About Skagit County
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About
Skagit County
(pronounced "skäjet")
Skagit
County
is located in the northwest portion of Washington State, USA. between
Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, B.C. Canada. The majestic Cascade
Mountains stand to the east, overlooking a fertile valley boasting
a variety of agricultural crops. Running through the valley is the
powerful Skagit River flowing westward toward the beautiful San Juan
Islands. World famous tulip fields blanket the valley in the spring.Flocks
of Canadian geese, snow geese and trumpeter swans can be seen here
in the winter. Bald eagles soar overhead year round and great
blue herons stand along the shorelines. |
Skagit
County Government Mission Statement
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| Skagit
County is a very special place to live, with beautiful and diverse communities
and extraordinary natural resources. Skagit County Government proudly serves
the people, businesses, communities and organizations in this special place,
guided by these principles: |
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- We
will partner with our customers, based on mutual respect and trust,
to protect and plan for the health safety and welfare of current as
well as future citizens.
- We
will assist our customers, based on fairness and justice, to understand
and comply
with the intent of Federal and State regulations as well as our own.
- We
will support and honor our employees in their efforts to be progressive
and innovative in improving the efficiency and quality of services to
our customers.
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MISSION is to be recognized as a premier county in Washington State
for providing professional leadership, operational excellence, timely assistance,
and maximum efficiency in service delivery to our customers. |
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Accommodations
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Approximately 40 hotels
and motels and more than 40 bed and breakfast inns are located in Skagit
County. There is also a wide variety of restaurants from fast food to world
class cuisine.
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| Communications
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Skagit County is home
to several weekly newspapers, one daily newspaper (The Skagit Valley Herald),
and three commercial radio stations.There are also many internet service
providers (ISPs) throughout the area.
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Cultural
Facilities
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Cultural sites include
the Skagit County Historical Museum, the La Conner Quilt Museum located
in the historic Gaches Mansion, the Museum of Northwest Art, the Sedro-Woolley
Museum, the W. T. Preston sternwheeler, The Depot Arts Center in Anacortes
and the Anacortes Museum. There are seven public libraries, several community
halls and granges. See a film at one of the many multiplex theaters or movie
houses, including the historic
Lincoln Theatre in old downtown Mount Vernon. There are many theatre,
dance and music performance groups throughout the county. Skagit County
is also home to many world famous authors, artists, and performers. It is
conveniently located between two internationally recognized cultural centers:
Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (both of which
are approximately 1 hours drive away.)
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Climate
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The average annual rainfall
in the Anacortes area is 26 inches; in Mount Vernon 32.31 inches; and in
Concrete 65 inches.
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Government
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The Skagit
County Board of Commissioners governs with three members, each elected
from a respective district. The cities and towns in the county each support
a mayor-council form of government.
1800
Continental Place, Suite 100
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 336 –9300
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Health
Care
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The county is home to three hospitals;
Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley
and Island Hospital in Anacortes.There are also several clinics, medical
centers, nursing facilities and retirement care homes in the county.
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Industry
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Skagit County's economy
is booming and it is regarded as one of the fastest growing areas in the
state. Agriculture, fishing, wood products, tourism,
international trade, and specialized manufacturing make up the economy of
Skagit Valley. With its accessible ports and refineries, Skagit County is
also the center of the states petroleum industry. The national trend toward
employment in retail trades and personal/professional services also is evident
in Skagit County with malls and almost every national retail chain being
represented here.
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| Schools
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There are 44 primary
and secondary public schools in the seven school districts throughout the
county. There are also seven primarily church-related private schools. Skagit
Valley College, a two-year community college, has strong vocational programs.
Many of these schools are represented on our links page.
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| Taxes
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The
local tax rate on retail sales of non-food items is 8.0 percent in unincorporated
Skagit County. Property taxes range from $9.77 to $12.74 per $1,000 of assessed
valuation, depending on the various boundaries of taxing authorities.
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| Transportation
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- Air:
Anacortes Municipal Airport has one regional airline and a 3,015-foot
runway. Skagit Regional Airport offers charter service. Its longest
runway is 5,475 feet. Concrete Municipal Airport has a 2,600-foot runway.
- Bus:
A Greyhound bus terminal is located in Mount Vernon.
Skagit Transit (SKAT) provides public transportation in and around the
cities of Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, La Conner, Anacortes,
and upriver through Concrete. Click here to visit the
SKAT bus site for schedule and rider information.
- Ferries:
Washington State ferries run from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands
and Vancouver Island. The county-owned Guemes
Island Ferry has a regular daily schedule. For ferry information
call toll free 1-800-84-FERRY. Click here
for Washington State Ferry information.
- Marinas:
There are several marinas in the county, the largest run by the port
districts.
- Shipping:
The Port of Anacortes has barge and ship berths handling logs, steel,
lumber, and dry bulk commodities. Burlington Northern Railroad has dozens
of shipping spurs. More than 40 trucking and freight companies are capable
of moving most commodities. Skagit Regional Airport offers shipping
by air as well.
- Train:
There is daily high speed commuter Amtrak train service between Seattle
and Vancouver with a stop in Mount Vernon.
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| Utilities
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Electricity is supplied
by Puget Sound Energy. Cascade Natural Gas provides natural gas in many
areas of the county. Water is supplied by Skagit County Public Utility District
1 or the City of Anacortes. Sewer service is available in Anacortes, Burlington,
Big Lake, Concrete, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley. Verizon
telephone service, Wave Broadband and Comcast television is available in
the area.
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| Worship
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| There are more than 120
places of worship in Skagit County, with a wide range of denominational
focus. |
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Skagit County Demographic Data:
Visit
the Links page for more Skagit County web sites
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