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Skagit County, Washington

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Skagit County /ˈskædʒɪt/ 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 Skagit Indian tribe, which has been indigenous to the area prior to European-American settlement.

Skagit County
County
Tulip fields in the Skagit Valley
Tulip fields in the Skagit Valley
Official seal of Skagit County
Seal
Map of Washington highlighting Skagit County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington'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
FoundedNovember 28, 1883
Named forSkagit tribes
SeatMount Vernon
Largest cityMount Vernon
Area
 • Total
1,920 sq mi (5,000 km2)
 • Land1,731 sq mi (4,480 km2)
 • Water189 sq mi (490 km2)  9.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
129,523
 • Estimate 
(2023)
131,417 Increase
 • Density71/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteskagitcounty.net

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.

Geography

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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 and strawberries.

Geographic features

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Fir-Conway Lutheran Church.

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18908,747—
190014,27263.2%
191029,241104.9%
192033,37314.1%
193035,1425.3%
194037,6507.1%
195043,27314.9%
196051,35018.7%
197052,3812.0%
198064,13822.4%
199079,55524.0%
2000102,97929.4%
2010116,90113.5%
2020129,52310.8%
2023 (est.)131,417[5]1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 116,901 people, 45,557 households, and 30,656 families living in the county.[10] 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).[11] 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.[10] 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.[12]

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.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $54,811 and the median income for a family was $63,468. Males had a median income of $48,979 versus $34,628 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.[13]

2000 census

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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, and the median income for a family was $48,347. Males had a median income of $37,207 versus $26,123 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.

Government

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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.

Politics

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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.

United States presidential election results for Skagit County, Washington[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 30,134 43.96% 35,958 52.46% 2,450 3.57%
2020 32,762 44.62% 38,252 52.10% 2,409 3.28%
2016 24,736 42.60% 26,690 45.97% 6,633 11.42%
2012 25,071 45.01% 28,688 51.51% 1,938 3.48%
2008 24,687 43.89% 30,053 53.42% 1,513 2.69%
2004 26,139 49.98% 25,131 48.05% 1,029 1.97%
2000 22,163 49.01% 20,432 45.18% 2,626 5.81%
1996 16,397 39.88% 18,295 44.49% 6,426 15.63%
1992 13,388 32.87% 15,936 39.13% 11,404 28.00%
1988 16,550 51.08% 15,159 46.79% 692 2.14%
1984 18,840 56.53% 13,947 41.85% 539 1.62%
1980 15,520 50.68% 11,299 36.90% 3,804 12.42%
1976 13,060 48.66% 12,718 47.39% 1,059 3.95%
1972 14,212 58.13% 9,233 37.77% 1,003 4.10%
1968 10,354 45.83% 10,529 46.60% 1,711 7.57%
1964 8,138 36.15% 14,344 63.72% 28 0.12%
1960 12,168 52.40% 11,003 47.39% 49 0.21%
1956 12,149 56.67% 9,243 43.11% 48 0.22%
1952 11,446 57.37% 8,321 41.71% 185 0.93%
1948 8,176 44.94% 9,080 49.91% 936 5.15%
1944 7,805 45.03% 9,409 54.29% 118 0.68%
1940 7,985 44.44% 9,796 54.51% 189 1.05%
1936 5,222 33.44% 9,639 61.73% 754 4.83%
1932 4,246 30.57% 8,395 60.45% 1,247 8.98%
1928 8,336 73.58% 2,848 25.14% 145 1.28%
1924 5,071 47.95% 699 6.61% 4,806 45.44%
1920 5,320 51.62% 1,840 17.85% 3,146 30.53%
1916 4,142 40.17% 4,936 47.88% 1,232 11.95%
1912 2,399 25.97% 1,962 21.24% 4,876 52.79%
1908 2,924 56.42% 1,449 27.96% 810 15.63%
1904 3,051 69.93% 880 20.17% 432 9.90%
1900 1,814 55.90% 1,220 37.60% 211 6.50%
1896 1,268 43.41% 1,623 55.56% 30 1.03%
1892 1,246 42.92% 923 31.79% 734 25.28%

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.[15]

Transportation

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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.

Major highways

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Communities

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Majestic Inn, Anacortes, Washington.
 
Downtown La Conner, Washington.

Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Reservations

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Ghost Towns

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See also

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Footnotes

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  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. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  14. ^ 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.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

Further reading

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

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