Kitsap County, Washington, situated in Central Puget Sound, is a tight-knit community with a small-town appeal juxtaposed with the conveniences of bigger cities like nearby Seattle.
The county offers a wide variety of things to do, including boating, golf, shopping, dining, art and culture — and an array of festivals, fairs, and concerts.
Between its public, private, and military schools, in addition to a local community college, Kitsap County is proud of its education system.
Another source of pride in Kitsap County is its reliable, efficient, and green modes of public transportation on land and on water.
Naval Base Kitsap
The heartbeat of Kitsap County is Naval Base Kitsap.
Naval Base Kitsap was established in 2004 with the combining of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor and Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton, creating a thriving community of growing military families and civilians.
Homes for Sale in Kitsap County
Education in Kitsap County, Washington
Five school districts share the responsibility of providing public education to students living in Kitsap County.
Bainbridge Island School District manages seven schools, Central Kitsap School District envelops 19 schools, South Kitsap School District encompasses 15 schools, Bremerton School District houses 12 schools, North Kitsap School District envelops 11 schools, for a total of 64 public schools throughout the county.
Kitsap County also offers a variety of private schools and military academies.
Higher education is close to home via Olympic College, a public community college, in addition to several colleges and universities in surrounding areas.
The Climate in Kitsap County
Kitsap County offers a comfortable climate nearly year-round. Although the area receives more rain than the national average, at 44 inches vs. 38 inches, there’s plenty of sunshine and only a touch of snow.
During the year, Kitsap County receives measurable precipitation on about 156 days.
There are, on average, 153 days of the year when the sun shines on Kitsap County, producing high summer temperatures hovering below 80 at 76 degrees.
Winter lows stay above freezing at 36 degrees, not enough to keep the average of three inches of snow per year from sticking to the ground. Comparatively, the rest of the country averages a total of 28 inches.
Public Transportation in Kitsap County
Several Washington State Ferries routes connect the eastern shore of Puget Sound to Kitsap County.
The Washington State Ferries system, an integral part of the transportation infrastructure, provides service to more than 6.21 passengers on the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry run, as well as 2.46 million trips on the Seattle-Bremerton route.
Most ferries either start or end their journey in Kitsap County due to the county’s geographic location.
Bordering the Kitsap Peninsula’s west side is the Hood Canal bridge, a floating bridge that connects Kitsap and Jefferson Counties. The bridge is the world’s third-longest and ranks as the longest bridge in the world that crosses saltwater.
Kitsap Transit provides bus service throughout the county, offering a green mode of public transportation.
Kitsap Transit also offers fast ferry service to surrounding areas. Additionally, Kitsap County Transit provides scheduled service to and from Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor and Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton.
Guests and residents traveling domestically by air rely on the Bremerton National Airport for general and corporate flights. For international travel, the nearest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Living in Kitsap County, Washington
Kitsap County spans across nearly 400 square miles of land, and an additional 170 square miles of water.
The county, of which Port Orchard is the county seat, is home to four cities, 23 census-designated places, and 32 unincorporated areas. The county’s population, as of 2017, was 266,414.
In Kitsap County, the average median household income is estimated at 73,026, slightly higher than Washington’s average median household income.
On the contrary, homes in the area are a bit less expensive than the state’s average home values. In Kitsap County, Washington, the median home value is $326,200, slightly more affordable than the state’s median home value of $339,000.
The local economy in Kitsap County is fueled by jobs with the Department of Defense, 15,000 uniformed service members, as well as a gaming industry with multiple casinos situated on tribal properties.
In addition, there’s a major medical center in the county, as well as a shopping destination that attracts shoppers locally and from the surrounding areas.
Conclusion
When you’re looking for an area infused with community spirit, a thriving economy, excellent schools, easy-access public transportation, and a wide variety of things to do, Kitsap County is the perfect place to call home.
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