Bremerton
RANK #706 / 996 NAT · #18 / 21 WA · POP 275,411
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
The Kitsap Peninsula, home to Kitsap County, offers a distinctive blend of maritime heritage and natural beauty, often highlighted by locals. Named for Chief Kitsap of the Suquamish Tribe, the county boasts over 250 miles of saltwater coastline with views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Towns like Poulsbo, known as "Little Norway" for its Scandinavian roots, provide unique cultural experiences. Commute options to Seattle include multiple ferry routes, with passenger-only fast ferries from Bremerton taking about 30 minutes. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, with opportunities for kayaking, hiking in Green Mountain State Forest, and exploring parks like Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park.
Life in Kitsap County appeals to families and those seeking a quieter pace than nearby urban centers. The county's five public school districts, including Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap, offer a range of educational programs. The economy is significantly shaped by its public sector, with Naval Base Kitsap being a major employer for both military and civilian personnel. Beyond the military presence, the region is seeing investment in sectors such as advanced manufacturing and technology, contributing to a diversifying economic landscape.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Seabrooke Renewable Energy Facility
Undisclosed (local utilities planning)
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Agate Storage Project (Battery Energy Storage System)
BrightNight
|
$170M | Planned |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Kitsap Mall Redevelopment (Former Macy's)
Rhino Investments Group
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Kitsap County New Residential Construction (Multiple Communities)
Various Home Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 28/100, Kitsap County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $93,675 combined with job growth of +0.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Kitsap County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $463,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,635/month on average.
Kitsap County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.6%). Home values shifted +1.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.15% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Kitsap County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.