The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 98250 sells for about $895,000, or $542 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 118 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,450 a month.
ZIP 98250 — Friday Harbor
The 98250 housing market remains resilient, characterized by low inventory and steady demand for high-end island properties. While sales volume is modest, prices have maintained a positive trajectory, supported by the area's unique lifestyle appeal and limited buildable land.
This ZIP is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and lifestyle buyers seeking a quiet, scenic island environment; it is less suitable for traditional commuters or those requiring high-density urban amenities.
Median prices moved up 2.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 118 days on market with 9.1 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.1% · poverty 7.8% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 8.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 98250, San Juan County WA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the San Juan Islands are generally low, with property crime being the primary concern; the area remains significantly safer than the Washington state average.
Schools in the San Juan Island School District are highly regarded for their small class sizes and strong community involvement, consistently performing well in state assessments.
The area faces moderate wildfire risks and requires careful management of water resources; coastal properties are subject to standard flood insurance requirements.
Economic momentum is driven by tourism, maritime services, and a growing remote-work population, though development is strictly limited by island geography and conservation efforts.
Property taxes are assessed by San Juan County based on market value; Washington State does not impose a personal income tax, but local levies support school districts and emergency services.
Commuting to the mainland requires ferry travel, making daily transit to employment hubs like Seattle or Anacortes impractical for most residents.
The area offers world-class outdoor recreation including whale watching, kayaking, hiking in San Juan Island National Historical Park, and a vibrant downtown shopping and dining district in Friday Harbor.
The rental market is extremely tight with high demand from seasonal workers and limited long-term inventory, leading to significant upward pressure on rents.
The economy is heavily reliant on tourism, hospitality, and local government services, with a growing segment of independent contractors and remote professionals.
Transportation is primarily served by the Washington State Ferries system, with limited local bus service and high reliance on personal vehicles.
Development is focused on small-scale residential infill and infrastructure maintenance due to strict environmental and zoning constraints.
The San Juan County Assessor maintains property valuations based on annual market analysis and physical inspections.
Parcels are subject to San Juan Island School District levies and various local fire and emergency medical service district assessments.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to increased wildfire risk and the logistical challenges of insuring remote island properties.
Net domestic migration remains positive, driven by individuals relocating from urban centers for lifestyle and remote-work flexibility.
Washington is a deed-of-trust state, typically utilizing non-judicial foreclosure processes with specific notice and mediation requirements.
Sellers are required to provide a comprehensive real property transfer disclosure statement covering all known material defects.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park4.416.6 mi
- WildPlay Victoria4.819.3 mi
- Haunted Manor: Mini-Golf + Ping Pong Lounge4.815.7 mi
- Quest Reality Games - Room Escape4.515.9 mi
- Infusion VR Arcade4.815.9 mi
- Saanich Commonwealth Place4.414.7 mi
- Oak Bay Recreation Centre4.413.9 mi
- Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre4.215.4 mi
- G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre4.316.1 mi
- Pagliacci's4.415.9 mi
- Lime Kiln Point State Park4.84.1 mi
- Cadboro-Gyro Park4.711.8 mi
- PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park)4.812.9 mi
- Cattle Point4.712.5 mi
- Cattle Point Lighthouse4.88.7 mi
- Royal BC Museum4.516.1 mi
- Hatley Castle4.619.8 mi
- Craigdarroch Castle4.515.1 mi
- Miniature World4.615.9 mi
- Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS4.718.9 mi
- Lime Kiln Point State Park4.84.1 mi
- Cadboro-Gyro Park4.711.8 mi
- PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park)4.812.9 mi
- Cattle Point4.712.5 mi
- San Juan County Park4.83.8 mi
- Fisherman's Wharf4.616.5 mi
- Oak Bay Marina4.413.5 mi
- Roche Harbor Resort4.75.2 mi
- Skyline Marine Center4.618.5 mi
- Poets Cove Resort & Spa4.115.1 mi
- Tuscany Village3.812.9 mi
- Buck Bay Shellfish Farm4.712.4 mi
- Victoria International Airport4.317.4 mi
- Bellingham International Airport4.530.1 mi
- Victoria Harbour (Camel Point) Heliport4.616.9 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Features historic sites and extensive coastal hiking trails.
A major hub for boating, whale watching tours, and ferry access.
A cultural anchor in downtown Friday Harbor.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.