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.
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:
U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[1]
The county's population grew from around 4,000 in 1970 to nearly 19,000 by 2022, including a significant contingent of remote workers. Due to high housing costs, San Juan County has the highest income inequality rate in Washington.[13]
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 17,788 people, and 8,378 households in the county.[1] The population density was 102.3 people per square mile (39.5 people/km2). The racial makeup was 93.5% White, 0.9% African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.8% of the population.[1]
12.5% of the population were under 18, and 2.8% were under 5. People over 65 made up 35.1% of the population. The gender makeup of the county was 50.9% female, and 49.1% male.[1]
The median household income was $68,577, and the per capita income was $52,881. 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line.[1]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 15,769 people, 7,613 households, and 4,438 families residing in the county.[14] The population density was 90.7 people per square mile (35.0 people/km2). There were 13,313 housing units at an average density of 76.5 units per square mile (29.5 units/km2).[15] 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.[14] The largest ancestry groups were:[16]
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.[14]
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.[17]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census 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 people/km2). The census reported 9,752 housing units at an average density of 56 units per square mile (22 units/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.[citation needed]
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.[18]
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).[dubious – discuss] Boyce helped investigate the sensational "Kanaka Joe" murders of 1873, and supervised the hanging of Joe "Kanaka Joe" Nuanna.[24][25]
Stephen Boyce, San Juan County's first sheriff.
A San Juan County sheriff's office patrol boat photographed in 2009.
San Juan County is connected to the rest of Washington by the state ferries system, which operates the Anacortes–San Juan Islands ferry. The ferry's runs include inter-island service as well as bypass runs that only serve Friday Harbor and Anacortes. It also includes service to Sidney, British Columbia, which was suspended in 2020.[29] Due to high demand, vehicle spaces on the ferry runs generally require reservations during the summer months.[30]
A public transit system, named San Juan Transit, was established in 1993 and primarily operates buses on San Juan Island for residents and visitors.[31]
United States
Washington
