Orcas, Washington
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| Males: 2,416 |  (48.7%) |
| Females: 2,545 |  (51.3%) |
| Median resident age: | 47.3 years |
| Washington median age: | 35.3 years |
Zip code: 98245
| Orcas: | $78,667 |
| WA: | $91,306 |
Estimated per capita income in 2022: $66,116 (it was $32,531 in 2000)
Orcas CCD income, earnings, and wages data
Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $832,816 (it was $294,300 in 2000)
| Orcas: | $832,816 |
| WA: | $569,500 |
Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: over $1,000,000; detached houses: over $1,000,000; townhouses or other attached units: $697,480; in 2-unit structures: $590,357; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $508,312; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $476,202; mobile homes: $239,997; occupied boats, rvs, vans, etc.: $147,507
Detailed information about poverty and poor residents in Orcas, WA
Business Search - 14 Million verified businesses
- 4,30493.7%White alone
- 1132.5%Two or more races
- 861.9%Hispanic
- 441.0%Asian alone
- 200.4%American Indian alone
- 100.2%Black alone
- 100.2%Other race alone
- 60.1%Native Hawaiian and Other
Pacific Islander alone
Races in Orcas detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth
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Current Local Time: PST time zone
Elevation: 60 feet
Land area: 65.0 square miles.
Population density: 76 people per square mile (very low).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000:
| Orcas CCD: | 0.6% ($1,731) |
| Washington: | 1.2% ($1,915) |
Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Bellingham, WA 
(21.0 miles , pop. 67,171).
Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Seattle, WA (75.9 miles , pop. 563,374).
Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Los Angeles, CA (1034.2 miles , pop. 3,694,820).
Nearest cities:
Lopez, WA (3.2 miles ),
), Lummi Island, WA (3.5 miles ),
), Marietta-Alderwood, WA (4.4 miles ),
), Latitude: 48.65 N, Longitude: 122.91 W
Area code commonly used in this area: 360
Orcas tourist attractions:
| Here: | 4.0% |
| Washington: | 4.6% |
- Construction (15.1%)
- Accommodation & food services (12.6%)
- Professional, scientific, technical services (7.0%)
- Administrative & support & waste management services (4.9%)
- Educational services (4.8%)
- Real estate & rental & leasing (4.6%)
- Health care (4.2%)
- Construction (26.1%)
- Accommodation & food services (11.6%)
- Professional, scientific, technical services (5.8%)
- Administrative & support & waste management services (5.5%)
- Real estate & rental & leasing (4.2%)
- Finance & insurance (3.8%)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (3.3%)
- Accommodation & food services (13.7%)
- Professional, scientific, technical services (8.4%)
- Educational services (7.3%)
- Food & beverage stores (5.8%)
- Health care (5.4%)
- Real estate & rental & leasing (5.0%)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (4.4%)
- Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (8.8%)
- Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (7.0%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4.9%)
- Secretaries and administrative assistants (4.3%)
- Carpenters (4.2%)
- Art and design workers (3.2%)
- Construction traders workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (2.7%)
- Carpenters (7.9%)
- Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (7.2%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5.2%)
- Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (5.1%)
- Supervisors, construction and extraction workers (5.0%)
- Construction traders workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (4.4%)
- Laborers and material movers, hand (3.3%)
- Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (10.6%)
- Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (9.3%)
- Secretaries and administrative assistants (9.2%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4.6%)
- Cashiers (4.2%)
- Art and design workers (3.8%)
- Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (3.5%)
Average climate in Orcas, Washington
Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations
(lower is better)
Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2022 was 71.8. This is about average.
| City: | 71.8 |
| U.S.: | 72.6 |
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) [ppb] level in 2022 was 0.347. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 16.4 miles away from the city center.
| City: | 0.347 |
| U.S.: | 1.515 |
Ozone [ppb] level in 2022 was 24.1. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 16.4 miles away from the city center.
| City: | 24.1 |
| U.S.: | 33.3 |
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2022 was 5.83. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 16.4 miles away from the city center.
| City: | 5.83 |
| U.S.: | 8.11 |
Earthquake activity:
Orcas-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Washington state average. It is 989% greater than the overall U.S. average.On 4/13/1949 at 19:55:42, a magnitude 7.0 (7.0 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 98.9 miles away from the city center, causing $80,000,000 total damage
On 2/28/2001 at 18:54:32, a magnitude 6.8 (6.8 MD, Depth: 32.2 mi, Class: Strong, Intensity: VII - IX) earthquake occurred 104.4 miles away from Orcas center
On 2/28/2001 at 18:54:32, a magnitude 6.8 (6.5 MB, 6.6 MS, 6.8 MW) earthquake occurred 109.2 miles away from the city center, causing $2,000,000,000 total damage and $305,000,000 insured losses
On 4/29/1965 at 15:28:43, a magnitude 6.6 (6.6 UK) earthquake occurred 96.2 miles away from the city center, causing $28,000,000 total damage
On 7/3/1999 at 01:43:54, a magnitude 5.8 (5.4 MB, 5.5 MS, 5.8 MW, 5.3 ME, Depth: 25.2 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 111.2 miles away from the city center
On 5/3/1996 at 04:04:22, a magnitude 5.5 (5.2 MB, 5.3 MD, 5.5 ML, Depth: 2.5 mi) earthquake occurred 78.0 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), energy magnitude (ME), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Natural disasters:
The number of natural disasters in San Juan County (10) is smaller than the US average (15).Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 8
Emergencies Declared: 1
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Storms: 5, Landslides: 3, Mudslides: 3, Winter Storms: 2, Hurricane: 1, Volcanic Eruption: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Orcas:
- Western Washington University (about 21 miles; Bellingham, WA; Full-time enrollment: 13,875)
- Whatcom Community College (about 22 miles; Bellingham, WA; FT enrollment: 3,265)
- Skagit Valley College (about 32 miles; Mount Vernon, WA; FT enrollment: 3,803)
- Peninsula College (about 45 miles; Port Angeles, WA; FT enrollment: 2,012)
- Everett Community College (about 56 miles; Everett, WA; FT enrollment: 5,818)
- Edmonds Community College (about 64 miles; Lynnwood, WA; FT enrollment: 7,271)
- Shoreline Community College (about 68 miles; Shoreline, WA; FT enrollment: 5,026)
Points of interest:
Notable locations in Orcas: Pole Pass Light (A), Deer Harbor (B), Orcas Island Transfer Station Solid Waste Facility (C), Orcas Ferry Landing (D), Orcas Island Golf Course (E), West Beach Resort Campground and Recreational Vehicle Park (F), Wasp Passage Light (G), West Sound Marina (H), Bay Head Marina (I), Cayou Quay Marina (J), Jones Island Marina (K), Brandts Landing Eastsound Marina (L), Olga Marina (M), Rosario Resort Marina (N), Deer Harbor Marina (O), Lieber Haven Resort and Marina (P), Orcas Island Yacht Club (Q), Jacobson's at Orcas Landing (R), San Juan County Fire District 2 / Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Station 22 Westsound (S), San Juan County Fire District 2 / Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Station 23 Rosario (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Orcas include: Orcas Island Seventh Day Adventist Church (A), Emmanuel Episcopal Church (B), Eagle's Rock Christian Fellowship Church (C), Orcas Island Community Church (D). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Olga-Doe Bay Cemetery (1), Woodlawn Cemetery (2). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes and reservoirs: Mountain Lake (A), Killebrew Lake (B), Schaefer Lake (C), Day Lake (D), Summit Lake (E), Martin Lake (F), Twin Lakes (G), Flahertys Pond (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Creeks: Moran Creek (A), Cascade Creek (B), Paul Creek (C), Cold Creek (D). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Orcas include: Jones Island State Park National Wildlife Refuge (1), Moran State Park (2), Skull Island State Park (3), Victim Island State Park (4), Olga Marine State Park (5). Display/hide their locations on the map
Beaches: North Beach (A), Green Bank (B), Chin-Chin-Tse-Tung (C), Terrill Beach (D), White Beach (E), Kimple Beach (F), Crescent Beach (G). Display/hide their locations on the map
Hotels: Octavias Bistro (Orcas Lndg) (1), Orcas Island Hotel (Orcas Landing) (2). Display/hide their approximate locations on the map
Average household size:
| This place: | 2.0 people |
| Washington: | 2.5 people |
Percentage of family households:
| This place: | 56.3% |
| Whole state: | 64.4% |
Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
| This place: | 7.1% |
| Whole state: | 7.7% |
Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
- Lesbian couples: 0.9% of all households
- Gay men: 0.5% of all households
| This place: | 11.5% |
| Whole state: | 10.6% |
| This place: | 4.8% |
| Whole state: | 4.6% |
People in group quarters in Orcas in 2010:
- 16 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
- 3 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
- 3 people in group homes intended for adults
For population 15 years and over in Orcas:
- Never married: 16.5%
- Now married: 61.4%
- Separated: 1.2%
- Widowed: 5.3%
- Divorced: 16.9%
For population 25 years and over in Orcas:
- High school or higher: 95.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher: 40.9%
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.7%
- Unemployed: 3.1%
- Mean travel time to work (commute): 14.4 minutes
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
| Here: | 8.3 |
| Washington average: | 11.3 |
Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results
Religion statistics for Orcas, WA (based on San Juan County data)
| Religion | Adherents | Congregations |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 3,017 | 3 |
| Evangelical Protestant | 735 | 9 |
| Mainline Protestant | 717 | 8 |
| Other | 376 | 7 |
| None | 10,924 | - |
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 13
| Here: | 8.56 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 2.06 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 2
| San Juan County: | 1.32 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 1.18 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 2
| This county: | 1.32 / 10,000 pop. |
| Washington: | 2.67 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of full-service restaurants: 36
| Here: | 23.71 / 10,000 pop. |
| Washington: | 8.26 / 10,000 pop. |
Adult diabetes rate:
| This county: | 6.1% |
| Washington: | 7.7% |
Adult obesity rate:
| This county: | 17.1% |
| Washington: | 25.7% |
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
| Here: | 16.9% |
| Washington: | 13.9% |
Strongest AM radio stations in Orcas:
- KRPI (1550 AM; 50 kW; FERNDALE, WA; Owner: BBC BROADCASTING, INC.)
- KARI (550 AM; 25 kW; BLAINE, WA; Owner: WAY BROADCASTING, INC.)
- KAPS (660 AM; 10 kW; MOUNT VERNON, WA; Owner: VALLEY BROADCASTERS, INC.)
- KPUG (1170 AM; 10 kW; BELLINGHAM, WA; Owner: SAGA BROADCASTING, LLC)
- KGMI (790 AM; 5 kW; BELLINGHAM, WA)
- KRKO (1380 AM; 50 kW; EVERETT, WA; Owner: S-R BROADCASTING, CO.)
- KIXI (880 AM; 50 kW; MERCER ISLAND/SEATTL, WA; Owner: BELLEVUE RADIO, INC.)
- KIRO (710 AM; 50 kW; SEATTLE, WA; Owner: ENTERCOM SEATTLE LICENSE, LLC)
- KGNW (820 AM; 50 kW; BURIEN-SEATTLE, WA; Owner: INSPIRATION MEDIA, INC.)
- KTTH (770 AM; 50 kW; SEATTLE, WA; Owner: ENTERCOM SEATTLE LICENSE, LLC)
- KKOL (1300 AM; 50 kW; SEATTLE, WA; Owner: INSPIRATION MEDIA, INC.)
- KOMO (1000 AM; 50 kW; SEATTLE, WA; Owner: FISHER BROADCASTING - SEATTLE RADIO, L.L.C.)
- KYCW (1090 AM; 50 kW; SEATTLE, WA; Owner: INFINITY RADIO SUBSIDIARY OPERATIONS INC.)
Strongest FM radio stations in Orcas:
- KISM (92.9 FM; BELLINGHAM, WA; Owner: SAGA BROADCASTING, LLC)
- KWPZ (106.5 FM; LYNDEN, WA; Owner: CRISTA MINISTRIES, INC.)
- KAFE (104.3 FM; BELLINGHAM, WA; Owner: SAGA BROADCASTING, LLC)
- K201FH (88.1 FM; BELLINGHAM, WA; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.)
- K210CN (89.9 FM; BELLINGHAM, WA; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.)
- KSVR (91.7 FM; MOUNT VERNON, WA; Owner: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE)
- K206CU (89.1 FM; MOUNT VERNON, WA; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.)
- KUGS (89.3 FM; BELLINGHAM, WA; Owner: WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY)
- KZAZ (91.7 FM; BELLINGHAM, WA; Owner: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY)
TV broadcast stations around Orcas:
- KBCB (Channel 24; BELLINGHAM, WA; Owner: WORLD TELEVISION OF WASHINGTON, LLC.)
FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers:
1- Horsheshoe And Mount Constitution (11375) (Lat: 48.680278 Lon: -122.841667), Type: Gtower, Structure height: 71.6 m, Overall height: 77.7 m, Call Sign: KNKN210
Assigned Frequencies: 869.040 MHz, 869.040 MHz, 869.040 MHz, 824.040 MHz, 824.040 MHz, 824.040 MHz, 890.010 MHz, 890.010 MHz, 890.010 MHz, 845.010 MHz, 845.010 MHz, 845.010 MHzGrant Date: 10/16/2019, Expiration Date: 10/01/2029, Certifier: Michael P GogginRegistrant: At&t Services, Inc., 208 S Akard St, 20f, Dallas, TX 75202, Phone: (855) 699-7073, Fax: (214) 746-6410, Email:
FCC Registered Antenna Towers:
2- Douglas A Greaves, Nw1/4 Of Sw1/4, Sect. 18 T36 N R1 West W.M. (Lat: 48.607778 Lon: -122.876111), Type: 40.2, Overall height: 36.6 m, Registrant: Seattle Smsa Limited Partnership Dba , Aconque@uswnvg.Com, , 91210 Belle-vue, Phone: (206) 603-2052
- Nw1/4 Of Sw1/4, Sect. 18 T36 N R1 West W.M. (Lat: 48.607778 Lon: -122.876111), Type: 40.2, Overall height: 36.6 m, Registrant: Seattle Smsa Limited Partnership Dba , Aconque@uswnvg.Com, , 91210 Belle-vue, Phone: (206) 603-2052
FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers:
1- Mount Constitution (Lat: 48.680111 Lon: -122.842139), Type: Tower, Structure height: 123 m, Overall height: 126 m, Call Sign: KNNJ273,
Assigned Frequencies: 929.862 MHz, Grant Date: 02/06/2001, Expiration Date: 02/08/2011, Cancellation Date: 08/10/2001, Certifier: Donna Comer, Registrant: Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer LLP, 2300 N Street N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037-1128, Phone: (202) 783-4141, Fax: (202) 783-5851, Email:
FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers:
2- Skyland Farms, Lat: 48.644917 Lon: -122.940083, Call Sign: WPYP215,
Assigned Frequencies: 452.162 MHz, Grant Date: 09/18/2003, Expiration Date: 09/18/2013, Cancellation Date: 11/23/2013, Certifier: Bernard Hasten, Registrant: Speedread Technologies, 4525 Saguaro, Indianapolis, IN 46268, Phone: (317) 824-4544, Fax: (703) 558-0523, Email:
- Lat: 48.598972 Lon: -122.957278, Call Sign: WRFJ480,
Assigned Frequencies: 461.100 MHz, 462.125 MHz, 462.400 MHz, 464.650 MHz, 464.750 MHz, Grant Date: 03/16/2020, Expiration Date: 03/16/2030, Certifier: Eric Stone, Registrant: Radio Licensing Services, 4700 Se International Way, Milwaukie, OR 97269, Phone: (503) 659-1240, Fax: (503) 794-3759, Email:
FCC Registered Paging Towers:
1- Mt Constitution Near (Lat: 48.680083 Lon: -122.841833), Overall height: 63.4 m, Call Sign: KNKL914, Licensee ID: L01422065,
Assigned Frequencies: 931.212 MHz, Grant Date: 05/07/2019, Expiration Date: 04/01/2029, Certifier: Shawn E Endsley, Registrant: Spok, Inc., 3000 Technology Dr., Ste. 400, Plano, TX 75074, Phone: (972) 801-0177, Fax: (888) 833-7112, Email:
FCC Registered Maritime Coast & Aviation Ground Towers:
1- Exton Mc Coy Rd Wollard Hill Horseshoe Hwy (Lat: 48.611500 Lon: -122.945750), Type: Tower, Overall height: 26 m, Call Sign: KSK366,
Assigned Frequencies: 156.425 MHz, 156.450 MHz, 156.800 MHz, Grant Date: 07/25/1996, Expiration Date: 07/17/2001, Cancellation Date: 10/21/2001, Registrant: Timothy R Jones, Orcas, WA 98280
FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:
26 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Orcas)FAA Registered Aircraft:
4- Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-181 (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 105 mph), Engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 HP) (Reciprocating)
N-Number: 43091, N43091, N-43091, Serial Number: 28-8390076, Year manufactured: 1983, Airworthiness Date: 05/10/1983, Certificate Issue Date: 11/21/2019
Registrant (Individual): Geoffrey L Nelson, Po Box 82, Orcas, WA 98280 - Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-180 (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 107 mph), Engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 HP) (Reciprocating)
N-Number: 6330J, N6330J, N-6330J, Serial Number: 28-4738, Year manufactured: 1968, Airworthiness Date: 02/23/1968, Certificate Issue Date: 09/24/2007
Registrant (Co-Owned): Don F Brashear, Po Box 25, Orcas, WA 98280, Other Owners: Debra J Brashear - Aircraft: CESSNA 177 (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 108 mph), Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 HP) (Reciprocating)
N-Number: 653SR, N653SR, N-653SR, Serial Number: 17701048, Year manufactured: 1968, Airworthiness Date: 03/08/1968, Certificate Issue Date: 08/01/1990
Registrant (Corporation): West Sound Marina Inc, Po Box 119, Orcas, WA 98280 - Aircraft: TOMS CHRISTOPHER ROBIN LANCAIR IV (Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER (310 HP) (Reciprocating)
N-Number: 83JF, N83JF, N-83JF, Serial Number: LIV 192, Year manufactured: 1995, Airworthiness Date: 01/17/2001, Certificate Issue Date: 08/23/2000
Registrant (Individual): John S Forker, Po Box 272, Orcas, WA 98280
Houses and condos
Apartments
- 42.3%Electricity
- 27.7%Wood
- 15.1%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
- 13.6%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
- 0.6%Other fuel
- 0.6%Utility gas
- 59.6%Electricity
- 31.1%Wood
- 6.9%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
- 2.5%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
Orcas compared to Washington state average:
- Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
- Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Median age significantly above state average.
- Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
- Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
- Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.
- House age significantly below state average.
Top Patent Applicants
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Total of 8 patent applications in 2008-2024.