Anacortes

Anacortes is a charming coastal city that maintains a friendly and welcoming small-town atmosphere. Anacortes’ historic downtown district is a hub of activity and charm, with streets lined with unique shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. The city hosts various events, festivals, and live performances throughout the year, including music festivals, art walks, farmers markets, and more. Anacortes offers a desirable quality of life, and its proximity to the San Juan Islands, outdoor recreational opportunities, and small-town charm make it an appealing place to call home.

Whether you are searching for a waterfront estate with San Juan Islands views or a home close to downtown, Anacortes offers a rare mix of natural beauty, community, and convenience that is hard to find elsewhere on Puget Sound.

Anacortes takes its name from Anna Curtis Bowman, the wife of early town promoter Amos Bowman, who settled on Fidalgo Island in the 1870s. Long before Bowman arrived, the Samish and other Coast Salish peoples lived along these shores for thousands of years, drawn by the same protected bays and abundant salmon runs that still define the area today.

Bowman built a sawmill in 1882 and envisioned Anacortes as the western terminus of a transcontinental railroad. That dream briefly came true in 1890, when a $15 million investment from the Oregon Improvement Company triggered one of the most dramatic boom periods in Pacific Northwest history. The town’s population jumped from about 40 residents to nearly 2,000 in a matter of weeks, and four lumber mills ran around the clock. The boom collapsed almost as quickly as it began when the investment company folded later that year, but the young city pressed on and officially incorporated on May 19, 1891.

What followed was decades of steady reinvention. Cod curing began in 1891, and by 1915 eleven salmon canneries lined the waterfront, making Anacortes one of the busiest fishing ports on Puget Sound. A Carnegie Library opened in 1910, and the Port of Anacortes formed in 1926. The city weathered the Great Depression and found new strength during World War II, then diversified again in 1953 when Shell Oil built a refinery at March Point, followed by Texaco in 1957. Those refineries remain a major employer in Skagit County today.

By the 1960s, Anacortes had begun its transformation into the town many buyers recognize now: a “Gateway to the San Juans,” home to the Washington State Ferry terminal, and host to the Anacortes Arts Festival, which has drawn visitors downtown every August since. Fishing boats still work out of local seafood processing plants, and more than 2,800 acres of forest land have been preserved through the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, giving residents a rare combination of maritime heritage, small-town character, and protected natural space right outside their door.

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.

Life in Anacortes moves at a pace that is hard to find elsewhere in the Puget Sound region. The historic downtown along Commercial Avenue is the heart of it, lined with independent shops, art galleries, cafes, and waterfront restaurants that locals and visitors return to year after year. The town’s calendar includes art walks, live music, and the Anacortes Arts Festival each August, one of the longest-running arts festivals in the Pacific Northwest.

Because Anacortes sits on Fidalgo Island surrounded by water on nearly every side, the outdoor lifestyle here is built around the shoreline. Boaters keep their vessels at Cap Sante Marina or Skyline Marina, and paddlers explore Fidalgo Bay and Guemes Channel. 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, and also manages 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.

For buyers drawn to the water, Anacortes also serves as the departure point for the San Juan Islands ferry, making it a natural base for anyone who wants island access without giving up mainland conveniences like grocery stores, medical care, and a short drive to I-5.

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.

As of early September 2026, Anacortes has 262 homes actively listed, averaging $1,278,700, or about $548 per square foot, well above the Skagit County average of $855,300. The typical home on the market was built around 1990 and has been listed for about 98 days. Anacortes homes currently range from a $145,000 condo to an $8.9 million waterfront estate, a spread that reflects just how much value varies by location and water access within city limits.

Anacortes is comprised of 7,024 unique households, and approximately 65.8 percent of the homes in this city are owner-occupied. Because the citywide average blends everything from condos to luxury waterfront estates, it runs well above broader home-value indexes. For a specific price point or neighborhood, I’m happy to pull the exact numbers for you, just reach out.

Live numbers below are pulled directly from Shawn’s own RE/MAX IDX feed as of September 2, 2026. These reflect current active listings, not closed sales, so a neighborhood with very few homes on the market can swing a lot from just one listing.

Waterfront & View Neighborhoods

Skyline — On the western edge of Fidalgo Island, Skyline is known for some of the most dramatic water views in Anacortes, looking out over Burrows Island, the San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. The neighborhood centers around Skyline Marina and includes a community clubhouse, tennis courts, and a boat launch. Currently 28 active listings averaging $1,231,800 (about $645/sq ft), with homes built around 1996 on average and typically on the market 92 days.

Sunset Cove — A mostly waterfront pocket near Skyline Marina and Washington Park, suited to buyers who want quiet shoreline living close to boating access. Currently 7 active listings averaging $856,300 (about $328/sq ft), homes built around 2006 on average.

Dewey Beach — A tranquil waterfront setting along Puget Sound in a quieter residential setting. Currently 6 active listings averaging $619,500 (about $478/sq ft); homes here have been sitting longer than average, about 245 days, which can mean more room to negotiate.

Biz Point — A small, distinctive waterfront community with views toward the San Juan Islands. Only 3 active listings right now averaging $2,872,500, so treat that average with real caution, it takes just one high-end listing to swing it.

Fidalgo Bay — Along the bay for which the island is named, with water views and easy access to March Point. Currently 6 active listings averaging $1,941,000 (about $655/sq ft), homes built around 2007 on average, newer than most Anacortes neighborhoods.

Similk Beach — On the southern end of Fidalgo Island near Deception Pass, a quieter shoreline community. Currently 4 active listings averaging $1,165,700 (about $636/sq ft); homes here have been sitting longer than average, about 214 days.

Gibraltar — A small and quiet waterfront pocket on the island’s shoreline. Currently 5 active listings averaging $1,559,700 (about $485/sq ft), and moving fast, just 24 days on market on average.

Lake & Rural Neighborhoods

Campbell Lake — Anacortes’ primary freshwater lake community, popular for lake living, fishing, and water skiing as an alternative to saltwater waterfront. Currently 5 active listings averaging $2,263,300 (about $810/sq ft).

Whistle Lake — Set among the trails and forest of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, offering larger lots and privacy with direct access to more than 50 miles of trails. Currently 4 active listings averaging $1,782,500 (about $605/sq ft), homes built around 2005 on average.

Del Mar — Part of the larger Rancho San Juan del Mar area, with a mix of homes and some water-view lots. Currently 7 active listings averaging $1,633,400 (about $532/sq ft), homes built around 1989 on average.

New Construction & In-Town Neighborhoods

Rock Ridge — A newer development with panoramic mountain and water views and modern finishes, close to both downtown and the ferry terminal. Currently 10 active listings averaging $1,973,500 (about $707/sq ft), with an average build year of 2020, the newest housing stock of any Anacortes neighborhood.

Portalis — A newer planned community of 33 single-family homes and 18 townhomes with sweeping views. Currently 6 active listings averaging $900,000 (about $400/sq ft), average build year 2014.

Old Town — The historic heart of Anacortes, with Victorian-era and character homes on tree-lined, walkable streets close to shops, restaurants, and the Farmers Market along Commercial Avenue. Currently 32 active listings, the most of any neighborhood, averaging $1,268,600 (about $505/sq ft), with an average build year of 1953 reflecting its historic character.

City / Central Anacortes — The walkable core in and around downtown, close to schools and shopping on Commercial Avenue. Currently 7 active listings averaging $1,038,100 (about $497/sq ft), moving quickly at about 47 days on market on average.

Island Living

Guemes Island — Reached by a five-minute passenger and car ferry from downtown Anacortes, offering a genuinely rural, close-knit island lifestyle with farms, beaches, and a slower pace. Currently 25 active listings averaging $1,312,100 (about $656/sq ft), average build year 1990.

Anacortes sits at the end of State Route 20, about 20 minutes from Interstate 5, which puts Seattle within roughly 75 to 90 minutes depending on traffic and Bellingham about 40 minutes north. For day-to-day life, that means real city access without living in it.

The town’s biggest transportation asset, though, is the water. The Washington State Ferry terminal in Anacortes serves Lopez, Shaw, Orcas, and San Juan Islands year-round, making Anacortes the natural gateway to the San Juans for residents, second-home owners, and visitors alike. A separate international run to Sidney, British Columbia has been suspended since 2020 and is not expected to resume before 2030, but the domestic island routes remain a daily fixture of local life.

Closer to home, a five-minute passenger and car ferry connects downtown Anacortes to Guemes Island, running frequently throughout the day. Regional air travel is easiest through Bellingham International Airport, about 35 to 40 minutes north, with Paine Field in Everett and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport both within about 90 minutes to two hours to the south.

Is Anacortes, WA a good place to live?
Yes. Anacortes combines small-town charm with genuine waterfront living, a walkable historic downtown, strong schools, and direct ferry access to the San Juan Islands, all about 75 minutes from Seattle by car.

What is the cost of living like in Anacortes?
Home values in Anacortes run above the Skagit County average, driven largely by waterfront and view properties, but the town still offers more affordable in-town neighborhoods for buyers who do not need direct water access.

How do I get to the San Juan Islands from Anacortes?
The Washington State Ferry terminal in Anacortes serves Lopez, Shaw, Orcas, and San Juan Islands year-round, making Anacortes the mainland gateway to the San Juans.

What are the best neighborhoods in Anacortes for waterfront homes?
Skyline, Sunset Cove, Dewey Beach, Fidalgo Bay, Similk Beach, and Gibraltar are among the neighborhoods most associated with waterfront and water-view properties in Anacortes.

Is Anacortes a good place to retire?
Many retirees are drawn to Anacortes for its walkable downtown, mild coastal climate, active outdoor community, and proximity to both island life and mainland medical care and shopping.