Mount Vernon
RANK #510 / 996 NAT · #6 / 21 WA · POP 129,480
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Skagit County, Washington, is widely recognized for its annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which draws visitors each April to witness expansive fields of blooming tulips. Located in the northwest corner of Washington State, the county sits roughly 60 miles north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, British Columbia. This position allows for commutes to both major cities, with Amtrak and express bus services available from Mount Vernon. The community offers a blend of rural landscapes and access to urban amenities. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Puget Sound to the west, providing opportunities for hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, and exploring areas like Deception Pass State Park and North Cascades National Park.
Life in Skagit County appeals to families, retirees, and remote workers seeking a balance of natural beauty and community. The county seat, Mount Vernon, along with towns like Anacortes and Sedro-Woolley, offer distinct community characters. Seven public school districts serve the county, including Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, and Mount Vernon School Districts. The local economy is supported by agriculture, with the Skagit Valley known for its fertile lands and diverse crops. Beyond agriculture, the county has seen investment in energy sectors, alongside established industries such as specialized manufacturing, maritime trades, and tourism.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.0x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Goldeneye Energy Storage
Tenaska (Goldeneye Battery Storage, LLC)
|
$250M | Proposed |
|
Mount Vernon Battery Storage
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$230M | Under Construction |
|
Sounder Energy Storage BESS
Sounder Energy Storage
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Skagit Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homes (Anacortes, Mount Vernon, La Conner)
Skagit Habitat for Humanity
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Skagit County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#510). Median household income is $82,029 and job growth is running at +2.8%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Skagit County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $444,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,350/month on average.
Skagit County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.8% clip. Home values shifted +1.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.39% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Skagit County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.