Population 18,478 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in San Juan County
Household size in San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.93 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.06 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.02 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.03 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
San Juan County is a place of small households, averaging 2.03 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 1.93, even as the national average fell. San Juan County has the smallest households of any Washington county.
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 San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.7 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 53.7 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 54.6 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 56.3 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.6 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
San Juan County skews older: half of its residents are older than 56.3, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 51.7 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Washington county is older.
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 San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in San Juan County: 6.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 2.6 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of Washington's 39 counties have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 San Juan County
Renters in San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.6% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.4% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.0% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
San Juan County is largely a place of homeowners: only 22.0% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About half of owners (49.0%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 7.6 points since 2006–10, 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 San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 40.3% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 37.6% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.8% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in San Juan County: 30.8% of homes are empty, 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. No other Washington county has a higher vacancy rate.
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 San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in San Juan 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 1984 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. San Juan County has newer homes than at least four in five 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 San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $893 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $983 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,035 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,505 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$611 | +$858 | +$606 |
A typical rental in San Juan County costs $1,505 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in Washington overall ($1,875). Rent has climbed $611 a month since 2006–10, up 68%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 30.8% 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 San Juan County
Bachelor's degrees in San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.2% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 44.9% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 49.3% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 53.6% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.4 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
San Juan County is highly educated: more than half of adults 25 and older (53.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.4 points, in line with the national trend. Few Washington counties have a higher share of college graduates: only two of 39.
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 San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.9% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.7% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.7% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in San Juan 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 is up 1.3 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Only one other Washington county has a higher share of high school graduates.
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 San Juan County
| Period | San Juan County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.0% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.4% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in San Juan County than nationally: unemployment was 3.9%, against 5.4%. Only two of Washington's 39 counties have lower unemployment. Unemployment has edged up 0.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
San Juan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan County | 2.03 | 56.3 | 6.0% | 22.0% | 30.8% | 1988 | $1,505 | 53.6% | 95.7% | 3.9% |
| Whatcom County | 2.50 | 40.0 | 8.3% | 36.3% | 8.7% | 1986 | $1,645 | 38.9% | 93.9% | 4.6% |
| Skagit County | 2.52 | 43.2 | 11.0% | 29.9% | 8.2% | 1984 | $1,625 | 29.2% | 91.2% | 4.9% |
| Island County | 2.42 | 47.2 | 7.4% | 25.3% | 15.1% | 1988 | $1,714 | 35.5% | 95.7% | 4.2% |
| Clallam County | 2.22 | 51.7 | 8.8% | 26.3% | 9.8% | 1982 | $1,296 | 30.8% | 93.8% | 5.2% |
| Jefferson County | 2.05 | 58.4 | 6.3% | 21.0% | 14.5% | 1986 | $1,536 | 43.9% | 95.4% | 6.9% |
| 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% |
| Bonner County | 2.52 | 48.2 | 7.1% | 21.7% | 19.2% | 1989 | $1,229 | 28.9% | 92.4% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Putnam County, GA · Langlade County, WI · Posey County, IN · Pottawatomie County, KS · Poweshiek County, IA · Prairie County, AR · Pratt County, KS · Prentiss County, MS · Presque Isle County, MI · Prince Edward County, VA
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 San Juan 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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