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Camano, WA

Frequently asked questions

Camano Island, WA

Camano Island is a large island in Possession Sound, a section of Puget Sound. It is part of Island County, Washington, and is located between Whidbey Island and the mainland (Snohomish County) by the Saratoga Passage to the west and Port Susan and Davis Slough to the east. The island has one road connection to the mainland, via State Route 532 over the Camano Gateway Bridge at the northeast end of the island, connecting to the city of Stanwood.

The island has a total area of 39.77 square miles (103.0 km²), making it one of the largest in the state of Washington. It has a year-round population of 15,661 as of the 2010 census. The population peaks at over 17,000 during the summer months due to part-time residents with vacation homes on the island. It is an unincorporated area with several small communities and shares civic facilities with nearby Stanwood, including its school district, and post office.

Camano Island is home to two state parks, Cama Beach and Camano Island State Park, and several county and local parks.

One recorded name of Camano Island in Lushootseed was collected by ethnologist Colin E. Tweddell. This name has also been given as the name for Camano City, rather than the whole island. However, other sources agree with Tweddell that is the name of Camano City.

In English, the island was named for 18th-century Spanish explorer Jacinto Caamaño. American explorer Charles Wilkes, during the Wilkes Expedition of 1838–1842, named it Macdonough Island in honor of Thomas Macdonough for his victory at the Battle of Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. Following this theme, Wilkes named the body of water between Camano and Whidbey Island after Macdonough's flagship the Saratoga. When Henry Kellett reorganized the official British Admiralty charts in 1847, he removed Wilkes' name Macdonough and bestowed the name Camano, which the Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza had originally given to Admiralty Inlet in 1790. Wilkes' name Saratoga Passage was retained.

The island was known as Perry Island after the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott between several Indigenous peoples and the United States. The island was also called Crow Island during the early 20th century.

Camano Island is located within Puget Sound, separated from the mainland of Snohomish County by Port Susan and Davis Slough. It lies east of the Saratoga Passage, which separates it from the larger Whidbey Island and is south of Skagit Bay. The northern entrance to Camano Island is located 55 miles (89 km) north of Seattle. The island itself is 15.6 miles (25.1 km) long and has a width of 0.75 to 6.6 miles (1.21 to 10.62 km), with 52 miles (84 km) of shoreline.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Camano CDP has a total area of 94.9 square miles (245.9 km²), of which, 39.8 square miles (103.0 km²) of it is land and 55.2 square miles (142.9 km²) of it (58.11%) is water. Approximately 83 percent of the shoreline around the island is privately owned.

The island has a wide array of native and migratory birds, including bald eagles and herons. Migrating gray whales travel annually through the Saratoga Passage in March and April, making them visible from Camano Island.

During the Last Ice Age, the island, sound, and land surrounding the sound were covered by a mile-thick sheet of ice. As temperatures rose the glacier receded, carving the island and leaving behind deposits of glacial till.

In terms of health and wellness, Camano emphasizes a holistic approach to well-being. The Camano Island Health System and Skagit Regional Clinic offer comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Camano Fit offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Start with a relaxing visit to the Camano Center, which hosts various wellness events and activities. Those looking to indulge in a spa experience can head to The Apothecary Spa for rejuvenating treatments. Fitness aficionados can join classes at Movement Arts, offering yoga sessions for all skill levels. Engage in community wellness programs at Discover Stanwood Camano, which lists local health and wellness events.

Top sites in Camano WA include Camano Island State Park, Canopy Tours NW, Freedom Park, and Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park.

Population: 17,535 (2023). ZIP code  98282. Area code: 360. Elevation: 52 ft (16 m). Area: 94.9 sq mi (245.9 km²).

FAQs

What is special about Camano Island WA?

Pristine Pacific Northwest island beauty is closer than you may think. Camano Island has unspoiled hills, an uncrowded Puget Sound shoreline, wildlife in stately evergreen forests, bald eagles, and blue herons along the beach. There are also two State Parks within a mile of each other: Camano Island State Park and Cama Beach State Park. And it’s all easily accessible by bridge– no waiting for ferries here.

What is the crime rate in Camano Island, WA?

Camano Island has an overall crime rate of 11 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Camano Island is 1 in 91. Camano Island's crime rate is lower than approximately 66% of Washington communities.

What is the household income in Camano Island, WA?

There are a total of 7,346 households on Camano Island, each made up of around 2 members. Family establishments represent 73.74% of these Camano Island households, while non-family units account for the remaining 26.26%. Additionally, 22.15% of households have children and 77.85% of households are without children. The average annual household income in Camano Island is $120,971, while the median household income sits at $97,632 per year.

Sources

Island County 

Wikipedia

Neighborhood Scout

Whidbey Camano Islands

Point 2 Homes

Camano Island State Park

Canopy Tours NW

Freedom Park

Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park

Camano Island Health System

Skagit Regional Clinic

Camano Fit

Camano Center

The Apothecary Spa

Movement Arts

Discover Stanwood Camano

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.