Population 86,836 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Island County
Household size in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.34 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.37 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.33 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
The average household in Island County has 2.42 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.34, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the south.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.1 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.3 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.7 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.2 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.2, Island County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 44.1, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the northwest, the oldest in the south.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Island County: 7.4% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 1.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Island County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Washington counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Island County
Renters in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.1% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.5% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.5% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.3% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Island County own their homes; 25.3% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. About four in ten owners (39.0%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the east. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 0.9 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.3% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.1% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.4% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 15.1% of the housing in Island County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Island County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1988, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Island County has newer homes than the great majority of Washington counties.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $992 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,096 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,296 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,714 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$722 | +$858 | +$606 |
The median renter in Island County pays $1,714 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in Washington as a whole ($1,875). Rent has climbed $722 a month since 2006–10, up 73%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 32.9% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Island County
Bachelor's degrees in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.9% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.8% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.5% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.5% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.6 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Island County (35.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in Washington as a whole (38.8%). The share with a degree is up 6.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.9% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.9% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.3% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.7% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Island County: 95.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Few Washington counties have a higher share of high school graduates: only two of 39.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Island County
| Period | Island County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Island County than nationally: unemployment was 4.2%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Island County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island County | 2.42 | 47.2 | 7.4% | 25.3% | 15.1% | 1988 | $1,714 | 35.5% | 95.7% | 4.2% |
| Jefferson County | 2.05 | 58.4 | 6.3% | 21.0% | 14.5% | 1986 | $1,536 | 43.9% | 95.4% | 6.9% |
| Skagit County | 2.52 | 43.2 | 11.0% | 29.9% | 8.2% | 1984 | $1,625 | 29.2% | 91.2% | 4.9% |
| Snohomish County | 2.71 | 39.7 | 9.1% | 31.8% | 5.8% | 1989 | $2,169 | 38.5% | 93.1% | 4.5% |
| San Juan County | 2.03 | 56.3 | 6.0% | 22.0% | 30.8% | 1988 | $1,505 | 53.6% | 95.7% | 3.9% |
| Clallam County | 2.22 | 51.7 | 8.8% | 26.3% | 9.8% | 1982 | $1,296 | 30.8% | 93.8% | 5.2% |
| Okanogan County | 2.37 | 43.9 | 13.5% | 27.6% | 18.6% | 1982 | $944 | 24.6% | 85.0% | 4.8% |
| Ferry County | 2.34 | 51.7 | 8.1% | 21.9% | 23.1% | 1984 | $683 | 16.1% | 91.1% | 12.2% |
| Stevens County | 2.52 | 47.4 | 7.5% | 20.2% | 13.8% | 1985 | $1,013 | 22.1% | 91.8% | 5.5% |
| Pend Oreille County | 2.38 | 49.0 | 8.9% | 19.2% | 22.7% | 1984 | $906 | 20.5% | 93.9% | 6.9% |
| Kootenai County | 2.61 | 42.0 | 9.5% | 28.7% | 9.8% | 1994 | $1,591 | 29.9% | 94.8% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Lapeer County, MI · Mendocino County, CA · Manitowoc County, WI · Madison County, KY · Lincoln County, NC · Liberty County, TX · Lewis County, WA · Lee County, MS · Leavenworth County, KS · Lawrence County, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Island County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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