Community Profiles

Bainbridge Island Located 35 minutes by ferry from Seattle, Bainbridge Island residents enjoy easy access to the Seattle’s urban amenities, while enjoying the ease and freedom of life in a rural setting. The island is home to 24,000 residents, over 2000 businesses, a thriving arts community, seven artisan wineries, a brewery and an organic distillery, The Bloedel Reserve public  garden, and over 1400 acres of parkland. The vibrant downtown area, just a short walk from the ferry, features boutique shops and restaurants, the newly opened Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, numerous galleries and a waterfront park. Bainbridge is home to Sage, makers of world class fly fishing rods and Islandwood, a 255-acre  outdoor environmental learning center and conference facility....Learn More »

Bremerton A one hour ferry ride - or thirty minute fast ferry ride - from downtown Seattle, Bremerton is the largest city on the Kitsap Peninsula, famous for its historic naval and maritime heritage. Bremerton is home of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) which is the city’s major employer. Residents and visitors enjoy shopping, dining, and recreating in Bremerton’s beautiful downtown harborside area. Amenities include the Bremerton Naval Museum, downtown waterfront promenade and the Navy destroyer, USS Turner Joy,  Harborside Fountain Park and PSNS Memorial Plaza, and the historic Arts District.  The city is undergoing a renaissance with new publicly and privately funded buildings emerging along the waterfront. Waterfront condos provide residents easy access to new parks and a newly expanded marina, planned boardwalk, and more downtown development. A new, multi-modal transportation center has been built for Washington State Ferries, which has been connecting the peninsula to...Learn More »

Kingston Known as the “Little City by the Sea” Kingston, a former logging town, is a busy port of entry, with ferry service to Edmonds on the other side of Puget Sound. Now the social and economic center of the north end of the Peninsula, Kingston features its own community center, theater groups and shopping district. With an independent movie theater and wonderful restaurants, Kingston is a treasure of a town! With the launch of the new Kingston fast ferry, Kitsap Transit now provides convenient passenger ferry service from Kingston to Seattle and back. The weekday schedule serves commuters, residents, and visitors with early morning and late afternoon runs. Recently named one of the Best Northwest Getaways, Kingston and North Kitsap are an outdoors lover’s dream with breathtaking views and beaches, and numerous water, hiking and mountain bike trails. Nearby amenities include the historic Point No Point...Learn More »

Located in the Central Puget Sound, Kitsap County offers all the benefits of the Seattle/Tacoma Market without the gridlock and high prices. Kitsap residents and visitors enjoy over 250 miles of scenic saltwater coastline, friendly, laid-back communities, award-winning golf courses, ready access to transportation for individuals and commerce, a countywide, high-speed fiber optic backbone, and more.Kitsap recently ranked 2nd only to Santa Clara, CA in America’s Most Innovative Communities report.Kitsap County ranks high in essential economic development indicators: educational attainment and skilled workforce; development of intellectual property; per capita economic output; and, median household incomes. Our businesses thrive and prosper in a highly competitive marketplace. x ...Learn More »

Port Orchard Situated against the Sinclair Inlet with the Cascade and Olympic Mountains in the distance, Port Orchard (population 14,770) is the county seat and the commercial center for South Kitsap. Port Orchard is a historic ‘port’ discovered and named by early Puget Sound explorers, with one of Puget Sound’s largest marinas – owned and operated by the Port of Bremerton. The community is completely oriented toward the water with miles of winding, scenic roadways passing beautiful inlets and hidden coves. Our downtown corridor offers shopping, museums, entertainment, galleries and dining.  Port Orchard residents enjoy a true sense of community and enjoy a thriving Farmer’s Market, weekly Artwalk, the annual Fathom’s O’ Fun Parade in June, and the Jingle Bell Run and Festival of Chimes and Lights every December. Amenities include a beautiful waterfront park, nearby Manchester State Park and premier golf courses. With ferry access from Bremerton...Learn More »

Poulsbo Located on beautiful Liberty Bay and known as “Little Norway on the Fjord”, this enchanting Norwegian heritage town (population 11,180), has blossomed into a visitor destination filled with recreation, shopping, and dining opportunities. With its stunning water and mountain views Poulsbo is as rich in natural beauty as it is in authentic Scandinavian charm. Poulsbo’s historic downtown captivates visitors with its wonderful old murals, world famous bakeries, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants and beautiful waterfront park and boardwalk along Liberty Bay. Poulsbo celebrates it's Nordic heritage with the annual Viking Fest, Jule Fest and Tree Lighting celebrations. Poulsbo also hosts an annual Arts Festival, and 3rd of July Celebration over Liberty Bay. Poulsbo’s charm, and natural beauty appeal to many visitors who, tempted by the good schools, distinct neighborhoods, and sense of community, soon become residents. Poulsbo’s leaders are progressive and forward-looking and are conscientiously working to balance the...Learn More »

Silverdale Silverdale is situated in the geographic center of Kitsap County just north of Bremerton and South of Poulsbo. With 20,000 residents, it is Kitsap’s second largest community, a retail and services hub for both the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. Over the last few decades Silverdale has seen ongoing continued private investment, most recently in the $500 million dollar world-class St. Michel Medical Center opened in 2020 by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. The area also sees significant investment and support for civic initiatives, such as the $23 million YMCA opened in 2011 and the new $10 million Kitsap Regional Library opening in 2021. Silverdale is best known for its retail options, anchored by the 300,000 square-foot legacy Kitsap Mall and the newer facility The Trails, a 212,000 square-foot modern outdoor shopping park opened in 2015. It is an unincorporated community that relies upon Kitsap County for governance. Silverdale...Learn More »