Anacortes, WA, United States

Capital City

With a population of 17,637, Anacortes is a sleepy town better known for its ferries and refineries than its thriving industry. While the weather may be milder than other parts of the Pacific Northwest, residents face a persistent bureaucratic headache - the city government operates its own municipal broadband system that won't reach the whole town until 2023. And despite the natural beauty of the nearby San Juan Islands, nearly a third of households are occupied by individuals aged 65 or older, suggesting this isn't the vibrant, youthful community some may seek.