| City: | Shaw Island, Washington |
| County: | San Juan County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 12:04:41 AM |
| Population: | 253 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 360 / 564 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 48.5710, -122.9600 |
| Land Area: | 7.696 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Shaw Island is the smallest of Washington's four main ferry-served San Juan Islands. With just 253 year-round residents across 7.7 square miles, it's a quiet retreat in one of the state's most scenic archipelagos. Nearly half of the 241 homes sit vacant most of the year, used for vacations or seasonal escapes.
The Shaw Island post office maintains 73 PO Boxes for 105 households. That's an adoption rate of 70%, balanced between local needs and seasonal residents. Most mail arrives by rural carrier along two routes serving 45 distinct roads. Street names like Blind Bay Road (21 addresses), Parks Bay Drive, and Smugglers Cove Road map the island's coastal character.
This isn't a retirement enclave by accident. Median age hits 62.6 years, and 83% of residents are over 65. With median home values of $621,000 and only 18 rental units among 105 occupied homes, Shaw attracts buyers seeking permanence in a seasonal landscape. Nearly all residents (96%) were born in the United States, and 47% hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
Ferry access shapes island life. Washington State Ferries connects Shaw to Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands, plus the mainland at Anacortes. That isolation keeps the population small but doesn't stop rural carriers from serving homes scattered along roads named Newton Beach, Indian Cove, and Hoffman Cove. The 117 seasonal units (49% of total housing) transform the island each summer when second-home owners return.
Mail service here combines the practicality of PO Boxes with rural delivery to permanent addresses. The post office sits at the island's center, serving both year-round residents who check boxes regularly and seasonal owners who collect accumulated mail when the ferry brings them back. It's a pattern common to island communities: small, older, expensive, and quiet nine months a year.
Street names emphasize Shaw Island's maritime character: bays, coves, beaches, and coastal points define the address landscape.
ZIP Code 98286 has 253 residents and 105 households (average 2.26 persons per household). The median age is 62.6 years, significantly older than the state (38.1) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.0% male and 53.0% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.9%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (86.6%, much higher than the state average of 66.6% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (7.5%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 7.5%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 253Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 135Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 32.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $70,357Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 105Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $621,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.26Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.56Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 263 | 274 | 249 | 221 | 210 | 199 | 166 | 185 | 158 | 181 | 188 | 158 | 135 |
| Decennial Census | 240 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 253 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 62.6
Male Median Age: 54.5
Female Median Age: 63.3
| 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 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 4 |
| Female | 3 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 18 | 14 | 24 | 15 | 1 | 5 |
| Total | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 23 | 28 | 38 | 24 | 11 | 9 |
| White: | 219 | 89.02% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 19 | 7.72% |
| Asian: | 5 | 2.03% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 1 | 0.41% |
| Other: | 2 | 0.81% |
| Total: | 246 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 119 | 47.04% | 54.5 years |
| Females: | 134 | 52.96% | 63.3 years |
| Total: | 253 | 100% | 62.6 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 129 | 95.56% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 3 | 2.22% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 3 | 2.22% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 2.22% |
| Total Population: | 135 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 132 | 97.78% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 3 | 2.22% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $70,357, which is considerably lower than the state median ($94,952), is up $13,829 (24.5%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $1,607. Family households earn a median of $71,250 versus $62,083 for nonfamily households (a difference of $9,167). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($63,283), with a current gap of $0 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 20.8%, which is far less than the state rate (64.7%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (29.6%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,528 | $49,821 | $49,125 | $59,375 | $49,250 | $71,875 | $63,750 | $72,500 | $68,750 | $66,667 | $67,344 | $69,750 | $70,357 |
| Median Family Income | $56,667 | $70,179 | $58,000 | $62,250 | $83,438 | $84,375 | $79,375 | $83,500 | $74,375 | $71,250 | $76,875 | $72,083 | $71,250 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $42,083 | $31,000 | $31,250 | $35,000 | $25,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $37,083 | $54,688 | $62,083 |
| Median Male Income | $56,417 | $54,583 | $54,375 | $57,708 | $0 | $0 | $61,250 | $0 | $0 | $61,250 | $63,125 | $53,750 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $33,472 | $36,328 | $37,031 | $0 | $0 | $97,750 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 27 | 20.77% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 103 | 79.23% |
| Total: | 130 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 8 | 29.63% |
| Service: | 8 | 29.63% |
| Sales and Office: | 6 | 22.22% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 5 | 18.52% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 27 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $621,000, which is much higher than the national median ($303,400), is up $61,800 (11.05%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $181,100. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,682), is down $1,188 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $830. Of occupied housing, owners make up 71.43% (11.67% with a mortgage, 88.33% free-and-clear) and renters 28.57% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 65.00%, which is markedly above the state rate (7.42%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $559,200 | $661,800 | $625,000 | $625,000 | $633,900 | $703,100 | $625,000 | $741,100 | $802,100 | $765,000 | $683,000 | $675,800 | $621,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 10 | 41.67% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 14 | 58.33% |
| Total: | 24 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,188 | $1,200 | $0 | $0 | $888 | $863 | $860 | $820 | $830 | $0 | $665 | $713 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 7 | 8.33% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 53 | 63.10% |
| Renter Occupied: | 24 | 28.57% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 84 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 84 | 35.00% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 156 | 65.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 240 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 235 | 97.92% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 5 | 2.08% |
| Total Housing Units: | 240 | 100% |
In 2023, 46.90% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). Public coverage is 85.20%, which is markedly above the state rate (35.80%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 2.00 percentage points. Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
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): | 22 | 16.92% |
| Some college, no degree: | 24 | 18.46% |
| Associate's degree: | 23 | 17.69% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 28 | 21.54% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 33 | 25.38% |
| Total: | 130 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 130 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 61 | 46.92% |
| Private Insurance: | 84 | 42.21% |
| Public Insurance: | 115 | 57.79% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 199 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 199 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.8% | 5.8% | 5.1% | 8.0% | 11.1% | 1.8% | 2.0% | 2.9% | 3.1% | 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% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 98286 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 8 business establishments, employing about 32 people with an annual payroll of $1,503,000. 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: | 2,743Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 8Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $302,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,503,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 32Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 98286 is located in San Juan County, Washington, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Washington's 2nd Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 98286. It covers 7.696 sq mi of land and a water area of 9.365 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 7.696 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 9.365 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 1015.02 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
ZIP Code 98286 is in the Shaw Island School District, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). 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 January 1, 2026.