Utilizing the first census conducted by the United States in 2000, Whidbey island was home to about 67,000 residents that were registered in a permanent urbanized location and their subsequent homes or rental conditions. 29,000 of those souls live in rural areas. During the 2010 census, the population had grown to 69,840, showing that there is a very slight year-over-year gain in the population size.
Whidbey Island, sometimes also referred to as Whitby Island, is the largest of the islands which comprise the Island County found within the state of Washington. It is also the largest island within the state of Washington, with a close contender being Camano Island. Whidbey is found about 48km north of Seattle, which is the state's capital. The island forms the northern boundary of Puget Sound. Whidbey Island is also home to an important Naval Air Station. The island contains a large state park that demonstrates the diversity of the flora and fauna in the area, particularly the vast number of trees.
Although it is the largest island in Washington, it is the 40th largest island in the United States. It is also ranked the fourth longest and largest island in the contiguous United States, right behind the famous Long Island region of New York state.
Whidbey Island was originally settled and inhabited by many indigenous tribes, including the Swinomish, Suquamish, and Snohomish tribes. These peaceful groups lived off the sea and land and complemented the diet with fishing, berries, and roots, as well as harvesting nuts. They were preserved over the winter. The first recorded sighting of Whidbey Island was recorded by the Europeans during the 1790s on an expedition from Spain by the explorers Gonzalo Lopez de Haro and Manual Quimper on a ship named the Princess Real.
After the expedition, Captain George Vancouver fully explored the island in the year 1792. In May of the same year, Royal Navy officers and members of the captain's expedition began to map and explore the areas of what is now considered Puget Sound. Vancouver had named the island in his honor after fully circumnavigating it in 1792 and claiming the area for Britain. On the King's birthday in 1792, Vancouver had taken formal possession of the hinterland and coast to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Whidbey Island contains Ebey's Landing National Historical reserve, which is the first historic park reserve that was created by the National Park Service in the United States to preserve the culture and rural history of the area, as well as the sensitive and rare plants. Washington State Parks include Fort Ebey State Park, Fort Casey State Park, and South Whidbey State Park. There are also multiple county-operated parks that are included within the island, which includes the famous Saratoga Woods. This is a 120-acre park located on the south part of the island which has biking and hiking trails.