Here are the details about Bainbridge Island:

Population

About 22,000 is the estimate for the last census count.

Climate

Everyday is a good day. Average NW rain & sunny days.

Industry/Economic Opportunities

Most working Islanders are employed in professional, service or governmental positions in Seattle. The Bainbridge Island School District is the largest single employer. There are many small manufacturing firms such as a engineering development, marketing & computer related businesses, printing, bio-technology, plastic extrusion, office furniture, commercial fishing equipment, fishing poles, winery and local food processing. Day Road Light Industrial Park is located on the north Island, various businesses employ who 600+ people. There is an increasing number of residents operate home-based businesses. Many entrepreneurs, writers, artists and craftspeople also call Bainbridge Island their home. Bainbridge Island has been chosen as one of the nation's top 25 arts destinations by AmericanStyle Magazine. According to their reader's poll #1 Cape Cod, #7 Washington DC, #10 was Seattle and Bainbridge Island ranked #14.

Government

The entire Island became the City of Bainbridge Island in November 1990. It is governed by a Mayor and seven member City Council and has its own Police Department. Bainbridge Island Fire Department is served by the mostly volunteers with some paid staff. We are part of Kitsap County with the county seat being in Port Orchard.

Parks & Trails

There is an extensive trail system throughout the Island, with a master plan integrating all island trailways underway. The Bainbridge Island Parks and Recreation District operates a swimming pool and currently underway is $5 million expansion the aquatic/pool center. There are a number of daytime use facilities for both passive and active recreation. It which offer a wide assortment of programs for adults and children.

Faye Bainbridge State Park, at the North end of the Island, is the former Faye family property. Facilities now include a wonderful beach, fantastic water and mountain views, moorage buoys, picnic tables, a shelter to get out of the weather, barbecue pits, showers, bathrooms and overnight campsites for RVs and tents. There is a full-time resident ranger who sees to it that the park is closed at dusk.

Fort Ward State Park at the South end of the Island is a former military base. Facilities include boat launch, picnic tables, hiking trails, paved biking paths, a wonderful beach and great views.

Battle Point Park is the home to the Bainbridge Isl. Astronomical Society telescope, it is the largest
in Western WA. There are many baseball & soccer fields
located here and they are currently planning & building more ball fields in the next year in various locations on the island.

Schools

Bainbridge Island public school facilities include three elementary schools, one new middle school, an intermediate school, one high school and one alternative high school. Private schools range from numerous pre-schools to a middle school. Homeschooling is a popular alternative for many families and their use of public school facilities is accepted as a benefit to the entire community. These programs range from elementary to High School with great success.

As measured by standardized tests of student skills and achievement, Bainbridge Island children score at or near the top of all school districts in the State of Washington and compare very favorably with school districts across the country. It is common for upwards of 75 percent of the high school graduating classes to go on to college and university studies.

Not surprisingly, education is highly valued and the School District enjoys strong support in the community.

Puget Sound Environmental Learning Center is a world class public school outreach program for the Puget Sound area. Students come to stay and experience hands on environmental education enriching their lives.


Community Infrastructure

Bainbridge Island is a modern community with full access to state of the art facilities and utilities. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) provides reliable power to the entire island via the mainland through a "looped", redundant grid. Quest (US West) provides modern communication services to the entire island designated as a local calling region to Seattle; high-speed communication lines are available to the City Center and outlying Business centers. Northland Cable offers cable TV and broadband services to most of the island. Drinking water and fireflow is provided by several private and public water systems. The City core is served by a municipal sewer system. The City of Bainbridge Island is committed to ongoing improvements of the utility systems and firmly supports Island businesses. Freight companies fully service the Island from the mainland via bridge and also directly to Seattle via the State run ferry system.

Taxes

Real estate on Bainbridge Island is assessed on a periodic schedule by the Kitsap County Assessor's Office on the basis of Washington State Law. Actual taxes fluctuate because they are based on these changing assessments as well as the varying impact of special levies, school bonds and actions of the City and other local governmental entities. In recent years, the rate has been approximately 1.5% of assessed value.

Local Business & Occupation Tax for City of Bainbridge
with exceptions, is .001 per $1000 over $250,0000.
(This is on NET not Gross income.)

Washington State does not have an income tax but most retail sales transactions are subject to a sales tax (currently 8.2% in Kitsap County where Bainbridge Island is located) and/or an excise tax.

Health Care Facilities

There are medical clinics offering family practice and emergency services, chiropractic clinics, many dental clinics, convalescent/nursing homes and a fitness center. World-class in-patient hospital services are available in Seattle and in nearby Bremerton. Emergency helicopter airlift services are available.

Religious Groups

A large number of denominations are represented: Assembly of God, Baptist, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Christian Science, Congregational UCC, Episcopal, Foursquare Full Gospel, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Missionary Alliance, Mormon, Presbyterian and Unity. Several non-denominational congregations also serve the Island.

Restaurant

Restaurants & bakeries are numerous on Bainbridge Island. Menu selections range from gourmet delights to fast foods and mouth-watering homemade meals. An island casual atmosphere prevails in most establishments.

Lodging

Bainbridge Island offers a number of delightful bed and breakfast options as well as a modern motel. Visitors willing to spend a bit of time on the highway will have more motel choices in nearby communities. Seattle's accommodations offer endless choices downtown.

What's to Do?

It may be an island surrounded by water & mountains, but Bainbridge Island does not lack for things to do! Give these suggestions a try while visiting and dreaming of your move:

· Shopping in Winslow & Seattle's vibrant downtown stores.

· Enjoying the many arts walks and local music events.

· Many day driving trips to the spectacular beauty of the Olympic Rainforest and coastal Peninsula Towns and Pacific Ocean Beaches.

· Sailing or boating on the waters of Puget Sound.

· Watch the high school's boys' and girls' state championship teams play basketball, soccer, water polo, swim and dive, or play Lacrosse.

· Equestrian activities at one of the Island's several boarding facilities or the Bainbridge Saddle Club competitions.

· Walking quiet beaches.

· Cheer on the Dawgs, University of Washington's Husky teams.

· Jog or bike on the Island's quiet backroads and test your endurance on its steep hills.

· Catch Seattle Seahawks or Mariners Baseball game, just blocks from the Seattle ferry terminal.

· Relax in the warmth of the sun with a good book.

· Walk the trails of the serene and beautiful Bloedel Reserve botanical gardens or Bainbridge Gardens.

· Discover Island's history by visiting the Historical Museum at Strawberry Hill Park.

· Don't miss Rolling Bay or Lynwood Center, endless charm.