North Whidbey Island
RANK #604 / 996 NAT · #9 / 21 WA · POP 86,510
1YR FORECAST: +1.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
Island County, Washington, distinguishes itself through its unique geography, being composed entirely of islands, including the prominent Whidbey and Camano Islands. Located north of Seattle, Whidbey Island is about 27 miles from the city. The county seat, Coupeville, is a historic seaport town on Whidbey Island, known for its 19th-century architecture and views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The community offers a mild, temperate climate due to the moderating effects of water and sheltering mountains, with Central Whidbey receiving notably less rain than Seattle. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with 54 park facilities across the islands, offering extensive trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, along with opportunities for boating, fishing, and beachcombing. Deception Pass State Park, with its cliffs, bluffs, and beaches, is a notable landmark.
Life in Island County is shaped by its island setting and the presence of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, the county's largest city. The Naval Air Station is a major employer and economic driver, supporting thousands of direct and indirect jobs. While many residents are retirees or part-time residents drawn to the scenery and quality of life, others commute to jobs outside the county, often utilizing the ferry system. Island Transit provides fare-free bus service across Whidbey and Camano Islands, including connections to ferry terminals. The county's economy, while influenced by the military, also sees activity in tourism, service industries, and real estate. Public education is served by districts such as Oak Harbor, Coupeville, and South Whidbey.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Well below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 39/100, Island County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $82,850 combined with job growth of +1.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Island County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $480,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.17 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,517/month on average.
Island County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +0.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.57% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Island County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.