RANK #804 / 1001 NAT · #11 / 21 WA · POP 131,328
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
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.
Skagit County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.4% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 19.2x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Skagit County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #804 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.6% and median household income of $89,263 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Skagit County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $545,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,536/month on average.
Skagit County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.6%). Home values shifted +1.4% 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 4.03% 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.