Anacortes, Washington
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Anacortes (pronounced ) is a city located in Skagit County, Washington. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 14,557.
There is a Washington State Ferries dock that serves Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, and San Juan Island, as well as Victoria, British Columbia (via Sidney, British Columbia) on Vancouver Island. There is also a Skagit County-operated ferry dock that serves Guemes Island.
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History
Anacortes was officially incorporated on 19 May, 1891.
Geography
Anacortes is on Fidalgo Island.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.7 km² (14.2 mi²). 30.5 km² (11.8 mi²) of it is land and 6.2 km² (2.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 16.93% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 14,557 people, 6,086 households, and 4,162 families residing in the city. The population density is 477.1/km² (1,236.0/mi²). There are 6,551 housing units at an average density of 214.7/km² (556.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 92.66% White, 0.32% African American, 1.14% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. 3.15% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,086 households out of which 28.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% are married couples living together, 9.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% are non-families. 26.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.37 and the average family size is 2.84.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $41,930, and the median income for a family is $49,531. Males have a median income of $38,080 versus $27,080 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,297. 7.7% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Description
Anacortes is on the only San Juan Island accessible directly (ie not via a ferry) by car. It is surrounded by the north Puget Sound and San Juan Islands on three sides, and by the Swinomish Channel and the flats of Skagit Valley to the east. The weather is milder than other areas of the Pacific Northwest, owing to the fact that it lies within the Olympic Mountain rainshadow. Fidalgo Island gets only 21" of rain per year, nearly half that of Seattle.
Anacortes is a popular destination for boaters and watersports enthusiasts, and those traveling on to the San Juan Islands. The town is a mix of working families and retirees.
External links
- City of Anacortes Web site (http://www.cityofanacortes.org/)
- WSF Anacortes terminal info (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/info_desk/terminals/index.cfm?terminal_id=1)
- Skagit County Guemes Island ferry info (http://www.skagitcounty.net/Common/Asp/Default.asp?d=PublicWorksFerry&c=General&p=main.htm)
- Anacortes American (http://www.goanacortes.com/)
- Anacortes School District (http://www.asd103.org/)
- Port of Anacortes (http://www.portofanacortes.com/)
- Chamber of Commerce (http://www.anacortes.org/)