How old are homes in Marysville, and what does that mean for a deck?
33% of homes in Marysville's covered ZIP code were built in 2000 or later and 10% before 1960; the largest group dates to the 1990s.
The median home in Marysville was built around 1992. A deck built with a house of that age is now about 34 years old — the stage where first-generation pressure-treated decks commonly need major repair or replacement.
Decks built before 2004 were very likely made with CCA-treated lumber, which was phased out of most residential uses at the end of 2003. That doesn't make an existing deck unsafe, but old boards shouldn't be burned, and demolition debris should be disposed of according to local rules.
That is about the same as Snohomish County overall (median 1990). Statewide, the median Washington home was built in 1985. Among the 34 covered Washington communities with Census data, Marysville ranks #25 for oldest housing. In this ZIP code, 10% of homes were built before 1960, 23% between 1960 and 1979, 34% between 1980 and 1999, and 33% since 2000 — the single largest group dates to the 1990s.
| Decade built | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 765 | 4% |
| 2010s | 1,684 | 8% |
| 2000s | 4,044 | 20% |
| 1990s | 4,337 | 22% |
| 1980s | 2,340 | 12% |
| 1970s | 2,713 | 14% |
| 1960s | 1,919 | 10% |
| 1950s | 1,127 | 6% |
| 1940s | 355 | 2% |
| before 1940 | 603 | 3% |
What does Marysville's climate mean for deck construction?
Marysville averages about 51 days a year at or below freezing, 4.3 inches of snow and 49 inches of precipitation, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
The nearest NOAA climate station with 1991–2020 normals is Everett, about 6 miles away. It records an average of 51 days a year with a low at or below 32°F — relatively few freezing nights. On roughly 50 of those days the temperature climbs back above freezing, so water in wood, soil and gaps between boards repeatedly freezes and thaws.
Frost is less severe in Marysville than in northern states, but footings still have to meet the local frost-depth requirement, and freeze-thaw cycles are enough to work loose nails and open checks in unsealed wood.
Snowfall is light — about 4.3 inches in an average year at Arlington — so occasional ice is a bigger concern than snow load. Textured boards and good drainage on stairs help on icy mornings.
Moisture is the main enemy here: about 49 inches of precipitation fall on roughly 119 days a year. Decks stay damp for long stretches, so ventilation underneath, joist-top protection, flashing at the ledger and moisture-resistant boards matter more than usual.
Summer heat is mild by comparison — average summer highs near 74°F and only about 1 days a year at 90°F or above — so board color can be chosen mostly on looks.
Which decking material makes the most sense in Marysville?
For most Marysville homes, capped composite is the strongest starting point because frequent wet days (about 119 a year) favor boards that don't absorb water.
Budget, upkeep tolerance and sun exposure on your particular lot still decide the final choice between these options.
| Material | How it handles Marysville's conditions |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | Economical; needs regular cleaning and sealing |
| Cedar | Attractive; needs diligent cleaning in a wet climate |
| Capped composite | Low maintenance; handles moisture and freeze-thaw well |
| PVC | Best moisture resistance; strong fit for damp, shaded decks |
What kinds of homes are in Marysville, and how does that shape deck design?
Marysville has about 19,887 housing units across its covered ZIP code. 74% are single-family detached homes, 5% are attached homes such as townhouses and rowhouses, and about 21% are in buildings with two or more units. Roughly 71% of occupied homes are owner-occupied.
The mix of detached homes and attached or multi-unit housing in Marysville means deck projects range from large backyard decks to compact rear decks on narrow lots. Lot size, neighbors' sightlines and any association rules shape the right design.
What deck projects are most common in Marysville?
Based on the age of Marysville's housing, the largest group of projects is likely to be replacing or rebuilding aging decks.
- Replacement and major repair: about 9,390 homes (47%) were built between 1970 and 1999, the age group whose original or early add-on decks are most likely to have worn-out framing, connectors and boards.
- Retrofit decks on older homes: about 4,004 homes (20%) predate 1970. Here the priority is confirming that add-on decks are properly attached — or rebuilding them freestanding — before any cosmetic work.
- Upgrades and expansions: about 2,449 homes (12%) were built since 2010. Their decks are usually sound but small or builder-grade, so enlarging the deck, adding stairs and switching to composite or upgraded railings are common.
When is the best time to plan a deck project in Marysville?
Marysville's milder winters — about 51 freezing nights a year — allow construction through most of the year. Spring and fall are still the busiest seasons, so booking early helps.
Do you need a permit to build a deck in Marysville?
Often, yes — especially for attached or elevated decks — but the rules are set locally. Check with the building department that serves your address: the municipality, or Snohomish County for unincorporated areas.
For Marysville, WA, ask the permit office whether your deck needs a permit based on its size, height and attachment to the house, which drawings and inspections are required. Statewide code background for Washington is on our state page; local rules change, so the building department remains the authority.
How does Marysville compare with nearby covered areas?
The closest covered area is Lake Stevens, about 3.4 miles from the center of Marysville's covered ZIPs. Its median home was built in 1996, 4 years later than in Marysville. Marysville has 9 percentage points fewer detached single-family homes (74% vs. 83%), which changes how many projects are backyard decks versus compact townhouse decks. Owner-occupancy is 71% in Marysville compared with 79% in Lake Stevens. Marysville's covered ZIP code span about 14.3 square miles of land with roughly 19,887 homes — about 1,391 per square mile, a typical suburban density where most homes have usable backyards.
| Area | Distance | Median year built | Covered ZIPs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Stevens | 3.4 mi | 1996 | 1 |
| Everett | 9.3 mi | 1985 | 4 |
| Snohomish | 11.5 mi | 1991 | 2 |
| Mukilteo | 12.6 mi | 1989 | 1 |
| Lynnwood | 16.4 mi | 1991 | 3 |
| Bothell | 17.2 mi | 1997 | 3 |
Deck planning checklist for Marysville homeowners
- Confirm your ZIP code is 98270, the covered Marysville ZIP.
- Find out when your current deck was built and whether it uses pre-2004 treated lumber.
- Plan ventilation under the deck and joist-top protection for long wet seasons.
- Probe the ledger, post bases and joist tops for soft wood before planning a resurface.
- Call 811 before any digging so utility lines are marked.

