This city by the sea is well-known for the Washington State Ferries dock and a terminal that serves communities that include Lopez Island, Shaw Island, and San Juan Island. Located in Skagit County, Anacortes is home to approximately 16,953 Washington residents.

Anacortes History

Founded in 1879, Anacortes was named in honor of Anne Curtis, the wife of an early settler named Amos Bowman. Not only did Bowman become a prominent resident in support of the rail line, he also began the city’s first newspaper known as The Northwest Enterprise. Bowman’s dream was to help create a city in this area that would be much like New York City.

Unfortunately, times were hard in 1891 when the real estate in this area lost value. Bowman’s dreams were never realized, as the railroad was never completed. Anacortes still had a bright future ahead and became the prime tourist location that supports the thriving community we know and love to this day.

Recently Listed Anacortes Homes for Sale


Your real estate agent is the best source of information about the local community and real estate topics. Give Shawn McNeal a call today at 360-929-6650 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.

Anacortes Schools

Students in this area are served by the Anacortes School District. Schools in this district include Whitney Early Childhood Center, Mount Erie Elementary School, Island View Elementary School, Fidalgo Elementary School, Anacortes Middle School, Cap Sante High School, and Anacortes High School.

The percentage of residents with a high school diploma or higher is 95.2 percent. The percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 37.8 percent.

Parks & Recreation in Anacortes

The amazing weather and beautiful scenery make Anacortes the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains city parks and community forest lands. They also manage a variety of recreational programs for all ages. With over 2,800 acres of land and over 50 miles of trails, there’s plenty to see and do in Anacortes.

We suggest accessing the trail maps for Cranberry Lake, Heart Lake, and Whistle Lake areas before setting out on a trail adventure. Trails are enjoyed by both hikers and those who prefer to ride bicycles. Some parts of the trails are open to those with a horse or a motorcycle, but you’ll want to check the maps before visiting to ensure you’re in the right place. Your beloved family dog is welcome to visit, as well, but all dogs must be on a leash when on the trails.

Anacortes Weather

The mild temperatures make this area a prime location for outdoor activities year-round. The average high temperature is 74 degrees in July. The average low temperature is 37 degrees in January. Keep an umbrella nearby for the 4.69 inches of rainfall that typically occurs during the month of November, the month with the most precipitation. Anacortes gets an average of 27.85 inches of rainfall annually. Residents and visitors to this area can breathe easy knowing that this city has a pollution index that is 90 percent better than the nation’s average.

Anacortes Real Estate

Anacortes is comprised of 7,024 unique households. Approximately 65.8 percent of the homes in this city are lived in by the people who own the properties. The median home value is $327,300.