, 2019}} The school district had an enrollment of approximately 1,992 students in 2016, with 104 total teachers.{{cite web |title=Public School District Directory Information: Sultan School District |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&ID2=5308550 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=February 15, 2019}} It has one high school, one middle school, and two elementary schools (of which one serves Sultan).{{cite web |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Sultan School District 311 Capital Facilities Plan 2017–2022 |page=2 |url=https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/47282/Final-Adopted-2017-Sultan-School-District-CFP?bidId= |publisher=Sultan School District 311 |via=Snohomish County |access-date=February 15, 2019}} The current high school was constructed in 1951 to replace an earlier building that was destroyed four years prior. A $56 million bond issue to upgrade the district's four schools and construct a new administrative building was rejected by voters in 2016.{{cite news |last=Nile |first=Amy |date=February 26, 2016 |title=Sultan school district looks at options after bond fails |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultan-school-district-looks-at-options-after-bond-fails/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 15, 2019}} The Sky Valley Historical Society maintains a small local museum in the city's post office building in downtown Sultan.{{cite news |date=May 12, 2010 |title=Museums: Snohomish, Island counties |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/museums/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=February 16, 2019}}

File:U.S. Route 2 Sultan River Bridge.jpg bridge carrying U.S. Route 2 west of downtown Sultan]]

Sultan is connected to nearby communities by U.S. Route 2 (US 2), which runs east–west along the Skykomish and Snohomish rivers from Everett to Eastern Washington via Stevens Pass. The nearest cities on the highway are Monroe, {{convert|5|mi|km}} to the west, and Gold Bar to the east.{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=June 16, 2009 |title=U.S. 2 repaving begins at Monroe |work=The Everett Herald}} The highway carries daily average of approximately 18,000 vehicles through Sultan, with higher volumes during summer months and ski season.{{cite report |year=2017 |title=2016 Annual Traffic Report |page=64 |url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/travel/pdf/Annual_Traffic_Report_2016.pdf |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026105850/https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/travel/pdf/Annual_Traffic_Report_2016.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Giordano |first=Lizz |date=November 30, 2019 |title=Gridlock keeps many in Sultan feeling trapped in their homes |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gridlock-keeps-many-in-sultan-feeling-trapped-in-their-homes/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=December 1, 2019}} Due to its high rate of accidents, including more than 2,600 in the county in the early 2000s and 100 within Sultan city limits from 1999 to 2000, the highway is considered one of the most dangerous in the state.{{cite news |last=Garber |first=Andrew |date=January 13, 2002 |title=From Sultan to Seattle, road woes take toll |page=A1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20020113/transportation13m0/from-sultan-to-seattle-road-woes-take-toll |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 2, 2019}} Sections of US 2 near Sultan were rebuilt to add safety features, including roundabouts, rumble strips, warning signage, and additional policing.{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Jessica |date=May 15, 2017 |title=Washington state shelled out $60 million to make Highway 2 safer; here's how that's working |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/after-multimillion-dollar-plan-to-boost-highway-2-safety-has-the-effort-borne-fruit/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 25, 2019}} A plan to widen the highway to four lanes through Sultan and add additional roundabouts was endorsed by the city government in 2023.{{cite news |last=Watanabe |first=Ben |date=June 18, 2023 |title=As Sultan grows, city backs a 4-lane highway with roundabouts |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/as-sultan-grows-city-backs-a-4-lane-highway-with-roundabouts/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=June 22, 2023}} The BNSF Railway's Scenic Subdivision also runs along U.S. Route 2, connecting Everett to Eastern Washington and also carrying Amtrak's Empire Builder train. The highway and railroad cross over the Sultan River on a pair of truss bridges, while a third is planned to be built for pedestrians and bicyclists.{{cite news |last=Slager |first=Melissa |date=December 21, 2017 |title=Sultan to build new bridge for pedestrians, bicyclists |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultan-to-build-new-bridge-for-pedestrians-bicyclists/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

Public transit service along US 2 is operated by Community Transit and consists of two routes that travel from Everett Station to Snohomish, Monroe, Sultan, and Gold Bar. The city also has a small park and ride lot that is served by Community Transit.{{cite book |date=September 2018 |title=Community Transit Bus Plus: Schedules & Route Maps |pages=15, 142–149 |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/docs/default-source/bus-service/bus-plus-sept-2018-web.pdf |publisher=Community Transit |access-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-date=February 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228191832/https://www.communitytransit.org/docs/default-source/bus-service/bus-plus-sept-2018-web.pdf |url-status=dead }} A private airfield, Sky Harbor Airport, is located near Sultan and is open to small aircraft. It has a single, unpaved runway.{{cite web |title=Sky Harbor Airport |url=http://www.wsdot.com/aviation/AllStateAirports/Sultan_SkyHarborAirport.htm |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

Electric power for Sultan residents and businesses is provided by the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), a consumer-owned public utility that serves all of Snohomish County.{{cite web |title=Quick Facts |url=https://www.snopud.com/?p=1350 |publisher=Snohomish County Public Utility District |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The PUD operates the Culmback Dam north of Sultan, which generates electricity for the region and also provides 80 percent of Snohomish County's water supply.{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=October 13, 2011 |title=Environmental plan earns Sultan River dam a new 45-year license |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/environmental-plan-earns-sultan-river-dam-a-new-45-year-license/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The Sultan city government provides water and water treatment to residents and businesses, via a separate city-owned reservoir located north of Sultan.{{cite news |last=Dominguez |first=Alejandro |date=April 23, 2011 |title=Sultan lake empty because of dam leak |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sultan-lake-empty-because-of-dam-leak/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}} Wastewater and stormwater is treated at a treatment plant that discharges into the Skykomish River.{{cite web |title=Wastewater |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/departments/public-works/sewer/ |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=March 2, 2019}}{{cite web |date=March 2013 |title=Utility Services |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Utility-Services.pdf |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=March 2, 2019}} Solid waste collection is provided by the city government, while recycling and yard waste collection is contracted to Allied Waste.{{cite news |last=Dominguez |first=Alejandro |date=January 29, 2012 |title=Utilities costs go down for Sultan residents |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/utilities-costs-go-down-for-sultan-residents/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}}

Sultan's nearest general hospital is the Valley General Hospital in Monroe, part of the EvergreenHealth system.{{cite news |date=November 30, 2013 |title=Interactive map of hospitals in King, Pierce, Snohomish counties |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localpages/2022360954_interactive-map-hospitals-king-pierce-snohomish.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127073938/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localpages/2022360954_interactive-map-hospitals-king-pierce-snohomish.html |archive-date=January 27, 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Salyer |first=Sharon |date=March 1, 2015 |title=Monroe hospital to change name, expand services in new alliance |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/monroe-hospital-to-change-name-expand-services-in-new-alliance/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}} EvergreenHealth also operates one of two medical clinics in Sultan, which was previously an independent operation from 2003 to 2015.{{cite web |title=Primary Care Clinic, Sultan |url=https://www.evergreenhealth.com/primary-care-sultan |publisher=EvergreenHealth |access-date=March 2, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Salyer |first=Sharon |date=December 17, 2003 |title=Sky Valley clinic going independent in April |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/sky-valley-clinic-going-independent-in-april/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=March 2, 2019}} The other clinic, Cascade Health Clinic, remains independent.{{cite web |title=Cascade Health Clinic |url=https://ci.sultan.wa.us/cascade-health-clinic/ |publisher=City of Sultan |access-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044007/https://ci.sultan.wa.us/cascade-health-clinic/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.ci.sultan.wa.us/ City website]

{{Snohomish County, Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Snohomish County, Washington

Category:Cities in the Seattle metropolitan area

Category:1880 establishments in Washington Territory

Category:Populated places established in 1880