Island County, Washington Demographics 2026
Island County, Washington has a population of 86,836, the 15th most populous county in Washington. The median household income is $90,551 and the median home value is $593,300. The poverty rate is 7.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Island County Quick Facts
How Island County 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 | 86,747 | 86,836 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $88,358 | $90,551 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $535,300 | $593,300 | +10.8% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Island County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Harbor | 24,362 | $76,084 | 8.3% | $461,200 |
| Camano | 17,303 | $105,231 | 6.7% | $670,800 |
| Whidbey Island Station | 2,027 | $45,625 | 7.4% | N/A |
| Coupeville | 1,980 | $81,625 | 12.8% | $561,000 |
| Freeland | 1,548 | $83,241 | 12.1% | $522,000 |
| Clinton | 1,419 | $76,458 | 10.8% | $664,800 |
| Langley | 1,044 | $77,072 | 10.4% | $700,700 |
Explore Washington Rankings
Population Overview
Island County is located in Washington with a total population of 86,836. It is the 15th most populous county out of 39 in Washington. The county encompasses 7 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Island County is 44.8 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.3 years. 10.8% 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 Island County is $90,551. This is 8% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.7%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $593,300. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 74.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Island County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.7%.
Education
36.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower 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 95.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Island County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Washington and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Island County, Washington?
Island County has a population of 86,836, making it the 15th most populous county in Washington.
What is the median income in Island County?
The median household income in Island County is $90,551 with a poverty rate of 7.7%.
How many cities are in Island County, Washington?
Island County contains 7 Census-designated places.