HomeWashingtonIsland County
Island County, Washington: commercial real estate data.
Island County, Washington had an estimated 86,478 residents on July 1, 2024, down 0.4 percent since the 2020 census base of 86,859, across 208 square miles. County output reached $4.66 bn in 2024, 1,941 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 68 7(a) approvals worth $40.5 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Island County
How many people live in Island County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202486,836
- Households35,972
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$90,551
- Median age44.8
- Median gross rent$1,662 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$593,300
- Home value to household income6.6 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income22.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher36.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree14.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over64,643
- Population under 1815,049
- Share under 1817.3 percent
- Population 65 and over23,259
- Share 65 and over26.8 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6448,528
- Civilian labor force34,199
- Unemployment rate4.3 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over47.6 percent
- Rank by population among Washington counties15th of 39
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included680th of 3,222
Island County is the 15th largest of 39 Washington counties by population. A median home costs 6.6 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 26.8 percent against 17.3 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Island County
Is Island County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202486,478
- Census 2020 base population86,859
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.44 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024109
- Births, 2024774
- Deaths, 2024923
- Natural change, 2024-149
- Net domestic migration, 2024-12
- Net international migration, 2024278
- Total net migration, 2024266
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-543
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2002nd of 3,144
The county has lost 0.44 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Island County
Where are people moving to Island County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving3,963
- People arriving, from those returns7,183
- Tax returns filed by households leaving3,852
- Net household movement111
- Adjusted gross income arriving$406.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$109.7 m
- Average income of an arriving household$102,496
- Average income of a leaving household$76,972
- Largest single originSnohomish County (592 households)
- Largest single destinationSnohomish County (498 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snohomish County | 592 | 1,050 | $69.2 m |
| King County | 535 | 874 | $104.7 m |
| Skagit County | 211 | 372 | $13.7 m |
| San Diego County | 130 | 265 | $10.1 m |
| Foreign - APO/FPO ZIPs | 116 | 286 | $7.4 m |
| Whatcom County | 100 | 159 | $7.3 m |
| Duval County | 95 | 158 | $5.7 m |
| Pierce County | 60 | 111 | $4.5 m |
Households arriving report $25,524 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Snohomish County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Island County
What is the Island County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$4.66 bn
- County GDP, 2023$4.40 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20246.0 percent
- GDP change over five years30.1 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Washington areas BEA publishes17th of 39
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes743rd of 3,127
- GDP per resident$53,714
Output grew 6.0 percent in the latest year and 30.1 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Island County
Employment by industry in Island County
- Covered employment, annual average18,271
- Establishments reporting2,142
- Average annual pay$58,929
- Average weekly wage$1,133
- Accommodation and food services, employment2,269
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$29,322
- Retail trade, employment2,200
- Retail trade, average annual pay$40,823
- Health care and social assistance, employment2,122
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$48,025
- Construction, employment1,260
- Construction, average annual pay$62,068
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment1,030
- Other services, except public administration, employment818
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and food services | 2,269 | 172 | $29,322 |
| Retail trade | 2,200 | 184 | $40,823 |
| Health care and social assistance | 2,122 | 178 | $48,025 |
| Construction | 1,260 | 339 | $62,068 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1,030 | 290 | $124,267 |
| Other services, except public administration | 818 | 202 | $44,708 |
| Manufacturing | 704 | 65 | $62,560 |
| Educational services | 473 | 53 | $34,891 |
Accommodation and food services is the largest private sector at 2,269 jobs, 12.4 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Island County
How many businesses are in Island County?
- Establishments, all industries1,941
- Employment at those establishments14,486
- Annual payroll$694.1 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents22.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Island County
Building permits in Island County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024402
- Declared construction value permitted$116.4 m
- Single family units authorized297
- Multifamily units authorized105
- Multifamily share of units26.1 percent
- Average declared value per unit$289,663
- Units authorized per 1,000 households11.2
Single-family homes are 73.9 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Island County
SBA loans in Island County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded68
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$40.5 m
- Average 7(a) approval$595,534
- Median 7(a) approval$210,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,742,800
- Largest single approval$3,740,600
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)581
- Jobs per approval8.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active26
- Distinct industries receiving approvals42
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer29.4 percent
- Loans on real estate terms20
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter44
- Franchise loans6
- Franchise share of approvals8.8 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (7)
- Most active lenderHarborstone CU (12)
- 504 approvals recorded44
- 504 gross approval dollars$24.9 m
- Average 504 approval$565,295
- Median 504 approval$330,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval4.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved8.5
- Most active CDCNorthwest Business Development Association (19)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$65.4 m
The average approval of $595,534 sits well above the median of $210,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 29.4 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Island County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Island County
Do SBA loans in Island County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded9
- Paid in full9
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure49
- Status: Paid in full9
- Status: Cancelled7
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed3
Only 9 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Island County
SBA lending by place in Island County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending8
- Oak Harbor, approvals26
- Camano Island, approvals12
- Langley, approvals12
- Clinton, approvals9
- Freeland, approvals4
- Coupeville, approvals3
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Harbor | 26 | $11,517,400 |
| Camano Island | 12 | $13,755,500 |
| Langley | 12 | $3,306,600 |
| Clinton | 9 | $2,658,000 |
| Freeland | 4 | $2,741,800 |
| Coupeville | 3 | $1,671,000 |
| Greenbank | 1 | $3,190,000 |
| Everett | 1 | $1,656,000 |
Oak Harbor accounts for 26 approvals against 12 in Camano Island. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Island County
How large is Island County?
- Land area208 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Washington counties38th of 39
- Width, east to west19.4 mi
- Height, north to south35 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary1
- Residents per square mile of land417
- Establishments per square mile9.33
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Island County
Flood risk in Island County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Island County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 530312
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Island County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Island County (community 530312), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Island County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Island County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Island County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202486,836
- Households35,972
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$90,551
- Median age44.8
Common questions
Island County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Island County, Washington?
The Census Bureau estimates 86,478 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 86,836, in 35,972 households, ranking 15th of 39 Washington counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Island County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.44 percent since the 2020 census base of 86,859, to 86,478 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 774 births against 923 deaths, with net migration of 266. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Island County?
$90,551. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $593,300, which is 6.6 times income, and median gross rent is $1,662 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Island County?
1,941 establishments, employing 14,486 people with an annual payroll of $694.1 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Island County?
Accommodation and food services is the largest private sector at 2,269 jobs, 12.4 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 18,271 jobs at an average annual pay of $58,929, or $1,133 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Island County?
68 7(a) approvals totaling $40.5 m since FY2020, across 26 lenders, with a median approval of $210,000, plus 44 504 approvals worth $24.9 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Island County?
402 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $116.4 m. Multifamily was 26.1 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Island County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Island County come from?
The largest single origin is Snohomish County, with 592 households. Arriving households report an average income of $102,496 against $76,972 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Island County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Island County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Island County
Cities and places in Island.
7 Census places lie wholly or partly in Island County. All 7 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Harbor | city | 24,362 | 26 | Wholly in this county |
| Camano | CDP | 17,303 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Whidbey Island Station | CDP | 2,027 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Coupeville | town | 1,980 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Freeland | CDP | 1,548 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Clinton | CDP | 1,419 | 9 | Wholly in this county |
| Langley | city | 1,044 | 12 | Wholly in this county |
A further 14 of the county's 68 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Island County, the largest being Camano Island (12), Greenbank (1), Everett (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
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