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37-663: La Conner is a town in Skagit County , Washington , United States with a population of 965 at the 2020 census . It is included in the Mount Vernon – Anacortes , Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area . The town hosts several events as part of the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival held in April. La Conner was first settled in May 1867 by Alonzo Low and was then known by its post office name, Swinomish. Its location on

74-530: A bellwether county since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 , voting for the winning candidate in each subsequent presidential election until it was carried by Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 (though only by a plurality). This democratic trend continued, with Skagit County voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 despite a nationwide rightward trend. In 2006, the Skagit County Marine Resources Committee commissioned

111-415: A Democrat from District 3, which encompasses Burlington east of Interstate 5, Sedro-Woolley, and the rest of eastern Skagit County; Peter Browning, an independent from District 2, which covers Mount Vernon, Conway, and south county; and Ron Wesen, a Republican from District 1, which includes Anacortes, La Conner, and that area of the county west of Interstate 5 and north of McLean Road. Skagit County had been

148-541: A cluster of old cabins and fishing shacks on the north fork of the Skagit River delta, housed many artists from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s. Also famous for its many feral domestic turkeys, the town named the turkey as their "Official Town Bird in 2005". On August 8, 2006; however, a debate was heard in town council about whether the birds should be removed because of nuisance complaints about noise, fecal matter, and ingestion of garden materials. As of October 2010,

185-430: A family was $ 63,468. Males had a median income of $ 48,979 versus $ 34,628 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 26,925. About 7.4% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 census , there were 102,979 people, 38,852 households, and 27,351 families living in the county. The population density

222-427: A household in the county was $ 42,381, and the median income for a family was $ 48,347. Males had a median income of $ 37,207 versus $ 26,123 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 21,256. About 7.90% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over. Skagit County's government is headed by three commissioners, in

259-771: A steel arch bridge, connects La Conner to the Swinomish Indian Reservation. The town is north of Skagit Bay and is connected to nearby highways by local roads. The center of town, known as "the Hill", roughly bounded by Second, Morris and Commercial streets and the Swinomish Channel , is a historic district and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . According to the United States Census Bureau ,

296-704: A study to evaluate establishing one or more no-take marine reserves to protect rockfish and other groundfish from overfishing . Skagit Transit provides the county with bus service. It also offers connections to Everett , Bellingham , Whidbey Island and Camano Island , and operates the Guemes Island ferry linking Anacortes to Guemes Island . Several school districts serve students in Skagit County: 48°29′N 121°47′W  /  48.48°N 121.78°W  / 48.48; -121.78 Fidalgo Island Its largest and only city

333-505: Is Anacortes with a population of 17,637 at the time of the 2020 census . Anacortes has ferries with daily service to the San Juan Islands and Guemes Island . Fidalgo Island has a land area of 106.684 km² (41.19 sq mi). There are at least eight major lakes on Fidalgo Island which are named Campbell, Erie, Heart, Little Cranberry, Mud, Pass, Trafton/Crater, and Whistle . At the time of European contact, Fidalgo Island

370-570: Is a county in the U.S. state of Washington . As of the 2020 census , the population was 129,523. The county seat and largest city is Mount Vernon . The county was formed in 1883 from Whatcom County and is named for the Skagit Indian tribe, which has been indigenous to the area prior to European-American settlement. Skagit County comprises the Mount Vernon- Anacortes , WA Metropolitan Statistical Area , and

407-770: Is a former member and floor leader of the California State Assembly and was the intraparty opponent of Richard M. Nixon for the California Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1962. His father was an Indian agent at the time on the Swinomish Reservation . Brian Cladoosby has been the Chairman of the Swinomish Indian Senate from 1997 onward. In 2013 he was elected to be the 21st President of

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444-520: Is included in the Seattle - Tacoma , WA Combined Statistical Area . It is located in the Puget Sound region , and it is known for its strong agricultural sector and annual tulip festival . According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,920 square miles (5,000 km ), of which 1,731 square miles (4,480 km ) is land and 189 square miles (490 km ) (9.8%)

481-469: Is the site of the ferry terminal that links Anacortes to Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands to the rest of the state. Seasonal ferry service from Anacortes to Sidney , British Columbia was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic ; it was later announced that ferry service to Sidney would not return until 2030 at the earliest. This Skagit County, Washington state location article

518-516: Is water. It is noted for its broad, fertile valley of the Skagit River , a center for cultivation of tulips and strawberries . As of the 2010 census , there were 116,901 people, 45,557 households, and 30,656 families living in the county. The population density was 67.5 people per square mile (26.1 people/km ). There were 51,473 housing units at an average density of 29.7 units per square mile (11.5 units/km ). The racial makeup of

555-747: The National Congress of American Indians and still serves today, as well as being the President of the Association of Washington Tribes. The city lies within the boundaries of the La Conner School District . The Museum of Northwest Art showcases a permanent collection of northwest artists and revolving shows throughout the year. The town is also home to the Skagit Historical Museum, with perhaps

592-705: The 1850s due to the Fraser River Gold Rush and in 1890 due to speculation that the area would become a terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad . Later the island became an important fishing and lumber center. From 1924 to 1935, Fidalgo Island was linked to Whidbey Island by the Deception Pass ferry , which was superseded in 1935 by the completion of the Deception Pass Bridge . Today, Fidalgo Island

629-614: The American commander who won the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 . Following this theme, Wilkes named the island's highest point Mount Erie . When Henry Kellett reorganized the official British Admiralty charts in 1847, he removed Wilkes' name Perry and bestowed the name Fidalgo to honor the Spanish explorer. The highest point retained the name Erie . Settlement peaked in

666-633: The Seattle Central Labor Council, and founder in 1931 of the Unemployed Citizens' League of Seattle was born in a cabin near La Conner, where his Canadian-born parents homesteaded in 1877. Jailed at McNeil Island Penitentiary for his opposition to World War I , Wells was one of the leading public faces of Washington radicalism during the first decades of the 20th century. Joe Shell (born in La Conner in 1918)

703-479: The Swinomish channel was an ideal safe harbor for ships. In 1869, J.S. Conner bought the settlement's trading post and in 1870 had the name changed to honor his wife, Louisa Ann Conner. The French-appearing "La" represented her first and middle initials. When Skagit County was created out of Whatcom County in 1883, La Conner was chosen as the county seat, but would only hold that designation until November 1884 when

740-427: The age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 52.0% were non-families. Of all households 45.8% were made up of individuals, and 24.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.91 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age in

777-407: The age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.7% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 40.1 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 54,811 and the median income for

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814-625: The best view in town, and the Quilt Museum, located in one of the oldest homes in town, the Gaches Mansion. The town of La Conner is home to several fine art galleries, including La Conner Seaside Gallery, Forum Arts, Earthenworks, and Alek's Art Studio. Visual artists, painters, and photographers have also worked from spaces in and around La Conner, including Northwest School members Guy Anderson , Morris Graves , and Richard Gilkey . Fishtown , an informal artists' community housed in

851-682: The city of Anacortes . The center of town—roughly bounded by 2nd, Morris, and Commercial streets and Swinomish Channel—is a historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Also on the NRHP is the Bethsaida Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church Parsonage east of town. Author Tom Robbins is a long-time resident of La Conner. Many of his books, most notably Another Roadside Attraction , have chapters set in

888-432: The county was 83.4% white, 2.2% American Indian, 1.8% Asian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 8.7% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 16.9% of the population. The largest ancestry groups were: 17.8% German, 14.9% Mexican, 13.7% English, 11.4% Irish, 8.3% Norwegian, 4.8% Swedish, and 4.3% Dutch. Of the 45,557 households, 30.8% had children under

925-501: The county: the Swinomish , Upper Skagit , and Samish . There were 38,852 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

962-470: The median income for a household in the town was $ 42,344, and the median income for a family was $ 52,083. Males had a median income of $ 40,074 versus $ 26,875 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 24,308. About 8.8% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.3% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 census , there were 891 people, 467 households, and 224 families residing in

999-534: The new library began in October 2021 and was completed the following year at a cost of $ 5 million. The 5,500-square-foot (510 m) building opened on October 18, 2022, and includes community spaces, a rooftop solar array , and signage in English, Spanish, Braille , and Lushootseed . La Conner has the following sister cities . Skagit County, Washington Skagit County / ˈ s k æ dʒ ɪ t /

1036-582: The seat was moved to Mount Vernon . In early 2020, nine businesses in downtown La Conner announced their closures—mostly attributed to lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic and from the cancellation of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. La Conner is located along the Swinomish Channel , across from the Swinomish Indian Reservation on Fidalgo Island , in western Skagit County . The Rainbow Bridge ,

1073-411: The system laid out in the state constitution for all counties without charters. Commissioners are "nominated" in the primary by their district, but then are elected in the general by a county-wide vote. Commissioners are therefore said to represent the entire county, and not just their district. The most recent election was on November 5, 2024. The current Skagit County commissioners include Lisa Janicki,

1110-412: The town council declared the turkeys to be a nuisance and has since taken action to have them removed from the town limits. La Conner's public library , which is run by the town government and serves residents of the local school district, opened on November 26, 1993, at a former storefront. Plans to construct a permanent library were announced in 2012 with a ten-year fundraising campaign. Construction on

1147-464: The town has a total area of 0.51 square miles (1.32 km), of which, 0.41 square miles (1.06 km) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km) is water. La Conner is located at the edge of the Skagit Valley, the largest tulip -growing region in the world and host of an annual tulip festival in April. Other crops grown in the area include potatoes, vegetable seed and grain. As of 2000

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1184-422: The town was 52.8 years. Of all residents 16.8% were under the age of 18; 4.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.3% were from 25 to 44; 34.5% were from 45 to 64; and 26.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.1% male and 54.9% female. La Conner's Rainbow bridge connects La Conner to Fidalgo Island , which includes the gated Shelter Bay Community, the Swinomish reservation, and

1221-473: The town. The population density was 2,173.2 inhabitants per square mile (839.1/km). There were 526 housing units at an average density of 1,282.9 per square mile (495.3/km). The racial makeup of the town was 87.1% White , 0.7% African American , 5.1% Native American , 1.0% Asian , 3.4% from other races , and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population. There were 467 households, of which 18.0% had children under

1258-454: The vicinity. Pacific Northwest photographer Art Hupy (1924–2003) settled in La Conner in 1977 and founded the Museum of Northwest Art in 1981. Many influential Northwest artists including Guy Anderson , Clayton James, and Barbara Straker James have close ties to La Conner. Radical labor activist Hulet M. Wells (1878–1970), a 1912 Socialist candidate for mayor of Seattle, president of

1295-400: Was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males. The median income for

1332-617: Was 59 people per square mile (23 people/km ). There were 42,681 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 86.49% White , 0.44% Black or African American , 1.85% Native American , 1.49% Asian , 0.16% Pacific Islander , 7.17% from other races , and 2.40% from two or more races. 11.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.9% were of German , 11.2% English , 9.2% Norwegian , 8.2% Irish and 6.7% United States or American ancestry. Three Salish Native American tribes have reservations in

1369-627: Was inhabited by the Samish and Swinomish peoples. The Samish Indian Nation maintains a presence in the area, with an administrative office in Anacortes. Fidalgo Island is named for the Spanish explorer and cartographer Salvador Fidalgo who explored the area in 1790 with the fleet of Francisco de Eliza . Charles Wilkes discovered that it was an island rather than part of the mainland. He named it Perry Island in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry ,

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