| City: | Oak Harbor, Washington |
| City Alias: | Nas Whidbey, Whidbey Island Naval Air |
| Names to Avoid: | Naval Air Station, Whidbey Nas |
| County: | Island County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:15:23 AM |
| Population: | 1,496 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 360 / 564 |
| Classification: | Unique [Company/Government] |
| Coordinates: | 48.3404, -122.6601 |
| Land Area: | 4.222 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, the premier naval aviation installation in the Pacific Northwest, operates under dedicated ZIP code 98278 in Island County, Washington. Commissioned on September 21, 1942, to address the limitations of the crowded NAS Seattle, the station was established on farmland near the small town of Oak Harbor. The main airfield was named Ault Field in September 1943 to honor Commander William B. Ault, who was lost during the Battle of the Coral Sea. This postal designation has served the station for over two decades.
The 4.73-square-mile installation spans Whidbey Island, approximately 55 miles north of Seattle. Postal records identify 355 delivery codes routing mail to 72 named buildings across the base, including Air Operations, the Naval Hospital, Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, and squadron facilities for VAQ-129 and Patrol Squadron 69. Streets bear names of aircraft carriers and naval aviation history: Charles Porter, Enterprise, Essex, Midway, and Saratoga.
The 2020 Census counted 1,496 residents within this ZIP code. A median age of 22.1 years reflects the young military population. Approximately 94 percent of residents live in non-institutional group quarters, consistent with barracks housing. Census Business Patterns data shows 30 establishments employing 861 workers. Today, as many as 8,400 service members are stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, supporting EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Oak Harbor and NAS Whidbey are both valid mailing cities for this ZIP code.
| Population: | 1,496 |
| Median Age: | 22.1 |
| Housing Units: | 13 |
| Establishments: | 30 |
| Employment: | 861 |
| Residential: | 0 |
| Business: | 1 |
Buildings registered in the USPS ZIP+4 database with designated codes for direct mail delivery.
ZIP Code 98278 has 1,496 residents and 12 households (average 7.17 persons per household). The median age is 22.1 years, significantly younger than the state (38.1) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 78.2% male and 21.8% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (60.3%, lower than the state average of 66.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (21.9%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 21.9%, which is much higher than the state average (13.7%), and Black or African American share is much higher than the state average (4.0%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,496Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,932Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 354.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 12Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 7.17Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 8.88Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 1,363 | 938 | 1,405 | 1,457 | 1,602 | 1,628 | 1,796 | 1,731 | 2,176 | 2,243 | 2,515 | 2,351 | 2,178 | 1,932 |
| Decennial Census | 1,065 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,496 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 22.1
Male Median Age: 22.4
Female Median Age: 21.3
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 2 | 2 | 1 | 137 | 751 | 214 | 47 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 4 | 3 | 1 | 58 | 204 | 24 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 5 | 2 | 195 | 955 | 238 | 62 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| White: | 902 | 52.11% |
| Black: | 249 | 14.38% |
| Hispanic:* | 328 | 18.95% |
| Asian: | 105 | 6.07% |
| American Indian: | 4 | 0.23% |
| Hawaiian: | 9 | 0.52% |
| Other: | 134 | 7.74% |
| Total: | 1,731 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,170 | 78.21% | 22.4 years |
| Females: | 326 | 21.79% | 21.3 years |
| Total: | 1,496 | 100% | 22.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,670 | 86.44% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 58 | 3.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 115 | 5.95% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 89 | 10.56% |
| Total Population: | 1,932 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,728 | 89.44% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 204 | 10.56% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $0, which is well under the national median ($80,734), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $27,026 and female is $25,169, which is well under the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $1,857 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 1,749.1%, which is far greater than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (75.4%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $19,913 | $20,241 | $20,654 | $20,861 | $0 | $21,559 | $22,131 | $22,470 | $23,364 | $23,458 | $23,776 | $24,961 | $27,277 | $27,026 |
| Median Female Income | $18,656 | $15,000 | $18,021 | $22,500 | $0 | $22,614 | $22,516 | $22,264 | $21,724 | $20,947 | $19,508 | $22,776 | $24,349 | $25,169 |
| Employed: | 65 | 60.19% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 43 | 39.81% |
| Total: | 108 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 16 | 24.62% |
| Service: | 49 | 75.38% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 65 | 100% |
In 2024, 13.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is -666,666,666.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is -666,666,666.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is -666,666,666.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is -666,666,666.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.80%). Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (99.16%). College enrollment is 99.16%, which is far higher than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 105 | 40.23% |
| Some college, no degree: | 120 | 45.98% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 36 | 13.79% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 261 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 261 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 36 | 13.79% |
| Private Insurance: | 0 | 0% |
| Public Insurance: | 0 | 0% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 0 | 0% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 2 | 0.84% |
| College or graduate school: | 237 | 99.16% |
| Total: | 239 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 2 | 0.84% |
ZIP Code 98278 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 29 business establishments, employing about 1,024 people with an annual payroll of $60,910,000. USPS data shows 0 residential mailboxes and 1 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 6,306Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 29Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $15,021,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $60,910,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 1,024Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 98278 is located in Island County, Washington, within the Oak Harbor, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 36020) and Washington's 2nd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 78,506 people, about 1.91% of whom live in ZIP Code 98278. It covers 4.222 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.42 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Oak Harbor, WASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 36020Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 78,506Source: Census |
| MSA: | Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA CMSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 4.222 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.42 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 1015.02 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 5350360Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Oak Harbor city; WashingtonSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 98278 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.