| City: | Waldron, Washington |
| County: | San Juan County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:15:36 AM |
| Population: | 142 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 360 / 564 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 48.6990, -123.0378 |
| Land Area: | 4.519 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
This isn't a place where PO Boxes reflect rural hardship. The median home value reaches $409,100, and many property owners need year-round mailing addresses for tax bills, property management, and seasonal coordination. The island has limited street delivery infrastructure—just three streets appear in postal records: S Burn Road, Cowlitz Bay Waldron Center Road, and Burnesta. Two rural carrier routes serve the island, but 86 PO Boxes remain the primary delivery method. For second-home owners who visit a few weeks each year, a PO Box provides continuity when they're not physically present.
Waldron Island's median age of 49.0 years reflects a population of established professionals and retirees who can afford waterfront property. The island's 142 residents include a mix of full-time islanders and part-time residents. Only 12 people work in management occupations, and 14 work from home—remote workers and small business owners who've made this island their base. The community is almost entirely white (120 of 142 residents), with small numbers identifying as two or more races (11 people) or Asian (4 people). The median household income stands at $60,500, modest by island standards but reflecting year-round residents rather than seasonal visitors.
The island's three named streets reflect minimal development and geographic features. Cowlitz Bay Waldron Center Road connects to the island's community center, while S Burn Road and Burnesta serve scattered residences. The Postmaster building appears as the only named facility in postal records, emphasizing the post office's role as the island's primary public institution.
ZIP Code 98297 has 142 residents and 69 households (average 2.06 persons per household). The median age is 49.0 years, significantly older than the state (38.1) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 48.6% male and 51.4% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.9%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (84.5%, much higher than the state average of 66.6% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (6.3%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 6.3%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 142Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 47Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 31.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $45,625Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 69Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $405,600Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.06Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 1.69Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 129 | 104 | 83 | 68 | 49 | 64 | 58 | 36 | 48 | 66 | 59 | 55 | 48 | 47 |
| Decennial Census | 106 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 142 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 49
Male Median Age: 52.6
Female Median Age: 31.9
| 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 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Female | 4 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 19 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| White: | 120 | 85.71% |
| Black: | 2 | 1.43% |
| Hispanic:* | 9 | 6.43% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 4 | 2.86% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 5 | 3.57% |
| Total: | 140 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 69 | 48.59% | 52.6 years |
| Females: | 73 | 51.41% | 31.9 years |
| Total: | 142 | 100% | 49.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 47 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 47 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 47 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $45,625, which is considerably lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $22,625 (98.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $45,625. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $0 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 46.8%, which is considerably lower 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 Natural resources (59.1%).
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 | $23,000 | $21,932 | $33,571 | $34,583 | $33,393 | $33,036 | $34,000 | $26,563 | $0 | $31,875 | $38,500 | $43,000 | $60,500 | $45,625 |
| Median Family Income | $26,500 | $25,417 | $36,750 | $40,500 | $36,250 | $35,000 | $36,250 | $34,375 | $41,250 | $60,417 | $108,750 | $121,250 | $122,250 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $14,000 | $13,125 | $13,958 | $15,000 | $14,688 | $15,750 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $33,750 | $28,750 | $43,250 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $2,499 | $3,125 | $19,375 | $19,375 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $18,333 | $18,375 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 22 | 46.81% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 25 | 53.19% |
| Total: | 47 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 9 | 40.91% |
| Service: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 13 | 59.09% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 22 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $405,600, which is markedly greater than the national median ($332,700), is up $85,600 (26.75%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $202,800. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Insufficient data for owner/renter mix. The vacancy rate is 75.60%, which is considerably higher than the national rate (10.12%).
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 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $320,000 | $278,600 | $466,700 | $466,700 | $650,000 | $562,500 | $0 | $184,400 | $202,800 | $321,400 | $335,700 | $375,000 | $409,100 | $405,600 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $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: | 2 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 2 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 39 | 95.12% |
| Renter Occupied: | 2 | 4.88% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 41 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 41 | 24.40% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 127 | 75.60% |
| Total Housing Units: | 168 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 168 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 168 | 100% |
In 2024, 70.20% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher 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 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Public coverage is 72.30%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 2.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.30 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. 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): | 9 | 19.15% |
| Some college, no degree: | 5 | 10.64% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 22 | 46.81% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 11 | 23.40% |
| Total: | 47 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 47 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 33 | 70.21% |
| Private Insurance: | 27 | 44.26% |
| Public Insurance: | 34 | 55.74% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 61 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 61 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 18.0% | 25.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 16.7% | 15.8% | 17.6% | 21.4% | 20.0% | 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 98297 is designated for PO Box delivery only; business establishment and employment data are not available.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 4,446Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 0Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 0Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 98297 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 98297. It covers 4.519 sq mi of land and a water area of 3.477 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: | 4.519 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 3.477 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 98297 is in the Orcas 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 February 1, 2026.