Kitsap County is a county located in the state of Washington. As of 2000, the population is 231,969. The county seat is at Port Orchard. It was named after Chief Kitsap of the Suquamish tribe.

The United States Navy is of great importance to the county, with installations at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Undersea Weapons Engineering Station, Keyport , and Naval Base Kitsap (which is comprised of former NSB Bangor and NS Bremerton).

Kitsap County is connected to the eastern shore of Puget Sound by Washington State Ferries runs from Bremerton to Downtown Seattle and from Southworth to West Seattle via Vashon Island.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,466 km² (566 mi²). 1,026 km² (396 mi²) of it is land and 440 km² (170 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 30.04% water.

Geographic features

• Hood Canal
• Kitsap Peninsula
• Port Orchard
• Puget Sound
• Sinclair Inlet

Adjacent counties

• Island County, Washington - northeast
• Snohomish County, Washington - east
• King County, Washington - east/southeast
• Pierce County, Washington - south/southeast
• Mason County, Washington - southwest
• Jefferson County, Washington - northwest

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 231,969 people, 86,416 households, and 61,355 families residing in the county. The population density is 226/km² (586/mi²). There are 92,644 housing units at an average density of 90/km² (234/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 84.27% White, 2.87% Black or African American, 1.62% Native American, 4.39% Asian, 0.78% Pacific Islander, 1.43% from other races, and 4.64% from two or more races. 4.14% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 86,416 households out of which 36.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% are married couples living together, 9.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% are non-families. 22.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.05.

In the county, the population is spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 101.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $46,840, and the median income for a family is $53,878. Males have a median income of $39,889 versus $28,586 for females. The per capita income for the county is $22,317. 8.80% of the population and 6.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.90% of those under the age of 18 and 6.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Bainbridge Island
• Bangor
• Bremerton
• East Port Orchard
• Erlands Point-Kitsap Lake
• Indianola
• Kingston
• Manchester
• Navy Yard City
• Parkwood
• Port Orchard
• Poulsbo
• Silverdale
• Suquamish
• Tracyton