Anacortes, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Anacortes, Washington had a total population of 17,966, the 79th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $91,951, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
Anacortes Quick Facts
How Anacortes Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,837 | 17,966 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $89,788 | $91,951 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $647,700 | $696,700 | +7.6% |
How Anacortes Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Anacortes Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Skagit County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon | 35,377 | $75,777 | 16.1% | $472,300 |
| Sedro-Woolley | 12,831 | $80,885 | 15.8% | $441,700 |
| Burlington | 10,003 | $80,475 | 14.5% | $466,400 |
| Big Lake | 2,326 | $109,286 | 5.1% | $666,400 |
| Clear Lake (Skagit County) | 1,093 | $71,667 | 14.0% | $550,500 |
| La Conner | 873 | $80,385 | 6.8% | $553,200 |
| Concrete | 833 | $81,719 | 18.1% | $347,300 |
| Alger | 687 | $109,151 | 6.7% | $700,000 |
| Bow | 585 | $67,103 | 0.0% | $381,000 |
| Bay View | 572 | $90,188 | 0.5% | $901,200 |
Cities Similar to Anacortes
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryn Mawr-Skyway | 17,638 | $90,969 | $655,200 | 37.6% | 13.3% |
| Port Orchard | 17,149 | $89,795 | $539,700 | 34.9% | 9.7% |
| Washougal | 17,490 | $106,368 | $552,300 | 28.9% | 11.2% |
| Camano | 17,303 | $105,231 | $670,800 | 35.3% | 6.7% |
| Lake Stickney | 15,890 | $94,020 | $620,300 | 37.3% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Anacortes is a small city located in Washington, within Skagit County. The total population is 17,966. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Anacortes is 50.5 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. 13.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Anacortes is $91,951. This is 6% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $696,700. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Anacortes has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 14.4%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
47.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.8%. Notably, 19.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Anacortes, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Anacortes, Washington?
Anacortes, Washington has a population of 17,966 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Anacortes, WA?
The median household income in Anacortes is $91,951, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Anacortes, WA?
The poverty rate in Anacortes is 7.3%. This means approximately 1,293 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Anacortes, Washington?
Anacortes's population is 85.0% White, 0.5% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Anacortes, WA?
The median home value in Anacortes is $696,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Anacortes, Washington?
47.2% of adults (25+) in Anacortes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.