The Skagit Advantage

The Port of Skagit views its mission, Working Together for the Greater Good of the Skagit Valley, as critical for maintaining a high quality of life in the Skagit Valley. By fostering economic prosperity, we support community well-being that embraces cultural vitality, social justice and compassion, all nurtured by a beautiful and healthy natural environment. Taken together with many other factors outlined here, those attributes create what we call “The Skagit Advantage.”

Economic Development

The Skagit Advantage

Doing Business with the Port

Available Properties

Locate Here

Skagit County is known as a fertile agricultural valley, with 80 different crops grown, a world renowned tulip festival and some of the most productive soil on the planet. It’s also home to thriving businesses, industries and economic development opportunities. Centrally and strategically located between Seattle and Vancouver BC, the Skagit Valley boasts innovative technology, inclusive community and business leaders, a highly skilled workforce, and sought after amenities for families and employers.

Why Port of Skagit

Maximizing the job producing potential of our industrially zoned land in Skagit County is a key strategy in our effort to promote prosperity and create Good Jobs for the Skagit Valley. The Port of Skagit is known for its ability to meet the needs of current and prospective tenants to empower their success and plan for their growth, by implementing strategies that employ creative solutions, strategic planning and strong partnerships. Opportunities at any of the Port’s five properties are ready to be pursued with the right business model and mindset to spur job creation and a robust economic outlook in our community.

Why Skagit Valley

The Skagit Valley is a strategic location for business development, and a warm, welcoming community for families.

  • Located halfway between the metropolitan areas of Seattle and Vancouver B.C., with more than 6 million people within a 100-mile radius
  • Business-friendly environment with lower tax rates, industrial land and building costs; competitive energy and utility costs; wide access to broadband
  • Proximity to transportation,
    including airports, marine ports, railways, highways
  • Highly respected research and development sectors
  • Desirable location for families with good schools, lower housing costs, lower sales tax
  • Skilled workforce and workforce training opportunities
  • Diverse employment base in maritime, aviation, agricultural, healthcare, fishing, logging, education, social services, real estate, finance, construction, sales and more
  • Cities, towns, and rural areas that support a desirable quality of life
  • Abundant leisure activities in arts, agriculture, shopping, dining, cultural offerings, volunteerism and more
  • Ample outdoor recreation opportunities—lakes, rivers, mountains, islands, trails, local and state parks, salt water, beaches and more

Skagit County Trends

Skagit County Trends is a project of the Population Health Trust Advisory Committee. The Trust seeks to enrich local, private, and public decision-making to improve health and wellbeing by providing current and relevant data in an easy to navigate website.

Economic Facts

Skagit County Population: 128,206 (2018)
Average Household Income: $76,098 (2017)

Skagit County– Labor Force

  • 57,974 workers in 2016
  • 59,506 workers in 2018
  • 2.6% increase

Skagit County– Weekly Wage

  • $850 per week in 2016
  • $955 per week in 2018
  • 12.4% increase

WWU Center for Economic & Business Research

Top 20 Employers in Skagit County (2017)

Employer Employee Count
Skagit Regional Health 1802
Mount Vernon School District 998
Skagit Horticulture 980
Skagit County Government 809
Janicki Industries 785
Sedro-Woolley School District 683
Island Hospital 568
Swinomish Casino 559
Draper Valley Farms 519
Shell Puget Sound Refinery 500
Employer Employee Count
Skagit Valley Casino Resort 427
Peace Health United General 400
Tesoro Refinery 394
Burlington-Edison School District 390
PACCAR Technical Center 340
Hexcel 299
Dakota Creek Industries 243
Skagit Bank 199
Walmart 190
Costco 160

Employment Shares by Top Four Sectors

The following table represents the employment shares of Skagit County’s top four sectors over a 5-year time period. While three of the four top sectors added jobs during this period, the healthcare and social assistance sector lost 202 jobs during this period.

Sector 2014 2018 Net Change Percent Change
Government 10,738 11,430 692 6.4%
Retail trade 6,743 7,116 373 5.5%
Manufacturing 5,781 6,051 270 4.7%
Healthcare and Social Assistance 5,242 5,040 -202 -3.9%
Other 19,786 22,400 2,614 13.2%

WWU Center for Economic & Business Research

Economic Development

The Skagit Advantage

Doing Business with the Port

Available Properties