City · Washington
Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes, city, in Skagit County, Washington. Anacortes had 18,080 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 17,637 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 17,966 (±50). GEOID 5301990.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,080
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,637 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,966 ±50
Median household income
$91,951
±$3,389 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$696,700
±$11,662 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,702
±$65 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
Where is Anacortes and what county is it in?
Anacortes is a city in Skagit County, Washington. It covers 11.7 square miles of land, 1,508 residents per square mile in 2020.
Anacortes is in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Anacortes, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 18,080 people lived in Anacortes on July 1, 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, slower than Washington (+3.8%). The 2020 Census counted 17,637 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 17,966 (±50).
| Measure | Anacortes | Skagit County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,966 ±50 | 131,328 | +989 |
| Households | 8,109 ±166 | 52,329 | +721 |
| Average household size | 2.19 ±0.05 | 2.47 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 8,801 ±186 | 57,050 | +735 |
Anacortes's population since 2000
From 14,557 in 2000 to 18,080 in 2025: up 24.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Anacortes as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Anacortes?
The median resident of Anacortes is 50.5 years old; 17.3% are under 18 and 32.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.9%. 5.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Anacortes | Skagit County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.5 ±1.5 | 42.1 | +1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 17.3% ±1.1 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 32.0% ±1.6 pts | 22.6% | – |
| Male | 49.4% ±0.9 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.9% ±0.9 pts | 19.3% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.0% ±1.6 pts | 70.9% | −3.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±0.4 pts | 2.1% | −0.9 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.8% ±0.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.8% ±0.8 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.4% ±0.8 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.2% ±0.8 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 14.9% ±1.1 pts | 15.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.1% ±0.6 pts | 6.4% | −2.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.8% ±0.6 pts | 91.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 47.2% ±1.4 pts | 30.2% | +5.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.6% ±1.1 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.7% ±1.1 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4% ±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Anacortes earn?
Half of Anacortes's 8,109 households earn less than $91,951 a year (±$3,389), against $89,263 in Skagit County and $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 it was $88,418 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Anacortes | Skagit County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $91,951 ±$3,389 | $89,263 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $124,252 ±$4,583 | $111,733 | – |
| Per capita income | $57,662 ±$2,152 | $45,140 | +$7,062 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.3% ±1.1 pts | 11.6% | −1.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.2% ±2.4 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.9% ±1.0 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.5% ±0.7 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.3% ±0.9 pts | 93.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Anacortes?
Owners occupy 69.9% of Anacortes's occupied homes and renters 30.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $696,700 by its owner (±$11,662). The median renter pays $1,702 a month including utilities, and 39.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Anacortes | Skagit County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $696,700 ±$11,662 | $545,100 | +$196,546 |
| Median gross rent | $1,702 ±$65 | $1,536 | +$234 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.2% ±3.8 pts | 42.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,364 ±$51 | $2,285 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.9% ±1.8 pts | 70.1% | +3.9 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.1% ±1.8 pts | 29.9% | – |
| Housing units | 8,801 ±186 | 57,050 | +735 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2% ±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1% ±1.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.9% ±1.5 pts | 73.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6% ±0.4 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9% ±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 10.0% ±1.2 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.1% ±1.0 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.6% ±1.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Anacortes building?
Builders took permits for 29 new housing units in Anacortes in 2025 (19 in single-family houses), 1.6 per 1,000 residents against 4.4 across Washington.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Anacortes work and get to work?
69.1% of Anacortes's workers drive alone and 16.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Anacortes | Skagit County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.3% ±1.5 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% ±0.9 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.1% ±1.9 pts | 74.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0% ±1.5 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.5% ±1.0 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.0% ±1.5 pts | 12.2% | +6.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.7 min ±1.3 | 26.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Anacortes?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Anacortes, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $54,205 (Tract 9406) to $116,591 (Tract 9404.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9404.03Skagit County | 3,006 | $116,591 |
| Tract 9405Skagit County | 2,797 | $64,756 |
| Tract 9404.01Skagit County | 3,351 | $113,000 |
| Tract 9402.01Skagit County | 2,618 | $104,348 |
| Tract 9407Skagit County | 1,654 | $90,595 |
| Tract 9404.02Skagit County | 1,653 | $95,667 |
| Tract 9406Skagit County | 1,486 | $54,205 |
| Tract 9403.01Skagit County | 2,641 | $106,532 |
| Tract 9501Skagit County | 950 | $92,750 |
| Tract 9403.02Skagit County | 3,203 | $130,694 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Anacortes) · Census block assignment files
How does Anacortes compare with other places in Washington?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Anacortes is the 2,097th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 63rd-most populous of 281 in Washington.
Anacortes ranks 201st of 387 places in Washington with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 63rd | 281 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 114th | 203 |
| Residents per square mile | 191st | 394 |
| Median household income | 201st | 387 |
| Per capita income | 91st | 393 |
| Median home value | 94th | 384 |
| Median gross rent | 167th | 351 |
| Poverty rate | 187th | 281 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 81st | 382 |
| Median age | 38th | 394 |
| Owner-occupied share | 222nd | 388 |
| Work from home | 153rd | 307 |
| Travel time to work | 261st | 394 |
Anacortes's figures with every place in Washington (CSV)
Every place in Washington, sortable · Compare Anacortes with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Anacortes?
3 of the 57 figures for Anacortes on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Anacortes are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Anacortes.