Community Profile Population-- Bainbridge Island: 20,300. (2000); Kitsap County: 229,000 (2000) Kitsap County Area-- 392.7 square miles (251,328.9 acres) Bainbridge Island Land Area--27.78 square miles (17,779 acres) Bainbridge Island Population Density--713 persons per square miles (1.1 persons per acre) Municipal Services-- City: water, sewer, and animal control. Bainbridge Island Fire Department: 11 full-time staff members, approximately 50 volunteers, one medic unit, three aid units, five engines. Bainbridge Island Police Department: 23 full-time staff members, 15 reserves, 9 cadets, 12 patrol units. Chamber of Commerce-- In operation since 1927 with 3 active committees and a membership that includes over 700 local businesses. Education-- One high school (9-12 grades), one middle school (6-8 grades), 3 Elementary schools (K-5 grades). Sakai, an intermediate school (5-6 grades) has recently been constructed and is now open. In addition, there are multiple private schools located on the island. Community Services (Over 200 Active Agencies) Civic/Fraternal/Professional Organizations-- Over 75 organizations with local, regional, national, or international affiliation. We're not as rich (or smart) as we think 05/10/2002 - Bainbridge Island Review By JOHN WALDO/ Staff Writer As most folks suspect, Bainbridge Island’s population is better off and better educated than many of our off-island neighbors. But lest we get too puffed up, we’re a long ways from being Number One. Not surprisingly, the wealthiest cities in Washington are those tiny and tony cities in eastern King County that jut like upraised fingers into Lake Washington. The median household income on Bainbridge is a healthy $70,110 – a figure dwarfed in Hunts Point, where the median household income is just under $180,000, and in Medina, where the median household rakes in almost $134,000. The information comes from the United States Census Bureau, which released its detailed demographic data for the State of Washington this week. The demographic profiles are not derived from actual counts, but are statistical computations based on responses to the long-form questionnaires that the Census Bureau provided to a random sample of respondents. The income numbers correlate highly with educational attainment. While 60 percent of islanders have college degrees, and a quarter have advanced degrees, almost three-quarters of Hunts Pointers or Medinans are college graduates. There is little question, though, that Bainbridge’s demographic profile differs from the rest of Kitsap County. The county-wide median income of just under $47,000 is a tick above the statewide average of roughly $46,000, both about 65 percent of the island figure. Again, the correlation between income and education becomes apparent, with just over a quarter of Washington and Kitsap County adults having completed college. When it comes to islands, Bainbridge is again in the middle. Mercer Island boasts a median family income of almost $92,000, and a 70 percent concentration of college graduates, while Vashon Island’s median income is $58,000, and just under half its adults have finished college. Median income is the point at which half the incomes will be higher and half lower. The median is considered a better measure of what might be “typical” than is the concept of mean or average, which can be distorted by a few very high incomes. The island’s mix of occupations is different than in the county or state as a whole. Almost 18 percent of working adult islanders are self-employed, compared to 8 percent for Kitsap County and 7 percent for the state. And one in eight islanders – 12 percent – work at home, compared to less than 5 percent for the county or state. What Bainbridge families do with their money is no mystery – they spend it on mortgage payments and real-estate taxes. The median home value on the island is $335,000, more than double the county-wide median of $152,000 or the statewide median of $168,000. While islanders may bring home fatter paychecks than most of Kitsap County, they have to go farther to get them. Despite the unusually high number of work-at-homes, islanders spend an average of 46 minutes getting to work, a reflection of the time involved in the commute to Seattle, and the number of people who make that trip. That’s almost 15 minutes longer than the typical Kitsap County resident and eight minutes longer than the average worker in Poulsbo. Reflecting the fact that most Bainbridge commutes are on the ferry – which many view as productive time – almost 30 percent of islanders go to work on public transportation, while less than half drive to work alone. On a county-wide basis, fewer than 10 percent used public transportation, while two-thirds drove alone. Those who think that the island has an awful lot of “new” folks find some support in the demographic report, with a full 53 percent of current residents having been born in another state. While that stands out from the statewide number – 41 percent – it’s similar to the Kitsap County figures that show 51 percent born outside of Washington.
		Recreation-- Public swimming pool, two golf courses (one public, one private), tennis courts, hiking trails, over 1,077 acres of public parks. Local Government--  Winslow incorporated in 1947; land area of island annexed and name changed to City of Bainbridge Island in 1991. Mayor/City Administrator/7 City Council members. Tax Rate-- County property tax: $14.43 per $1,000 of assessed value; City sales tax: 8.1% (Hotel/Motel Tax adds 2%); City B & O Tax (Retailing): 0.471%, (Manufacturing/Wholesaling): 0.484%, (Services): 1.5% Financial Institutions-- Eight banks,  one credit union. Industry-- Retail, tourism, light manufacturing, agriculture. Health Services-- Virginia Mason Health Clinic; Harrison Hospital (45 minutes in Bremerton.) 20 physicians practicing on the island at the Virginia Mason Health Clinic or in private practices, 22 dental specialists, four assisted living/convalescent homes. Senior Citizens Organizations-- Over 35 organizations and agencies provide a variety of services, including a senior community center. Churches-- 22 congregations of many denominations. Cultural/Performing Arts-- Bainbridge Performing Arts Playhouse, two movie theatres (one with five showings); events range from music festivals, home tours, studio tours, Grand Old Fourth Celebration, theatrical productions, local farmers' market. Transportation-- Kitsap Transit: Daily service throughout the city and county; taxi and tour services, Washington State Ferry service between Bainbridge Island and Seattle. Climate Similar to Seattle, Summer temperatures average about 70°; the winter average is 42°. There is approximately 37.2 inches of rainfall annually, with an average snowfall of 10.9 inches. This can vary as much as + 10 inches, depending where on the island you live. This is due to our geographic location in relation to the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. There are an average of 225 days of cloud cover annually. The average length of the growing season is 180 days. Detailed demographic profiles for all Washington cities and recognized census areas can be found online, but it takes a little work. Go to www.census.gov, click on the entry titled “Demographic Profiles: 100-Percent and Sample Data.” Scroll down and click on “Washington,” then on “Demographic Profile Data Search.” When the search page appears, select “Washington” state, type in the geographic area of interest – city, county or place name – and click “Go.” The highlighted name will appear, and clicking the name yields tabular data.

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