Housing Overview

Housing in Bothell

Housing is a basic human need that all residents and communities should have access to in Bothell. Quality and accessible affordable housing is essential for the social and economic vibrancy of the city’s neighborhoods and is the foundation of equitable access to opportunity in the city.

Bothell's estimated population was 49,550 as of April 2023. Since the last major annexation in 2014, the city’s population has increased 19%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. Approximately 60% of the population lives in King County and 40% in Snohomish County.

Overall, nearly two-thirds (65%) of households owned their homes as of 2021, and most of these households had a mortgage. A little over one-third of households (35%) were renters.

Today, based on current land use data from King and Snohomish County Assessors, the predominant land use in Bothell citywide is low-density residential. More than half of current uses citywide are residential, consisting of approximately 41% single-family homes, 5% with five or more units in the structure, 4% condos or group homes, and 4% manufactured homes.

As of April 2023, Bothell has an estimated 20,824 physical housing units (up from 20,138 in 2020). Just over half (52%) of all housing units are single-family homes, about one-third (34%) are apartments and other multifamily buildings with five or more units, and 9% are manufactured homes.

Growth Targets

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires King and Snohomish Counties and their cities to allocate a fair share of housing over a 20-year period through Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs). Bothell must address housing targets at all income levels, with specific targets set for each county. Citywide, Bothell’s adopted housing targets are for 12,782 new units from 2020–2044, with specific targets identified for each county.

Each jurisdiction must designate adequate land at sufficient ranges of densities and intensities to ensure that the population and employment targets are realistically attainable. Should a jurisdiction not meet its assigned growth targets, it may lose eligibility for various state funding sources and potentially appeal to the Growth Management Hearings Board.

Comprehensive Plan

The 2024 Imagine Bothell Comprehensive Plan is a 20-year vision and roadmap for Bothell’s future. The Plan guides City decisions on where to direct new jobs and residential units, how to improve the transportation system, and where to make capital investments such as utilities, sidewalks, and parks.

The Plan was adopted in 1994 and is consistent with the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). GMA requires each Washington city and county to review periodically and, if needed, revise its comprehensive plan and development regulations as part of a periodic review cycle (RCW 36.70A.130). Less extensive revisions and updates are incorporated into the Plan on an annual basis and major “periodic reviews” were completed by Bothell in 2004 and 2015. This Plan is the next major periodic review and fulfills the requirements of the GMA. Read the Final 2024 Imagine Bothell Comprehensive Plan.