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Island County
countyIsland County, Washington
Overview
- Classification
- County
- FIPS Code
- 53029
- Country
- United States
- County
- Island County
Geography
- Region
- Salish Sea, Northwest Washington
- Total Area
- 517 sq mi
- Land Area
- 208 sq mi
- Water Area
- 309 sq mi
- Latitude
- 48.15
- Longitude
- -122.58
- Climate
- Mild, temperate climate with moderating effects of water. Rainfall averages from about 35" per year in South Whidbey and South Camano to less than 18" on Central Whidbey. Summers are warm and dry, winters are cold and wet.
- Notable Features
- Whidbey Island · Camano Island · Deception Pass · Puget Sound · Olympic Mountains (rain shadow effect)
- Neighboring Areas
- Skagit County (Northeast) · Snohomish County (East) · Jefferson County (Southwest) · San Juan County (Northwest)
Demographics
- Population (2020)
- 86,857
- Est. Population (2026)
- 86,696
- Median Age
- 44.5
- Median Income
- $88,358
- Owner-Occupied
- 74.6%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- White (Non-Hispanic) (76.6%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.83%), Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (4.82%), White (Hispanic) (2.77%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.63%)
Governance
- Government Type
- Board of Commissioners
- Governing Body
- Board of County Commissioners
- Body Size
- 3 members
- Municipal Services
- Assessor · Auditor · Budget Manager · Clerk · Public Works · Human Services · Human Resources
Economy
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.4%
- Economic Profile
- Micropolitan Statistical Area · Part of Seattle-Tacoma CMSA
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade · Manufacturing · Government
- Major Employers
- U.S. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI)
Education
- Schools
- 26
- Students
- 8,820
- School Districts
- Coupeville School District · Oak Harbor School District · South Whidbey School District · Stanwood-Camano School District
- Colleges & Universities
- Skagit Valley College
Infrastructure
- Transportation
- State Route 20 · State Route 525 · State Route 532 · Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry · Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island · Hospital
Recreation
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Deception Pass State Park · Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve · Fort Casey State Park
- Parks & Trails
- State Parks · Local Parks
History
- Founded
- 1852
- Named After
- The numerous islands within its boundaries
- Historical Significance
- Eighth-oldest county in Washington
- Key Events
- Created out of Thurston County · Originally encompassed Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, and San Juan Counties · U.S. Navy started construction on an airbase (NASWI) in 1941