Welcome to Skagit County

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Welcome to Skagit County

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About Skagit County


(pronounced "skäjet")

Skagit County is located in the northwest portion of Washington State, USA. between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, B.C. Canada. The majestic Cascade Mountains stand to the east, overlooking a fertile valley boasting a variety of agricultural crops. Running through the valley is the powerful Skagit River flowing westward toward the beautiful San Juan Islands. World famous tulip fields blanket the valley in the spring. Flocks of Canada geese, snow geese and trumpeter swans can be seen here in the winter. Bald eagles soar overhead year round and great blue herons stand along the shorelines.




Our Vision

Skagit County is a safe, diverse, and welcoming community that supports sustainable growth and a vibrant economy, while preserving and enhancing our natural environment.

Our Mission

Skagit County government provides our community and natural environment with leadership that delivers inclusive support and services contributing to a safe, thriving, and sustainable place to live, work and play.

Our Values

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Diversity
• Equity
• Financial Sustainability
• Inclusion
• Wellness



Accommodations
Approximately 40 hotels and motels and more than 40 bed and breakfast inns are located in Skagit County. There is also a wide variety of restaurants from fast food to world class cuisine.

Communications
Skagit County is home to several weekly newspapers, one daily newspaper (The Skagit Valley Herald), and three commercial radio stations. There are also many internet service providers (ISPs) throughout the area.

Cultural Facilities
Cultural sites include the Skagit County Historical Museum, the La Conner Quilt Museum located in the historic Gaches Mansion, the Museum of Northwest Art, the Sedro-Woolley Museum, the W. T. Preston stern wheeler, The Depot Arts Center in Anacortes and the Anacortes Museum. There are seven public libraries, several community halls and granges. See a film at one of the many multiplex theaters or movie houses, including the historic Lincoln Theatre in old downtown Mount Vernon or take in a live performance at McIntyre Hall, a state-of the art performing arts facility located on the campus of Skagit Valley Community College. There are many theatre, dance and music performance groups throughout the county . Skagit County is also home to many world famous authors, artists, and performers.

Climate
The average annual rainfall in the Anacortes area is 26 inches; in Mount Vernon 32.31 inches; and in Concrete 65 inches.

Government
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners governs with three members, each elected from a respective district. The cities and towns in the county each support a mayor-council form of government. 1800 Continental Place, Suite 100
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-1300

Health Care
The county is home to three hospitals; Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley and Island Hospital in Anacortes. There are also several clinics, medical centers, nursing facilities and retirement care homes in the county.
Industry
Skagit County's economy is booming and it is regarded as one of the fastest growing areas in the state. Agriculture, fishing, wood products, tourism, international trade, and specialized manufacturing make up the economy of Skagit Valley. With its accessible ports and refineries, Skagit County is also the center of the states petroleum industry. The national trend toward employment in retail trades and personal/professional services also is evident in Skagit County with malls and almost every national retail chain being represented here.

Schools
There are 44 primary and secondary public schools in the seven school districts throughout the county. There are also seven primarily church-related private schools. Skagit Valley College, a two-year community college, has strong vocational programs. Many of these schools are represented on our links page.

Taxes
The local tax rate on retail sales of non-food items is 8.10 percent in unincorporated Skagit County. Property tax information can be found on the Assessor site here.

Transportation
  • Air:
    Anacortes Municipal Airport has one regional airline and a 3,015-foot runway. Skagit Regional Airport offers charter service. Its longest runway is 5,475 feet. Concrete Municipal Airport has a 2,600-foot runway.
  • Bus:
    A Greyhound bus terminal is located in Mount Vernon.
    Skagit Transit (SKAT) provides public transportation in and around the cities of Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, La Conner, Anacortes, and upriver through Concrete. Click here to visit the SKAT bus site for schedule and rider information.
  • Ferries:
    Washington State ferries run from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island. The county-owned Guemes Island Ferry has a regular daily schedule. For ferry information call toll free 1-800-84-FERRY. Click here for Washington State Ferry information.
  • Marinas:
    There are several marinas in the county, the largest run by the port districts.
  • Shipping:
    The Port of Anacortes has barge and ship berths handling logs, steel, lumber, and dry bulk commodities. Burlington Northern Railroad has dozens of shipping spurs. More than 40 trucking and freight companies are capable of moving most commodities. Skagit Regional Airport offers shipping by air as well.
  • Train:
    There is daily high speed commuter Amtrak train service between Seattle and Vancouver with a stop in Mount Vernon.

Utilities
Electricity is supplied by Puget Sound Energy. Cascade Natural Gas provides natural gas in many areas of the county. Water is supplied by Skagit County Public Utility District 1 or the City of Anacortes. Sewer service is available in Anacortes, Burlington, Big Lake, Concrete, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley. Verizon telephone service, Wave Broadband and Comcast television is available in the area.

Worship
There are more than 120 places of worship in Skagit County, with a wide range of denominational focus.

Skagit County Demographic Data:
  • Location: Approximately 60 miles North of Seattle, Washington, USA
  • County Seat: Mount Vernon, WA
  • Population data (2015):
    • Skagit County................120,620
    • Unincorporated Area........49,220
    • Incorporated Area............71,400
    • Anacortes.......................16,310
    • Burlington.........................8,485
    • Concrete.............................730
    • Hamilton.............................305
    • La Conner...........................895
    • Lyman.................................445
    • Mount Vernon..................33,530
    • Sedro-Woolley.................10,700
  • Acres of Land: Approximately 1,000,000
  • East and West Length: 95 miles
  • North and South width: 24 miles
  • Number Of Miles Of County Roads: Approximately 800 linear miles


Visit the Links page for more Skagit County web sites

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