The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 98261 sells for about $1,390,000, or $674 per square foot.
Homes take about 135 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,022 a month.
ZIP 98261 — Lopez Island
The 98261 housing market is characterized by high price points and limited inventory, typical of a remote island destination. Market activity remains slow with long days on market, reflecting a niche buyer pool and the logistical challenges of island living. Prices have remained elevated, supported by low supply and consistent demand for lifestyle-oriented properties.
This ZIP is best suited for retirees, remote workers, and second-home buyers seeking a quiet, rural island lifestyle, rather than traditional commuters or those requiring proximity to urban amenities.
Median prices moved sideways 0.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 135 days on market with 0.0 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 0% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.1% · poverty 7.0% — 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 12.0%/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 7.8%/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 98261, 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 the area experiencing significantly less violent and property crime compared to the Washington state and national averages.
The area is served by the Lopez Island School District, which maintains a small, community-focused K-12 campus that is generally well-regarded for its personalized learning environment.
The island faces risks related to coastal erosion, potential seismic activity, and wildfire management, with property insurance premiums reflecting the remote, island-based logistics.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by tourism, seasonal hospitality, and a small but stable base of remote professionals and retirees, with limited large-scale commercial development.
Property taxes are assessed by San Juan County based on the state's uniform levy system, with no local income tax and specific exemptions available for seniors and disabled veterans.
Commuting from Lopez Island requires reliance on the Washington State Ferries system to reach mainland employment hubs in Anacortes or Mount Vernon, making daily commuting impractical.
The island is a premier destination for outdoor recreation, featuring extensive hiking trails at Lopez Hill, public beach access at Spencer Spit State Park, and various kayaking and cycling routes.
The rental market is extremely tight with very low vacancy rates, heavily influenced by the prevalence of seasonal vacation rentals and a lack of long-term housing inventory.
The local economy is anchored by tourism, agriculture, and small-scale artisanal businesses, with a significant portion of the population working remotely.
Transportation is primarily via personal vehicle and the Washington State Ferry system, which provides the only reliable link to the mainland.
Development is constrained by strict county land-use policies and environmental protections, limiting the pipeline to small-scale residential improvements.
San Juan County Assessor maintains property valuations based on annual market analysis and physical inspections to ensure equitable taxation.
Parcels are subject to standard county levies, with specific fire and emergency medical service districts providing essential island coverage.
Property insurance is specialized due to the island's remote location and wildfire risk, often requiring carriers with specific coastal or island-market expertise.
The state continues to see net positive domestic migration, though growth in the San Juan Islands is limited by geography and housing supply.
Washington is a deed-of-trust state, generally utilizing non-judicial foreclosure processes with specific notice and mediation requirements.
Washington law requires sellers to provide a comprehensive property disclosure statement covering known defects and material conditions.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 98261 profile.
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.
- Oak Bay Recreation Centre4.419.6 mi
- Swinomish Casino & Lodge4.117.4 mi
- University Farquhar Auditorium4.618.9 mi
- Roche Harbor Resort4.714.8 mi
- Shawn O'Donnell's at the Farmhouse4.419.6 mi
- Deception Pass State Park4.812.5 mi
- Lime Kiln Point State Park4.811.8 mi
- Deception Pass Bridge4.812.6 mi
- Cattle Point Lighthouse4.83.4 mi
- San Juan County Park4.812.8 mi
- Roche Harbor Resort4.714.8 mi
- Orcas Island Pottery4.914.7 mi
- The Whale Museum4.56.9 mi
- San Juan Island National Historical Park4.85.9 mi
- Fort Ebey4.818.9 mi
- Deception Pass State Park4.812.5 mi
- Lime Kiln Point State Park4.811.8 mi
- Washington Park4.79.4 mi
- Deception Pass Bridge4.812.6 mi
- Deception Pass State Park Administration Offices4.712.9 mi
- Oak Bay Marina4.418.8 mi
- Skyline Marine Center4.69.9 mi
- Roche Harbor Resort4.714.8 mi
- Royal Victoria Yacht Club4.418.3 mi
- Cap Sante Marina4.613.5 mi
- Buck Bay Shellfish Farm4.710.6 mi
- Victoria International Airport4.327 mi
- Bellingham International Airport4.527.8 mi
- Victoria Harbour (Camel Point) Heliport4.622.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A popular marine park featuring a unique sand spit, camping, and beach access.
A large forested area with extensive hiking and mountain biking trails.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.