Skagit County, Washington (original) (raw)

County in Washington, United States

County in Washington

Skagit County
County
Tulip fields in the Skagit ValleyTulip fields in the Skagit Valley
Official seal of Skagit CountySeal
Map of Washington highlighting Skagit CountyLocation within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting WashingtonWashington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°29′N 121°47′W / 48.48°N 121.78°W / 48.48; -121.78
Country United States
State Washington
Founded November 28, 1883
Named after Upper and Lower Skagit tribes
Seat Mount Vernon
Largest city Mount Vernon
Area
• Total 1,920 sq mi (5,000 km2)
• Land 1,731 sq mi (4,480 km2)
• Water 189 sq mi (490 km2) 9.8%
Population (2020)
• Total 129,523
• Estimate (2024) 132,736 Increase
• Density 71/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website skagitcounty.net

Skagit County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 129,523.[1] The county seat and largest city is Mount Vernon.[2] The county was formed in 1883 from Whatcom County[3] and is named for the Upper and Lower Skagit Indian tribes, which have been indigenous to the area prior to European-American settlement.

Skagit County comprises the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is included in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the Puget Sound region, and it is known for its strong agricultural sector and annual tulip festival.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,920 square miles (5,000 km2), of which 1,731 square miles (4,480 km2) is land and 189 square miles (490 km2) (9.8%) is water.[4] It is noted for its broad, fertile valley of the Skagit River, a center for cultivation of tulips, blueberries, and strawberries.[5][6] Over 500 acres (200 ha) of tulips are grown in Skagit County, comprising 75 percent of the American commercial output with $20 million in annual gross income.[7]

Geographic features

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Fir-Conway Lutheran Church.

National protected areas

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Historical population

Census Pop. Note %±
1890 8,747 —
1900 14,272 63.2%
1910 29,241 104.9%
1920 33,373 14.1%
1930 35,142 5.3%
1940 37,650 7.1%
1950 43,273 14.9%
1960 51,350 18.7%
1970 52,381 2.0%
1980 64,138 22.4%
1990 79,555 24.0%
2000 102,979 29.4%
2010 116,901 13.5%
2020 129,523 10.8%
2024 (est.) 132,736 [8] 2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[1]

As of the 2010 census, there were 116,901 people, 45,557 households, and 30,656 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 67.5 people per square mile (26.1 people/km2). There were 51,473 housing units at an average density of 29.7 units per square mile (11.5 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 83.4% white, 2.2% American Indian, 1.8% Asian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 8.7% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 16.9% of the population.[13] The largest ancestry groups were: 17.8% German, 14.9% Mexican, 13.7% English, 11.4% Irish, 8.3% Norwegian, 4.8% Swedish, and 4.3% Dutch.[15]

Of the 45,557 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.7% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 40.1 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was 54,811andthemedianincomeforafamilywas54,811 and the median income for a family was 54,811andthemedianincomeforafamilywas63,468. Males had a median income of 48,979versus48,979 versus 48,979versus34,628 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,925. About 7.4% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.[16]

As of the 2000 census, there were 102,979 people, 38,852 households, and 27,351 families living in the county. The population density was 59 people per square mile (23 people/km2). There were 42,681 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.49% White, 0.44% Black or African American, 1.85% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 7.17% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 11.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.9% were of German, 11.2% English, 9.2% Norwegian, 8.2% Irish and 6.7% United States or American ancestry.[_citation needed_]

Three Salish Native American tribes have reservations in the county: the Swinomish, Upper Skagit, and Samish.

There were 38,852 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was 42,381,andthemedianincomeforafamilywas42,381, and the median income for a family was 42,381,andthemedianincomeforafamilywas48,347. Males had a median income of 37,207versus37,207 versus 37,207versus26,123 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,256. About 7.90% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

The Skagit County Courthouse in downtown Mount Vernon

Skagit County's government is headed by three commissioners, in the system laid out in the state constitution for all counties without charters. Commissioners are "nominated" in the primary by their district, but then are elected in the general by a county-wide vote. Commissioners are therefore said to represent the entire county, and not just their district. The most recent election was on November 5, 2024.

The current Skagit County commissioners include Lisa Janicki, a Democrat from District 3, which encompasses Burlington east of Interstate 5, Sedro-Woolley, and the rest of eastern Skagit County; Peter Browning, an independent from District 2, which covers Mount Vernon, Conway, and south county; and Ron Wesen, a Republican from District 1, which includes Anacortes, La Conner, and that area of the county west of Interstate 5 and north of McLean Road.

Skagit County had been a bellwether county since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, voting for the winning candidate in each subsequent presidential election until it was carried by Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 (though only by a plurality). This democratic trend continued, with Skagit County voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 despite a nationwide rightward trend.

County conservation efforts

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In 2006, the Skagit County Marine Resources Committee commissioned a study to evaluate establishing one or more no-take marine reserves to protect rockfish and other groundfish from overfishing.[18]

Skagit Transit provides the county with bus service. It also offers connections to Everett, Bellingham, Whidbey Island and Camano Island, and operates the Guemes Island ferry linking Anacortes to Guemes Island.

Majestic Inn, Anacortes, Washington.

Downtown La Conner, Washington.

Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Several school districts serve students in Skagit County:[19]

The experimental horror film Skagit was set and shot in Skagit County.

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  5. ^ Rousso, Nick (September 24, 2021). "Farming in the Skagit Valley". HistoryLink. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  6. ^ "2023 Skagit County Agricultural Statistics" (PDF). Washington State University Skagit County Extension. April 4, 2025. p. 17. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  7. ^ Showalter, Rachel (April 24, 2023). "Numbers to impress your friends: The economics of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival". The Bellingham Herald. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  8. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  15. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  16. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  18. ^ Valz, JH; Dinnel, PA (2007). "Bottomfish Variability in the Proposed Marine Reserves of Skagit County, Washington". In: NW Pollock and JM Godfrey (Eds.) The Diving for Science…2007, Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, Twenty-sixth annual Scientific Diving Symposium, University of Miami, Miami, FL. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  19. ^ 2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Skagit County, WA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. December 21, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024. - Text list

48°29′N 121°47′W / 48.48°N 121.78°W / 48.48; -121.78