Did you know there are over 170 different community indicators on Skagit County Trends - each updated throughout the year? But which ones, and when?
This issue of the Skagit County Trends blog lists some of the most recently updated indicators on the Skagit County Trends website.
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Recent Updates
In PEOPLE:
Total Foreign-Born Population & Foreign-Born as a Share of Total Population
For 2023, Census estimated Skagit County to hold over 13,400 immigrants, one of the highest counts on record. As a share of the population, however, immigrants in the county were considerably lower than the U.S. and state averages. Naturalized citizens represented 4.7% and non-naturalized 5.6% of the total county population.
In ECONOMIC VITALITY:
This measure is a core indicator of economic health, serving as the overall average of personal income in the county. Note that denominator represents the total population, including non-wage earners such as the young and the elderly. In recent years, per capita personal income in Skagit County has largely matched that of the U.S. At $67,173 in 2023, however, it still lies considerably below the state average ($80,930).
Share of Total Overall Income Earned by Household Income Level
This indicator breaks total personal income into five groups, or quintiles. Income represented here does not includes non-monetary benefits, such as housing vouchers or Medicaid/Medicare “in-kind” payments. For 2023, Census shows income distribution in Skagit County to be less skewed than in the U.S. and the state. As an example, the ratio of total income held by the top quintile to the bottom quintile in the county is a multiple of 12.7. For the U.S.: a multiple of 17.2; for the state: a multiple of 16.4.
To simplify the graph, click on the legend items you would like removed. You can also shorten the number of years by using the scroll feature of your mouse.
Quarterly Residential Building Permits & Number per 1,000 Residents
Housing construction generally reflects population growth and serves as an anchor in the local economy. Quarterly residential permit data give an idea of housing construction in the subsequent one to three quarters. After peaking in the 4th quarter of 2021, permits have steadily declined to 143 in the 3rd quarter of last year. Generally, housing permits per person have been much lower here than in the state.
In ENVIRONMENT:
Water Quality Index: Skagit River Water Temperature
Water temperature is one of the key components of a river’s health. This measure, from the Washington Department of Ecology, is an index, and not denominated in actual temperatures. 100 is best for the index. The water is sampled at two sites: Marblemount and Mt. Vernon. For most of the nearly 30-year period, readings at both sides hovered in the 90s. Since 2019, however, temperature “quality” has declined.
In HEALTH:
Share of Adults Visiting a Dentist, Dental Hygienist, or Dental Clinic in the Last Year
Oral health is often overlooked and certainly not covered by insurance as much as physical health. Yet, it remains key to enjoying good physical health. This measure, based on a survey from the Centers for Disease Control, tracks the frequency of use of dental services by the county population.
The trend over the last decade has been flat, with about 2/3 of adults accessing oral healthcare. Currently, the rate here is very close to the state rate.
In HOUSING:
Homeownership Rates of Households With Incomes Between 30% and 60% of AMI (Area Median Income)
This measure, from Census surveys, tracks the success of extremely low and very low-income households in securing ownership of a home. For much of the period covered, the rate in Skagit County has rested above those of the benchmarks, U.S. and Washington. Lately, however, the county rate has been very close to the U.S. rate, but above the state rate.
Total and Share of Renting Households Paying 50% or More of Household Income for Shelter Costs
Spending beyond 30% of household income on shelter costs (rent, utility fees, any insurance) puts a household in a “cost-burdened category. Spending beyond 50% on those services is seen as an “extremely” cost-burdened household.
In 2023, Census estimated that nearly 4,000 renters found themselves in this category. This was a little more than 10% of the renter population, largely matching rates in the U.S. and Washington.
The size of this rate gives a good idea of market conditions of housing, and in particular, multi-family housing. Very low vacancy rates, as the county experienced for many years before last year, lead to substantial rent increases.
This measure is a semi-annual one, tracking vacancy rates in the first and third quarter of the year. The most recent survey of the county (Q3 of 2024) assessed vacancy rates at slightly over 2%, higher than much of the preceding decade but still quite low. Most housing experts regard a 4-5% vacancy rate as a rate reflecting a balance between demand and supply.
In TRANSIT:
Share of Commuters Using Alternate Modes of Transportation
The Census tracks every year, via the American Community Survey, how commuters get to work other than by a private auto. The categories are: carpool, walk, bicycle, public transportation and work from home.
Not surprisingly, the relative mix in Skagit County has changed since the start of the pandemic. Work from home is now the largest category, followed by car-pooling. In 2023, about 11% of the “commuters” were estimated to work from home. While far higher than 2019, the Skagit share is less than the U.S. and far less than the state shares.
To simplify the graph, click on the legend items you would like removed. You can also shorten the number of years by using the scroll feature of your mouse.
updated 1.9.25
The full list of Skagit County Trends can be found here.