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Doing Business in Skagit County

LEARN MORE ABOUT PORT OF SKAGIT

Market Fundamentals That Support Premium Development

Skagit County Population & Income Metrics

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132,117 residents with steady growth trajectory

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$85,720 median household income — 8% above national average

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$106,356 average household spending — strong consumer base

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69% homeownership rate — stable, invested community

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42-year median age — peak earning years

Workforce That Commands Higher Rents

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66% white-collar employment drives demand for quality office space

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Management salaries average $103,025 — tenants who can afford premium rates

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Tech/IT professionals earn $101,409 — growing sector seeking modern facilities

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Healthcare practitioners at $96,987 — stable, recession-resistant tenant base

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91% high school graduation, 42% with college degrees — educated workforce

Market Reach

7M+

7+ million consumers
within 2-hour drive

2.14M

2.14 million overnight tourists annually in county

$300M

$300M+ agricultural economy — year-round economic activity

400K+

400,000+ annual visitors to North Cascades National Park

Business Climate Built for Growth

Small Business Dominance Creates Opportunities

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5,881 businesses — diverse economy reduces single-sector risk

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67% employ under 5 people — entrepreneurial culture perfect for incubator/flex space

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390 hospitality establishments — proven tourism market

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Strong professional services sector — demand for Class A office

Institutional Anchors Provide Stability

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Healthcare
6,943 jobs (largest sector)

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Education
Multiple school districts plus Skagit Valley College

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Government
Stable public sector employment

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Manufacturing
Historic industrial base

business in skagit county diagram of swift center distances to key transportation hubs in the pacific northwest

Centrally Located Between Seattle, WA & Vancouver, BC

Interstate-5 Cook Road – 15 minutes/7 miles

Skagit Regional Airport (KBVS) – 25 minutes/14 miles

La Conner Marina – 35 minutes/20 miles

Port of Bellingham Shipping Terminal – 40 minutes/29 miles

Bellingham International Airport (BLI) – 43 minutes/31 miles

Port of Anacortes Pier 2 Terminal – 44 minutes/27 miles

Anacortes Ferry Terminal to San Juan Islands – 45 minutes/29 miles

North Cascades National Park Gateway – 60 minutes/46 miles

Port of Everett Terminals – 60 minutes/48 miles

Paine Field (PAE) – 60 minutes/55 miles

Mount Baker Ski Area – 90 minutes/59 miles

Diablo Lake Vista Point – 90 minutes/66 miles

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – 90 minutes/75 miles

The Northwest Seaport Alliance – 90 minutes/77 miles

BNSF Railway Seattle International Gateway (SIG) Intermodal Facility – 90 minutes/85 miles

UP Seattle Intermodal Terminal – 90 minutes/80 miles

King County International Airport Boeing Field (BFI) – 90 minutes/80 miles

BNSF Railway South Seattle Intermodal Facility – 90 minutes/85 miles

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – 90 minutes/88 miles

Workforce Pipeline Ensures Long-Term Viability

Education Infrastructure:

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1 community college locally — workforce training partner

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25 colleges within 50 miles — talent pipeline

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35 universities within 75 miles — including University of Washington

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Cascades Job Corps — On site at SWIFT, training job-ready workers with skills in construction, healthcare, facilities maintenance, and other trades.

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Access to world-class workforce development partners including Northwest Workforce Council—the regional workforce system convener for four counties—and Northwest Career and Technical Academy, which provides hands-on technical training and industry certifications to high school students throughout the region.

Labor Availability:

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+50,000-person workforce — sufficient scale for major employers within a 30 minute commute

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5.2% unemployment — available workers without desperation

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15-20% reduction in labor cost compared to Seattle

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Low turnover culture

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Quality of Life That Attracts and Retains

The Skagit County Advantage:

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World-class outdoor recreation at your doorstep

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Authentic small-town character with metropolitan access

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Strong family orientation: 64% family households

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Environmental quality that attracts knowledge workers

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Access to Unparalleled Outdoor Recreation

The SWIFT Center sits at the threshold of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular outdoor recreation corridor. This isn’t just scenery—it’s a strategic advantage. Businesses recruiting talent increasingly compete on lifestyle differentiation, and the SWIFT Center delivers unmatched access to wilderness experiences that define the region’s quality of life.

On-Campus Access

SWIFT Center Trail Network – Miles of walking and biking trails wind through the 225-acre campus, offering immediate access to outdoor activity during breaks, meetings, or after work. The preserved Olmsted landscape design creates a park-like setting where nature becomes part of daily experience rather than a weekend destination.

Northern State Recreation Area – Adjacent to the SWIFT Center campus, this 700-acre multi-use recreation area offers mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Your location provides direct trail connections to one of Washington’s premier recreation areas—no drive time required.

People walking on trails at the Swift Center. Photo courtesy of Skagit Trail Builders.
Photo courtesy of Skagit Trail Builders

Nearby Regional Destinations

North Cascades National Park - This dramatic landscape of jagged peaks, glaciers, and pristine lakes draws adventurers from around the world. Over 400 miles of trails offer everything from family-friendly walks to challenging alpine routes. Your proximity positions businesses to attract talent seeking genuine wilderness access.

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Nearly 1.8 million acres of diverse terrain spanning old-growth forests, alpine meadows, and volcanic peaks. Year-round recreation includes hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and climbing. Mount Baker’s legendary snowfall makes it a winter destination, while summer reveals wildflower meadows and crystalline lakes.

Deception Pass State Park - Washington’s most-visited state park combines dramatic coastal scenery with sheltered bays, forest trails, and striking bridge views. Activities include kayaking, tidepooling, fishing, and wildlife watching. The park’s diverse ecosystems provide accessible outdoor experiences for all skill levels.

And so many more. See Visit Skagit Valley to explore them all.

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Take the Next Step

Whether you're envisioning commercial spaces, hospitality ventures, research facilities, educational institutions, or manufacturing operations, the SWIFT Center offers the distinctive character as well as regulatory and financial advantages that set exceptional developments apart. Contact our team today to explore the opportunity: schedule a private tour and discover how the SWIFT Center can bring your development goals to life.

GET IN TOUCH
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Shaun Gibbs

Port of Skagit Real Estate Manager  
Direct: (360) 757-9846
Email: shaung@portofskagit.com