View source for Gold Bar, Washington

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Gold Bar, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Gold_Bar_Welcome_Sign.png
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Welcome sign on [[U.S. Route 2 in Washington|U.S. Route 2]]
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = Snohomish_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Gold_Bar_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Gold Bar, 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_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Steve Yarbrough
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = [[Municipal incorporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = September 16, 1910
|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_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 2.74
|area_land_km2            = 2.74
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.06
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.06
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 2478
|pop_est_as_of            = 2024
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="Census-Estimate">{{cite web |date=May 2025 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5327365 |work=American FactFinder |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 20, 2022}}</ref>
|population_total         = 2403
|population_density_km2   = 857.19
|population_density_sq_mi = 2220.96
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
|utc_offset               = −8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −7
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 63
|elevation_ft             = 207
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|51|15|N|121|41|36|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 98251
|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               = 53-27365
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1520077<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://cityofgoldbar.us/|cityofgoldbar.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Gold Bar''' is a city in [[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. It is located on the [[Skykomish River]] between [[Sultan, Washington|Sultan]] and [[Index, Washington|Index]], connected by [[U.S. Route 2 in Washington|U.S. Route 2]]. The population was 2,403 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==
[[File:Main Street, Gold Bar, ca 1911 (PICKETT 186).jpeg|thumb|right|Main Street in Gold Bar, {{circa}} 1911]]

The ancestral home of the indigenous [[Skykomish people]] ({{lang|lut|sq̓ixʷəbš}}) was in the upper [[Skykomish Valley]] east of modern-day [[Sultan, Washington|Sultan]] and including the drainage basins of the [[Sultan River|Sultan]] and [[Wallace River|Wallace]] rivers. They had a permanent village at the confluence of the [[Skykomish River|Skykomish]] and Wallace rivers, where modern-day Gold Bar lies, named {{lang|lut|'xaitəd}}. The village had a large [[potlatch]] house, built to accommodate a number of travelers, and a [[cemetery]]; it had an estimated population of 40 families in the late 19th century, representing approximately 240 people. {{lang|lut|'xaitəd}} was used as a base camp for travelers coming to the area to hunt [[elk]] in the Sultan River basin.<ref name="Hollenbeck-Moss">{{cite book |last1=Hollenbeck |first1=Jan L. |last2=Moss |first2=Madonna |year=1987 |title=A Cultural Resource Overview: Prehistory, Ethnography and History: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |publisher=[[United States Forest Service]] |pages=161–164, 169 |oclc=892024380 |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005998596 |via=[[HathiTrust]] |access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref> The Skykomish were a signatory party of the 1855 [[Treaty of Point Elliott]] and assigned to the [[Tulalip Indian Reservation]] at the mouth of the [[Snohomish River]].<ref name="Hollenbeck-Moss"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Roe |first=Joann |title=Stevens Pass: The Story of Railroading and Recreation in the North Cascades |publisher=[[Mountaineers Books]] |year=1995 |isbn=0898863716 |location=Seattle |page=150 |oclc=32199366}}</ref> Many members of the tribe remained in the Skykomish Valley, with as many as 320 non-reservation residents estimated in 1900, but the Skykomish later ceased to have a distinct government and assimilated into the Tulalip Tribes.<ref name="Hollenbeck-Moss"/><ref name="HistoryLink">{{cite web |last=Riddle |first=Margaret |date=September 10, 2014 |title=Gold Bar incorporates on September 16, 1910. |url=https://www.historylink.org/file/10930 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |accessdate=August 11, 2025}}</ref>

The upper Skykomish Valley was visited by prospectors who sought gold deposits, which had been discovered in the [[Fraser Canyon]] and triggered a [[Fraser Canyon Gold Rush|regional gold rush]] in 1858.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilcox Howell |first=Ida |date=March 11, 1956 |title=Washington Names: Prospector Founded Gold Bar |at=Pictorial Review, p. 2 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref> A campsite at the confluence of the Skykomish and Wallace rivers was established by prospectors {{circa}} 1869 and given the name Gold Bar after a miner found traces of gold on a nearby [[gravel bar]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Warren |first=James |date=July 31, 1984 |title=Traces of gold named town |page=C2 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Phillips |first=James W. |year=1971 |title=Washington State Place Names |page=[https://archive.org/details/washingtonstatep00phil/page/55 55] |publisher=[[University of Washington Press]] |isbn=0-295-95158-3 |oclc=1052713900 |url=https://archive.org/details/washingtonstatep00phil |url-access=registration |via=[[The Internet Archive]] |access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> After Gold Bar became a construction camp for the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]], anti-Chinese sentiment was inflamed by a shooting fray started by disreputable camp followers. To save the lives of the threatened Chinese, construction engineer Eduard Bauer slipped them out of camp in hastily constructed coffins. Gold Bar was officially incorporated on September 16, 1910. The 1940 population was 307.<ref>''Washington - A guide to the Evergreen State'', WPA American Guide Series, Washington State Historical Society, 1941</ref>

In the mid-20th century, the city doubled in population as it attracted retirees as well as long-distance commuters to jobs in [[Everett, Washington|Everett]] and [[Seattle]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Acohido |first=Byron |date=November 6, 1982 |title=Gold Bar: 24 karat down-home town |page=3A |work=[[The Everett Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-gold-bar-24-karat-down/178715312/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=August 11, 2025}}</ref> In the 1990s, Gold Bar gained a new [[grocery store]] and several new businesses as it became more of a [[bedroom community]]. The [[city hall]] was expanded to double its size in 2001 to accommodate growth in the number of employees and services provided by the municipal government.<ref>{{cite news |last=Moriarty |first=Leslie |date=February 5, 2001 |title=Old Gold Bar City Hall sports a brand-new look |page=1B |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-old-gold-bar-city-hall/178643763/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref>

In 2012, the city government considered disincorporation to avoid bankruptcy due to low [[sales tax]] revenue and high expenses attributed to filling [[public records]] requests and fighting lawsuits from activist Anne Block.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harish |first=Alon |date=July 13, 2012 |title=Gold Bar, Wash., Broke and Divided, May Disappear From Map |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/gold-bar-wash-broke-divided-faces-disincorporation/story?id=16775858 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |accessdate=April 14, 2021}}</ref> The city council voted against disincorporation and placed a [[property tax]] levy on the ballot,<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Laura L. |date=July 17, 2012 |title=Lawsuit-plagued Washington town mulls tax increase, not dissolution |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL2E8IHGP220120718 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |accessdate=September 30, 2012}}</ref> which was rejected by voters in November 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heffter |first=Emily |date=November 19, 2012 |title=Hard-hit Gold Bar may be at the end of the road |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/hard-hit-gold-bar-may-be-at-the-end-of-the-road/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 14, 2021}}</ref> Block, an employment attorney, published a [[hyperlocal]] blog named the ''Gold Bar Reporter'' that alleged city officials of corruption and illegal acts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heffter |first=Emily |date=February 9, 2012 |title=Activist's website hammers away at Gold Bar, costs tiny town money |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/activists-website-hammers-away-at-gold-bar-costs-tiny-town-money/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref> She was later disbarred and ordered in 2018 by a [[United States District Court for the Western District of Washington|U.S. District Court]] judge to reimburse the Gold Bar city government $78,000 in attorney fees.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 4, 2018 |title=Gold Bar activist-blogger ordered to reimburse about $78,000 |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gold-bar-activist-ordered-to-reimburse-cities-about-78k/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref>

==Geography==

Gold Bar is situated in the [[Skykomish Valley]], a region of eastern [[Snohomish County, Washington|Snohomish County]] along the [[Skykomish River]] in the foothills of the [[Cascade Mountains]]. The city is {{convert|30|mi|km}} east of [[Everett, Washington|Everett]] and {{convert|40|mi|km}} west of [[Stevens Pass]], a major route through the Cascades.<ref name="ComprehensivePlan">{{cite web |date=November 2024 |title=Gold Bar 2024 Comprehensive Plan |page=7 |url=https://cityofgoldbar.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-Gold-Bar-Comprehensive-Plan.pdf |publisher=City of Gold Bar |ref={{harvid|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024}} |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it land.<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> Of the total area, approximately 66{{nbsp}}percent is [[zoning|zoned]] for residential use (primarily [[single-family housing]]) and 19{{nbsp}}percent is considered vacant or undeveloped.<ref>{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|pp=31, 81–85}}</ref>

The city was built on a narrow plain within the valley that is bordered to the south by the Skykomish River and to the north by the Wallace River.<ref name="CompPlan-88">{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|p=88}}</ref> Gold Bar lies on [[Alluvium|alluvial deposits]] with an underlayer of gravel.<ref name="CompPlan-123"/><ref>{{cite map |last1=Tabor |first1=R.W. |last2=Frizzell, Jr. |first2=V.A. |last3=Booth |first3=D.B. |last4=Waitt |first4=R.B. |last5=Whetten |first5=J.T. |last6=Zartman |first6=R.E. |year=1993 |title=Geologic Map of the Skykomish River 30- by 60-Minute Quardangle, Washington |scale=1:100,000 |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/i1963/skygm.pdf |publisher=United States Geological Survey |accessdate=August 1, 2025}}</ref> May Creek, a tributary of the Wallace River, passes through the city.<ref name="USGS-Map">{{cite map |year=2023 |title=Gold Bar Quadrangle, Washington |type=Topographic map |scale=1:24,000 |url=https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=192e85a3e970574b1b022c3e14125c2b |publisher=United States Geological Survey |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref>

==Economy==

The city has several small businesses that cater towards tourists who travel on the Stevens Pass Highway, including a [[snowboard]] shop and roadside restaurants.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Catchpole |first1=Dan |last2=Nile |first2=Amy |date=November 28, 2015 |title=The future of Washington's ski areas is not looking too cool |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/the-future-of-washingtons-ski-areas-is-not-looking-too-cool/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McQuaide |first=Mike |date=June 29, 2011 |title=A mile-by-mile driving, hiking and roadside-wonders guide to scenic Stevens Pass |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/a-mile-by-mile-driving-hiking-and-roadside-wonders-guide-to-scenic-stevens-pass/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref> A [[rafting]] tour company is also based in Gold Bar.<ref name="Times-Rafting"/> According to [[Economic Alliance Snohomish County]], there are 41 total businesses in the city, of which six are classified as food service establishments and six are retailers.<ref name="EconomicAlliance">{{cite web |year=2024 |title=Gold Bar |url=https://www.economicalliancesc.org/business/site-selectors/community-profiles/p/item/1046/gold-bar |publisher=[[Economic Alliance Snohomish County]] |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref> As of the 2023 ''[[American Community Survey]]'' estimates, a total of 1,224 Gold Bar residents over the age of 16 are in the labor force and 4.5{{nbsp}}percent are [[unemployment rate|unemployed]]. The most common employers are in the educational services and healthcare sector, followed by recreation and food services.<ref name="ACS">{{cite web |year=2024 |title=Selected Economic Characteristics: Gold Bar city, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=160XX00US5327365 |work=[[American Community Survey]] |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref> Approximately 2.9{{nbsp}}percent of Gold Bar residents in the labor force work within the city; the most common commuting destinations are [[Seattle]] (11.4%), [[Monroe, Washington|Monroe]] (7.7%), [[Sultan, Washington|Sultan]] (7.5%), and [[Everett, Washington|Everett]] (7.1%).<ref>{{cite web |title=Destination Analysis&nbsp;— Workers: Living in Gold Bar city, WA |url=https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/cgi-bin/report.py?report_id=otm_bf44a1bcfd2c4ee7a7690737ee016c80&heading=Destination+Analysis%0AWorkers%3A+Living+in+Gold+Bar+city%2C+WA%0AShowing%3A+Employment+locations+grouped+by+Places+%28Cities%2C+CDPs%2C+etc.%29&mode=details&settings=%7B%22selection%22%3A+%5B%22otm_badaccc35fe94f2eaf80084ae53fd55f%22%5D%2C+%22n_rollups%22%3A+%22n50%22%2C+%22color%22%3A+%5B%22%230000AA%22%5D%2C+%22rollup%22%3A+%22us_plc%22%2C+%22destination_rollup%22%3A+%22us_plc%22%2C+%22job_type%22%3A+%22jt00%22%2C+%22labor%22%3A+%22s000%22%2C+%22ac_segment%22%3A+%22s000%22%2C+%22origin_dir%22%3A+%22home%22%2C+%22geom_operation%22%3A+%22ignore%22%2C+%22fid%22%3A+%22-1%22%2C+%22year%22%3A+%222022%22%2C+%22analysis_type%22%3A+%22destination_report%22%2C+%22drilldown%22%3A+%22%22%2C+%22ap_segment%22%3A+%22s000%22%2C+%22origin_app%22%3A+%22text-only%22%2C+%22origin_type%22%3A+%22home%22%2C+%22comparison_geom%22%3A+%22us_plc%22%7D&format=full_html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |via=OnTheMap |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref> The mean one-way commute for the city's workforce was 47{{nbsp}}minutes; 76.1{{nbsp}}percent of commuters drove alone to their place of employment, while 10.1{{nbsp}}percent [[remote work|worked from home]].<ref name="ACS"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 353
|1930= 304
|1940= 307
|1950= 305
|1960= 315
|1970= 504
|1980= 794
|1990= 1078
|2000= 2014
|2010= 2075
|2020= 2403
|estyear=2024
|estimate=2478
|estref=<ref name="Census-Estimate"/>
|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><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

Gold Bar is the fourth least populous municipality in Snohomish County, with a population of 2,403 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. The city's population grew by nearly 16{{nbsp}}percent from 2010 to 2020.<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=August 11, 2025}}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, Gold Bar has 853 total housing units, of which 592 are single-family and 229 are [[mobile home]]s.<ref>{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|pp=86, 105}}</ref> In 2021, the city's median home value for a single-family unit was $420,120—approximately 62{{nbsp}}percent of the county's median. The [[median household income]] for Gold Bar residents was $77,708 in 2021.<ref>{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|p=107}}</ref>

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, there were 2,403 people and 865 households living within Gold Bar's city limits. The city's [[population density]] was {{convert|2,221.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 892 total housing units, of which 97% were  occupied and 3% were vacant or for occasional use. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of Gold Bar was 89.4% [[White Americans|White]], 1.1% Black or [[African American]], 1.2% [[Native American]], 0.8% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander]], and 6.5% from other races. Residents who identified as more than one race were 10.6% of the population. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] residents of any race were 14.6% of the population.<ref name="Census2020">{{cite web |title=2020 Decennial Census DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=160XX00US5327365 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=August 11, 2025}}</ref>

Of the 865 households in Gold Bar, 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, and 9.6% were cohabitating but unmarried. Households with a male householder with no spouse or partner were 22.5% of the population, while households with a female householder with no spouse or partner were 15.4% of the population. Out of all households, 29.2% had residents who were 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020"/> There were 865 occupied housing units in Gold Bar, of which 80.8% were owner-occupied and 19.2% were occupied by [[renting|renters]].<ref name="Census2020"/>

The median age in the city was 37.8 years old for all sexes, 38.1 years old for males, and 37.6 years old for females. Of the total population, 26.9% of residents were under the age of 19; 6% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 26.2% were between the ages of 25 and 44; 28.8% were between the ages of 45 and 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.3% male and 47.7% female.<ref name="Census2020"/>

===2010 census===

As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 2,075 people, 782 households, and 519 families living within Gold Bar's city limits. The city's population density was {{convert|2014.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 837 housing units at an average density of {{convert|812.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the Gold Bar was 85.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 7.0% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 10.1% of the population.<ref name="OFM-Census2010">{{cite web |author=United States Census Bureau |date=August 2, 2011
|title=Census 2010, Summary File 1: Gold Bar city, Washington |pages=2–8 |url=https://ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/legacy/pop/census2010/sf1/data/city/wa_2010_sf1_city_16000US5327365.pdf |publisher=[[Washington State Office of Financial Management]] |accessdate=August 11, 2025}}</ref>

Of the 782 households in Gold Bar, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size in the city was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.20.<ref name="OFM-Census2010"/>

The median age in the city was 36.6 years old. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.8% were from 45 to 64; and 7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.8% male and 47.2% female.<ref name="OFM-Census2010"/>

==Government and politics==
[[File:Gold Bar, WA - city hall (June 2025).jpg|thumb|right|Gold Bar's [[city hall]]]]

Gold Bar is a noncharter code city with a [[mayor–council government]].<ref name="MuniCode">{{cite web |title=Title 1 – General Provisions |url=https://library.municode.com/wa/gold_bar/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT1GEPR_CH1.01COAD |work=Gold Bar Code of Ordinances |via=[[Municipal Code Corporation|Municode]] |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> The city's residents elect a [[mayor]] and five members to the [[city council]], all serving four-year terms from [[at-large]] seats.<ref>{{cite web |title=City Council |url=https://cityofgoldbar.us/city-government/city-council/ |publisher=City of Gold Bar |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> The city council serves as the legislative body, while the mayor is empowered to cast [[casting vote|tiebreaking vote]]s in addition to their normal duties as the administrator of the city government.<ref name="MuniCode"/><ref>{{cite web |title=City Government |url=https://cityofgoldbar.us/city-government/ |publisher=City of Gold Bar |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> Since 2022, the city's mayor has been former councilmember Steve Yarbrough.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor of Gold Bar |url=https://cityofgoldbar.us/city-government/office-mayor/ |publisher=City of Gold Bar |accessdate=March 22, 2024}}</ref>

The city government has contracted with the [[Snohomish County Sheriff's Office]] to provide policing services since it disbanded its own [[police department]] in 1994. A sergeant from the sheriff's office serves as Gold Bar's [[police chief]] and is based out of a [[police precinct|precinct]] in the city.<ref>{{cite news |last=Girgis |first=Lauren |date=December 26, 2024 |title=Edmonds explores ending police department, taking note from other cities |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/edmonds-explores-ending-police-department-taking-note-from-other-cities/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moriarty |first=Leslie |date=October 9, 2001 |title=Gold Bar residents oppose change in police service |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gold-bar-residents-oppose-change-in-police-service/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> Gold Bar's [[volunteer fire department]] provides fire protection services for a {{convert|36|acre|ha|adj=mid}} area. It is also contracted by [[King County, Washington|King County]] to provide [[paramedic]] services in [[Skykomish, Washington|Skykomish]] and on the U.S. Route 2 corridor between Gold Bar and Stevens Pass.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 6, 2020 |title=Gold Bar remains one of few all-volunteer fire stations |url=https://dispatchnews.com/news/2020/apr/06/gold-bar-remains-one-of-few-all-volunteer-fire-sta/ |work=[[Eatonville Dispatch]] |accessdate=April 13, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Herald-FireUS2"/> The city was annexed into the [[Sno-Isle Libraries]] system in 1997, becoming the second-to-last municipality in Snohomish County to join.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brooks |first=Diane |date=August 9, 2006 |title=No library cards?! Families' petition spurs Sept. 19 vote |page=H3 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20060809&slug=woodway09n |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref>

At the federal level, Gold Bar is part of the [[Washington's 8th congressional district|8th congressional district]], which encompasses the eastern portions of the Snohomish, [[King County, Washington|King]], and [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce]] counties as well as the entirety of [[Chelan County, Washington|Chelan]] and [[Kittitas County, Washington|Kittitas]] counties.<ref>{{cite map |author=Census Bureau Geography Division |year=2023 |title=118th Congress of the United States: Washington – Congressional District 8 |scale=1:368,000 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST53/CD118_WA08.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> It was part of the [[Washington's 1st congressional district|1st congressional district]] until 2022, when the 8th district was extended into Snohomish County.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Snohomish County in middle of key battle for control of U.S. House |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/snohomish-county-in-middle-of-key-battle-for-control-of-u-s-house/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> At the state level, the city is part of the [[Washington's 12th legislative district|12th legislative district]], which also crosses the Cascade Mountains and includes [[Skykomish, Washington|Skykomish]], part of [[Snoqualmie, Washington|Snoqualmie]], and most of Chelan County outside of [[Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee]].<ref>{{cite map |date=July 2024 |title=Washington State Legislative & Congressional District Map |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Road%20Map_01.pdf |at=[https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Road%20Map%20Inset_01.pdf Puget Sound inset] |publisher=[[Washington State Redistricting Commission]] |accessdate=October 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=November 24, 2021 |title=Proposed political map links cities from Monroe to Wenatchee |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/proposed-political-map-links-cities-from-monroe-to-wenatchee/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> Gold Bar was previously part of the [[Washington's 39th legislative district|39th legislative district]] until it was moved into the cross-mountain district as part of a redistricting compromise in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Jerry |date=December 3, 2021 |title=State Supreme Court declines to draw new redistricting plan |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/state-supreme-court-declines-to-draw-new-redistricting-plan/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=January 16, 2024}}</ref> The city also lies within the [[Snohomish County Council]]'s 5th district, which includes the Skykomish Valley, Snohomish, and [[Lake Stevens, Washington|Lake Stevens]].<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 16, 2024}}</ref>

==Culture==

The city hosts an annual festival, named Gold Dust Days, over a weekend in late July that includes a parade, a [[street fair]] with vendors and food, live music, a [[car show]], and a [[beauty pageant]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Nile |first=Amy |date=July 24, 2014 |title=Gold Bar festival could feel pinch of U.S. 2 closure |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gold-bar-festival-could-feel-pinch-of-u-s-2-closure/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref> It was founded in 2007 and also has events to commemorate the history of the Skykomish Valley, such as [[gold panning]] demonstrations and [[historical reenactment]]s of battles.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nohara |first=Yoshiaki |date=April 19, 2008 |title=A wealth of people hunting for gold in Snohomish County |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/a-wealth-of-people-hunting-for-gold-in-snohomish-county/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nile |first=Amy |date=July 22, 2015 |title=Gold Dust Days celebrate history of Sky Valley |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gold-dust-days-celebrate-history-of-sky-valley/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref> Gold Bar is also home to an annual [[Memorial Day (United States)|Memorial Day]] picnic.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rathbun |first=Andy |date=February 8, 2010 |title=Gold Bar to party like it's 1910 |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gold-bar-to-party-like-its-1910/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bray |first=Kari |date=July 6, 2016 |title=Celebrate the Sky Valley at Sultan Shindig, Gold Dust Days |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/celebrate-the-sky-valley-at-sultan-shindig-gold-dust-days/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> The city, along with neighboring Sultan and Index, was a filming location for the 2016 movie ''[[Captain Fantastic (film)|Captain Fantastic]]''.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 26, 2014 |title=Sultan is scene of shooting for new Hollywood movie |url=http://skyvalleychronicle.com/SULTAN/SULTAN-IS-SCENE-OF-SHOOTING-FOR-NEW-HOLLYWOOD-MOVIE-1807323 |work=Sky Valley Chronicle |access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kahn |first=Dean |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Whatcom County has scenic role in new film, 'Captain Fantastic' |url=http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article90399087.html |work=[[The Bellingham Herald]] |access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref> Until 2003, Gold Bar was the home of the Washington Serpentarium, a privately-operated [[Herpetarium|reptile zoo]]. It relocated to the Monroe area after the number of visitors, which reached 35,000 in 2002, outgrew the initial building.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schwarzen |first=Christopher |date=April 23, 2003 |title=Museum slithers into Monroe |page=H16 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Diane |date=November 5, 2005 |title=Washington Serpentarium a hot spot |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washington-serpentarium-a-hot-spot/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 10, 2025}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Gold Bar, WA - Gateway Community Park gazebo (June 2025).jpg|thumb|right|A [[gazebo]] at Gateway Community Park]]

The city government maintains {{convert|17.1|acre|ha}} of parks and open space within Gold Bar.<ref name="CompPlan-124">{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|pp=124–126}}</ref> These include Railroad Avenue Park on U.S. Route 2, which has picnic facilities and a [[dog park]], and Gateway Community Park, which opened in 2004. Several undeveloped facilities are also planned for future parks by the city government.<ref>{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|pp=146–147}}</ref> Gold Bar is adjacent to [[Wallace Falls State Park]], located {{convert|2|mi|km}} northeast of the city limits.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Jessica |date=April 24, 2018 |title=Body of woman recovered from water at Snohomish County's Wallace Falls State Park |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/body-of-woman-recovered-from-water-at-snohomish-countys-wallace-falls-state-park/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref> It is one of the most popular outdoor attractions in Snohomish County, with over 186,000 total visitors in 2024, which has resulted in parking issues on nearby roads.<ref>{{cite news |last=King |first=Rikki |date=January 20, 2018 |title=It's hard to find a parking spot at Wallace Falls State Park |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/parking-a-constant-problem-at-wallace-falls-state-park/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2024 Visitation Report |url=https://parks.wa.gov/about/strategic-planning-projects-public-input/reports-studies/visitation-reports |publisher=[[Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission]] |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> The park has a {{convert|5.6|mi|km|adj=mid}} hiking trail to its eponymous [[waterfall]]s with a total elevation gain of {{convert|1,300|ft|m}}—among the lowest in the Cascades.<ref>{{cite news |last=Martinez |first=Xavier |date=August 29, 2024 |title=Highway 2 hikes: 6 trails for the final push of summer |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/highway-2-hikes-6-trails-for-the-final-push-of-summer/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> The state parks system also maintains a [[boat launch]] on the Skykomish River at Big Eddy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Big Eddy |url=https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/water-access-sites/30537 |publisher=[[Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife]] |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref>

The area around Gold Bar has facilities for various forms of outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, skiing, and rafting.<ref name="CompPlan-Parks">{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|pp=73–74, 150–151}}</ref> The Skykomish River is used for [[whitewater rafting]] and includes sets of Class IV and V [[rapids]], including one named the "Boulder Drop", around Gold Bar.<ref name="Times-Rafting">{{cite news |last=Reiff |first=Corbin |date=July 13, 2023 |title=What to know to go whitewater rafting in WA this summer |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/what-to-know-to-go-whitewater-rafting-in-wa-this-summer/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Reiff |first=Corbin |date=May 16, 2024 |title=Whitewater rafting is a springtime rush for WA adventurers |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/whitewater-rafting-is-a-springtime-rush-for-wa-adventurers/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> The Reiter Foothills, a {{convert|10,000|acre|ha|adj=mid}} forest managed by the [[Washington State Department of Natural Resources]], is located {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} northeast of Gold Bar. It includes hiking trails and paths for [[off-roading|off-road driving]] that were developed beginning in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vinh |first=Tan |date=April 24, 2013 |title=Reiter Foothills has new off-road playground |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/reiter-foothills-has-new-off-road-playground/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Haun |first=Riley |date=February 26, 2023 |title=After controversial cutting, Middle May managers look to the future |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/after-controversial-cutting-middle-may-managers-look-to-the-future/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> The area has been proposed for formal protection as a [[state park]] but remains open to permitted logging.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sanders |first=Julia-Grace |date=August 16, 2020 |title=Would a 5,300-acre county park be a good thing for U.S. 2? |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/would-a-5300-acre-county-park-be-a-good-thing-for-u-s-2/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref>

==Education==

The city lies within the boundaries of the [[Sultan School District]], which serves {{convert|30|sqmi|sqkm}} of the Skykomish Valley and has over 2,000 enrolled students.<ref name="CompPlan-124"/> Gold Bar originally had its own [[school district]] until it was consolidated with the Sultan School District in 1969; the two districts previously had an agreement to bus middle and high school students to Sultan and share some capital costs for [[Sultan High School]].<ref>{{cite news |date=December 31, 1968 |title=Sultan, Gold Bar Merger |page=12B |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-sultan-gold-bar-merger/177961148/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=August 1, 2025}}</ref> A new [[elementary school]] in Gold Bar opened in 1992 to relieve overcrowding in Sultan.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tuohy-Morgan |first=Claire |date=October 3, 1995 |title=Growth pushes eastern edges at Gold Bar school |page=3F |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-growth-pushes-eastern-e/177925582/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=August 1, 2025}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===

Gold Bar is connected to nearby cities by [[U.S. Route 2 in Washington|U.S. Route 2]], which continues west towards [[Monroe, Washington|Monroe]] and [[Everett, Washington|Everett]] and east over [[Stevens Pass]] towards [[Wenatchee, Washington|Wenatchee]] and [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]].<ref>{{cite WSDOT map |year=2014 |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> The highway carries a daily average of over 12,000 vehicles through Gold Bar and has a {{convert|80|ft|m|adj=mid}} [[right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]].<ref name="CompPlan-113">{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|pp=113–115}}</ref> U.S. Route 2 is frequently congested during weekends due to recreational traffic, which also causes backups on rural roads that split from the highway.<ref name="Herald-FireUS2">{{cite news |last=Watanabe |first=Ben |date=March 8, 2021 |title=Gold Bar fire chief pleads for U.S. 2 traffic help from state |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gold-bar-fire-chief-pleads-to-lawmakers-for-u-s-2-traffic-help/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> The city is also bisected by the [[Scenic Subdivision]] of [[BNSF Railway]], which carries freight and [[Amtrak]] passenger trains along the Skykomish River.<ref name="CompPlan-113"/><ref>{{cite map |author=Bartlett & West |date=January 2024 |title=Network Map |url=https://www.bnsf.com/bnsf-resources/pdf/ship-with-bnsf/maps-and-shipping-locations/bnsf-network-map.pdf |publisher=[[BNSF Railway]] |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> [[Community Transit]] operates two bus routes from Gold Bar to other cities on the U.S. Route 2 corridor, with direct service to [[Everett Station]].<ref name="CompPlan-113"/><ref>{{cite map |date=March 2025 |title=Community Transit System Map |url=https://www.communitytransit.org/docs/default-source/mappdfs/systemmappdfs/mapsystem.pdf |publisher=[[Community Transit]] |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> The agency previously operated express routes that continued beyond Everett Station to the [[Boeing Everett Factory]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Winters |first=Chris |date=November 7, 2014 |title=Community Transit will bring back Sunday and holiday service |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/community-transit-will-bring-back-sunday-and-holiday-service/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |year=2015 |title=Going to Boeing |url=https://www.everetttransit.org/ImageRepository/Document?documentId=1518 |publisher=[[Everett Transit]] |accessdate=August 1, 2025}}</ref>

===Utilities===

[[Electric power]] for the city is provided by the [[Snohomish County Public Utility District]] (PUD), a consumer-owned [[public utility]] that serves all of Snohomish County. The utility derives most of its electricity from [[hydroelectricity]] that it purchases from the federal [[Bonneville Power Administration]] or generates on its own.<ref name="CompPlan-Utilities">{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|pp=67–69}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 2024 |title=Quick facts |url=https://www.snopud.com/about/quick-facts/ |publisher=[[Snohomish County Public Utility District]] |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref> [[Natural gas]] for the Gold Bar's residents and businesses is provided by [[Puget Sound Energy]], a private company. The city government contracts with [[Waste Management, Inc.|Waste Management]] to collect [[municipal solid waste|household garbage]] and [[recycling]].<ref name="CompPlan-Utilities"/>

Gold Bar's municipal [[tap water]] system serves 678 residential and non-residential connections with {{convert|51,000|ft|m}} of pipes. It is sourced from four groundwater [[well]]s and stored at a series of three [[reservoir]]s with a combined normal capacity of {{convert|263,532|gal|L}}. The PUD also operates a well in the area that is able to supply water to Gold Bar in the event of an emergency or repairs to other facilities.<ref name="CompPlan-123">{{harvp|Gold Bar Comprehensive Plan|2024|pp=123–124}}</ref> The city lacks a [[sanitary sewer]] system due to the high cost of a [[sewage treatment plant]]; most buildings instead rely on [[septic tank]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Switzer |first=Jeff |date=April 1, 2008 |title=Gold Bar wants county to ease up on growth limit |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/gold-bar-wants-county-to-ease-up-on-growth-limit/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=August 1, 2025}}</ref> [[Stormwater]] runoff is not directly managed by the city government and generally drains into the Skykomish River basin through various facilities, such as [[bioswale]]s and underground vaults.<ref name="CompPlan-123"/>

===Healthcare===

The city lies within the [[public hospital]] district for [[EvergreenHealth|EvergreenHealth Monroe]], the only full-service medical facility in the Skykomish Valley.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cornwell |first=Paige |date=April 17, 2019 |title=Eastside, Monroe hospitals seek voter approval for ballot measures to fund major upgrades |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside-monroe-hospitals-seek-voter-approval-for-ballot-measures-to-fund-major-upgrades/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 1, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sheil |first=Hannah |date=August 13, 2021 |title=EvergreenHealth Monroe critical care unit has been closed |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/evergreenhealth-monroe-critical-care-unit-has-been-closed/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=August 1, 2025}}</ref> Gold Bar is the home base for a mobile [[medical clinic]] established by [[Acadia Healthcare]] and the Snohomish County government in 2025 to address the [[opioid epidemic]] in rural communities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Richmond |first=Taylor |date=July 30, 2025 |title=New Snohomish County mobile opioid care unit showcased |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-snohomish-county-mobile-opioid-care-unit-showcased/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=July 31, 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://cityofgoldbar.us/ City website]

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

[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Snohomish County, Washington]]