Port Orchard, Washington

4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10 PORT ORCHARD , WASHINGTON to see the largest population growth numbers that we’ve seen in our history. We grew about 40 percent during the last 10-year census period and our city is on track to increase by 25 to 50 per cent in the next 10 years. So truly huge population growth occurring here.” Bond boils down the reason for the city’s rapid growth – and a major part of its appeal – to two very different reasons: The first being the city’s desirability as a bedroom community for Seattle, primarily due to the McCormick Woods Golf Community – a comfortable, scenic neighborhood where recreational opportunities abound. “There’s a lot of people moving to McCormick Woods because you can live near a golf course, you can live in nature. It’s very scenic, nice, fairly affluent,” Bond explains. “I think you’re seeing a lot of people like tech workers from Seattle who are working remotely that want to go to a place like McCormick Woods. It’s a lifestyle opportunity where they can live in a really ideally scenic place.” The second reason driving growth to Port Orchard is that outside of the city’s more affluent areas, the city is actually very affordable. “In certain parts of the city, affordability is really driving things,” Bond continues. “South of us in Gig Harbor, similar houses are selling for $100,000 or $200,000 more for the same house, essentially. For some people, Port Orchard is the most affordable place to live close to the employment centers in Tacoma, Seattle, and Bremerton.” Putaansuu agrees, but adds that the city’s ease of transport is also a factor. The ferry offers access to downtown Seattle, as well as a ferry connection to nearby Bremerton, which is home to the area’s largest employer – the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. “You’re getting a lot more house for your money in Kitsap County and Port Orchard than what you can afford in King County and Seattle,” he says. “For us to have this connection to downtown Seattle, and relatively affordable homes, it’s really fuelled the housing