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Anacortes is a city in Skagit County, Washington, located on Fidalgo Island about 60 miles north of Seattle and separated from the mainland by the Swinomish Channel. It is the only incorporated city on the island and serves as the region's maritime hub, with a working waterfront, a commercial fishing fleet, and a major Washington State Ferries terminal that provides the principal mainland link to the San Juan Islands and Sidney, British Columbia. The city's name is an adaptation of "Anne Curtis," honoring Anne Curtis Bowman, the wife of an early Fidalgo Island settler. Incorporated in 1891, Anacortes grew around fishing, timber, and later petroleum refining. Today its economy is anchored by the Marathon-Anacortes Refinery, the Port of Anacortes, boat building and marine services, and tourism, with the ferry terminal drawing visitors and residents alike. Anacortes' setting is defined by water and mountains. The city overlooks Fidalgo Bay, the Guemes Channel, and the San Juan Islands, with views of Mount Baker and the North Cascades. Deception Pass State Park, at the island's southern tip, and the North Cascades National Park to the east frame the city's recreational landscape, while Cap Sante Marina and the surrounding forested parks give the downtown an intimate, walkable waterfront character. For residents, Anacortes offers a small-city pace with deep maritime roots, strong public land access, and convenient regional connections. State Route 20 links the island to Interstate 5, and the city's neighborhoods range from historic Victorian-era homes near the waterfront to hillside properties with expansive water views. Its blend of working waterfront, outdoor recreation, and island living attracts a mix of families, marine-industry workers, and retirees.

Population 17,637

County Skagit County

Active Listings 268

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Anacortes located?

Anacortes is located on Fidalgo Island in Skagit County, Washington, about 60 miles north of Seattle and roughly 80 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. It is separated from the mainland by the Swinomish Channel.

Is Anacortes the ferry terminal for the San Juan Islands?

Yes. Anacortes is home to the Washington State Ferries terminal that serves the San Juan Islands, with routes to Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan islands, as well as international service to Sidney, British Columbia.

What is the economy of Anacortes based on?

Anacortes' economy is anchored by the Marathon-Anacortes Refinery, the Port of Anacortes, a commercial fishing fleet, boat building and marine services, and tourism driven by the ferry terminal and nearby state and national parks.

What major employers are in Anacortes?

Among Anacortes' largest employers are the Marathon-Anacortes Refinery, which employs more than 400 workers, the Anacortes School District, and the Port of Anacortes, reflecting the city's mix of industry, education, and maritime activity.

City Guide

About Anacortes

Real Estate & Housing

Anacortes' housing stock reflects its century-plus history and waterfront setting. Older craftsman and Victorian-era homes cluster near downtown and the marina, while mid-century and newer single-family homes spread across hillside neighborhoods, many positioned to capture views of the water and the San Juan Islands. Condominiums and townhomes appear near the waterfront and in select developments, adding options for smaller households. The market is characterized by a premium on water and mountain views, with homes ranging from modest in-town bungalows to larger custom properties. As a gateway community, Anacortes attracts both year-round residents and buyers seeking vacation or retirement homes in a scenic coastal setting.

Neighborhoods

Anacortes' neighborhoods follow the island's topography and waterfront. The historic Old Town district near Cap Sante Marina holds the city's oldest homes and its walkable commercial core, while areas around Washington Park and Skyline rise to overlook the water and the San Juans. The Oakes Avenue corridor and surrounding residential streets offer a mix of established homes within walking distance of downtown. Fidalgo Island's western and northern edges include forested and waterfront parcels, and the nearby Anacortes Community Forest Lands preserve extensive public acreage within the city limits. Each area shares the city's defining feature: proximity to the water and easy access to marinas, parks, and trail networks.

Lifestyle in Anacortes

Anacortes combines a working maritime culture with an outdoors-oriented lifestyle. The downtown waterfront centers on Cap Sante Marina, where boaters, anglers, and visitors mix with shops and restaurants, while the city's arts scene, galleries, and community events add a cultural dimension. Ferry travel to the San Juan Islands is a routine part of life, and kayaking, sailing, crabbing, and fishing are common pursuits. The surrounding forest lands and Deception Pass State Park support hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. Major employers include the Marathon-Anacortes Refinery and the Port of Anacortes, grounding the community in marine and industrial trades alongside its tourism economy.

Schools & Education

Anacortes is served by the Anacortes School District, one of the city's larger employers, operating a set of elementary, middle, and high schools for the Fidalgo Island community. The district serves the city and surrounding island areas, offering standard academic, athletic, and arts programs within a small-district setting. Skagit Valley College, with a main campus in nearby Mount Vernon, provides higher education and workforce training opportunities for area residents. For families, Anacortes' schools combine the intimacy of a smaller system with access to the broader Skagit County educational and community resources.

Getting Around

Anacortes is a regional transportation anchor because of its Washington State Ferries terminal, which connects the mainland to Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan islands and to Sidney, British Columbia. State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, links Fidalgo Island to Interstate 5 and Mount Vernon, and continues east across the Cascades. The city's marinas serve recreational and commercial boat traffic, and a deep-water port supports marine industries. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is reachable by shuttle or car, and nearby Skagit Regional Airport serves general aviation. Most local travel is by car, reflecting the island's spread-out, scenic road network.

Parks & Recreation

Anacortes' recreation is shaped by its coastal and forest setting. Cap Sante Park, a 37-acre forested promontory at the eastern edge of the city, offers sweeping views over the marina, Fidalgo Bay, and the Cascades, while Washington Park provides a scenic loop road and shoreline access. The Anacortes Community Forest Lands preserve thousands of acres of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing within the city. Deception Pass State Park, at the island's southern tip, offers beaches, camping, and iconic bridge viewpoints, and the San Juan Islands and North Cascades National Park lie within day-trip range for boating, paddling, and alpine recreation.

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