Oak Harbor, Washington

Oak Harbor
City
Aerial view of Oak Harbor
Location of Oak Harbor, Washington
Coordinates: 48°17′42″N122°39′31″W / 48.29500°N 122.65861°W / 48.29500; -122.65861
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Island
City	May 14, 1915
Government
• Type	Mayor–council [1]
• Mayor	Ronnie Wright
Area [2]
•  City	12.32 sq mi (31.90 km2)
• Land	9.65 sq mi (25.00 km2)
• Water	2.66 sq mi (6.90 km2)
Elevation	92 ft (28 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
•  City	24,622
• Density	2,551.5/sq mi (984.88/km2)
•  Metro [4]	86,857 (US: 48th)
Demonym	Oak Harborite
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes	98277–98278
Area code	360
Telephone exchanges	240, 257, 279, 395, 632, 675, 678, 679
FIPS code	53-50360
GNIS feature ID	1512518 [5]
Website	oakharbor.gov

Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor

Oak Harbor is a city located on Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,622 at the 2020 census. Oak Harbor was incorporated on May 14, 1915.

History

Pioneer Way in downtown Oak Harbor

The Lower Skagit people have inhabited Oak Harbor (Lushootseed : təqucid) ^[6] and the nearby Crescent Harbor (Lushootseed : č̓itusəb) ^[6] since time immemorial. ^[7] There were several villages in the vicinity, and the modern settlement of Oak Harbor was built over one such village. ^[7]

In the early 1850s, two settlers staked claims where the city now stands— Zakarias Martin Toftezen, a shoemaker from Norway; C.W. Sumner from New England. ^[8] Irish and Dutch immigrants also arrived and settled in the area. Oak Harbor was named for the area's Garry Oak trees and was incorporated in 1915 with a population of 401. Houses and businesses sprouted up along the shores of Oak Harbor as the pioneers relied entirely on water transportation until the 1900s. For the next 30 years, steamers and freighters carried passengers and freight from the Island to the mainland and back as well as Fidalgo Island to the north. The city grew following the completion of Deception Pass Bridge on July 31, 1935, and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on September 21, 1942. ^[9] The bridge, which linked Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island and the mainland, was a Public Works Administration project built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A nearby state park with 4,100 acres (17 km²) of forest, campsites, and trails was also developed.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.47 square miles (24.53 km²), of which 9.42 square miles (24.40 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) is water. ^[10] Access to the island by land is only available by driving through Deception Pass. Other ways to travel to Whidbey Island include flying or utilizing a ferry service. The Mukilteo–Clinton ferry provides service connecting the southern end of Whidbey Island to the area immediately north of Seattle, while the Coupeville-Port Townsend ferry connects to the Olympic peninsula.^{[ citation needed ]}

Surveys of shorelines throughout the Puget Sound region have indicated that 58% are "unstable". Average retreat rates range from one to eight centimeters per year and shores in the Puget Sound area, composed of unconsolidated sediment, erode 10 to 100 times faster than rocky shoreline. ^[11]

Climate

Oak Harbor has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) characterized by warm, dry summers and cold, though not severe, and damp winters. Due to the Olympic rain shadow, the region that the region is much drier than most of the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades.

Climate data for Oak Harbor, Washington

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	62 (17)	69 (21)	78 (26)	81 (27)	85 (29)	92 (33)	95 (35)	98 (37)	91 (33)	79 (26)	67 (19)	62 (17)	98 (37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	47 (8)	50 (10)	54 (12)	59 (15)	64 (18)	68 (20)	73 (23)	74 (23)	69 (21)	59 (15)	51 (11)	46 (8)	60 (15)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	37 (3)	36 (2)	39 (4)	42 (6)	46 (8)	50 (10)	52 (11)	52 (11)	49 (9)	44 (7)	39 (4)	35 (2)	43 (6)
Record low °F (°C)	3 (−16)	5 (−15)	14 (−10)	26 (−3)	28 (−2)	35 (2)	40 (4)	38 (3)	29 (−2)	20 (−7)	6 (−14)	3 (−16)	3 (−16)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	2.50 (64)	1.75 (44)	1.88 (48)	1.67 (42)	1.83 (46)	1.33 (34)	0.86 (22)	0.77 (20)	1.27 (32)	1.97 (50)	3.15 (80)	2.53 (64)	21.51 (546)
Source: [12]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	337		—
1930	362		7.4%
1940	376		3.9%
1950	1,193		217.3%
1960	3,942		230.4%
1970	9,167		132.5%
1980	12,271		33.9%
1990	17,176		40.0%
2000	19,795		15.2%
2010	22,075		11.5%
2020	24,622		11.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [13] 2018 Estimate [14]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, ^[15] there were 24,622 people and 9,852 households in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 67.3% White, 5.4% African American, 1.3% Native American, 8.4% Asian, 0.6% Pacific Islander, and 13.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 15.9% of the population.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, ^[16] there were 22,075 people, 8,677 households, and 5,789 families living in the city. The population density was 2,343.4 inhabitants per square mile (904.8/km²). There were 9,553 housing units at an average density of 1,014.1 per square mile (391.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.6% White, 4.9% African American, 0.9% Native American, 10.2% Asian, 1.0% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 7.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 9.3% of the population.

There were 8,677 households, of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the city was 29 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.9% were from 25 to 44; 17% were from 45 to 64; and 10.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 19,795 people, 7,333 households, and 5,265 families living in the city. The population density was 2,175.0 people per square mile (839.9/km²). There were 7,772 housing units at an average density of 854.0 per square mile (329.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.9% White, 5.5% African American, 9.6% Asian, 1.2% Native American, 0.8% Pacific Islander, 2.4% from other races, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 6.6% of the population.

There were 7,333 households, out of which 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. Also, 22.2% of all households comprised individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city, 31.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.6% was from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 13.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,641, and the median income for a family was $41,579. Males had a median income of $29,498 versus $21,633 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,830. About 8.1% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Oak Harbor has favored Republican candidates in each presidential election in the 21st century, though by less than a percentage point in 2020. Kamala Harris ultimately flipped the city in 2024.

Oak Harbor city vote
by party in presidential elections

Year	Democratic	Republican	Third Parties
2024 [17]	49.42%4,607	47.02% 4,383	3.56% 332
2020 [18]	46.81% 4,660	47.53%4,731	5.66% 563
2016 [19]	39.07% 3,006	50.14%3,857	10.79% 830
2012 [20]	42.00% 3,219	53.80%4,123	4.20% 322
2008 [21]	43.21% 3,183	56.79%4,183	0.00% 0
2004 [22]	33.17% 2,226	64.02%4,296	2.80% 188
2000 [23]	37.20% 2,058	57.94%3,206	4.86% 269

Notable people

• Shayla Beesley – actress
• Lamont Brightful – player in the NFL and Canadian Football League
• Michael Harring – filmmaker
• Marti Malloy – Olympic Judo medalist
• Patricia McPherson – actress
• Jerod Turner – golfer
• Robert Lee Yates - serial killer
• Chad Veach - evangelical pastor, founder of Zoe Church

References

1. "Office of the Mayor". City of Oak Harbor. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
3. "2020 Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
4. "2020 Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
5. "Oak Harbor". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
6. "Puget Sound Geographical names". Tulalip Tribes. January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
7. Smith, Marian W (1941). "The Coast Salish of Puget Sound". American Anthropologist. 43 (2): 197–211. doi: 10.1525/aa.1941.43.2.02a00050 . JSTOR   662952.
8. "Toftezen Memorial, Lutheran Cemetery, Pioneer Highway". Stanwood Area Historic Society. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
9. Wilma, David (July 30, 2007). "Oak Harbor — Thumbnail History". HistoryLink . Retrieved January 27, 2023.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
11. Rogers, Heather E.; Swanson, Terry W.; Stone, John O. (2017). "Long-term shoreline retreat rates on Whidbey Island, Washington, USA". Quaternary Research. 78 (2): 315–322. doi:10.1016/j.yqres.2012.06.001. S2CID   140167429.
12. "Monthly Averages for Oak Harbor, WA" . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
13. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing" . Retrieved July 21, 2014.
14. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 16, 2019.
15. United States Census Bureau. "Quickfacts: Oak Harbor city, Washington" . Retrieved June 27, 2024.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 19, 2012.
17. "November 5, 2024 General Election Results". results.vote.wa.gov. December 6, 2024.
18. "Island County November 3, 2020 General Election". results.vote.wa.gov. November 23, 2020.
19. "Official Returns, General Election, November 8, 2016, Island County, State of Washington" (PDF). islandcountywa.gov. November 29, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2020.
20. "Official Returns, General Election, November 6, 2012, Island County, State of Washington" (PDF). islandcountywa.gov. November 27, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 30, 2016.
21. "Official Returns of the General Election held in Island County, Washington, November 4, 2008" (PDF). islandcountywa.gov. November 25, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 27, 2017.
22. "Official Returns of the State General Election, November 2, 2004, Island County, State of Washington" (PDF). islandcountywa.gov. November 17, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2017.
23. "Official Returns of the State General Election held in Island County, November 7, 2000, State of Washington" (PDF). islandcountywa.gov. November 22, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2017.

External links

• City of Oak Harbor official website
• Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce