Custer, WA

Full City Profile · Washington · Island County County

4.1 /5.0
A Great
266 Population 119/sq mi density
$130,179 Median Income $48,213 per capita
$540,400 Home Value $666,956 Zillow
51°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Strong
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$130,179 median income, 19.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$540,400 home value, /mo rent
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
40.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Custer experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.7 inches. The area receives 9.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average51.2°F
5% below US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Geography

Elevation39 ft (12 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density119/sq mi
Coordinates48.9129°N, 122.6370°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyIsland County County
Nearest AirportBellingham International (BLI)
9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.7"
9% below US avg
Snowfall 9.3"
Wettest Month (Nov) 5.20"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.88"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score78.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability36.8 / 100
Community Resilience80.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Very Low
Volcano Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

484 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.4. Most recent: M2.9 on Aug 21, 2025.

May 3, 1996 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington M5.4 140 km
Apr 14, 1990 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington M5.0 36 km
Jun 23, 1997 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington M4.9 146 km
Apr 25, 2003 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington M4.8 145 km
Feb 21, 2025 28 km W of Squamish, Canada M4.8 109 km
Jan 30, 2009 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington M4.7 125 km
Jul 12, 2019 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington M4.6 124 km
Mar 3, 2025 2025 Orcas Island, Washington M4.5 36 km
Jun 24, 1997 19 km SSW of Gibsons, Canada M4.4 80 km
Apr 2, 1990 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.3 34 km
Feb 19, 1991 31 km E of Squamish, Canada M4.3 87 km
Feb 22, 1996 31 km NNE of South Pender Harbour, Canada M4.1 143 km
Sep 21, 2002 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington M4.1 60 km
Apr 3, 1990 3 km ENE of Deming, Washington M4.0 35 km
Apr 14, 1990 2 km ESE of Deming, Washington M4.0 34 km
Dec 27, 2012 12 km E of North Saanich, Canada M4.0 54 km
Sep 26, 2024 12 km E of Saanichton, Canada M4.0 58 km
Jul 1, 2009 4 km SE of Coupeville, Washington M4.0 80 km
Jun 27, 1997 3 km SW of Bainbridge Island, Washington M3.9 146 km
Mar 6, 2025 14 km SW of Blyn, Washington M3.9 116 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

5 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 13, 1986 EF2 88 km 0
Nov 24, 1970 EF2 96 km 0
May 18, 2005 EF1 84 km 0
Jun 5, 2004 EF0 81 km 0
Apr 27, 2004 EF0 32 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 38.0 m (125 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2007 CHEHALIS LAKE, CHILLIWACK Meteorological 38.0 m - 77 km
1891 WASHINGTON Eruption + Earthquake 2.4 m - 120 km
1820 CAMANO ISLAND, WA Meteorological - - 97 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Baker (62 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Baker Stratovolcano(es) 3,285 m (10,778 ft) 1880 62 km
Garibaldi Stratovolcano 2,678 m (8,786 ft) -8060 108 km
Garibaldi Lake Volcanic field 2,316 m (7,598 ft) Unknown 116 km
Cayley Volcanic Field Volcanic field 2,375 m (7,792 ft) Unknown 142 km
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 143 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

5 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: COPPER LAKE (3,825 ac, 2022).

Year Name Acres Distance
2022 COPPER LAKE 3,825 89 km
2022 BRUSH CREEK 2 3,186 91 km
2022 SILESIA 2,737 82 km
2022 LITTLE CHILL 2,242 86 km
1998 UNNAMED 1,174 99 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 40°F (5°C) 4.5 in
February 42°F (5°C) 2.9 in
March 45°F (7°C) 3.4 in
April 50°F (10°C) 2.8 in
May 56°F (13°C) 2.2 in
June 60°F (15°C) 1.6 in
July 64°F (18°C) 0.9 in Warmest, Driest
August 64°F (18°C) 1.1 in
September 59°F (15°C) 2.0 in
October 51°F (11°C) 3.9 in
November 45°F (7°C) 5.2 in Wettest
December 40°F (4°C) 4.3 in Coldest

Custer has a seasonal temperature swing of 24°F / from 40°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.7 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.2") and July the driest (0.9").

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