San Juan County, Washington
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San Juan County is a county located in the state of Washington, comprised of the San Juan Islands. As of 2000, the population is 14,077. The county seat is at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. It is named after that island, which was named after San Juan Bautista, or St. John the Baptist, by its European discoverer, Spanish explorer Juan Francisco de Eliza, in 1791.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,609 km² (621 mi²). 453 km² (175 mi²) of it is land and 1,156 km² (446 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 71.84% water.
Geographic features
Major islands
There are 743 islands in the San Juan Island chain. Most of the population lives on the largest four, listed here from largest to smallest geographical area.
- Orcas Island (147.37 km²/56.9 mi²)
- San Juan Island (143.23 km²/55.3 mi²)
- Lopez Island (76.40 km²/29.5 mi²)
- Shaw Island (19.94 km²/7.7 mi²)
These islands are the only four San Juan Islands served by the Washington State Ferries.
Adjacent counties
- Whatcom County, Washington - northeast
- Skagit County, Washington - east
- Island County, Washington - southeast
- Jefferson County, Washington - south
- Clallam County, Washington - south/southwest
(also shares western border with British Columbia, Canada)
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 14,077 people, 6,466 households, and 4,015 families residing in the county. The population density is 31/km² (80/mi²). There are 9,752 housing units at an average density of 22/km² (56/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 94.99% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.91% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. 2.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,466 households out of which 22.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% are married couples living together, 6.90% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.90% are non-families. 30.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.16 and the average family size is 2.65.
In the county, the population is spread out with 19.10% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 21.70% from 25 to 44, 35.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 47 years. For every 100 females there are 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $43,491, and the median income for a family is $51,835. Males have a median income of $36,250 versus $26,516 for females. The per capita income for the county is $30,603. 9.20% of the population and 6.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.40% of those under the age of 18 and 3.10% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Friday Harbor (on San Juan Island)
History
- The San Juan Islands were disputed territory between England and the United States from 1846-1872, leading to the Pig War in 1859.