San Juan County, Washington

For counties with a similar name, see San Juan County (disambiguation).

San Juan County
County
San Juan County Courthouse
Flag
Motto:  A World Away[ citation needed ]
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.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 for	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  (2023)	18,566
• Density	96/sq mi (37/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.sanjuanco.com

San Juan County is a county in the Salish Sea in the far northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 17,788. ^[1] The county seat and only incorporated town is Friday Harbor, ^[2] on San Juan Island. The county was formed on October 31, 1873, from Whatcom County ^[3] and is named for the San Juan Islands, which are in turn named for Juan Vicente de Güemes, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo, ^[4] the Viceroy of New Spain.

Although the islands have no state highways, the ferry routes serving them are designated as part of the state highway system.

History

House flag of the Straits Steamship Company, a shipping firm that operated steamships on Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The San Juan Islands were the subject of a territorial dispute between Great Britain and the United States from 1846 to 1872, leading to the Pig War in 1859. The bloodless conflict ended through arbitration led by Kaiser Wilhelm I, which awarded the islands to the United States. ^[5] San Juan County was home to Henry Cayou, one of the first elected officials of Native descent in Washington. ^[6]

On the 7th of June 2024, a T-34 plane flown by former astronaut and Air Force pilot William Anders crashed on the San Juan Islands. Anders did not survive the crash. ^[7]

Geography

According to the United 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 is Mount Constitution on Orcas Island at 2,407 feet (734 m) above sea level.

Geographic features

• Boundary Pass
• Haro Strait
• Rosario Strait
• San Juan Islands
• Strait of Georgia
• Strait of Juan de Fuca

Major islands

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 the Washington State Ferries. The four largest islands are:

• Orcas Island (149.43 km²; 57.70 sq mi)
• San Juan Island (143.62 km²; 55.45 sq mi)
• Lopez Island (76.57 km²; 29.56 sq mi)
• Shaw Island (19.64 km²; 7.58 sq mi)
• Blakely Island
• Crane Island
• Decatur Island

Adjacent counties

• Whatcom County – northeast
• Skagit County – east
• Island County – southeast
• Jefferson County – south
• Clallam County – south/southwest
• Capital Regional District, British Columbia – west

National protected areas

• San Juan Island National Historical Park
• San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
• San Juan Islands National Monument
• San Juan Wilderness

Demographics

Historical population

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%
2023 (est.)	18,566	[9]	4.4%
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 of remote workers. Due to high housing costs, San Juan County has the highest income inequality rate in Washington. ^[14]

2020 census

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]

2010 census

As of the 2010 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]

• 19.6% German
• 19.3% English
• 14.1% Irish
• 5.6% Norwegian
• 5.6% Scottish
• 5.0% French
• 4.4% Swedish
• 4.2% Mexican
• 3.6% Italian
• 3.1% Scotch-Irish
• 2.9% Dutch
• 2.8% American
• 2.1% Welsh
• 1.8% Polish
• 1.7% Russian
• 1.6% Danish
• 1.4% British
• 1.1% Swiss
• 1.0% Canadian

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 the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. ^[18]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census there were 14,077 people living in the county in 6,466 households and 4,015 families, resulting in a population 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 or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino of any race. In response to the census question concerning ancestry, 16.7% reported English 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $30,603. About 6.0% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty 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]

Religion

According to a 2020 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute, San Juan County has the highest concentration of religiously unaffiliated people of any county in the United States. The unaffiliated make up 49% of the population. ^[20]

Law enforcement

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining the county jail, providing security at the San Juan County Superior Court, serving civil processes, coordinating emergency 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 for search and rescue and for transporting deputies and prisoners to and from remote islands. ^[22] The sheriff has a mutual aid agreement with the National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers assigned to the San Juan Island National Historical Park and, in the event of an exigency, can also request assistance from the Washington State Patrol's District 7 field detachment. ^{[22] [21] [23] [24]}

The county's first sheriff was Stephen Boyce, who was known among area Native Americans as Hyas Tyee ("great and powerful man" in the Coast Salish language).^{[ dubious – discuss ]} Boyce helped investigate the sensational "Kanaka Joe" murders of 1873, and supervised the hanging of Joe "Kanaka Joe" Nuanna. ^{[25] [26]}

• 
  Stephen Boyce, San Juan County's first sheriff.
• 
  A San Juan County sheriff's office patrol boat photographed in 2009.

Government and politics

United States presidential election results for San Juan County, Washington ^[27]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	2,879	22.19%	9,521	73.37%	576	4.44%
2020	3,057	23.16%	9,725	73.69%	415	3.14%
2016	2,688	24.14%	7,172	64.42%	1,274	11.44%
2012	3,111	29.10%	7,125	66.64%	456	4.26%
2008	2,958	27.94%	7,374	69.66%	254	2.40%
2004	3,290	32.56%	6,589	65.21%	225	2.23%
2000	3,005	35.67%	4,426	52.54%	993	11.79%
1996	2,523	34.31%	3,663	49.81%	1,168	15.88%
1992	1,901	26.71%	3,353	47.11%	1,863	26.18%
1988	2,660	45.75%	3,008	51.74%	146	2.51%
1984	2,900	52.48%	2,514	45.49%	112	2.03%
1980	2,363	46.97%	1,666	33.11%	1,002	19.92%
1976	1,998	53.68%	1,467	39.41%	257	6.90%
1972	1,786	63.90%	906	32.42%	103	3.69%
1968	1,164	59.30%	685	34.90%	114	5.81%
1964	839	47.94%	906	51.77%	5	0.29%
1960	1,112	63.91%	624	35.86%	4	0.23%
1956	1,105	65.27%	584	34.49%	4	0.24%
1952	1,133	64.16%	619	35.05%	14	0.79%
1948	881	55.94%	636	40.38%	58	3.68%
1944	703	51.92%	644	47.56%	7	0.52%
1940	808	48.24%	860	51.34%	7	0.42%
1936	690	43.26%	775	48.59%	130	8.15%
1932	607	40.44%	786	52.37%	108	7.20%
1928	814	66.72%	400	32.79%	6	0.49%
1924	744	66.67%	86	7.71%	286	25.63%
1920	833	66.64%	196	15.68%	221	17.68%
1916	591	42.37%	669	47.96%	135	9.68%
1912	341	27.52%	311	25.10%	587	47.38%
1908	581	65.95%	178	20.20%	122	13.85%
1904	554	71.95%	113	14.68%	103	13.38%
1900	428	61.49%	245	35.20%	23	3.30%
1896	411	58.30%	291	41.28%	3	0.43%
1892	348	54.89%	226	35.65%	60	9.46%

The county has voted heavily Democratic in presidential elections since the 1990s. The only area of the county won by George W. Bush in 2004 was the Decatur Island/Blakely Island precinct, with just over 50 votes. Waldron Island's precinct voted 96.5% for John Kerry. In 2006, Maria Cantwell, the Democrat running for re-election to the U.S. Senate, won all precincts. ^[28] The county's legislative body is the San Juan County Council, which was created in 2006. ^[29]

The county government adopted a 32-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]

Transportation

San Juan County is connected to the rest of Washington by the state ferry system, which operates the Anacortes–San Juan Islands ferry. The ferry's runs include inter-island service as well as bypass runs that only serve Friday Harbor and Anacortes. It also includes service to Sidney, British Columbia, which was suspended in 2020. ^[31] Due to high demand, vehicle spaces on the ferry runs generally require reservations during the summer months. ^[32]

A public transit system, named San Juan Transit, was established in 1993 and primarily operates buses on San Juan Island for residents and visitors. ^[33]

Communities

Town

• Friday Harbor (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Argyle
• Beach Haven
• Buckhorn
• Camp Orkila
• Decatur
• Deer Harbor
• Doe Bay
• Eastsound
• Islandale
• Lakedale
• Olga
• Orcas Village
• Port Stanley
• Prevost
• Pump Station
• Richardson
• Roche Harbor
• Rockland
• Rosario
• Sea Acre
• Thatcher
• The Tee
• Waldron
• West Beach
• West Sound
• Yacht Haven

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in San Juan County, Washington

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003.
4. Hayes, Derek (1999). Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest: Maps of Exploration and Discovery; British Columbia, Washington, Oregaon, Alaska, Yukon. Sasquatch Books. pp. 72–73. ISBN   978-1-57061-215-2 . Retrieved April 21, 2013.
5. Oldham, Kit (September 16, 2004). "San Juan Island Pig War — Part 2". HistoryLink . Retrieved November 8, 2022.
6. Walker, Richard Arlin (April 14, 2021). "'A bridge between cultures'". Indian Country Today. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
7. https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/06/07/plane-crash-san-juan-islands/
8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
13. "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.
14. Wheeler, Kathryn (August 9, 2023). "Proposed San Juan Island trail divides farmers, recreation advocates". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
15. "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.
16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
17. "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.
18. "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.
19. The News Tribune, February 17, 2010 – Tacoma, WA. ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]},
20. Jenkins, Jack (July 8, 2021). "Survey: White mainline Protestants outnumber white evangelicals, while 'nones' shrink". Religion News Service.
21. "Deputy tosses hat into sheriff election ring". San Juan Journal. May 14, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
22. "Maritime Patrol". sanjuanco.com. San Juan County, Washington. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
23. San Juan Island National Historical Park, General Management Plan. National Park Service. 2008. p. 174.
24. "Field Operations · District 7 Home Page". wsp.wa.gov. Washington State Patrol. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
25. Vouri, Mike (2010). San Juan Island. Arcadia Publishing. p. 17. ISBN   9780738581477.
26. Camfield, Tom. "Kanaka Joe Hanged—Port Townsend 1873". Port Townsend Leader. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
27. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
28. Leip, David (2005). "2006 Senatorial General Election Results – San Juan County, WA".
29. "San Juan County Council". San Juan County. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
30. Beekman, Daniel (May 26, 2024). "What a 32-hour workweek looks like in San Juan County". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
31. MacLeod, Alex (September 22, 2022). "Collapse of WA ferry system hits hardest in San Juan Islands". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
32. Clement, Bethany Jean (July 18, 2019). "How to get yourself and your car to the San Juan Islands: 5 tips for scoring ferry reservations (and what to do if you don't get one)". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
33. Lane, Bob (July 30, 1995). "Busing around the islands". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 14, 2023.

External links

• San Juan County – official website

48°34′N122°58′W / 48.57°N 122.97°W / 48.57; -122.97