Editing Sedro-Woolley, Washington

{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name                = Sedro-Woolley, Washington
|settlement_type              = [[City]]
|nickname                     = Woolley
|image_skyline                = SWSmall.jpg
|imagesize                    = 250px
|image_caption                = Sedro-Woolley welcome sign, pictured in 2005
|image_map                    = Skagit County Washington Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sedro-Woolley Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                      = 250px
|map_caption                  = Location of Sedro-Woolley in Washington state
<!-- Location -->
|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            = [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_type              = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
|leader_title                 = Mayor
|leader_name                  = 
|leader_title1                = City Supervisor
|established_title            = 
|established_date             = 
|established_title2           = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2            = December 19, 1898
<!-- Area -->
|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               = 11.16
|area_land_km2                = 11.16
|area_water_km2               = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi             = 4.31
|area_land_sq_mi              = 4.31
|area_water_sq_mi             = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of             = [[2010 United States Census|2010]]
|population_footnotes         = <ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/>
|population_total             = 10540
|population_density_km2       = 1081.75
|population_density_sq_mi     = 2801.58
|population_metro             = 
<!-- General information -->
|timezone              = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset            = -8
|timezone_DST          = PDT
|utc_offset_DST        = -7
|coordinates           = {{coord|48|30|05|N|122|15|21|W|region:US-WA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes   = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft          = 59
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type      = ZIP code
|postal_code           = 98284
|area_code             = [[Area code 360|360]]
|area_code_type        = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|blank_name            = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info            = 53-63210
|blank1_name           = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info           = 2411859<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411859}}</ref>
|website               = {{URL|https://www.sedro-woolley.gov/}}
|footnotes             = 
}}

'''Sedro-Woolley''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|s|iː|d|r|oʊ|_|ˈ|w|ʊ|l|i}} {{respell|SEE|droh|_|WUUL|ee}}) is a city in [[Skagit County, Washington|Skagit County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. It is part of the [[Mount Vernon, Washington|Mount Vernon]]&ndash;[[Anacortes, Washington|Anacortes]], Washington [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]] and had a population of 12,421 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. The city is home to the administrative offices of [[North Cascades National Park]], which lies east of Sedro-Woolley on [[Washington State Route 20|State Route 20]].

==History==
[[File:Sedro-Woolley, Washington (1906).jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Sedro-Woolley in 1906]]
Incorporated on December 19, 1898, Sedro-Woolley was formed from neighboring rival towns of Sedro (once known as Bug) and Woolley in [[Skagit County]], northwestern Washington, {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=off}} inland from the [[Puget Sound]], {{convert|40|mi|km|abbr=off}} south of the border with Canada and {{convert|65|mi|km|abbr=off}} north of [[Seattle]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bourasaw |first=Noel V. |date=May 18, 2001 |title=From Bug to the Bughouse: Sedro-Woolley was one of the most famous boom towns on the Western American Frontier |url=http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/S-W/Pre-1900/Bughouse01.html |work=Skagit River Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026042703/http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/S-W/Pre-1900/Bughouse01.html |archive-date=October 26, 2007 |accessdate=March 31, 2018}}</ref>

Four British bachelors, led by David Batey, homesteaded the area in 1878, the time logjam obstructions were cleared downriver at the site of Mount Vernon.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bourasaw |first=Noel V. |date=May 12, 2001 |title=Four Bachelors Clear the Wilderness at the site of future Sedro |url=http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/S-W/Pre-1900/4Bachelors.html |work=Skagit River Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826161740/http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/S-W/Pre-1900/4Bachelors.html |archive-date=August 26, 2007 |accessdate=March 31, 2018}}</ref> In 1884–85, Batey built a store and home for the Mortimer Cook family from [[Santa Barbara, California]] where Cook had been mayor for two terms. Cook intended to name his new Pacific Northwest town Bug due to the number of [[mosquitos]] present, but his wife protested along with a handful of other local wives. Cook was already the namesake for the town Cook's Ferry on the Thompson River in [[British Columbia]]. With "Bug" being so unpopular, Cook derived a town name from Spanish; knowing [[:es:Cedrus|"cedro"]] was the word for cedar, he replaced one letter to make the name unique, settling on "Sedro".<ref>{{cite web |last=Bourasaw |first=Noel V. |date=February 23, 2002 |title=Mortimer Cook, founder of Bug and Sedro key figure all over America |url=http://www.skagitriverjournal.com/S-W/Pioneer/Pre1900/Cook/Cook01-BioIntro.html |work=Skagit River Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928172649/http://www.skagitriverjournal.com/S-W/Pioneer/Pre1900/Cook/Cook01-BioIntro.html |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |access-date=March 31, 2018}}</ref>

Sedro, on the northern banks of the [[Skagit River]], proved susceptible to floods. In 1889, [[Northern Pacific Railway]] developer [[Nelson Bennett]] began laying track from the town of [[Fairhaven, Washington|Fairhaven]], {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=off}} northwest on [[Bellingham Bay]], and real estate developer Norman R. Kelley platted a new town of Sedro on high ground a mile northwest of Cook's site. The [[Fairhaven and Southern Railroad]] arrived in Sedro on Christmas Eve, 1889, in time for Bennett to receive a performance bonus from the towns at both ends, and a month after Washington became the 42nd state in the Union.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bourasaw |first=Noel V. |date=July 20, 2001 |title=Fairhaven & Southern Railroad, Nelson Bennett and the birth of the two Sedros: Part One of Two |url=http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/Railroad/Duel1-F-S-1.html |work=Skagit River Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826161735/http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/Railroad/Duel1-F-S-1.html |archive-date=August 26, 2007 |accessdate=March 31, 2018}}</ref>

Within months, two more railroads crossed the F&S roadbed a half mile north of new Sedro, forming a triangle where 11 trains eventually arrived daily. Railroad developer [[Philip Woolley|Philip A. Woolley]] moved his family from [[Elgin, Illinois]], to Sedro in December 1899 and bought land around the triangle. He built the Skagit River Lumber & Shingle Mill next to where the railroads crossed and he started his namesake company town there that was based on sales of railroad ties to the three rail companies, including the [[Seattle and Northern Railway]] (forerunner of the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]]) and the [[Northern Pacific Railroad]].

[[File:Sedro-Woolley - on Metcalf 02.jpg|thumb|left|Shops on Metcalf Street, downtown Sedro-Woolley, May 2009.]]
Meanwhile, a fourth town rose nearby when the F&S laid rails on a "[[Wye (rail)|wye]]" that led northeast from Sedro about four and a half miles to [[coal]] mines. Bennett bought the mines, along with Montana mining financier [[Charles X. Larrabee]], and they soon sold their interests to [[James J. Hill]], owner of the Great Northern. The resulting ore soon turned out to be more suitable for coking coal and a town began there named Cokedale. Cokedale faded in importance when the mine declined and the other towns all merged on December 19, 1898, as Sedro-Woolley.

On May 15, 1922, a circus elephant known as Tusko rampaged through the town after it escaped from the traveling [[Al G. Barnes Circus]]. He was the largest circus elephant in captivity at the time, measuring {{convert|10|ft|2|in|m}} tall and weighing {{convert|7.5|ST|kg}}. Tusko demolished several fences, knocked down telephone poles, and destroyed a [[Model T]]. He was chased by local residents for {{convert|30|mi|km}} in the surrounding countryside, and was captured the following morning.<ref name="Tusko">{{cite web |last=Pierce |first=J. Kingston |date=February 22, 2003 |title=Tusko the elephant rampages through Sedro-Woolley on May 15, 1922. |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/5270 |work=HistoryLink |accessdate=November 22, 2024}}</ref>

After logging and coal-mining declined, the major employers and industries became the nearby [[Northern State Hospital]] (a mental-health facility)<ref>{{cite web |last=Bourasaw |first=Noel V. |date=January 1, 2001 |title=History of Northern State Hospital, of Sedro-Woolley, Washington – Part 1: Introduction and overview |url=http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/S-WArea/NSH1.html |work=Skagit River Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830140827/http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/S-WArea/NSH1.html |archive-date=August 30, 2007 |accessdate=March 31, 2018}}</ref> and [[Skagit Steel & Iron Works]], which rose from the back room of a local hardware store to become a major supplier of implements and parts for logging and railroad customers. The firm manufactured machines and parts for the war effort in World War II and artillery shells, starting in 1953. By 1990, the company was gone and the hospital was closed but new industry, including robotics and aerospace, is developing north of town and on the campus of the old hospital.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goskagit.com/news/local_news/sedro-woolley-road-projects-emphasize-city-development/article_f18c0ecc-1667-5b73-af43-debbbe9b4d61.html |title=Sedro-Woolley road projects emphasize city development |date=January 10, 2018 |first=Kimberley |last=Cauvel |work=[[Skagit Valley Herald]] |access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goskagit.com/news/local_news/sedro-woolley-to-incorporate-fiber-into-fruitdale-road-project/article_6d50ad01-6983-5015-8ae8-d5e980676f17.html |title=Sedro-Woolley to incorporate fiber into Fruitdale Road project |date=May 29, 2018 |first=Kimberley |last=Cauvel |work=Skagit Valley Herald |access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref>

==Government==
The City of Sedro-Woolley is a non-charter code city that operates under a Mayor-Council form of government with seven councilmembers.<ref>SWMC 1.28, RCW 35A.12</ref> Six councilmembers are elected by wards and one is elected [[at-large]].<ref>SWMC 1.12.080</ref> Each councilmember serves a four-year term.<ref>SWMC 1.12.090</ref> The mayor is elected at-large every four years and is responsible for the executive functions of the city.<ref>SWMC 1.12.100</ref> The mayor appoints a city supervisor, subject to confirmation by the city council, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city and oversees the department directors.<ref>SWMC 2.06.010</ref><ref>SWMC 2.06.030</ref> The municipal judge is appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation of the city council, and operates independently of the other branches of government.<ref>SWMC 2.16, Washington State Constitution</ref>

Sedro-Woolley is a full-service city with its own police department, fire department, wastewater treatment plan, solid waste operation, storm water division, street department, parks department and administration. The city maintains a large number of public parks and open spaces such as Hammer Heritage Square in downtown Sedro-Woolley. Riverfront Park situated on the north bank of the Skagit River is the signature park. It consists of nearly {{convert|60|acre|m2}} and includes picnic shelters, baseball fields, RV park, amphitheater, and an off-leash dog park. Every year on the 4th of July the city celebrates with a festive carnival, and hosts the Loggerodeo parade.

==Education==

The [[Sedro-Woolley School District]] operates public schools in the city as well as nearby communities, including [[Big Lake, Washington|Big Lake]] and [[Clear Lake, Skagit County, Washington|Clear Lake]]. The district has one high school ([[Sedro-Woolley High School]]), one middle school, seven elementary schools, and several alternative schooling programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public School District Directory Information: Sedro-Woolley School District |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&ID2=5307740 |publisher=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |access-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref> This includes a [[Job Corps]] center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cascades Job Corps Center {{!}} Job Corps |url=https://www.jobcorps.gov/center/cascades-job-corps-center |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=www.jobcorps.gov}}</ref>

==Culture==
Sedro-Woolley is the home of [[Loggerodeo]], a celebration staged annually since the mid-1930s close to the Fourth of July. The annual event is well known in Western Washington and one of the oldest rural summer celebrations in the state with many of the events dating back more than 100 years. Loggerodeo features a carnival, foot-race, log drive, old-time logging show, championship rodeo, children's parade, the annual Fourth of July parade, and an invitation-only [[chainsaw carving]] competition. Favorite chainsaw carved log creations from the carving competitions of past years line the downtown Sedro-Woolley area. It is also home to the legendary Hal's Drive-In, an institution in the town for decades.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 22, 2019 |title=Three Skagit Valley burger joints sure to make your mouth water |url=https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/evening/three-skagit-valley-burger-joints-sure-to-make-your-mouth-water/281-9febe6da-4853-4ee5-b3b8-372ab17f71b1 |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=king5.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.81|sqmi|sqkm|2|abbr=off}}, all of it land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=U.S. Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref>

===Climate===
Sedro-Woolley has a warm-summer [[Mediterranean climate]] (Csb) according to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, but nearly qualifies as having an [[Oceanic climate]] (Cfb) due to its less pronounced drying trend in summer, as compared with elsewhere in western Washington.

{{Weather box
|location = Sedro-Woolley
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
| Jan record high F = 67
| Feb record high F = 74
| Mar record high F = 82
| Apr record high F = 94
| May record high F = 95
| Jun record high F = 99
| Jul record high F = 98
| Aug record high F = 97
| Sep record high F = 91
| Oct record high F = 86
| Nov record high F = 76
| Dec record high F = 74
| year record high F = 99
| Jan high F = 44.4
| Feb high F = 48.7
| Mar high F = 53.3
| Apr high F = 59.6
| May high F = 65.6
| Jun high F = 70.1
| Jul high F = 74.9
| Aug high F = 74.9
| Sep high F = 69.2
| Oct high F = 60.5
| Nov high F = 50.8
| Dec high F = 45.6
| year high F = 59.8
| Jan low F = 32.4
| Feb low F = 33.9
| Mar low F = 36.3
| Apr low F = 39.9
| May low F = 44.3
| Jun low F = 48.7
| Jul low F = 50.4
| Aug low F = 50.5
| Sep low F = 47.2
| Oct low F = 42.4
| Nov low F = 37.4
| Dec low F = 33.9
| year low F = 41.5
| Jan record low F = -2
| Feb record low F = -1
| Mar record low F = 8
| Apr record low F = 25
| May record low F = 25
| Jun record low F = 30
| Jul record low F = 31
| Aug record low F = 34
| Sep record low F = 28
| Oct record low F = 20
| Nov record low F = 3
| Dec record low F = 1
| year record low F = -2
| Jan precipitation inch = 5.75
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.21
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.32
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.56
| May precipitation inch = 2.86
| Jun precipitation inch = 2.56
| Jul precipitation inch = 1.45
| Aug precipitation inch = 1.71
| Sep precipitation inch = 3.05
| Oct precipitation inch = 4.61
| Nov precipitation inch = 6.48
| Dec precipitation inch = 6.05
| year precipitation inch = 46.6
| Jan precipitation days = 19
| Feb precipitation days = 16
| Mar precipitation days = 18
| Apr precipitation days = 15
| May precipitation days = 13
| Jun precipitation days = 11
| Jul precipitation days = 6
| Aug precipitation days = 7
| Sep precipitation days = 11
| Oct precipitation days = 15
| Nov precipitation days = 20
| Dec precipitation days = 20
| Jan snow inch = 3.3
| Feb snow inch = 1.3
| Mar snow inch = 1.4
| Apr snow inch = 0
| May snow inch = 0
| Jun snow inch = 0
| Jul snow inch = 0
| Aug snow inch = 0
| Sep snow inch = 0
| Oct snow inch = 0
| Nov snow inch = 0.7
| Dec snow inch = 2.2
| year snow inch = 8.9

|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wa7507 |title=SEDRO WOOLLEY, WASHINGTON (457507) |access-date=November 18, 2015 |publisher=Western Regional Climate Center }}</ref>
|date=November 2015
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 885
|1910= 2129
|1920= 2379
|1930= 2719
|1940= 2954
|1950= 3299
|1960= 3705
|1970= 4598
|1980= 6110
|1990= 6031
|2000= 8658
|2010= 10540
|estyear=2021
|estimate=12509
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEstimate2021">{{cite web |date=June 2022 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 23, 2022}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|2020=12421}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> there were 10,540 people, 3,995 households, and 2,609 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2766.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1|abbr=off}}. There were 4,303 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1129.4|/sqmi|/km2|1|abbr=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 86.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 6.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 14.0% of the population.

There were 3,995 households, of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.7% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.12.

The median age in the city was 33.7 years. 27.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.2% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 8,658 people, 3,205 households, and 2,176 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,547.7|/sqmi|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|abbr=out}}. There were 3,334 housing units at an average density of {{convert|981.1|/sqmi|/km2|abbr=out}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.97% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.25% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.59% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.81% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.13% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.25% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.00% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.23% of the population.

There were 3,205 households, out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,914, and the median income for a family was $40,918. Males had a median income of $35,215 versus $23,636 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,517. About 10.7% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 16.1% of those age 65 or over.

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}
* [[List of cities and towns in Washington]]

==References==
{{Reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Sedro-Woolley, Washington}}
* {{official website|http://www.ci.sedro-woolley.wa.us}}
* [http://www.sedro-woolley.com Chamber website]
* [http://www.skagitriverjournal.com Skagit River Journal: History of Sedro-Woolley and Skagit County]
* [http://www.loggerodeo.org Loggerodeo website]
* [https://www.sedro-woolleymuseum.com/ The Sedro-Woolley Museum]
* [http://www.sedro-woolleymeansbusiness.com Sedro-Woolley Means Business Official Website]
* [http://www.swskatepark.com Live Video from the Sedro-Woolley Skate Park]

{{Skagit County, Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Skagit County, Washington]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1898]]
[[Category:1898 establishments in Washington (state)]]