San Juan County, Washington | |
|---|---|
 San Juan County Courthouse | |
 Flag | |
| Motto: A World Away[citation needed] | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWashington | |
 Washington's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:48°34′N122°58′W / 48.57°N 122.97°W /48.57; -122.97 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | October 31, 1873 |
| Named after | San Juan Islands |
| Seat | Friday Harbor |
| Largest town | Friday Harbor |
| Area | |
• Total | 621 sq mi (1,610 km2) |
| • Land | 174 sq mi (450 km2) |
| • Water | 447 sq mi (1,160 km2) 72% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 17,788 |
• Estimate (2024) | 18,668 |
| • Density | 96/sq mi (37/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | sanjuancountywa.gov |
San Juan County is acounty in theSalish Sea in the far northwestern corner of theU.S. state ofWashington. As of the2020 census, its population was 17,788.[1] Thecounty seat and only incorporated town isFriday Harbor,[2] onSan Juan Island. The county was formed on October 31, 1873, fromWhatcom County[3] and is named for theSan Juan Islands, which are in turn named forJuan Vicente de Güemes, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo,[4] the Viceroy ofNew Spain.
Although the islands have nostate highways, the ferry routes serving them aredesignated as part of the state highway system.
The San Juan Islands were the subject of a territorial dispute betweenGreat Britain and the United States from 1846 to 1872, leading to thePig War in 1859. The bloodless conflict ended through arbitration led by KaiserWilhelm I, which awarded the islands to the United States.[5] San Juan County was home toHenry Cayou, one of the first elected officials of Native descent in Washington.[6]
On June 7, 2024, aT-34 plane flown by former astronaut and Air Force pilotWilliam Anders crashed in the San Juan Islands. Anders did not survive the crash.[7]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 621 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 174 square miles (450 km2) is land and 447 square miles (1,160 km2) (72%) is water.[8] It is the smallest county in Washington by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.
San Juan County is a cluster of more than 400 islands and rocks with elevations above mean high tide. 134 of these islands and rocks are named. The county has a rugged, rocky shoreline and several mountains. The highest point in the county isMount Constitution on Orcas Island at 2,407 feet (734 m) above sea level.
There are approximately 743 islands and rocks in the San Juan Island chain. Most of the county's population lives on the largest four islands, which are the only county islands served by theWashington State Ferries. The four largest islands are:
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 554 | — | |
| 1880 | 948 | 71.1% | |
| 1890 | 2,072 | 118.6% | |
| 1900 | 2,928 | 41.3% | |
| 1910 | 3,603 | 23.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,605 | 0.1% | |
| 1930 | 3,097 | −14.1% | |
| 1940 | 3,157 | 1.9% | |
| 1950 | 3,245 | 2.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,872 | −11.5% | |
| 1970 | 3,856 | 34.3% | |
| 1980 | 7,838 | 103.3% | |
| 1990 | 10,035 | 28.0% | |
| 2000 | 14,077 | 40.3% | |
| 2010 | 15,769 | 12.0% | |
| 2020 | 17,788 | 12.8% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 18,668 | [9] | 4.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1] | |||
The county's population grew from around 4,000 in 1970 to nearly 19,000 by 2022, including a significant contingent ofremote workers. Due to high housing costs, San Juan County has the highest income inequality rate in Washington.[14]
As of the 2020 census, there were 17,788 people, and 8,378 households in the county.[1] The population density was 102.3 people per square mile (39.5 people/km2). The racial makeup was 93.5%White, 0.9%African American, 1.1%Native American, 1.7%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.8% of the population.[1]
12.5% of the population were under 18, and 2.8% were under 5. People over 65 made up 35.1% of the population. The gender makeup of the county was 50.9% female, and 49.1% male.[1]
The median household income was $68,577, and the per capita income was $52,881. 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line.[1]
As of the2010 census, there were 15,769 people, 7,613 households, and 4,438 families residing in the county.[15] The population density was 90.7 people per square mile (35.0 people/km2). There were 13,313 housing units at an average density of 76.5 units per square mile (29.5 units/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 92.6% white, 1.1% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.6% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.4% of the population.[15] The largest ancestry groups were:[17]
Of the 7,613 households, 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 41.7% were non-families, and 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.56. The median age was 52.7 years.[15]
The median income for a household in the county was $50,726 and the median income for a family was $61,096. Males had a median income of $44,190 versus $32,911 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,487. About 7.6% of families and 10.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.[18]
As of the2000 census there were 14,077 people living in the county in 6,466 households and 4,015 families, resulting in apopulation density of 80 people per square mile (31 people/km2). The census reported 9,752 housing units at an average density of 56 units per square mile (22 units/km2). The residents of the county reported their race as 95.0%White, 0.3%Black orAfrican American, 0.8%Native American, 0.9%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 0.9% fromother races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population identified themselves asHispanic orLatino of any race. In response to the census question concerning ancestry, 16.7% reportedEnglish ancestry; 15.0%,German; 11.6%,Irish; 5.7%,United States or American; 5.4%,French; and 5.0%,Norwegian.
Of the 6,466 households, 22.90% had children under the age of 18; 51.80% weremarried couples living together; 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present; 37.90% were not families; 30.60% were individuals; and 10.70% were individuals 65 years of age or older, living alone. The average household size was 2.16 persons and the average family size was 2.65.
19.1% of the county's population was under the age of 18; 4.5% ranged in age from 18 to 24; 21.7%, 25–44; 35.7%, 45–64; and 19.0%, 65 or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,491, and the median income for a family was $51,835. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $26,516 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $30,603. About 6.0% of families and 9.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
San Juan County has the highest per capita income in the state of Washington. Deer Harbor, located in the county, has a per capita income exceeding $100,000.Waldron Island, with a population of 104 in the 2000 census, is considered one of the most impoverished areas in Washington, with about 56% of the people living in poverty.[citation needed]
In a survey by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, San Juan County was ranked the healthiest in the state of Washington.[19]
According to a 2020 survey by thePublic Religion Research Institute, San Juan County has the highest concentration ofreligiously unaffiliated people of any county in the United States. The unaffiliated make up 49% of the population.[20]
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining thecounty jail, providing security at the San Juan County Superior Court, serving civil processes, coordinatingemergency management among the county's emergency services, and maintaining law and order throughout the county, as there are no municipal police departments in San Juan County.[21] Due to San Juan County's island geography, the sheriff also operates a robust marine unit equipped with four small patrol craft, used forsearch and rescue and for transporting deputies and prisoners to and from remote islands.[22] The sheriff has a mutual aid agreement with theNational Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers assigned to theSan Juan Island National Historical Park and, in the event of an exigency, can also request assistance from theWashington State Patrol's District 7 field detachment.[22][21][23][24]
The county's first sheriff was Stephen Boyce, who was known among areaNative Americans asHyas Tyee ("great and powerful man" inChinook Jargon). Boyce helped investigate the sensational "Kanaka Joe" murders of 1873, and supervised thehanging of Joe "Kanaka Joe" Nuanna.[25][26]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 348 | 54.89% | 226 | 35.65% | 60 | 9.46% |
| 1896 | 411 | 58.30% | 291 | 41.28% | 3 | 0.43% |
| 1900 | 428 | 61.49% | 245 | 35.20% | 23 | 3.30% |
| 1904 | 554 | 71.95% | 113 | 14.68% | 103 | 13.38% |
| 1908 | 581 | 65.95% | 178 | 20.20% | 122 | 13.85% |
| 1912 | 341 | 27.52% | 311 | 25.10% | 587 | 47.38% |
| 1916 | 591 | 42.37% | 669 | 47.96% | 135 | 9.68% |
| 1920 | 833 | 66.64% | 196 | 15.68% | 221 | 17.68% |
| 1924 | 744 | 66.67% | 86 | 7.71% | 286 | 25.63% |
| 1928 | 814 | 66.72% | 400 | 32.79% | 6 | 0.49% |
| 1932 | 607 | 40.44% | 786 | 52.37% | 108 | 7.20% |
| 1936 | 690 | 43.26% | 775 | 48.59% | 130 | 8.15% |
| 1940 | 808 | 48.24% | 860 | 51.34% | 7 | 0.42% |
| 1944 | 703 | 51.92% | 644 | 47.56% | 7 | 0.52% |
| 1948 | 881 | 55.94% | 636 | 40.38% | 58 | 3.68% |
| 1952 | 1,133 | 64.16% | 619 | 35.05% | 14 | 0.79% |
| 1956 | 1,105 | 65.27% | 584 | 34.49% | 4 | 0.24% |
| 1960 | 1,112 | 63.91% | 624 | 35.86% | 4 | 0.23% |
| 1964 | 839 | 47.94% | 906 | 51.77% | 5 | 0.29% |
| 1968 | 1,164 | 59.30% | 685 | 34.90% | 114 | 5.81% |
| 1972 | 1,786 | 63.90% | 906 | 32.42% | 103 | 3.69% |
| 1976 | 1,998 | 53.68% | 1,467 | 39.41% | 257 | 6.90% |
| 1980 | 2,363 | 46.97% | 1,666 | 33.11% | 1,002 | 19.92% |
| 1984 | 2,900 | 52.48% | 2,514 | 45.49% | 112 | 2.03% |
| 1988 | 2,660 | 45.75% | 3,008 | 51.74% | 146 | 2.51% |
| 1992 | 1,901 | 26.71% | 3,353 | 47.11% | 1,863 | 26.18% |
| 1996 | 2,523 | 34.31% | 3,663 | 49.81% | 1,168 | 15.88% |
| 2000 | 3,005 | 35.67% | 4,426 | 52.54% | 993 | 11.79% |
| 2004 | 3,290 | 32.56% | 6,589 | 65.21% | 225 | 2.23% |
| 2008 | 2,958 | 27.94% | 7,374 | 69.66% | 254 | 2.40% |
| 2012 | 3,111 | 29.10% | 7,125 | 66.64% | 456 | 4.26% |
| 2016 | 2,688 | 24.14% | 7,172 | 64.42% | 1,274 | 11.44% |
| 2020 | 3,057 | 23.16% | 9,725 | 73.69% | 415 | 3.14% |
| 2024 | 2,890 | 22.22% | 9,539 | 73.34% | 577 | 4.44% |
The county has voted heavily Democratic in presidential elections since the 1990s. The only area of the county won byGeorge W. Bush in 2004 was theDecatur Island/Blakely Island precinct, with just over 50 votes.Waldron Island's precinct voted 96.5% forJohn Kerry. In 2006,Maria Cantwell, the Democrat running for re-election to theU.S. Senate, won all precincts.[28] The county's legislative body is theSan Juan County Council, which was created in 2006.[29] In2024, the county did not swing rightward unlike the national trend, and Democratic nomineeKamala Harris even improved uponJoe Biden's margin in the county.
The county government adopted a32-hour workweek for its approximately 160 employees in August 2023 to address chronic vacancies and the difficulty of the island lifestyle; the lone exception was the county sheriff's office. Benefits and overall pay were retained through a deal with the employees' union by raising the hourly wage. In the first nine months under the policy, vacancies were filled faster and fewer sick days were used by employees.[30]
San Juan County is connected to the rest of Washington by thestate ferry system, which operates theAnacortes–San Juan Islands ferry. The ferry's runs include inter-island service as well as bypass runs that serve only Friday Harbor and Anacortes. It also included service toSidney, British Columbia, but that was suspended in 2020.[31] Due to high demand, vehicle spaces on the ferry runs generally require reservations during the summer months.[32]
Apublic transit system, named San Juan Transit, was established in 1993 and primarily operates buses on San Juan Island for residents and visitors.[33]
San Juan County has four school districts that providepublic education toK–12 students: theLopez School District,Orcas Island School District,San Juan Island School District, andShaw Island School District.[34]
Places adjacent to San Juan County, Washington | |
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Municipalities and communities ofSan Juan County, Washington,United States | ||
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| Populated islands |  | |
| Town | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other communities | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
