Head 20 miles northeast of downtown Seattle on Interstate 5 along the Puget Sound and you will find the charming hub of Mill Creek. A small town of more than 18,000 residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau, this warm, welcoming community is close to everything the Seattle Metropolitan Area has to offer, but still has the hometown spirit that makes so many Washington residents eager to find Mill Creek apartments for rent. With nearly a quarter of the residents under the age of 18, this community is a wonderful place to raise a family.
There have been settlers and farmers in Snohomish County for many years, but the recent development of Mill Creek in the 20th century has garnered plenty of attention from Seattle area residents. In the 1930s the land that would become Mill Creek was purchased by Dr. Garhart, a prominent naturalist. Fascinated by the natural resources in the area, the Garhart made numerous observations of the wildlife and vegetation in Mill Creek.
However, the development of Mill Creek didn't take off until the 1970s when the Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Residential Development prompted investigations and inspections into establishment of a bedroom community in Seattle. After years of building and development, the city of Mill Creek was incorporated and a small community began to blossom. Since then, the area has doubled in population and continues to grow.
In 2000, the city resolved to officially name the creek that runs through the town as Mill Creek even though the some locals still refer to it by its old name, Smokehouse Creek. Today, nearly all of the planned developments in the city have been built or are currently under construction. Because of its attractive amenities, the city has undergone 14 annexations ranging between two and 300 acres in size.
According to city-data.com, the leading industries in the area include manufacturing, educational, health and social services and scientific, professional and waste management services. More than half of the city's employment is in sales and office occupations. Whether you are working in the city or commuting into the Seattle area, finding apartments in Mill Creek near Interstate 5 is a great way to cut down on your commute average, which is around 31 minutes in the Mill Creek area.
One of the finest institutions of higher learning near Mill Creek includes the University of Washington. With more than 12,000 students receiving bachelor's, masters and doctoral degrees annually, this beautiful campus boasts 16 colleges and schools in a variety of fields. Part of the Seattle community for more than 150 years, scholars at the University of Washington are among some of the best in the Pacific Northwest.
Since Mill Creek is so close to everything the Seattle area has to offer and is exhibiting commercial and residential growth, the cost of living is higher than the national average. According to information gathered by city-data.com, the 2009 median gross rent in Mill Creek was $1,189 per month. However, because the median household income in Mill Creek is nearly $30,000 more per year than the average Washington resident, renters here should be able to find a wide variety of apartments that suit their lifestyle.
Because Mill Creek was developed because of its close proximity to natural wonders, visiting the North Creek Trail is an absolute must, especially if you are a nature lover. Since the trail was designed to accommodate walking, jogging and cycling, there are plenty of ways to get fresh air here. North Creek Trail is also home to lush wetland vistas ideal for wildlife watching.
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