1st Advantage MortgageThe median San Juan County household earns $84,800, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Washington license first.
On this page
- San Juan County by the numbers
- Income in San Juan County compared with Washington
- Rent, home values and ownership in San Juan County
- Employment and commuting in San Juan County
- Places inside San Juan County
- The counties around San Juan County
- People and households in San Juan County
- Reading the San Juan County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the San Juan County median
- A San Juan County borrower's checklist
- Washington rules that apply in San Juan County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
San Juan County by the numbers
Roughly 18,478 residents live in San Juan County, Washington, 32nd by population among the state's 39 counties and county equivalents. It covers 174 square miles of land, or about 106 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, San Juan County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 2 Census places inside San Juan County, Friday Harbor leads by population with about 2,728; 1 of the 2 are incorporated.
Income in San Juan County compared with Washington
The median household income in San Juan County is $84,800; statewide it is $98,141, so San Juan County runs 14% below Washington as a whole. Only 11 Washington counties post a higher median.
| Household income | San Juan County | vs Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.7% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.1% | +1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.2% | -2.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.1% | -3.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 43% of San Juan County households make $100,000 or more, and 21% make less than $35,000. Census counts 11.3% of San Juan County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Washington. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.532 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $84,800 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in San Juan County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,512 in San Juan County versus $1,760 statewide. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $799,200, about 9.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%. Median construction year: 1988.
| San Juan County | Washington | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,512/mo | $1,760/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $799,200 | $564,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 64% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 44% | 30% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 36% | 7% | n/a |
Because most San Juan County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Employment and commuting in San Juan County
By the Census industry count, 17% of employed San Juan County residents work in professional and administrative services and 17% in education and health care. Construction stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.7% in San Juan County. 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 23% work from home.
| Industry | Share of San Juan County workers | vs Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Professional and administrative services | 17.4% | +2.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.8% | -4.9 pts |
| Construction | 13.5% | +6.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | -1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Other services | 5.7% | +1.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in San Juan County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside San Juan County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in San Juan County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 3,506 people, so roughly 81% of residents live outside any named place. No San Juan County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 2.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Harbor | town | 2,728 | $80,378 | $1,696 | 4 mi |
| Roche Harbor | CDP | 778 | $94,167 | $1,764 | 7 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
The counties around San Juan County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (31 to 64 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than San Juan County; Kitsap County is highest at $104,158 and Clallam County lowest at $70,370.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan County | - | $84,800 | $1,512/mo | 78% |
| Island County, WA | 31 mi | $90,551 | $1,662/mo | 75% |
| Clallam County, WA | 45 mi | $70,370 | $1,152/mo | 74% |
| Jefferson County, WA | 52 mi | $74,048 | $1,522/mo | 79% |
| Skagit County, WA | 59 mi | $89,263 | $1,536/mo | 70% |
| Whatcom County, WA | 62 mi | $81,784 | $1,555/mo | 64% |
| Kitsap County, WA | 64 mi | $104,158 | $1,822/mo | 70% |
People and households in San Juan County
College graduates make up 54% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.0%, against 6.3% for Washington.
| People and households | San Juan County | Washington | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 57.0 | 38.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 53.9% | 39.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.1% | 7.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.0% | 6.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.6% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 22.7% | 19.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 59.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 0.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Reading the San Juan County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the San Juan County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Retirees. At a median age of 57.0, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 43% of San Juan County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a San Juan County borrower sees (free reports).
Budget math at the San Juan County median
San Juan County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $7,067 gross per month ($84,800 / 12)
- Median rent: $1,512, or 21 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,032 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A San Juan County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for San Juan County borrowers:
- Price the San Juan County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one San Juan County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Washington.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Washington rules that apply in San Juan County
Consumer lenders serving San Juan County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Washington that is the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Washington: Washington personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Washington guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical San Juan County household make?
About $84,800 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 14% below the Washington median.
Is San Juan County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,512 against $1,760 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in San Juan County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in San Juan County?
By population: Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Does living in San Juan County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a San Juan County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.