Editing Mountlake Terrace, Washington

{{short description|City in Washington, United States}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Montlake, Seattle|Montlake]] in Seattle, Washington}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Mountlake Terrace, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = MountlakeTerrace Welcome.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Welcome sign at Interstate 5 and 236th Street Southwest
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = Snohomish_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Mountlake_Terrace_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Mountlake Terrace, Washington
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish]]
|government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Kyoko Matsumoto Wright
|leader_title1            = [[City manager|Manager]]
|leader_name1             = Jeff Niten
|established_title        = [[Municipal incorporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = November 30, 1954
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 10.78
|area_land_km2            = 10.50
|area_water_km2           = 0.27
|area_total_sq_mi         = 4.16
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.06
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.10
|population_est           = 21543
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="Census-Estimate2022">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_total         = 21286
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile: Mountlake Terrace, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Mountlake_Terrace_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5347490 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref>
|population_density_km2   = 1974.58
|population_density_sq_mi = 5116.83
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone]]
|utc_offset               = -8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -7
|elevation_m              = 139
|elevation_ft             = 456
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|47|27|N|122|18|24|W|region:US-WA|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 98043
|area_code                = [[Area code 425|425]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-47490
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1512488<ref name="GR3">{{cite GNIS |id=1512488 |name=Mountlake Terrace |entrydate=September 10, 1979 |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|cityofmlt.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Mountlake Terrace''' is a suburban city in [[Snohomish County, Washington]], United States. It lies on the southern border of the county, adjacent to [[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]] and [[Lynnwood, Washington|Lynnwood]], and is {{convert|13|mi|km}} north of [[Seattle]]. The city had a population of 19,909 people counted in the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].

Mountlake Terrace was founded in 1949 by real estate developers on the site of a disused [[Aerodrome|airfield]], intending to provide low-cost housing for veterans. Within five years, the community had grown to over 5,000 people and was [[Municipal incorporation|incorporated]] as a city in 1954 to provide municipal services. An [[industrial park]] was developed at the northwest corner of the city, which was connected by [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]] after it opened in 1965. Mountlake Terrace originally had several small [[shopping center]]s that declined due to the local economy and a pair of [[arson]]s in 1990.

The city government began developing a downtown revitalization plan with [[mixed-use development|mixed-use buildings]] in the 2000s, with hopes of growing beyond a [[bedroom community]] for Seattle commuters. [[Mountlake Terrace station]], a major bus hub, opened in 2009 and is also served by [[Link light rail]] service, which began in 2024. The city has several [[park]]s, including access to [[Lake Ballinger]], and hosts an annual summer festival that is part of [[Seafair]].

==History==
[[File:Great Western Lumber Co, Lake Ballinger, Aug 19, 1907 (CURTIS 249).jpeg|thumb|right|Logging on [[Lake Ballinger]], photographed by [[Asahel Curtis]] in 1907]]

The southwestern region of Snohomish County was originally inhabited by the [[Snohomish people]], who primarily settled along the [[Puget Sound]] and used inland areas for seasonal hunting and [[foraging]]. In 1862, [[Puget Mill Company]] acquired {{convert|17,000|acre|ha}} in the newly-formed county, including the thickly-forested plateau where modern-day Mountlake Terrace sits and the adjacent [[Lake Ballinger|Lake McAleer]]. The land was logged by 1900 and was later subdivided into {{convert|10|acre|ha|adj=mid}} [[chicken farm|chicken ranches]], which were sold to farmers.<ref name="HistoryLink">{{cite web |last=Tate |first=Cassandra |date=April 6, 2008 |title=Mountlake Terrace — Thumbnail History |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/8576 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> Judge [[Richard A. Ballinger]] purchased Lake McAleer in 1901 and renamed it to Lake Ballinger for his father, later leaving the area to become [[Mayor of Seattle|Seattle mayor]].<ref name="MLT-60Years">{{cite news |date=December 2014 |title=Mountlake Terrace Looking Back 60 Years & Beyond |pages=1, 4–5 |url=http://www.cityofmlt.com/Archive/ViewFile/Item/2850 |work=City Happenings |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=March 9, 2018}}</ref> The [[Shriners|Nile Shrine]] of Seattle purchased {{convert|135|acre|ha}} on the east side of the lake in 1927, building a [[Meetinghouse|clubhouse]] and later a private [[golf course]].<ref name="MLT-60Years"/>

An [[interurban]] railway between [[Everett, Washington|Everett]] and [[Seattle]] opened in 1910, improving access from the farms to various markets. Many of these small farms failed during the [[Great Depression]] and were affected by the closure of the interurban in 1939, following the completion of [[Washington State Route 99|Highway 99]].<ref name="HistoryLink"/> The area remained home to chicken and [[mink]] farms well into the 1950s, while areas to the south underwent suburban development.<ref name="PI-Bailey1998">{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Gil |date=April 18, 1998 |title=Mountlake Terrace: This bedroom community has some living room |page=D1 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref>

===Development and incorporation===

A [[Aerodrome|landing field]] was built on the north side of the King–Snohomish county line by the federal government for use during [[World War II]]. It was abandoned after the war, despite plans to expand it for civilian aviation, and acquired by real estate developers Albert LaPierre and Jack Peterson in 1949.<ref name="Times-1964">{{cite news |last=Lane |first=Bob |date=November 29, 1964 |title=$5 Loan Needed to Get City Going |page=12 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> LaPierre and Peterson named the property "Mountlake Terrace" for its plateau-like setting with views of [[Lake Washington]] and [[Mount Rainier]], and sought to develop a low-income [[bedroom community]] for returning veterans.<ref name="Cameron-298">{{cite book |last1=Cameron |first1=David A. |last2=LeWarne |first2=Charles P. |last3=May |first3=M. Allan |last4=O'Donnell |first4=Jack C. |last5=O'Donnell |first5=Lawrence E. |year=2005 |title=Snohomish County: An Illustrated History |pages=298–299 |publisher=Kelcema Books LLC |location=Index, Washington |isbn=978-0-9766700-0-1 |oclc=62728798}}</ref> Construction on the first 250 homes began in June 1949, using a simple {{convert|20 by 30|ft|m|adj=mid}} floorplan with two bedrooms and basic amenities. The [[cinderblock]] homes were built in an [[assembly line]], taking several weeks to complete and leaving landscaping and interior painting to the owners.<ref name="MLT-60Years"/><ref name="Cameron-298"/> The homes were initially priced at a minimum of $4,999 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|4999|1949|r=-3|fmt=c}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars) and sold quickly, requiring expansion beyond the initial [[subdivision (land)|subdivision]].{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Staples |first=Alice |date=September 18, 1949 |title=$4,999 Two-Bedroom Home Draws Interest |page=25 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

Mountlake Terrace was one of the first large-scale suburban developments in the [[Pacific Northwest]], becoming the second-largest residential area in Snohomish County with 5,000 people by 1954.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aweeka |first=Charles |date=November 28, 1979 |title=The town of G.I. block houses celebrates 25th |page=H6 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref name="Times-Place">{{cite news |last=Meyers |first=Georg N. |date=May 29, 1954 |title=Fast-Growing 'City' Ready to Take Place on Map |page=18 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> LaPierre and Peterson developed additional areas to the north and east of their initial subdivision, later adding larger homes that remained in an affordable price range for young families.<ref name="Cameron-298"/> A small [[shopping center]] opened on the south side of the county line, followed by a second in the modern-day Town Center in June 1954 with the area's first [[supermarket]].<ref name="Cameron-298"/><ref>{{cite news |date=July 1, 1954 |title=10,000 Take In Opening Of New Store |page=16 |work=[[The Everett Herald]]}}</ref> Mountlake Terrace remained an unincorporated area that was reliant on the county government for services, which were unable to cope with the rising population of the area. The telephone system used a [[party line (telephony)|party line]] shared between 10 homes, the [[water main]]s and [[septic tank]]s were prone to failure, and the community lacked protection due to their distance from the nearest sheriff's precinct.<ref name="Cameron-298"/><ref>{{cite news |date=June 8, 1952 |title=Test Well May End Acute Water Shortage at Mountlake Terrace |page=25 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

LaPierre and Peterson funded construction of a local [[fire station]] and provided a [[police radio]] to link community volunteers with the county sheriff in Everett, but response times for emergencies remained long.{{sfnp|Cameron|LeWarne|May|O'Donnell|2005|p=301}} Patrick McMahan, a local [[firefighter]], began organizing an [[Municipal incorporation|incorporation]] campaign in 1953 after waiting a day for the sheriff to respond to an attempted [[burglary]] at his home. He first proposed an annexation into [[Edmonds, Washington|Edmonds]] at a city council meeting in June 1953, where he was rejected by the mayor but approached by a city councilmember who suggested incorporating as a separate city.{{sfnp|Cameron|LeWarne|May|O'Donnell|2005|p=301}}<ref name="Times-2003">{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Lynn |date=December 3, 2003 |title=Mountlake Terrace prepares for its 50th-birthday party |page=H17 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20031203&slug=mltbirthday03n |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 27, 2020}}</ref> An incorporation committee was formed by McMahan and other residents, including two attorneys, and collected 650 signatures for their petition to the county government.<ref name="MLT-60Years"/><ref>{{cite news |date=June 2, 1954 |title=Mountlake Terrace Petitions Tallied |page=9 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

The county commissioners scheduled an incorporation ballot measure and a concurrent city council election for November 23, 1954. An anti-incorporation bloc was formed by Mountlake Terrace residents who were opposed to increased taxes and potential costs that were previously covered by the county government.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 22, 1954 |title=Mountlake Terrace Votes Tomorrow on Incorporation |page=26 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The vote ended 517–483 in favor of incorporating as a third-class city with a [[council–manager government]] and elected five councilmembers, including the wife of an anti-incorporation leader.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 24, 1954 |title=Mountlake Will Become City |page=4 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=November 25, 1954 |title=New Councilwoman Surprised, Pleased |page=7 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The new city council convened the following day and appointed hardware store owner Gilbert "Gil" Geiser as the first mayor of Mountlake Terrace.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 25, 1954 |title=First Mayor Of Mountlake Terrace |page=7 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Geiser loaned $5 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|5|1954|fmt=c}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} to the city government to file an incorporation charter with the state government, which was issued on November 29 and delivered the following day.<ref name="Times-1964"/><ref>{{cite news |date=December 1, 1954 |title=Mountlake Terrace Gets Charter |page=16 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> [[City manager]] Evan Peterson was hired from [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] and initially conducted city business from his car before renting an empty two-bedroom house to act as an interim [[city hall]].{{sfnp|Cameron|LeWarne|May|O'Donnell|2005|p=302}}<ref>{{cite news |date=December 7, 1954 |title=Mountlake Terrace's City Manager on Job |page=15 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

===Early growth===

Within a few years of incorporating, the city government had rebuilt most of Mountlake Terrace's original roads, added {{convert|14|mi|km}} of sidewalks, and begun work on a permanent water and sewer system.{{sfnp|Cameron|LeWarne|May|O'Donnell|2005|p=305}} The early homes in the neighborhood were renovated and expanded with financial assistance from the [[Federal Housing Administration]], which also encouraged neighborhood improvements.<ref name="Times-1964"/> In 1955, the city annexed {{convert|150|acre|ha}}, bringing its population to over 5,400, opened its own [[post office]], and established a [[police department]] with five full-time personnel.<ref name="MLT-60Years"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Hill |date=February 4, 1956 |title=Mountlake Terrace is Thriving, Enthusiastic City |page=18 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The [[Edmonds School District]] built several schools for the growing city, including [[Mountlake Terrace High School]], which opened in September 1960.<ref name="Times-Hall1962">{{cite news |last=Staples |first=Alice |date=January 14, 1962 |title=Booming Mountlake Terrace Will Move Into $325,000 City Hall |page=28 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 7, 1960 |title=New Mountlake Terrace Senior High School |page=1 |work=The Enterprise}}</ref>

Mountlake Terrace's population increased by 50 percent within its first five years of incorporating and doubled between 1950 and 1960.{{sfnp|Cameron|LeWarne|May|O'Donnell|2005|p=307}} LaPierre and Peterson donated land for the construction of several churches, including the St. Pius X Catholic Church, which held its first [[Catholic Mass|mass]] on June 22, 1955.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> In 1958, the city government signed agreements with the sewer districts of Edmonds and Ronald (now part of [[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]]) to form a "Little [[King County Metro|Metro]]" and share treatment facilities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reddin |first=John J. |date=May 4, 1958 |title=Communities Get Together and Form 'Little Metro' Plan |page=29 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The city also placed restrictions on [[Structure relocation|relocated homes]] from Seattle later that year, following a surge of those displaced from the construction of [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]], a major regional freeway that would later reach Mountlake Terrace.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 4, 1958 |title=Mountlake Puts Curb On House-Moving |page=21 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

In the early 1960s, a new [[industrial park]] was developed in Mountlake Terrace that attracted several companies, including electronics firm [[Fluke Corporation|John Fluke Corporation]], who moved 325 employees from Seattle in 1960.<ref name="Times-Hall1962"/><ref>{{cite news |date=March 15, 1964 |title=Housewives Have Niche In Electronics |page=27 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Several retailers and other small businesses opened at Mountlake Terrace's shopping centers, including a pair facing each other at the intersection of 232nd Street Southwest and 56th Avenue West.<ref name="MLT-60Years"/> The city passed a [[bond issue]] in 1961 to fund construction of a permanent city hall, which opened in October 1962 with {{convert|17,800|sqft|sqm}} of space for the city government, police department, and [[fire department]].<ref name="Times-Hall1962"/><ref>{{cite news |date=October 24, 1962 |title=Open house, dedication set for new Terrace Civic Center |page=1 |work=The Enterprise}}</ref> In 1964, Mountlake Terrace approved a bond issue solely for parks, which was later used to construct the Recreation Pavilion in 1968.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lane |first=Bob |date=December 26, 1965 |title=South Snohomish County: A rural area 20 years ago, it now has four cities, 67,000 residents and a concern for the future |pages=10–11 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 13, 1968 |title=Terrace's $650,000 Recreation Pavilion to Open |page=18 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

Interstate 5 opened on February 3, 1965, providing faster access from bedroom communities in Snohomish County to Seattle.{{sfnp|Cameron|LeWarne|May|O'Donnell|2005|pages=331–332}} On the same day, the adjacent area of [[Brier, Washington|Brier]] voted to be incorporated as a city, in part to prevent an annexation by Mountlake Terrace.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 29, 1964 |title=Mountlake Terrace Given Cold Shoulder |page=12 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 3, 1965 |title=Rural Area Votes to Be City of Brier |page=9 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The two cities later settled a dispute over sewer services that would allow Brier to use Mountlake Terrace's system.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lane |first=Bob |date=July 9, 1965 |title=Mountlake, Brier Dispute Over Sewer Services Eases |page=18 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

===Late 20th century===

The completion of the [[Boeing Everett Factory]] spurred continued population growth in the region, with Mountlake Terrace nearly doubling to over 16,000 residents by 1970.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> The prosperity was short-lived, however, as Boeing announced major [[layoff]]s after the collapse of the [[Boeing 2707|supersonic transport program]], which caused a local recession.{{sfnp|Cameron|LeWarne|May|O'Donnell|2005|p=340}} The city government had hoped to develop a standalone town center, but local businesses were unable to compete with the [[Alderwood Mall]] in Lynnwood, which opened in 1979 and drew away shoppers.<ref name="HistoryLink"/> Mountlake Terrace's population declined slightly in the 1970s, resulting in the closure of some local schools and the post office.<ref>{{cite news |last=Macdonald |first=Sally |date=January 7, 1981 |title=Edmonds to close 2 junior highs this year |page=F1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Suffia |first=David |date=April 18, 1979 |title=Mail suit slow to make it to docket |page=H5 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The number of housing units increased significantly through the construction of apartments and [[Condominium (living space)|condominium]]s, but the average occupancy per household decreased.<ref name="Times-1985">{{cite news |last=Aweeka |first=Charles |date=May 29, 1985 |title=Mountlake Terrace block houses are bleak but cheap |page=H2 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The city government had a budget deficit of $420,000 in 1979 (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|420000|1979}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} due to declines in revenue and its small [[sales tax]] base.<ref>{{cite news |last=Suffia |first=David |date=November 21, 1979 |title=Terrace facing half-million-dollar budget deficit |page=F4 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

Fluke moved its headquarters in Everett in 1981 and was later replaced by [[Premera Blue Cross|Blue Cross]], which moved from Seattle and became the largest employer in the city.<ref name="PI-Bailey1998"/><ref name="Times-220th">{{cite news |last=Bergsman |first=Jerry |date=June 2, 1982 |title=Interchange may face opposition |page=F6 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The city government continued to encourage development of its industrial center on the northwest side of Interstate 5, including improvements to a freeway interchange and special zoning initiatives.<ref name="Times-220th"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Aweeka |first=Charles |date=May 16, 1984 |title=Mountlake Terrace working for new image as business center |page=F2 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The freeway project also included funding from the state government to improve city parks and sports fields as compensation for lost land at an [[elementary school]] in Melody Hill.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bergsman |first=Jerry |date=March 13, 1985 |title=Changes to I-5 give Mountlake Terrace $420,000 to play with |page=H1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> A {{convert|18|acre|ha|adj=mid}} site at the southwest corner of the original subdivision with 14 homes and several small business was proposed for a hotel and commercial development that was later put on hold because of planning complications.<ref name="Times-1985"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Aweeka |first=Charles |date=March 16, 1983 |title='Tourist Zone' plan supported for site in Mountlake Terrace |page=F2 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The site was later revived in the late 1980s as Gateway Place, an office and retail complex that began construction in 1989.<ref>{{cite news |last=Koch |first=Anne |date=January 31, 1989 |title=Mountlake Terrace development appears to be back on track |page=B3 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Milburn |first=Karen |date=October 18, 1991 |title=American States finds a home |page=D8 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

Despite repeated decreases in spending, the city's budget had a $1.3&nbsp;million deficit (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|1300000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} in 1989 due to increased administrative costs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Koch |first=Anne |date=November 29, 1989 |title=City council tries to close $1 million gap |page=H3 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> A pair of [[arson]] fires in downtown Mountlake Terrace destroyed two shopping centers and caused $3&nbsp;million in damage (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3000000|1990}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars).{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} As a result, one shopping center took 20 months to reopen and the other was closed permanently.<ref name="Times-Plans2006">{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Diane |date=April 7, 2006 |title=Big plans for Mountlake Terrace |page=B2 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20060407&slug=mltdowntown07e |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> The city government opposed the construction of a [[strip club]] in the 1990s and debated a comprehensive rezoning of the town center to support traditional retail and commercial uses.<ref name="HistoryLink"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Brunner |first=Jim |date=October 29, 1999 |title=Traffic, business dominate election |page=B3 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Mountlake Terrace rebuilt its high school in 1991 and opened a variety of recreational facilities by the end of the decade, including an indoor [[ice-skating rink]] and a section of the multi-use [[Interurban Trail (Snohomish County)|Interurban Trail]], alongside plans for two casinos.<ref>{{cite news |last=Monson |first=Suzanne |date=January 6, 2002 |title=Recreation, affordability reward Mountlake Terrace residents |page=E2 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Lenny |date=April 15, 1994 |title=Olympic-sized ice rink for Mountlake Terrace |page=E4 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Lynn |date=October 22, 2003 |title=Mountlake Terrace may get 2 new casinos on 220th Street |page=H17 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

===21st century redevelopment===
[[File:Mountlake Terrace 236th&56th.JPG|thumb|right|An intersection in the Mountlake Terrace town center in 2010, before major development began]]

The city government began planning for a redeveloped town center in the early 2000s, passing zoning regulations to spur the construction of [[mixed-use development|mixed-use]] residential and commercial. The town center plan, which was adopted in 2007, allowed for building heights of up to seven stories, encouraged architectural variety, and required smaller [[setback (land use)|setbacks]] from sidewalks.<ref name="Times-Plans2006"/><ref name="Times-2007">{{cite news |last=Moreira |first=Naila |date=May 2, 2007 |title=City has vision of friendly, walkable downtown |page=H3 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/city-has-vision-of-friendly-walkable-downtown/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> The changes were dependent on the construction of the [[Mountlake Terrace station|Mountlake Terrace Transit Center]], a major bus hub that opened in 2007 with a [[parking garage]].<ref name="Times-2007"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=February 20, 2009 |title=Mountlake Terrace park-and-ride will have more room Monday |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mountlake-terrace-park-and-ride-will-have-more-room-monday/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref>

The first major project to use the new town center plan, a five-story apartment building with shops, was approved in 2010 and opened in 2013 as Arbor Village.<ref>{{cite news |last=Halpert |first=Oscar |date=April 12, 2010 |title=Revitalizing Mountlake Terrace's downtown |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/revitalizing-mountlake-terraces-downtown/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Watkins |first=Amy |date=July 7, 2014 |title=Terrace's Arbor Village draws praise |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/uncategorized/terraces-arbor-village-draws-praise/ |work=The Everett Herald Business Journal |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> Two more buildings were completed later in the decade, along with reconstruction of the city's [[main street]] (56th Avenue West).<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/405/History |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Evan |date=July 23, 2015 |title=MLT to use state money, grants, local money to revitalize Main Street |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mlt-to-use-state-money-grants-local-money-to-revitalize-main-street/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> An extension of [[Link light rail]] along Interstate 5, including a station at Mountlake Terrace Transit Center, was approved by voters in 2008 and opened in 2024.<ref name="Herald-LR2019">{{cite news |last=Giordano |first=Lizz |date=September 4, 2019 |title=Historic groundbreaking for Lynnwood light rail extension |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/historic-groundbreaking-for-lynnwood-light-rail-extension/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Times-LR2024">{{cite news |last1=Deshais |first1=Nicholas |last2=Lindblom |first2=Mike |date=August 30, 2024 |title=New light rail stations draw big crowds for first trips |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/new-light-rail-stations-draw-big-crowds-for-first-trips/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 30, 2024}}</ref> The light rail extension triggered an update to the town center in 2019 that would allow for building heights of 12 stories and encouraging [[walkability|walkable]] development with smaller [[city block|blocks]].<ref name="Herald-TC2019">{{cite news |last=Giordano |first=Lizz |date=October 28, 2019 |title=Mountlake Terrace envisions a dense, walkable Town Center |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mountlake-terrace-envisions-a-dense-walkable-town-center/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> A strip of land along Interstate 5 near the transit center, including the former Evergreen Elementary School, is being redeveloped into a three-building housing complex with 600 apartments and retail space that will open in stages from 2020 to 2026.<ref name="Herald-Station2018">{{cite news |last=Haglund |first=Noah |date=May 31, 2018 |title=Work starting on buildings along I-5 in Mountlake Terrace |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/groundwork-starting-on-buildings-along-i-5-in-mountlake-terrace/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref>

The city hall building was permanently closed on July 18, 2009, a year after a ceiling collapse in the city council chambers revealed structural issues and hidden [[asbestos]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Fyall |first=Chris |date=May 27, 2009 |title=Mountlake Terrace puts old city hall in the past |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mountlake-terrace-puts-old-city-hall-in-the-past/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> The city government temporarily relocated to various office spaces in the city before moving into an interim city hall at an office park.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fyall |first=Chris |date=July 22, 2009 |title=MLT City Hall moves |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/uncategorized/mlt-city-hall-moves/ |work=The Enterprise |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> The building was demolished in 2010 and funding for a new city hall at the site was approved by voters in 2017 as the centerpiece of a [[civic campus]] adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stevick |first=Eric |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Mountlake Terrace voters handily backing new civic campus |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/voters-handily-backing-new-civic-center-for-mountlake-terrace/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> The new city hall opened in September 2021 and cost $12.5&nbsp;million to construct.<ref name="CivicCampus">{{cite press release |date=September 18, 2021 |title=Dedication Ceremony Celebrates New MLT Civic Campus |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1004 |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=September 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 6, 2019 |title=Allied Construction to rebuild part of Mountlake Terrace civic campus |url=https://www.djc.com/news/co/12127764.html |work=[[Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref>

==Geography==

Mountlake Terrace is in southwestern Snohomish County, approximately {{convert|14|mi|km}} north of [[Downtown Seattle]] on [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]].<ref name="Times-2006">{{cite news |last=McManman |first=Don |date=June 3, 2006 |title=Mountlake Terrace now in sweet spot for affordability, easy commuting |page=E4 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20060603&slug=realneighborhood04 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |date=March 2013 |title=Snohomish County Urban Growth Areas and Incorporated Cities |url=http://www.snoco.org/docs/scd/PDF/PDS_UGA/County_11x17.pdf |publisher=Snohomish County |access-date=March 14, 2020}}</ref> It is on the southern border of the county, beyond which lies the cities of [[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]] and [[Lake Forest Park, Washington|Lake Forest Park]] in [[King County, Washington|King County]].<ref name="Times-2006"/> The [[city limits]] are generally defined to the west by Hall Creek and the [[Interurban Trail (Snohomish County)|Interurban Trail]], separating it from [[Edmonds, Washington|Edmonds]]; to the north by 212th Street Southwest and [[Lynnwood, Washington|Lynnwood]]; and to the east by 39th Avenue West and [[Brier, Washington|Brier]].<ref name="StreetMap">{{cite map |date=April 2014 |title=City Street Map |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/259/City-Street-Map-PDF |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=March 14, 2020}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.16|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|4.06|sqmi|sqkm|2|abbr=on}} is land and {{convert|0.10|sqmi|sqkm|2|abbr=on}} is water.<ref name="Census-Gazetteer">{{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}}</ref>

The city sits on a [[plateau]] that is elevated from the surrounding landscape, with views of the [[Olympic Mountains|Olympic]] and [[Cascade Mountains|Cascade]] mountains.<ref name="Comp-LandUse">{{cite web |date=September 2019 |title=Land Use Element |work=City of Mountlake Terrace Comprehensive Plan |page=LU-1 |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/21857/Land-Use-Element-2019-Updated-Map |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> The Mountlake Terrace's elevation ranges from {{convert|263 to 528|ft|m}} above sea level, with an average altitude of {{convert|440|ft|m}}.<ref name="ParksPlan">{{cite web |date=December 2015 |title=Recreation, Parks and Open Space Master Plan |pages=6–8 |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/2067/Recreation-Parks-and-Open-Space-Master-Plan-2015 |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The southwestern portion of the city includes the {{convert|100|acre|ha|adj=mid}} [[Lake Ballinger]], which is fed by Hall Creek from Lynnwood and discharges into McAleer Creek towards [[Lake Washington]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Fyall |first=Chris |date=May 29, 2008 |title=Lyon Creek removed from Ballinger efforts |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/uncategorized/lyon-creek-removed-from-ballinger-efforts-2/ |work=The Enterprise |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lake Ballinger |url=https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5353/Ballinger |publisher=Snohomish County Public Works |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> Other portions of Mountlake Terrace lie in the watersheds of Lyon Creek and Swamp Creek, which both drain into Lake Washington.<ref>{{cite map |title=Critical Areas: Water & Wildlife Features |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/558/Water-Wildlife-Features-Map |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |date=November 16, 2006 |title=Watershed and Hydrologic Features Map |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/257/Watershed-Boundaries-Basins-PDF |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>

===Neighborhoods===

Mountlake Terrace is divided into six designated neighborhoods for use in [[urban planning|city planning]]: the Town Center, Cascade View (formerly North Terrace), Cedar Terrace (formerly East Terrace), Gateway, Lake Ballinger, and Melody Hill.<ref name="Facilities">{{cite map |date=May 2016 |title=Public Facilities Map |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/9789/Public-Facilities-PDF |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Enterprise-Melody">{{cite news |last=Zappala |first=Jenny Lynn |date=March 3, 2008 |title=Moving in, moving up |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/uncategorized/moving-in-moving-up/ |work=The Enterprise |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref>

* The Town Center between 220th and 236th streets is home to several retailers, restaurants, and civic buildings near Veterans Memorial Park.<ref name="Herald-60Years">{{cite news |last=Fiege |first=Gale |date=October 16, 2014 |title=60 years on, Mountlake Terrace is still making a splash with families |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/60-years-on-mountlake-terrace-is-still-making-a-splash-with-families/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> It is planned to be developed into a [[mixed-use development|mixed-use]] community with commercial and office space alongside denser housing.<ref name="Herald-TC2019"/>
* Cedar Terrace is located east of the Town Center and Terrace Creek Park, which is along a section of Lyon Creek. The neighborhood is predominantly residential, with a [[shopping center]] and several apartment complexes along Cedar Way.<ref name="Comp-Livability">{{cite web |date=December 2017 |title=Community Livability Element |work=City of Mountlake Terrace Comprehensive Plan |pages=8–11 |url=https://wa-mountlaketerrace2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/17982/Community-Livability-Element |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> 
* Cascade View encompasses the north side of the city, stretching from Interstate 5 in the west to the border with Brier in the east. It is predominantly residential and also includes the high school campus and a shopping center.<ref name="Comp-Livability"/>
* The Gateway neighborhood is a mostly residential neighborhood to the south of the Town Center with a commercial center near Interstate 5 and its interchange with State Route 104.<ref name="Comp-Livability"/> A parcel at the western edge of the neighborhood is being developed into a three-building complex with 600 apartments and retail.<ref name="Herald-Station2018"/>
* The predominantly residential Lake Ballinger neighborhood is located at the southwest corner of Mountlake Terrace, between the Interurban Trail and Interstate 5, and includes the eponymous lake.<ref name="Comp-Livability"/>
* Melody Hill has a mix of [[office park]]s, industrial businesses, and apartment buildings located in the northwest corner of the city.<ref name="Comp-Livability"/> The neighborhood is located atop a hill west of Interstate 5 and north of Lake Ballinger.<ref name="Enterprise-Melody"/>

==Economy==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear:right; margin:0 0 0.5em 1em;"
|+ Largest employers (2022)<ref name="Budget">{{cite web |date=December 5, 2022 |title=City of Mountlake Terrace, Washington 2023–2024 Adopted Biennial Budget |pages=23, 59–63 |url=https://cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/25251/2023-2024-Adopted-Biennial-Budget- |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref>
|-
! Employer || Employees
|-
| 1. [[Premera Blue Cross]] || 2,446
|-
| 2. City of Mountlake Terrace || 192
|-
| 3. 1st Security Bank || 175
|-
| 4. [[Umpqua Bank]] || 124
|-
| 5. [[Safeway]] || 110
|}

{{As of|2018}}, Mountlake Terrace has an estimated workforce population of 12,251 people, of which 11,753 are employed. The largest sectors of employment are educational and health services, at 26 percent, followed by professional services (12.9%) and retail (12.3%).<ref name="ACS">{{cite web |year=2019 |title=Selected Economic Characteristics: Mountlake Terrace, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=DP03&g=1600000US5347490&tid=ACSDP5Y2018.DP03&hidePreview=true |work=[[American Community Survey]] |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> The majority of workers in the city commute to other areas for employment, including 37.0 percent to [[Seattle]], 6.9 percent to [[Lynnwood, Washington|Lynnwood]], 6.0 percent to [[Everett, Washington|Everett]], and 5.8 percent to [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]]. Only 3.2 percent of Mountlake Terrace residents work within the city limits.<ref name="OnTheMap">{{cite web |title=Work Destination Report&nbsp;— Where Workers are Employed Who Live in the Selection Area&nbsp;— by Places (Cities, CDPs, etc.) |url=https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/ |work=OnTheMap |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> Over 67 percent of workers commute in [[single-occupancy vehicle|single-occupant]] vehicles, while 13 percent take [[public transportation]] and 12 percent use [[carpool]]s.<ref name="ACS"/>

The city had 1,404 registered businesses with 6,993 total jobs, according to 2012 estimates by the U.S. Census and [[Puget Sound Regional Council]], with most belonging to the professional services sector.<ref name="Census-Profile"/><ref>{{cite web |title=2012 Covered Employment Estimates |url=https://www.psrc.org/covered-employment-estimates |publisher=[[Puget Sound Regional Council]] |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> Mountlake Terrace's employers attract commuters from around the region, with about 11 percent of workers living in Seattle and 7 percent from Everett.<ref name="OnTheMap"/> The largest employer in the city Terrace is [[health insurance]] firm [[Premera Blue Cross]], which has over 2,400 employees at its Mountlake Terrace headquarters.<ref name="Comp-Economy">{{cite web |date=September 2019 |title=Economic Vitality Element |page=8 |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/21643/Economic-Vitality-Element-2019 |work=Mountlake Terrace Comprehensive Plan |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Day |first=Kathy |date=October 24, 2000 |title=Premera signs lease for new Quadrant Park |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/premera-signs-lease-for-new-quadrant-park/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> Another major employer is [[Umpqua Bank]], which absorbed [[Sterling Bank (Washington)|Sterling Bank]] and its Mountlake Terrace-based subsidiary Golf Savings Bank.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fetters |first=Eric C. |date=October 7, 2012 |title=Sterling loan unit buys Terrace building |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/sterling-loan-unit-buys-terrace-building/ |work=The Everett Herald Business Journal |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Corliss |first=Bryan |date=February 13, 2006 |title=Sterling, Golf Savings to merge |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/sterling-golf-savings-to-merge/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref>

Mountlake Terrace's businesses had $223&nbsp;million in total taxable retail sales in 2016, growing by 46 percent over a five-year period.<ref name="Comp-Economy"/>{{rp|10–11}} The city has several [[shopping center]]s that are concentrated in neighborhood centers and the Town Center area, which is proposed to become a mixed-use district.<ref name="Comp-Economy"/>{{rp|14}} The Town Center is home to several major retailers and restaurants, including the Diamond Knot Brewpub and Double DD Meats, among the oldest surviving businesses in the city.<ref name="Herald-60Years"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Mina |date=November 18, 2010 |title=Who's Who: Double DD Meats serves up the perfect cut |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/whos-who-double-dd-meats-serves-up-the-perfect-cut/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> Several [[office park]]s and industrial buildings are located on the 220th Street Southwest corridor northwest of the Town Center, including the Premera headquarters and other healthcare employers.<ref name="Comp-Economy"/>{{rp|15}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1960= 9122
|1970= 16600
|1980= 16534
|1990= 19320
|2000= 20362
|2010= 19909
|2020= 21826
|estyear=2022
|estimate=21543
|estref=<ref name="Census-Estimate2022"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{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}}</ref>
}}

Mountlake Terrace is the seventh largest city in Snohomish County by population, with 21,286 residents as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]].<ref name="Census-Profile"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> The city grew to a population of over 16,000 within 15 years of incorporating, but has remained mostly stable since then, with a jump in the 1980s and a small decline in the 2000s that resulted in school closures.<ref name="ParksPlan"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Fiege |first=Gale |date=March 15, 2011 |title=Explaining the Snohomish County school shuffle |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/explaining-the-snohomish-county-school-shuffle/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> The area was originally developed with [[single-family home]]s, but newer buildings include [[multi-family housing]] and denser residential development.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 2015 |title=Housing Element |work=City of Mountlake Terrace Comprehensive Plan |page=HO-3 |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/DocumentCenter/View/186/Housing-Element |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref>

===2010 census===

As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 U.S. census]], there were 19,909 people, 8,192 households, and 4,891 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|4903.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 8,602 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2118.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 71.7% White, 4.3% African American, 1.1% Native American, 11.2% Asian, 0.8% Pacific Islander, 4.9% from other races, and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.5% of the population.<ref name="Census-QuickFacts">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Mountlake Terrace, Washington |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/mountlaketerracecitywashington |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>

There were 8,192 households, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.<ref name="Census-QuickFacts"/>

The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.4% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 10.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.<ref name="Census-QuickFacts"/>

===2000 census===

As of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 20,362 people, 7,962 households, and 5,016 families living in the city. The population density was 5,036.7 people per square mile (1,946.0/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 8,217 housing units at an average density of 2,032.6 per square mile (785.3/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 77.70% White, 2.52% Black, 1.08% Native American, 10.64% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 2.61% from other races, and 4.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.65% of the population.<ref name="Census2000">{{cite web |year=2000 |title=Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Mountlake Terrace city, Washington |url=https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/mountlaketerrace.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |via=[[Puget Sound Regional Council]] |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>

There were 7,962 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name="Census2000"/>

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 25.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females, age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.<ref name="Census2000"/>

The median income for a household in the city was $47,238, and the median income for a family was $52,117. Males had a median income of $37,421 versus $28,796 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,566.  About 5.8% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those aged 65 and older.<ref name="Census2000"/>

==Government and politics==
[[File:Redstone Corporate Center - Mountlake Terrace interim city hall.jpg|thumb|right|The interim [[city hall]] of Mountlake Terrace at an [[office park]] near [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]]]]

Mountlake Terrace is a noncharter incorporated [[City government in Washington (state)|code city]] with a [[Council–manager government|council–manager]] form of government.<ref name="Audit">{{cite web |date=April 4, 2019 |title=Accountability Audit Report: City of Mountlake Terrace |page=6 |url=https://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch/Home/ViewReportFile?arn=1023492&isFinding=false&sp=false |publisher=[[Washington State Auditor]] |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The [[city council]] meets twice a month and has seven part-time members who are elected [[at-large]] in staggered four-year terms.<ref>{{cite web |title=City Council |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/587/City-Council |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The [[city manager]] is appointed by the city council to act as chief administrator of the city government and appoints the executives of city departments and programs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Evan |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Mountlake Terrace using firm to find new city manager – this time for free |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mountlake-terrace-using-firm-to-find-new-city-manager-this-time-for-free/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The city council also selects one of its members to serve as [[mayor]], a largely ceremonial role that includes presiding over council meetings, for a two-year term.<ref name="Audit"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Evan |date=February 16, 2016 |title=Johnson, Boyer, Smith, Krienke head city councils in south county |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/johnson-boyer-smith-krienke-head-city-councils-in-south-county/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>

Jeff Niten has served as the city manager of Mountlake Terrace since his appointment in April 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last=Watanabe |first=Ben |date=March 17, 2023 |title=New Mountlake Terrace city manager set for $200K salary |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-mountlake-terrace-city-manager-set-for-200k-salary/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref> Councilmember and [[realtor]] Kyoko Matsumoto Wright was appointed as mayor in December 2018 to finish the term of the late Jerry Smith.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 28, 2018 |title=Matsumoto Wright to serve as Mountlake Terrace mayor |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/matsumoto-wright-to-serve-as-mountlake-terrace-mayor/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The city council also appoints citizens to serve on seven [[advisory board]]s: the Arts Advisory Commission, Civil Service Commission, Community Policing Advisory Board, Neighborhood Parks Improvement Subcommittee, Planning Commission, Recreation and Parks Advisory Commission, and Salary Commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boards & Commissions |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/450/Boards-Commissions |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>

The city government had an annual operating budget of $29&nbsp;million in 2017 that is largely funded by [[property tax|property]], [[sales tax|sales]], and [[utility tax|utility]] taxes.<ref name="Budget"/><ref name="Audit"/> It employs approximately 192 people who are organized into several departments that are overseen by the city manager and city council.<ref name="Budget"/> Mountlake Terrace provides its own municipal services, including [[animal control service|animal control]], building inspection, [[zoning]], public works, parks and recreation, [[tap water]], [[sewage treatment]], and a [[police department]].<ref name="Audit"/> The city government is based out of a [[city hall]] that opened in 2021 as part of a new [[civic center|civic campus]] in downtown, adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park.<ref name="CivicCampus"/> An interim city hall at an office park near Interstate 5 opened in 2008 after the previous city hall suffered a sudden roof collapse.<ref name="Facilities"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Mina |date=September 20, 2008 |title=Mountlake Terrace's interim City Hall holds open house |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/mountlake-terraces-interim-city-hall-holds-open-house/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=September 19, 2021}}</ref>

Other municipal services are provided from regional entities, including [[firefighting]] and [[emergency medical services]] from [[South County Fire]], which inherited a contract signed by Mountlake Terrace with Fire District 1 in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last=Halpert |first=Oscar |date=April 5, 2010 |title=Fire District 1's plans bumping up against growing cities |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/fire-district-1s-plans-bumping-up-against-growing-cities/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bryan |first=Zachariah |date=May 27, 2019 |title=After 40 years in fire service, South County chief retires |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/after-40-years-in-fire-service-south-county-chief-retires/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=March 2, 2022}}</ref> The city's inmates are sent to [[jail]]s operated by Snohomish County or the City of Lynnwood, which also has a [[municipal court]] for Mountlake Terrace's police cases.<ref>{{cite news |last=King |first=Rikki |date=September 6, 2014 |title=Increase in jail booking, housing fees will cost cities more |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/increase-in-jail-booking-housing-fees-will-cost-cities-more/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The countywide [[Sno-Isle Libraries]] system oversees Mountlake Terrace's [[library]], while the [[Edmonds School District]] operates public schools in the city.<ref name="Budget"/>{{rp|16}}

At the federal level, Mountlake Terrace is part of the [[Washington's 1st congressional district|1st congressional district]], represented by Democrat [[Suzan DelBene]]. The district encompasses parts of Snohomish and King counties between Arlington and [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] that generally lie east of Interstate 5.<ref>{{cite map |author=Census Bureau Geography Division |year=2023 |title=118th Congress of the United States: Washington – Congressional District 1 |scale=1:118,000 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST53/CD118_WA01.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=October 24, 2022 |title=Incumbents DelBene, Larsen say country is heading in right direction |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/incumbents-delbene-larsen-say-country-is-heading-in-right-direction/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 15, 2024}}</ref> The city had previously been part of the [[Washington's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]] until 2022.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 10, 2021 |title=State redistricting maps will shuffle Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace |url=https://myedmondsnews.com/2021/12/state-redistricting-maps-will-shuffle-edmonds-and-mountlake-terrace/ |work=My Edmonds News |accessdate=January 15, 2024}}</ref> At the state level, Mountlake Terrace is part of the [[Washington's 32nd legislative district|32nd legislative district]], which also includes Lynnwood, [[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]], [[Woodway, Washington|Woodway]], and portions of Edmonds and Seattle.<ref>{{cite map |author=Washington State Redistricting Commission |date=July 15, 2022 |title=Legislative District 32 |page=33 |work=District Maps Booklet 2022 |url=https://leg.wa.gov/LIC/Documents/Maps/Redistricting%20Map%20Booklet_2022.pdf |publisher=Washington State Legislative Information Center |accessdate=January 15, 2024}}</ref> The city is also part of the [[Snohomish County Council]]'s 4th district, which also includes Brier, northern Bothell, and Mill Creek.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Culture==

Mountlake Terrace has an annual festival, known as Tour de Terrace, that is staged during the last weekend of July as part of the regional [[Seafair]]. It includes a parade, live music, a [[5K run]], vehicle shows, a carnival, and a [[firework]]s display. The festival was established in 1993 by the city government ahead of a 40th anniversary celebration and is run by volunteers with support from the city.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Diane |date=July 28, 2004 |title=Terrace a gateway to the world |page=H29 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> In 2017, the Tour de Terrace and its associated events in July attracted 70,000 visitors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Salyer |first=Sharon |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Seattle's Seafair kicks off with a parade in Mountlake Terrace |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/seattles-seafair-kicks-off-with-a-parade-in-mountlake-terrace/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>

===Arts===

The city government adopted a [[percent for art]] program in the 1980s, funding arts projects from community groups and individuals for city projects. The municipal art collection is maintained by the Arts Advisory Commission.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jay |first=Susan |date=August 17, 1989 |title=Lending the arts a needed hand |page=B3 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Mountlake Terrace is home to several bronze [[sculpture]]s, including a pair of [[American black bear|black bear]]s cast in bronze at the library and a firefighter statue at a [[fire station]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Art |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/1699/Public-Art |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Halpert |first=Oscar |date=November 10, 2009 |title=Statue honors 'hero' firefighters |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/noaa-sets-conditions-for-navy-sonar-use-off-the-northwest-coast/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>

The Arts Advisory Commission and Friends of the Arts sponsors an annual juried [[art show]], named Arts of the Terrace, which was founded in 1978. The competition typically receives hundreds of entries and includes cash prizes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fiege |first=Gale |date=September 21, 2017 |title=39th annual Arts of the Terrace attracts regional artists |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/39th-annual-arts-of-the-terrace-attracts-regional-artists/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The city's lone [[movie theater]] was built for [[Regal Cinemas]] in 1994 and re-branded as a Cinebarre in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=March 3, 2009 |title=Mountlake Terrace theater to serve food, cocktails |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/mountlake-terrace-theater-to-serve-food-cocktails/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref>

===Parks and recreation===
[[File:Lake Ballinger NAIP 2017.png|thumb|right|Aerial image of [[Lake Ballinger]] in 2017, showing the city park and part of the Nile Shrine [[golf course]]]]

Mountlake Terrace has 18 public parks with {{convert|262|acre|ha}} of open space that is maintained by the city government.<ref name="Herald-60Years"/> The city also partners with the [[Edmonds School District]] and privately owned recreation spaces to host events and activities for residents.<ref name="ParksPlan"/>{{rp|23}} The public and private parks have a total of 14 [[baseball]] fields, 13 [[association football|soccer]] fields, 19 [[playground]]s, 15 [[tennis court]]s, and 4 indoor [[basketball court]]s.<ref name="ParksPlan"/>{{rp|24}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Parks & Trails |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/389/Parks-Trails |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The main [[community center]] in the Mountlake Terrace is the Recreation Pavilion, which opened on November 26, 1968, and includes several [[swimming pool]]s, a [[lazy river]], [[racquetball]] courts, and an indoor gymnasium.<ref name="Herald-60Years"/> The facility was renovated in 2003 and has been the subject of replacement or expansion plans that were not realized.<ref>{{cite news |last=Halpert |first=Oscar |date=November 25, 2008 |title=Pavilion looks to the future |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/uncategorized/pavilion-looks-to-the-future/ |work=The Enterprise |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Halpert |first=Oscar |date=January 27, 2009 |title=New MLT Rec Pavilion proposed |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/uncategorized/new-mlt-rec-pavilion-proposed/ |work=The Enterprise |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>

Terrace Creek Park is the city's largest, at {{convert|60|acre|ha}}, and includes [[hiking trail]]s, open fields, and a [[disc golf]] course.<ref>{{cite web |title=Terrace Creek Park "Candy Cane Park" |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Terrace-Creek-Park-Candy-Cane-Park-9 |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> It is located adjacent to the Recreation Pavilion and straddles the boundary between the Town Center and Cedar Terrace neighborhood along a section of Lyon Creek.<ref name="Facilities"/> The west side of the Town Center is home to Veterans Memorial Park, a forested area near Interstate 5 with hiking trails and a playground.<ref>{{cite web |title=Veterans Memorial Park |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/1988/Veterans-Memorial-Park |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>

The city government's former [[golf course]] was converted into Ballinger Park in 2013, located on {{convert|42|acre|ha}} on the north end of Lake Ballinger.<ref name="PI-Bailey1998"/><ref>{{cite news |date=September 13, 2013 |title=Gone is golf course; Ballinger Park opens Saturday |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gone-is-golf-course-ballinger-park-opens-saturday/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The park includes a [[boat launch]], a [[fishing pier]], swimming areas, sports fields, and [[Edmount Island]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ballinger Park |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/446/Ballinger-Park |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The [[Shriners|Nile Shrine]] had built their own golf course on the east side of the lake in 1968 and opened it to the public in 1996, which drew people from the municipal course.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myhre |first=Rich |date=May 14, 2008 |title=Nile heads over the hill |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/nile-heads-over-the-hill/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Slager |first=Melissa |date=January 9, 2013 |title=Terrace closes golf course but has plans for park there |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/terrace-closes-golf-course-but-has-plans-for-park-there/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The park is adjacent to the [[Interurban Trail (Snohomish County)|Interurban Trail]], an inter-city hiking and cycling trail developed in the late 1990s that travels between Seattle and Everett on the former [[interurban]] railway route.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=March 3, 2006 |title=Edmonds to finish Interurban Trail |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/edmonds-to-finish-interurban-trail/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The privately owned Olympicview Ice Arena in Mountlake Terrace is home to the [[Washington Huskies]] college hockey team, the [[Seattle Totems (junior hockey)|Seattle Totems]] junior hockey program, and other skating groups.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myhre |first=Rich |date=February 6, 2012 |title=Huskies' hockey players pay a steep price |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/huskies-hockey-players-pay-a-steep-price/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref>

===Media===
[[File:Mountlake Terrace library, 2019.jpg|thumb|right|The city library, operated by [[Sno-Isle Libraries]] and opened in 1988]]

Mountlake Terrace is served by regional newspapers and television broadcasters as part of the Seattle-area media market. A local weekly newspaper, named ''[[The Enterprise (Washington)|The Enterprise]]'', published a dedicated Mountlake Terrace edition from 1958 to 2009; it was owned by ''[[The Everett Herald]]'' and later folded into a regional newspaper before ceasing publication in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Benbow |first=Mike |date=September 29, 2009 |title=Enterprise newspapers to drop Shoreline edition |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/enterprise-newspapers-to-drop-shoreline-edition/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Yefimova |first=Katya |date=August 28, 2012 |title=Weekly Herald succumbs to industry trends |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/uncategorized/weekly-herald-succumbs-to-industry-trends/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> ''MLTnews'', a local [[blog]], was founded in 2009 and acquired by ''My Edmonds News'' in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 23, 2012 |title=Exciting news for My Edmonds News: We have acquired MLTnews.com |url=https://myedmondsnews.com/2012/03/exciting-news-for-my-edmonds-news-we-have-acquired-mltnews-com/ |work=My Edmonds News |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=King |first=Caitlin |date=September 23, 2019 |title=People of SU: News Maker |url=https://www.seattleu.edu/newsroom/stories/news-maker.html |publisher=[[Seattle University]] |access-date=April 24, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The city's [[public library]] has been managed by the regional [[Sno-Isle Libraries]] system since it was annexed in 1985. The former city-operated library had opened in 1976 at a closed elementary school that was also leased to a [[private school]], but was determined to be too small to serve the community.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bergsman |first=Jerry |date=July 24, 1985 |title=3 options for Terrace library under consideration |page=H1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The library building, located adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park, was opened on July 29, 1988, at a cost of $1.6&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|1600000|1988}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars).{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Monson |first=Suzanne |date=July 28, 1988 |title=New library will be ready for readers tomorrow |page=F3 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

===Notable people===

* [[Seamus Boxley]], professional basketball player<ref>{{cite news |date=December 30, 2014 |title=Seamus Boxley inducted into Mountlake Terrace Athletic Hall of Fame |url=https://mltnews.com/stage-1-burn-ban-called-snohomish-county/ |work=MLT News |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Maria Cantwell]], U.S. Senator and former state legislator<ref>{{cite news |last=Searcey |first=Dionne |date=October 3, 2000 |title=Cantwell's mother a hit on campaign trail |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20001003&slug=4045911 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Ariana DeBoo (singer)|Ariana DeBoo]], singer-songwriter<ref>{{cite news |date=November 14, 2016 |title=MTHS grad to perform alongside Macklemore on Wednesday's 'Tonight Show' |url=https://mltnews.com/mths-grad-to-perform-alongside-macklemore-on-wednesdays-tonight-show/ |work=MLT News |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Devante Downs]], professional American football player<ref>{{cite news |date=April 28, 2018 |title=Mountlake Terrace graduate Downs goes to Vikings in Round 7 |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/mountlake-terrace-graduate-downs-goes-to-vikings-in-round-7/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Lily Gladstone]], actress<ref>{{cite news |last=Owen |first=Rob |date=January 7, 2024 |title=Lily Gladstone, formerly of Mountlake Terrace, makes history at Golden Globes |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/tv/lily-gladstone-formerly-of-mountlake-terrace-makes-history-at-golden-globes/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=January 7, 2024}}</ref>
* [[Lil Mosey]], rapper<ref>{{cite news |last=Rietmulder |first=Michael |date=June 20, 2019 |title=Seattle's Lil Mosey makes XXL Freshman Class of 2019, a coveted nod for rising teen rapper |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/seattles-lil-mosey-makes-xxl-freshman-class-of-2019-a-coveted-nod-for-rising-teen-rapper/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Mark O'Connor]], fiddler<ref>{{cite news |last=Fiege |first=Gale |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Renowned fiddler Mark O'Connor comes home for Christmas show |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/renowned-fiddler-mark-oconnor-comes-home-for-christmas-show/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Esther Reed]], fraudster<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Jennifer |date=January 11, 2007 |title=A disappearance, stolen identities and a trail of clues |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/a-disappearance-stolen-identities-and-a-trail-of-clues/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Dino Rossi]], former state legislator and gubernatorial candidate<ref>{{cite news |last=Brunner |first=Jim |date=August 2, 2018 |title=Republican Dino Rossi sees a long-sought victory in the 8th Congressional District race |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/republican-dino-rossi-sees-a-long-sought-victory-in-the-8th-congressional-district-race/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Ryan Strieby]], professional baseball player<ref>{{cite news |last=Cane |first=Mike |date=July 15, 2009 |title=Where they are now: Ryan Strieby |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/where-they-are-now-ryan-strieby/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Xavier Videau]], competitive figure skater and coach<ref>{{cite news |date=March 5, 1998 |title=Without skating, 'I'll go crazy' |page=25 |work=[[The Wenatchee World]]}}</ref>
* [[Aaron Ybarra]], perpetrator of the 2014 [[Seattle Pacific University|Otto Miller Hall]] shooting<ref>{{cite news |url=https://mltnews.com/mountlake-terrace-man-pleads-not-guilty-to-spu-shootings-insanity-defense-may-be-sought/|date=June 23, 2014|title=Mountlake Terrace man pleads not guilty to SPU shootings; insanity defense may be sought|work=Mountlake Terrace News}}</ref>

==Education==

The city's [[State school|public schools]] are part of the [[Edmonds School District]], which serves most of South Snohomish County, including the neighboring cities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, and Woodway. The district has 41 total schools and an enrollment of over 21,000 students in 2018–19.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public School District Directory Information: Edmonds School District |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&ID2=5302400 |publisher=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref> Mountlake Terrace has five schools that are operated by the district: one [[high school]], one [[middle school]], and three [[elementary school]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Schools |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/407/Public-Schools |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124204809/https://cityofmlt.com/407/Public-Schools |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Mountlake Terrace High School]] was opened in 1960 and rebuilt in 1991 at the same campus, located in the northeast corner of the city.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lobos |first=Ignacio |date=January 13, 1992 |title=A beautiful high school is born |page=B3 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The former high school building had an unusual circular [[gym]]nasium, named the "Hawk Dome", which had floor-to-ceiling [[window]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Christilaw |first=Steve |date=February 12, 1991 |title=Terrace says goodbye to its Hawk Dome |page=B3 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19910212&slug=1265762 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref>

The nearest post-secondary education institutions are [[Edmonds College]], a [[community college]] in Lynnwood, and the [[University of Washington Bothell|University of Washington at Bothell]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Stevick |first=Eric |date=December 3, 2017 |title=What draws so many Snohomish County students to UW Bothell? |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/county-leaving-an-imprint-on-uw-bothell/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> Mountlake Terrace is also home to three [[private school]]s: the Brighton Evergreen School, the [[Cedar Park Christian School]], and the St Pius X Catholic School.<ref name="Comp-CF">{{cite web |date=December 2017 |title=Capital Facilities Element |work=City of Mountlake Terrace Comprehensive Plan |page=CF-19 |url=https://wa-mountlaketerrace2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/17967/Capital-Facilities |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
[[File:Mountlake Terrace TC (18603751643).jpg|thumb|right|[[Mountlake Terrace station]], a major bus hub and [[light rail]] station]]

Mountlake Terrace is located {{convert|13|mi|km}} north of [[Downtown Seattle]] on [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]], which has interchanges at [[Washington State Route 104|State Route 104]] (244th Street Southwest), 236th Street Southwest, and 220th Street Southwest.<ref name="WSDOT-Map">{{cite WSDOT map |year=2014 |link=yes |inset=[https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2017/08/31/highway-map-PugetSound_Full.pdf Puget Sound] |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> State Route 104 is a major highway that connects the city to [[Lake Forest Park, Washington|Lake Forest Park]] and [[Edmonds, Washington|Edmonds]], where it continues via a [[Washington State Ferries|state ferry]] to the [[Kitsap Peninsula]].<ref name="WSDOT-Map"/> The city's western boundary also reaches [[Washington State Route 99|State Route 99]], which continues south to Seattle and north to Everett.<ref name="StreetMap"/><ref name="WSDOT-Map"/> Mountlake Terrace also has several major north–south arterial streets that continue into Lynnwood and Shoreline.<ref name="Facilities"/>

The city's public transportation is primarily provided by [[Community Transit]], which also serves most of the county, and [[Sound Transit]], a regional agency. Community Transit operates local routes that connect Mountlake Terrace's neighborhoods to Edmonds, Lynnwood, and [[Brier, Washington|Brier]].<ref>{{cite map |date=September 2019 |title=Community Transit System Map |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/docs/default-source/mappdfs/19septmaps/systemmappdfs/mapsystemsept2019.pdf |publisher=[[Community Transit]] |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209012220/https://www.communitytransit.org/docs/default-source/mappdfs/19septmaps/systemmappdfs/mapsystemsept2019.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The main transit hub in the city is [[Mountlake Terrace station]], which opened in 2009 and has 890 parking stalls in its garage and surface lot.<ref>{{cite news |last=Giordano |first=Lizz |date=March 29, 2018 |title=As Puget Sound region grows, park and rides fill up |url=https://crosscut.com/2018/03/puget-sound-region-grows-park-and-rides-fill |work=[[Crosscut.com]] |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> It is served by the [[1 Line (Sound Transit)|1&nbsp;Line]] of Sound Transit's regional [[Link light rail]] system, which was extended to Lynnwood in August 2024 and connects Mountlake Terrace to the University District, Downtown Seattle, and [[Seattle–Tacoma International Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deshais |first1=Nicholas |last2=Lindblom |first2=Mike |date=August 30, 2024 |title=New light rail stations draw big crowds for first trips |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/new-light-rail-stations-draw-big-crowds-for-first-trips/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=September 2, 2024}}</ref> [[King County Metro]] operates local bus service to the station from Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore.<ref>{{cite map |date=September 2024 |title=Metro Transit System: Northwest Area |url=https://kingcounty.gov/en/-/media/king-county/depts/metro/maps/system/09142024/metro-system-map-nw |publisher=[[King County Metro]] |accessdate=September 2, 2024}}</ref>

===Utilities===

The city's [[electric power]] is provided by the [[Snohomish County Public Utility District]] (PUD), a consumer-owned [[public utility]] that serves all of Snohomish County.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 2018 |title=Quick Facts for Snohomish County PUD |url=https://www.snopud.com/Site/Content/Documents/custpubs/MiniQF_1018.pdf |publisher=[[Snohomish County Public Utility District]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129142056/https://www.snopud.com/Site/Content/Documents/custpubs/MiniQF_1018.pdf |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref> [[Puget Sound Energy]] provides [[natural gas]] service to the Mountlake Terrace residents and businesses.<ref>{{cite web |year=2013 |title=Puget Sound Energy service area |url=http://pse.com/aboutpse/PseNewsroom/MediaKit/1213_ServiceAreaMap_web.pdf |publisher=[[Puget Sound Energy]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128213047/https://pse.com/aboutpse/PseNewsroom/MediaKit/1213_ServiceAreaMap_web.pdf |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref> The city government contracts with [[Waste Management (corporation)|Waste Management]] for curbside [[municipal solid waste|garbage]], [[single-stream recycling|recycling]], and [[yard waste]] collection and disposal. A county [[transfer station (waste management)|transfer station]] is also located in Mountlake Terrace.<ref>{{cite web |title=Garbage, Recycling & Yard Debris Service |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/166/Garbage-Recycling-Yard-Debris-Service |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125131645/https://www.cityofmlt.com/166/Garbage-Recycling-Yard-Debris-Service |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Haglund |first=Noah |date=July 27, 2017 |title=County decides to stick with Republic for trash services |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/county-decides-to-stick-with-republic-for-trash-services/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref>

Mountlake Terrace is part of the Alderwood Water and Wastewater District, which provides [[water purification|tap water]] and [[sewage treatment]] services to most of southern Snohomish County.<ref name="Herald-Water">{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Andrea |date=April 23, 2018 |title=It's the water: Artesian well draws fans from miles around |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/its-the-water-lynnwoods-artesian-well-draws-fans-from-miles-around/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> The water district sources its drinking water from the [[Spada Lake]] reservoir in the Cascade Mountains, which is [[water treatment|treated]] and [[Water fluoridation|fluoridated]] by the City of Everett at the Chaplain Reservoir.<ref name="Herald-Water"/><ref>{{cite web |year=2017 |title=2017 Drinking Water Quality Report |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3614 |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> The city government maintains a {{convert|2.5|e6USgal|kl|adj=mid}} [[water tank]] at Jack Block Park that has reserve capacity for fires and boosting water pressure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Water Distribution & Reservoirs |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/348/Water-Distribution-Reservoirs |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203133538/https://cityofmlt.com/348/Water-Distribution-Reservoirs |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sewage from Mountlake Terrace is primarily sent to the City of Edmonds for treatment and discharge into [[Puget Sound]], with overflow treated at the regional [[Brightwater sewage treatment plant|Brightwater facility]] near [[Maltby, Washington|Maltby]] by King County Metro.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sewage Division |url=https://www.cityofmlt.com/354/Sewer-Division |publisher=City of Mountlake Terrace |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref>

===Healthcare===

The city's nearest [[general hospital]] is the Edmonds branch of the [[Swedish Medical Center]], located on State Route 99. Mountlake Terrace is part of the public hospital district, which operated the independent Stevens Hospital until it was acquired by Swedish in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last=Salyer |first=Sharon |date=February 25, 2009 |title=Doctors back Swedish alliance |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/doctors-back-swedish-alliance/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Salyer |first=Sharon |date=August 17, 2010 |title=Swedish gets approval to take over Stevens Hospital |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/swedish-gets-approval-to-take-over-stevens-hospital/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> While the city has no general [[medical clinic]]s, [[The Everett Clinic]] and public health provider Community Health Centers have identified Mountlake Terrace as a potential future market.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 8, 2011 |title=Low-income families getting health clinic in Edmonds |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/low-income-families-getting-health-clinic-in-edmonds/ |work=The Everett Herald Business Journal |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Salyer |first=Sharon |date=September 21, 2015 |title=Everett Clinic to merge with big Colo.-based DaVita |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-clinic-to-merge-with-big-colo-based-davita/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.cityofmlt.com/ City website]

{{Snohomish County, Washington}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in the Seattle metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Snohomish County, Washington]]