Bothell, WA sits across both King County and Snohomish County - an unusual split across Bothell, WA zip codes that's made it one of the more interesting landing spots for buyers who've decided Seattle proper isn't the answer. The city has been growing steadily for years, pulling in developers and investors along the way. As of mid-2026, the median home sale price sits at around $1,099,950, which tells you something about what that demand looks like in practice.

If you're trying to make sense of this market - whether you're buying, selling, or just watching - population data is one of the most useful tools you have. How many people live here, how fast that number is climbing, and how many housing units actually exist: those figures set the context for everything else. Growth signals a healthy local economy, but it also means more people competing for the same homes.

Current Size of the Bothell Community

The most recent five-year estimates from the US Census Bureau put Bothell's population at 49,610 residents. More recent 2024 projections push that figure to an estimated 51,770 people - a noticeable jump from the 48,161 recorded in the 2020 Census.

That two-county split means civic services and infrastructure are divided between King County to the south and Snohomish County to the north. In terms of regional scale, those numbers put Bothell squarely in the mid-sized city category for the Puget Sound - enough commercial weight to feel self-sufficient, but with its own identity that's distinct from Seattle or Bellevue.

A Decade of Population Growth

The trajectory here has been consistently upward for more than ten years. Between 2010 and 2020, Bothell's population grew by 20.55%. Zoom in on the window from 2013 to 2023 and you get 18.27% growth, which works out to an average annual rate of 1.70%.

The pandemic didn't put a dent in it. From 2020 to 2023 alone, the population rose another 4.24%.

For buyers, what that consistency means is simple: new residents keep arriving, and baseline housing demand doesn't let up. That's not a cyclical blip - it's the underlying condition of this market.

Land Area and Housing Density

Bothell covers approximately 13.6 square miles of land. Some older records show a smaller footprint around 12.1 square miles, but annexations over the years have expanded the official city boundaries.

The housing stock reflects that density. The City of Bothell estimated 20,824 physical housing units as of April 2023, up from 20,138 in 2020. A separate Census-based estimate put the figure at 20,533 units around the same period. What you'll see on the ground is a mix of traditional single-family homes on conventional lots alongside newer townhome developments built to make the most of tighter parcels.

Real Estate Market Impact in 2026

With 156 homes available in recent months, Bothell is sitting at roughly 2.9 months of housing supply. A balanced market runs closer to four or five months, so sellers have the upper hand here - and have for a while.

Homes are moving fast. The median time on market is just 13 days. The median sale price of $1,099,950 is down 9.2% compared to the previous year, which sounds like relief for buyers, but don't mistake a price adjustment for a soft market. About 26.4% of homes are still selling above list price. If something looks good, you probably won't have the luxury of sleeping on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bothell's recent population growth driving up local housing prices?

Yes. The city grew by over 18% between 2013 and 2023, and with only 2.9 months of available inventory today, that sustained demand keeps prices elevated - currently around a $1.1 million median sale price. More people, not enough homes: that's the short version.

Is new home construction in Bothell keeping pace with the city's population boom?

Not quite. Between 2020 and April 2023, the total number of physical housing units grew from 20,138 to 20,824 - developers are building, but the median market time of 13 days tells you that new inventory gets absorbed quickly. Supply is moving in the right direction; it just hasn't caught up to demand.