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| San Juan County, Washington | ||
 San Juan County Courthouse
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 Location in the state of Washington (state) | ||
 Washington's location in the U.S. | ||
| Founded | October 31, 1873 | |
|---|---|---|
| Named for | San Juan Islands | |
| Seat | Friday Harbor | |
| Largest town | Friday Harbor | |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
621 sq mi (1,608 km²) 174 sq mi (451 km²) 447 sq mi (1,158 km²), 72% | |
| Population - (2020) - Density |
17,788 96/sq mi (37/km²) | |
| Congressional district | 2nd | |
| Time zone | Pacific: UTC-8/-7 | |
| Website | www.sanjuanco.com | |
San Juan County is a county located in the Salish Sea in the far northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 17,788.[1] The county seat and only incorporated city is Friday Harbor,[2] located on San Juan Island. The county was formed on October 31, 1873, from Whatcom County[3] and is named for the San Juan Islands, which are in turn named for Juan Vicente de Güemes, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo,[4] the Viceroy of New Spain.
Although the islands themselves have no state highways, the ferry routes serving the islands are designated as part of the state highway system.
History[]
Straits Steamship Company house flag, shipping firm that operated steamships on Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The San Juan Islands were the subject of a territorial dispute between Great Britain and the United States from 1846 to 1872, leading to the Pig War in 1859. The bloodless conflict ended through arbitration led by Kaiser Wilhelm I, which awarded the islands to the United States.[5] San Juan County was home to Henry Cayou, one of the first elected officials of Native descent in Washington.[6]
Geography[]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 621 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 174 square miles (450 km2) is land and 447 square miles (1,160 km2) (72%) is water.[7] It is the smallest county in Washington by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.
San Juan County is a cluster of more than 400 islands and rocks with elevations above mean high tide. 134 of these islands and rocks are named. The county has a rugged, rocky shoreline and several mountains. The highest point in the county is Mount Constitution on Orcas Island at 2,407 feet (734 m) above sea level.
Geographic features[]
- Boundary Pass
- Haro Strait
- Rosario Strait
- San Juan Islands
- Strait of Georgia
- Strait of Juan de Fuca
Major islands[]
There are approximately 743 islands and rocks in the San Juan Island chain. Most of the county's population lives on the largest four islands, which are the only county islands served by the Washington State Ferries. The four largest islands are:
- Orcas Island (149.43 km2/57.7 sq mi)
- San Juan Island (143.62 km2/55.5 sq mi)
- Lopez Island (76.57 km2/29.6 sq mi)
- Shaw Island (19.64 km2/7.6 sq mi)
Adjacent counties[]
- Whatcom County – northeast
- Skagit County – east
- Island County – southeast
- Jefferson County – south
- Clallam County – south/southwest
- Capital Regional District, British Columbia – west
National protected areas[]
- San Juan Island National Historical Park
- San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- San Juan Islands National Monument
- San Juan Wilderness
Demographics[]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 554 | ||
| 1880 | 948 | 71.1% | |
| 1890 | 2,072 | 118.6% | |
| 1900 | 2,928 | 41.3% | |
| 1910 | 3,603 | 23.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,605 | 0.1% | |
| 1930 | 3,097 | −14.1% | |
| 1940 | 3,157 | 1.9% | |
| 1950 | 3,245 | 2.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,872 | −11.5% | |
| 1970 | 3,856 | 34.3% | |
| 1980 | 7,838 | 103.3% | |
| 1990 | 10,035 | 28.0% | |
| 2000 | 14,077 | 40.3% | |
| 2010 | 15,769 | 12.0% | |
| Est. 2021 | 18,557 | [8] | 31.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[1] | |||
2000 census[]
As of the census[13] of 2000 there were 14,077 people living in the county in 6,466 households and 4,015 families, resulting in a population density of 80 people per square mile (31/km2). The census reported 9,752 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile (22/km2). The residents of the county reported their race as 95.0% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino of any race. In response to the census question concerning ancestry, 16.7% reported English ancestry; 15.0%, German; 11.6%, Irish; 5.7%, United States or American; 5.4%, French; and 5.0%, Norwegian.
Of the 6,466 households, 22.90% had children under the age of 18; 51.80% were married couples living together; 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present; 37.90% were not families; 30.60% were individuals; and 10.70% were individuals 65 years of age or older, living alone. The average household size was 2.16 persons and the average family size was 2.65.
19.1% of the county's population was under the age of 18; 4.5% ranged in age from 18 to 24; 21.7%, 25–44; 35.7%, 45–64; and 19.0%, 65 or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,491, and the median income for a family was $51,835. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $26,516 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,603. About 6.0% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
San Juan County has the highest per capita income in the state of Washington. Deer Harbor, located in the county, has a per capita income exceeding $100,000. Waldron Island, with a population of 104 in the 2000 census, is considered one of the most impoverished areas in Washington, with about 56% of the people living in poverty.
In a survey by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, San Juan County was ranked the healthiest in the state of Washington.[14]
2010 census[]
As of the 2010 census, there were 15,769 people, 7,613 households, and 4,438 families residing in the county.[15] The population density was 90.7 inhabitants per square mile (35.0 /km2). There were 13,313 housing units at an average density of 76.5 per square mile (29.5 /km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 92.6% white, 1.1% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.6% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.4% of the population.[15] The largest ancestry groups were:[17]
- 19.6% German
- 19.3% English
- 14.1% Irish
- 5.6% Norwegian
- 5.6% Scottish
- 5.0% French
- 4.4% Swedish
- 4.2% Mexican
- 3.6% Italian
- 3.1% Scotch-Irish
- 2.9% Dutch
- 2.8% American
- 2.1% Welsh
- 1.8% Polish
- 1.7% Russian
- 1.6% Danish
- 1.4% British
- 1.1% Swiss
- 1.0% Canadian
Of the 7,613 households, 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 41.7% were non-families, and 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.56. The median age was 52.7 years.[15]
The median income for a household in the county was $50,726 and the median income for a family was $61,096. Males had a median income of $44,190 versus $32,911 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,487. About 7.6% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.[18]
Religion[]
According to a 2020 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute, San Juan County has the highest concentration of religiously unaffiliated people of any county in the United States. The unaffiliated make up 49% of the population.[19]
Law enforcement[]
| San Juan County Sheriff's Office | |
|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| General nature |
|
| Operational structure | |
| Sheriff's Officers | 21 (2014) |
| Civilians | 13 (2014) |
| Agency executive |
|
| Facilities | |
| Boats | 4 |
| Notables | |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining the county jail, providing security at the San Juan County Superior Court, serving civil processes, coordinating emergency management among the county's emergency services, and maintaining law and order throughout the county, as there are no municipal police departments in San Juan County.[20] Due to San Juan County's island geography, the sheriff also operates a robust marine unit equipped with four small patrol craft, used for search and rescue and for transporting deputies and prisoners to and from remote islands.[21] The sheriff has a mutual aid agreement with the National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers assigned to the San Juan Island National Historical Park and, in the event of an exigency, can also request assistance from the Washington State Patrol's District 7 field detachment.[21][20][22][23]
The county's first sheriff was Stephen Boyce, who was known among area Native Americans as Hyas Tyee ("great and powerful man" in the Coast Salish language). Boyce helped investigate the sensational "Kanaka Joe" murders of 1873, and supervised the hanging of Joe "Kanaka Joe" Nuanna.[24][25]
Politics[]
The county has voted heavily Democratic in presidential elections since the 1990s. The only area of the county won by George W. Bush in 2004 was the Decatur Island/Blakely Island precinct, with just over 50 votes. Waldron Island's precinct voted 96.5% for John Kerry. In 2006, Maria Cantwell, the Democrat running for re-election to the U.S. Senate, won all precincts.[26] The county's legislative body is the San Juan County Council, which was created in 2006.[27]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 3,057 | 23.16% | 9,725 | 73.69% | 415 | 3.14% |
| 2016 | 2,688 | 24.14% | 7,172 | 64.42% | 1,274 | 11.44% |
| 2012 | 3,111 | 29.10% | 7,125 | 66.64% | 456 | 4.26% |
| 2008 | 2,958 | 27.94% | 7,374 | 69.66% | 254 | 2.40% |
| 2004 | 3,290 | 32.56% | 6,589 | 65.21% | 225 | 2.23% |
| 2000 | 3,005 | 35.67% | 4,426 | 52.54% | 993 | 11.79% |
| 1996 | 2,523 | 34.31% | 3,663 | 49.81% | 1,168 | 15.88% |
| 1992 | 1,901 | 26.71% | 3,353 | 47.11% | 1,863 | 26.18% |
| 1988 | 2,660 | 45.75% | 3,008 | 51.74% | 146 | 2.51% |
| 1984 | 2,900 | 52.48% | 2,514 | 45.49% | 112 | 2.03% |
| 1980 | 2,363 | 46.97% | 1,666 | 33.11% | 1,002 | 19.92% |
| 1976 | 1,998 | 53.68% | 1,467 | 39.41% | 257 | 6.90% |
| 1972 | 1,786 | 63.90% | 906 | 32.42% | 103 | 3.69% |
| 1968 | 1,164 | 59.30% | 685 | 34.90% | 114 | 5.81% |
| 1964 | 839 | 47.94% | 906 | 51.77% | 5 | 0.29% |
| 1960 | 1,112 | 63.91% | 624 | 35.86% | 4 | 0.23% |
| 1956 | 1,105 | 65.27% | 584 | 34.49% | 4 | 0.24% |
| 1952 | 1,133 | 64.16% | 619 | 35.05% | 14 | 0.79% |
| 1948 | 881 | 55.94% | 636 | 40.38% | 58 | 3.68% |
| 1944 | 703 | 51.92% | 644 | 47.56% | 7 | 0.52% |
| 1940 | 808 | 48.24% | 860 | 51.34% | 7 | 0.42% |
| 1936 | 690 | 43.26% | 775 | 48.59% | 130 | 8.15% |
| 1932 | 607 | 40.44% | 786 | 52.37% | 108 | 7.20% |
| 1928 | 814 | 66.72% | 400 | 32.79% | 6 | 0.49% |
| 1924 | 744 | 66.67% | 86 | 7.71% | 286 | 25.63% |
| 1920 | 833 | 66.64% | 196 | 15.68% | 221 | 17.68% |
| 1916 | 591 | 42.37% | 669 | 47.96% | 135 | 9.68% |
| 1912 | 341 | 27.52% | 311 | 25.10% | 587 | 47.38% |
| 1908 | 581 | 65.95% | 178 | 20.20% | 122 | 13.85% |
| 1904 | 554 | 71.95% | 113 | 14.68% | 103 | 13.38% |
| 1900 | 428 | 61.49% | 245 | 35.20% | 23 | 3.30% |
| 1896 | 411 | 58.30% | 291 | 41.28% | 3 | 0.43% |
| 1892 | 348 | 54.89% | 226 | 35.65% | 60 | 9.46% |
Communities[]
Town[]
- Friday Harbor (county seat)
Unincorporated communities[]
- Argyle
- Beach Haven
- Blakely Island
- Buckhorn
- Camp Orkila
- Crane Island
- Decatur
- Decatur Island
- Deer Harbor
- Doe Bay
- Dolphin
- Eastsound
- Islandale
- Lakedale
- Lopez Island
- Olga
- Orcas Village
- Orcas Island
- Port Stanley
- Prevost
- Pump Station
- Richardson
- Roche Harbor
- Rockland
- Rosario
- Sea Acre
- Shaw Island
- Thatcher
- The Tee
- Waldron
- West Beach
- West Sound
- Yacht Haven
See also[]
- National Register of Historic Places listings in San Juan County, Washington
References[]
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sanjuancountywashington/PST045221.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx.
- ^ "Milestones for Washington State History — Part 2: 1851 to 1900". HistoryLink.org. March 6, 2003. http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5380.
- ^ Hayes, Derek (1999). Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest: Maps of Exploration and Discovery ; British Columbia, Washington, Oregaon, Alaska, Yukon. Sasquatch Books. pp. 72–73. ISBN 978-1-57061-215-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=sl57oHrVXGoC&pg=PA72.
- ^ Oldham, Kit (September 16, 2004). "San Juan Island Pig War — Part 2". HistoryLink. https://www.historylink.org/File/5725. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
- ^ Walker, Richard Arlin (2021-04-14). "‘A bridge between cultures’". https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/a-bridge-between-cultures.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_53.txt.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wa190090.txt.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov.
- ^ The News Tribune, February 17, 2010 – Tacoma, WA.,
- ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US53055.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US53055.
- ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US53055.
- ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US53055.
- ^ Jenkins, Jack (July 8, 2021). "Survey: White mainline Protestants outnumber white evangelicals, while 'nones' shrink". Religion News Service. https://religionnews.com/2021/07/08/survey-white-mainline-protestants-outnumber-white-evangelicals/.
- ^ a b "Deputy tosses hat into sheriff election ring". San Juan Journal. May 14, 2016. http://www.sanjuanjournal.com/news/259136581.html?mobile=true. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "Maritime Patrol". San Juan County, Washington. http://www.sanjuanco.com/410/Marine-Patrol. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ San Juan Island National Historical Park, General Management Plan. National Park Service. 2008. p. 174. https://books.google.com/books?id=8TU3AQAAMAAJ.
- ^ "Field Operations · District 7 Home Page". Washington State Patrol. http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/district7.htm. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ Vouri, Mike (2010). San Juan Island. Arcadia Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 9780738581477. https://books.google.com/books?id=Nbv5T0-VWSQC.
- ^ Camfield, Tom. "Kanaka Joe Hanged--Port Townsend 1873" (in en). https://www.ptleader.com/stories/kanaka-joe-hanged-port-townsend-1873,56204.
- ^ Leip, David (2005). "2006 Senatorial General Election Results – San Juan County, WA". http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/statesub.php?year=2006&fips=53055&f=0&off=3&elect=0.
- ^ "San Juan County Council". San Juan County. https://www.sanjuanco.com/341/County-Council.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS.
External links[]
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Boundary Pass (Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia  )
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Strait of Georgia (Metro Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia )
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Whatcom County |
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| Haro Strait (Capital Regional District, British Columbia )
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Skagit County | ||
   San Juan County, Washington | ||||
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| Clallam County | Jefferson County | Island County |
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| This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at San Juan County, Washington. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License. |