The Island
A small island in the South Sound.
Ferry-only access. On its own pace.
Facts
Where It Is
Anderson Island is the southernmost inhabited island in the Puget Sound. It sits in Pierce County, about 8 miles southwest of Steilacoom and 50 miles south of Seattle.
The island is unincorporated. There is no city government, no mayor, no town council. The Pierce County Council represents the island and the Anderson Island Citizens Advisory Board (AICAB) is the formal channel between the community and the county.
About 1,400 people live here year-round. In summer the number grows to roughly 4,000.
Living by the Ferry Schedule
There is no bridge or airport. Everything on the island, and everyone, gets here by boat. Most of the time that means the Pierce County ferry from Steilacoom, a roughly 20-minute crossing that runs year-round.
This shapes everything. Commutes, grocery runs, medical appointments, the school bus, the propane truck. If you live here, you plan around the schedule. If you visit, you plan around it too. Missing the last ferry means staying the night.
- No grocery store, no gas. The General Store, gas station, and cafe are closed indefinitely. Bring food and fuel from the mainland.
- No bridge. The Steilacoom ferry is the only vehicle access. Weekend wait times can exceed three hours.
- Limited emergency services. On-island response is handled by Fire District 27. The nearest hospitals are on the mainland.
The Lay of the Land
The island is roughly four miles long and two miles wide, oriented north-south. The ferry lands at the northern tip. Most homes and roads sit in the northern half. The southern half is mostly forest and parks.
Two sizable freshwater lakes - Florence Lake, Lake Josephine, - sit in the middle of the island. The Parks District manages nearly 500 acres including Andy's Marine Park, with its saltwater beach and views of the Olympic Mountains.
Where to Next
Island History
From Klol-Ehk-S and the Steilacoom people to the Christensen brothers and the cordwood industry, the island's story is preserved by the people who stayed.
Read Island HistoryLiving Here
Wells, septic, propane, ferry-dependent everything. A plain look at what life on the island actually involves.
Explore Living Here