Whidbey
Island, located in northern Puget Sound
continues to benefit from technology
industry expansions that were established
seven to nine years ago. The "mainland"
areas of Mukilteo, Everett and Seattle,
have during these years, attracted large
numbers of "high technology" businesses.
The Boeing Company's large-plane plant in
Everett would, if it were totally
independent, be the largest airplane
manufactury in the world. This activity
combined with the attractive, casual
lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest, makes
Whidbey Island, only three miles away, an
accessible place with still reasonable
property values.<br><br>The
traditional industries of Whidbey Island
are forestry and agriculture, but the
dominant employers since the 1940's are
government-related, with the U. S. Navy at
Oak Harbor the largest single employer. In
2001, traditional industries employed a
mere 3-percent of the total labor force;
government and public schools employed
approximately 58 percent. North Whidbey
has the only local economic base, this
dominated by the activities of the Naval
Air Station at Oak Harbor. Annual budgets
of almost $300 million provide employment
for about 9,000 military and civilian
personnel. The internal economy of the
island is weak, as most high-paying jobs
require commuting to the "mainland" daily.
Even the short 15-minute ferry ride is
inconvenient for daily commuters; limiting
future growth to an increasing proportion
of retirees.
Depending on
the what part of the country you relocate
from, real estate values will generally
appear to be affordable. Currently, homes
on North Whidbey average $164,200 (May
2002). On South Whidbey the average is
$242,400. Land averages about $9,000 to
$15,000 per acre based on our standard
5-acre zoning, and up, for view land.
"Inexpensive" building lots have a median
value of $36,000. Waterfront property can
be very expensive - expect to pay more
than $200,000 for good "Sound-frontage".
Almost all properties, except those in
parts of our three towns, require on-site
septic disposal systems. Therefore, all
unimproved land should be purchased
"subject to perc" (meaning that the
on-site soils are suitable for a septic
system), to ensure that your property is
buildable. Electric power rates are very
low by national standards, and domestic
water is generally abundant and extremely
inexpensive. Property taxes here are the
second lowest of any county in Washington
State. Also, there is no state income tax;
on either earned or unearned income. Sales
taxes on non-food items funds most
government activity. What we do offer is
mild, Pacific Northwest weather, "rural"
settings, a virtually crime-free
environment, and a green, pastoral quality
of life not easily matched
elsewhere.
WHIDBEY ISLAND
GOVERNMENT. The Island is part of the 10th
state legislative district, with
Coupeville the county seat. We have only
three incorporated towns on the island:
Oak Harbor (27,000 pop.), Coupeville
(1,300 pop.) and Langley (1,000 pop.). The
towns are governed by an elected mayor and
city council. The county is governed
directly by three Island County
commissioners; one from each of three
county districts. Total island populations
are now 56,700; the "northern half" having
about 40,000 and the "southern half" about
17,000. The average "household" income in
2000 was $36,000, island-wide. There are
dramatic differences between the social
characteristics of North Whidbey (with the
dominance of the U. S. Navy) and South
Whidbey. These differences are reflected
in family income. We estimate that on
South Whidbey "household" incomes are
about $63,000. Property taxes overall
average .934 percent, but vary by
jurisdiction; and the impact of school,
parks and other bond
issues.
Updated
6/03/02
Copyright
2002. All rights reserved
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