WEATHER

The weather is temperate averaging in the 70’s during the summer and above freezing in the winter.  Located in the “Banana Belt” of the Pacific Northwest, the islands boast 247 days of sunshine and about half the rainfall of Seattle.  A snowfall may occur once or twice a year and usually melt within a couple of days.  Severe weather is unusual and most likely limited to wind storms and a larger snowfall every few years.  Floods, hurricanes, blizzards and blistering heat occur very rarely, and are mild compared to other parts of the country.  Tornadoes are unknown in the islands.

COMMUNITY

Recreational activities abound, the schools are excellent, the arts are thriving, the pace is slower, people know and care about each other, and there are no stop lights and very little crime.  People move here to experience the quality of life of a small caring community, a pristine environment, and the breathtaking beauty of the sea, mountains, farmland, and abundant wildlife. Lifelong islanders and newcomers alike find it easy to get involved in the arts, community service, sports and theater. Nature is an important part of island life and islanders recognize that they must be good stewards of out cultural and natural resources.

POPULATION

San Juan Island’s year round population is 7,810 with forecasts of 8,869 by 2010, and 10,065 by 2015.  The projected annual growth rate for the next 15 years is 1.9%.   San Juan County as a whole has a population of 15,900.  The largest town and county seat is Friday Harbor, which serves as the island’s business hub and shelters about 2,200 residents.  About half of the tax assessments for property owners are mailed to addresses outside of San Juan County, though some of these may be part time residents who spend winters in warmer climates.  More than 40% of island residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.  Fifty percent of the county’s population is between the ages of 35-64 years old.

ECONOMY

Between 2002 and 2006, the job growth rate in San Juan County was 2.1 %, comparing well to the state and national figures of 1.8% and 1.1% respectively.  Consistent with the overall job growth experienced by the county is the large employment growth in the construction industry.  Between 1996 and 2006, the employment growth rate in construction was slightly over 6% per year.

The largest industry by employment is government.  In 2006, the government sector, which includes public schools, accounted for almost 18 percent of total employment.  The local government accounted for about 80 percent of total government employment.  The government sector was followed by the trade, transportation and utilities categories, and the construction industry, 17 and 16 percent respectively.  In 2006, the services economic sector accounted for 80 percent, and goods sector accounted for 20 percent of all nonfarm employment.  San Juan County employment is projected to grow at an annual rate of 1.3 percent between 2006 and 2014, which the state employment growth is expected to be 1.8 percent.

San Juan County is highly dependent on the travel and tourism industry and tourism generates about 20 percent of all county employment and tax receipts.  The county economic development strategy includes plans to support the small business community, increase tourism ad participate in initiatives to develop a marine industry cluster.

WAGES AND INCOME

In 2006, the county’s annual average wage was $27, 563, well below the state average of $42,881.  In 2005, the San Juan County median hourly wage was $16.66, ninth highest in the state.  In 2005, personal income in San Juan County was $44,053, comparing favorably to the state average of $45,776 and the US figure of $41,994.  In 2006, the county median household income was $49,715 while the state median household income was $56,807.