Welcome to Oak Harbor! Commercial metropolis on Whidbey Island

Oak Harbor is the commercial metropolis on Whidbey Island with outlying areas preserving rural country charm.

Incorporated in 1915, downtown Oak Harbor is filled with specialty shops interspersed with Walmart, Albertsons, and Kmart.  There are exciting proposals to build a pier and new library near the downtown area.  Education opportunities include the recently expanded Whidbey campus of Skagit Valley College, and the Western Washington University extension campus, along with various schools for military personnel and civilians. 

Oak Harbor is home to our only drive-in theatre which is open almost all year showing blockbuster double features; and a multi-screen theatre.  Whidbey Playhouse offers community productions of local actors and directors to enjoy Broadway style shows in a hometown environment.

Just north of Oak Harbor is the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, the major employer in Oak Harbor.  There are approximately 1,700 military personnel, and 1,800 civilians infusing about $240 million into the local economy each year.

Irish immigrants moved to Oak Harbor in the 1860's with a large influx of Dutch immigrants arriving in the early 1890's.  Oak Harbor continues to celebrate its strong Dutch heritage with the landmark Windmill at City Beach Park, the annual Holland Happenings in April, Race Week in the summer, and the very popular Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebrations.