Anacortes, WA

Washington

Anacortes is a small city in Washington with a population of 17,837. Residents earn $89,788 per year, which is 19% above the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
17,837 Population 1,525/sq mi density
$89,788 Median Income $53,930 per capita
$647,700 Home Value $713,800 Zillow
$1,609 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
143 Violent Crime/100K 2,562 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$89,788 median income, 1.9% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$647,700 home value, $1,609/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
143 violent crimes/100K (62% below avg)
A+
Education
4.7 / 5.0
45.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $89,788
19% higher than US avg
Home Value $647,700
130% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 143/100K
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 45.7%
36% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,609
38% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.7%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.0%
52% lower than US avg

How Anacortes Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population17,837
Median Age49.5 yrs
Density1,525/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A+
Median Income$89,788
Per Capita$53,930
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty6.0%
County GDP$4,664M
Commute24 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$647,700
Rent$1,609
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$713,800

Crime

F
Violent143/100K
Property2,562/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault93/100K
Burglary397/100K

Health

Obesity30.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain19.9 in/yr
Elevation248 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+45.7%
High School+96.2%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 57%
Commute24 min
EV Stations13
Libraries6

Is Anacortes a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Anacortes receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Anacortes offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Anacortes is $89,788, 19% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Anacortes is $647,700, making it a premium housing market at 130% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,609 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.2x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Anacortes is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 143 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,562 per 100,000, 31% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 45.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Anacortes experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.9 inches, including 5.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Anacortes has a population of 17,837 with a density of 1,525 people per square mile. The median age is 49.5 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.9%), with 2.6% Hispanic.

Population

17,837
Total Population
1,525
People / sq mi
49.5yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
11.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Anacortes vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.8%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.2%
54% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Anacortes vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Anacortes is $89,788, which is 19% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Anacortes vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$89,788
19% above US avg
Per Capita Income$53,930
Avg Weekly Wage$1,133
IRS Avg AGI$92,592

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.0%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,142
County GDP$4,664M

Business (County)

Restaurants163
Healthcare188
Retail230
Manufacturing71

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,447
84% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Work from Home14.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Anacortes is $647,700, 130% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,609 (38% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $713,800.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$647,700
130% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$713,800
Median List Price$800,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$800,000
$/Sq Ft$374
Homes Sold21
Sale-to-List Ratio97.7%
Price Drops13.6%
Inventory44

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,609
38% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,488

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,447
84% above US avg
Effective Rate1.00%
In Anacortes, 30.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 14.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Anacortes vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.7%
4% below US avg
Diabetes7.2%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure25.6%
Asthma11.2%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity14.6%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate67.9%
Premature Death5,965/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access82.7%
Healthcare Facilities188
Anacortes has a violent crime rate of 143 per 100,000 residents, 62% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,562 per 100,000 (31% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Anacortes vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent142.7/100K
62% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape43.4/100K
Robbery6.2/100K
Assault93.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,562.2/100K
31% above US avg
Burglary397.1/100K
Theft2,065.9/100K
Vehicle Theft99.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Anacortes has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation is 19.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 62°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average62°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall19.9 inches
48% below US avg
Snowfall5.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation248 ft (76 m)
Area11.7 sq mi (30.3 km²)
Population Density1,525/sq mi
Coordinates48.4887°N, 122.6240°W
County FIPS53029
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 45.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 16.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.3%
D 56.8%

Winner: Democrat by 16.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+45.7%
36% above US avg
High School+96.2%
School Test Score5.36
A+ Education Grade (4.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,525/sq mi
Total Area11.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations13
Alt Fuel Stations13
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities188
Restaurants163
Retail Stores230

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Work from Home14.1%

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