Since 2021, Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) has taken a more in-depth approach towards analyzing community needs and produced a State of the Sector Community Report. In particular, these reports use original data collected by BCF through its Annual Nonprofit Survey and Sector Gatherings combined with other local, state, and national data to highlight opportunities and vulnerabilities in the community. In addition, BCF includes ways we can work together with nonprofits to ensure inclusiveness and accessibility to quality programs and services.
In the 2023 Community Report, you will find:
- A new framework detailing ten characteristics for a sustainable and supportive community
- An analysis on each of the ten characteristics, using local, state, and national data
- A description of how nonprofits are supporting our community in these areas
The Chamber has highlighted 4 characteristics (People of Bainbridge, Economic Opportunity, Affordability, and Transportation) in the Report in this article. However, the whole report is extremely informative and we encourage the community to review all ten of the characteristics.
People of Bainbridge Island
- Population of 24,825 shows 7.8% growth in 10 years (slower than the rest of Kitsap County at 8.8%)
- From 2020 Census Data: 85% White, 9% two or more races, 3.4% Asian, 1.2% another race, .6% Black/African American, .5% American Indian/AK Native, .1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific
- Gender Balance: 52% Female, 48% Male
- Average Age is 50 years old versus 38 years old nationwide
- Wealth: in 2017 there was about $89.9 billion in wealth in Kitsap and $18.9 billion of that is on Bainbridge
Economic Opportunity
There are a number of successful small businesses on the Island which provide employment opportunities to thousands of people. The close proximity to Seattle combined with an uptick in remote work has also allowed professionals employed in the city to move to Bainbridge.
Nonetheless, finding employment or starting a business on the Island can be challenging. Commercial rent is high for businesses, and local salaries don’t always keep up with the cost of living increases. The commute can be hard on some families, especially if full-time work in Seattle is required.
Local Businesses
While easing in 2023, the inflation of goods and supply chain/transit costs have stressed an existing labor shortage due to affordable housing options. According to the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, businesses across all sectors of the economy are having a harder time recruiting and retaining staff at all income levels. In addition to a lack of workforce housing on the Island, the problem is exacerbated by a lack of public transportation suitable for delivering workers to jobs around the Island.
- 500+ business community members generate nearly 8,000 local jobs, projected to grow 20% over the next 20 years
- Top employers of 2022: BISD, Washington State Ferries, Town & Country Markets, Far Bank, & City of Bainbridge Island
- Top Industry Areas for Business Licenses (2022): Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Construction, Retail Trade, and Administrative, Support & Waste Management
- Childcare for working parents: For parents who commute, or even for those who work full-time from home, childcare for ages 0-5 is challenging—and often a reason one parent makes the decision to stay home.
Affordability
- Almost 70% of nonprofits rated affordability to be “extremely important” for a sustainable and supportive community.
- There are 11,251 housing units on the Island, and only 322 of those are affordable or income-restricted (about 3%).
- $145,475 median household income on BI, $87,314 median household income in Kitsap County
- Average home price on BI: $1.072M (up 114% since 2014),$225,000 is the gross annual income needed to afford a $1M home with 10% down payment
- Salaries in our Community: $44,000 for a teacher at a nonprofit childcare center, $68,000 starting for a teacher at BISD with MA Degree, $83,000 starting base salary for BI Police Officer
Transportation
- 68% of nonprofits rated transportation “extremely important” for a sustainable and supportive community.
- 43% of respondents of the National Community Survey answered that improving the overall quality of the transportation system on Bainbridge Island was “essential” and 41% rated it “very important.”
- In 2022, the Seattle/ Bainbridge route had the greatest year-to-year increase compared to previous years as well as compared to other ferry routes; 19% increase in ridership for Seattle/Bainbridge Island route, the greatest year-to-year increase in 2022 of Washington State Ferries with a 13% increase in vehicles & 31% increase in walk-ons
4.4 million riders on Seattle/Bainbridge Island route in 2022 alone - The City of Bainbridge Island (COBI) has approved $31 million over the next 6 years to focus on rapid implementation of a “Connecting Centers” project to make transportation available for all ages and abilities.
Please contact Dana Binnendijk ([email protected]) for questions or for a hard copy of the report. BCF is also prepared to give a presentation on the report to individuals and groups. Please reach out for more details.
State of Sector Community Report Graphics
