Grays Harbor County, Washington | |
|---|---|
 Grays Harbor County Courthouse | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWashington | |
| Coordinates:47°09′N123°50′W / 47.15°N 123.83°W /47.15; -123.83 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Washington |
| Founded | April 14, 1854 |
| Named after | Grays Harbor |
| Seat | Montesano |
| Largest city | Aberdeen |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,224 sq mi (5,760 km2) |
| • Land | 1,902 sq mi (4,930 km2) |
| • Water | 322 sq mi (830 km2) 14% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 75,636 |
• Estimate (2024) | 77,893 |
| • Density | 38.3/sq mi (14.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
Grays Harbor County is acounty in theU.S. state ofWashington. As of the2020 census, the population was 75,636.[1] Itscounty seat isMontesano, and its largest city isAberdeen.[2] Grays Harbor County is included in the AberdeenMicropolitan Statistical Area.
The area that comprises modern-day Grays Harbor County is the ancestral territory of several indigenousCoast Salish peoples, including theQuinault andLower Chehalis. They first came into contact with European explorers in the late 18th century and the tribes were later afflicted by regional epidemics.Grays Harbor was named for Boston fur trader and merchantmanRobert Gray, who entered the bay on May 7, 1792. It was originally named Bullfinch Harbor and later Chehalis Bay before it was renamed for Gray.[3] The first permanent white resident in the future county was William O'Leary, an Irish immigrant who settled on the south side of Grays Harbor in 1848.[4]
The modern-day Washington Coast was originally part of theOregon Country, which was administratively shared between the United States andBritish North America until the signing of theOregon Treaty in 1846, which ceded it to the United States. The AmericanProvisional Government of Oregon, which had been established prior to the treaty, createdLewis County on December 21, 1845. It encompassed most of the territory north of theColumbia River and west of theCascade Mountains.[5] The area around Grays Harbor remained part of Lewis County as it was transferred into the reorganizedOregon Territory in 1848 and laterWashington Territory, created in 1853.[5]
On April 14, 1854, theWashington Territorial Legislature created Chehalis County from portions of Lewis andThurston counties that surrounded Grays Harbor.[6][7] The firstcounty seat was atBruceport onWillapa Bay until a referendum in 1860 moved it to the homestead of the Scammon family in modern-dayMontesano.[3] The settlements ofAberdeen andHoquiam were platted along the north side of Grays Harbor and incorporated by 1890.[4] The cities had 80 percent of the county's population in 1900 and unsuccessfully attempted to move the county seat to one of their cities. A second plan to create a new county, named Grays Harbor, was approved by theWashington State Legislature but ruled unconstitutional by theSupreme Court on February 27, 1907.[3]
The state legislature passed a bill to rename Chehalis County to Grays Harbor County on March 15, 1915. The name change, which took effect on June 9, eliminated confusion with the town ofChehalis in neighboring Lewis County.[3][8]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,224 square miles (5,760 km2), of which 1,902 square miles (4,930 km2) is land and 322 square miles (830 km2) (14%) is water.[9]
Due to the flat topography of the county and the drainage of theChehalis River watershed into the Pacific Ocean, the region experiences repeated floods. In addition to tidal surges and coastal flooding, high waters stemming from excessive rainfall events are often difficult to shed. As of 2024[update], the value of various buildings and infrastructure in flood risk areas within the county is valued at over $1.0 billion.[10]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 285 | — | |
| 1870 | 401 | 40.7% | |
| 1880 | 921 | 129.7% | |
| 1890 | 9,249 | 904.2% | |
| 1900 | 15,124 | 63.5% | |
| 1910 | 35,590 | 135.3% | |
| 1920 | 44,745 | 25.7% | |
| 1930 | 59,982 | 34.1% | |
| 1940 | 53,166 | −11.4% | |
| 1950 | 53,644 | 0.9% | |
| 1960 | 54,465 | 1.5% | |
| 1970 | 59,553 | 9.3% | |
| 1980 | 66,314 | 11.4% | |
| 1990 | 64,175 | −3.2% | |
| 2000 | 67,194 | 4.7% | |
| 2010 | 72,797 | 8.3% | |
| 2020 | 75,636 | 3.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 77,893 | [11] | 3.0% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14] 1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 75,636. Of the residents, 20.0% were under the age of 18 and 22.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 44.8 years. For every 100 females there were 104.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.8 males. 60.9% of residents lived in urban areas and 39.1% lived in rural areas.[16][17][18]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[19] | Pop 2010[20] | Pop 2020[21] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 58,112 | 59,282 | 57,068 | 86.48% | 81.43% | 75.45% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 205 | 762 | 972 | 0.31% | 1.05% | 1.29% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 2,975 | 3,005 | 3,495 | 4.43% | 4.13% | 4.62% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 790 | 995 | 1,024 | 1.18% | 1.37% | 1.35% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 67 | 177 | 127 | 0.10% | 0.24% | 0.17% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 56 | 72 | 411 | 0.08% | 0.10% | 0.54% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 1,731 | 2,232 | 4,705 | 2.58% | 3.07% | 6.22% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,258 | 6,272 | 7,834 | 4.85% | 8.62% | 10.36% |
| Total | 67,194 | 72,797 | 75,636 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The racial makeup of the county was 78.1% White, 1.4%Black or African American, 5.1%American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Asian, 4.8% from some other race, and 9.0% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.4% of the population.[18]
There were 29,869 households in the county, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[17]
There were 36,058 housing units, of which 17.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.1% were owner-occupied and 30.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%.[17]
As of the2010 census, there were 72,797 people, 28,579 households, and 18,493 families living in the county.[22] The population density was 38.3 inhabitants per square mile (14.8/km2). There were 35,166 housing units at an average density of 18.5 units per square mile (7.1 units/km2).[23] The racial makeup of the county was 84.9% white, 4.6% American Indian, 1.4% Asian, 1.1% black or African American, 0.3% Pacific islander, 3.9% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.6% of the population.[22] In terms of ancestry, 21.0% wereGerman, 13.5% wereIrish, 11.7% wereEnglish, 6.8% wereNorwegian, and 4.2% wereAmerican.[24]
Of the 28,579 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.3% were non-families, and 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 41.9 years.[22]
The median income for a household in the county was $41,899 and the median income for a family was $49,745. Males had a median income of $42,998 versus $34,183 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,656. About 11.7% of families and 16.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.[25]
As of the2000 census,[26] there were 67,194 people, 26,808 households, and 17,907 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 35 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 32,489 housing units at an average density of 17 units per square mile (6.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.30%White, 0.34%Black orAfrican American, 4.66%Native American, 1.22%Asian, 0.11%Pacific Islander, 2.27% fromother races, and 3.10% from two or more races. 4.85% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 16.3% were ofGerman, 11.9%United States or American, 9.9%English, 9.2%Irish, and 6.1%Norwegian ancestry. 94.1% spokeEnglish and 3.9%Spanish as their first language.
There were 26,808 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.70% weremarried couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,160, and the median income for a family was $39,709. Males had a median income of $35,947 versus $24,262 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,799. 16.10% of the population and 11.90% of families were below thepoverty line, including 21.60% of those under the age of 18 and 40% of those 65 and older.
Grays Harbor used to be one of the most consistently Democratic counties in the nation, due to its unionized logging industry. Until 2016, the lastRepublican presidential candidate to carry the county wasHerbert Hoover in 1928;[27] the last Republican gubernatorial candidate to win the county until2016 wasRoland H. Hartley in1924.[28] However,Donald Trump carried the county in the2016 presidential election and went on to win a majority of its votes in both 2020 and 2024.
In theUnited States House of Representatives Grays Harbor is part ofWashington's 6th congressional district, which has aCook Partisan Voting Index of D+5 and is represented byEmily Randall. In theWashington State Legislature it lies in the 19th and 24th districts. In theWashington State Senate it is represented byMike Chapman (D) andJeff Wilson (R). In theWashington House of Representatives it is represented byAdam Bernbaum (D),Joel McEntire (R),Steve Tharinger (D), andJim Walsh (R).[29]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 990 | 42.02% | 798 | 33.87% | 568 | 24.11% |
| 1896 | 1,267 | 47.97% | 1,350 | 51.12% | 24 | 0.91% |
| 1900 | 1,850 | 58.77% | 1,081 | 34.34% | 217 | 6.89% |
| 1904 | 2,589 | 68.13% | 624 | 16.42% | 587 | 15.45% |
| 1908 | 3,128 | 60.35% | 1,248 | 24.08% | 807 | 15.57% |
| 1912 | 3,055 | 34.66% | 1,953 | 22.16% | 3,806 | 43.18% |
| 1916 | 5,024 | 44.32% | 4,992 | 44.04% | 1,320 | 11.64% |
| 1920 | 5,920 | 50.94% | 3,378 | 29.07% | 2,324 | 20.00% |
| 1924 | 8,273 | 60.16% | 1,239 | 9.01% | 4,239 | 30.83% |
| 1928 | 10,798 | 66.30% | 5,258 | 32.29% | 230 | 1.41% |
| 1932 | 5,141 | 27.89% | 10,310 | 55.92% | 2,985 | 16.19% |
| 1936 | 5,053 | 23.37% | 15,851 | 73.31% | 718 | 3.32% |
| 1940 | 8,369 | 35.63% | 14,861 | 63.27% | 257 | 1.09% |
| 1944 | 7,834 | 35.99% | 13,803 | 63.41% | 130 | 0.60% |
| 1948 | 8,357 | 36.00% | 13,660 | 58.84% | 1,198 | 5.16% |
| 1952 | 12,168 | 49.30% | 12,317 | 49.90% | 198 | 0.80% |
| 1956 | 11,599 | 47.32% | 12,858 | 52.45% | 57 | 0.23% |
| 1960 | 10,067 | 41.94% | 13,773 | 57.37% | 166 | 0.69% |
| 1964 | 5,744 | 24.94% | 17,145 | 74.46% | 138 | 0.60% |
| 1968 | 7,720 | 34.03% | 13,480 | 59.43% | 1,484 | 6.54% |
| 1972 | 10,839 | 45.65% | 11,786 | 49.64% | 1,120 | 4.72% |
| 1976 | 9,464 | 39.61% | 13,478 | 56.41% | 951 | 3.98% |
| 1980 | 10,226 | 40.19% | 11,290 | 44.37% | 3,928 | 15.44% |
| 1984 | 11,286 | 43.96% | 14,050 | 54.73% | 335 | 1.30% |
| 1988 | 8,860 | 37.88% | 14,097 | 60.27% | 434 | 1.86% |
| 1992 | 6,904 | 25.35% | 12,599 | 46.26% | 7,735 | 28.40% |
| 1996 | 7,635 | 29.09% | 14,082 | 53.65% | 4,533 | 17.27% |
| 2000 | 11,225 | 43.22% | 13,304 | 51.22% | 1,443 | 5.56% |
| 2004 | 12,871 | 46.05% | 14,583 | 52.17% | 499 | 1.79% |
| 2008 | 12,104 | 41.47% | 16,354 | 56.04% | 726 | 2.49% |
| 2012 | 11,914 | 41.54% | 15,960 | 55.64% | 810 | 2.82% |
| 2016 | 14,067 | 48.01% | 12,020 | 41.02% | 3,214 | 10.97% |
| 2020 | 19,877 | 51.71% | 17,354 | 45.14% | 1,210 | 3.15% |
| 2024 | 19,432 | 51.42% | 17,161 | 45.41% | 1,200 | 3.18% |
Principal economic activity in Grays Harbor County includesmanufacturing,seafood, and variousservice industries; the largest local employers aregovernment,healthcare,social assistance,lodging,food service,retail.[32]
As of May 2025[update], Grays Harbor County had 23,840 non-farm jobs and anunemployment rate of 5.5% without adjustments forseasonal labor; there was a total of 1,607unemployed individuals.[32]
To combat flooding concerns, the county has received several upgrades or new builds of flood protection systems under the combined efforts of theChehalis River Basin Flood Authority and county, federal, and local governments, beginning in 2012. Mostly consisting ofpump houses in flood-prone communities, the efforts also include the construction offloodwalls andlevees. The ongoing project is estimated to cost over $50 million as of 2024[update], providing protection to over 5,100 residences and 1,300 businesses.[10]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Places adjacent to Grays Harbor County, Washington | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofGrays Harbor County, Washington,United States | ||
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| Other communities | ||
| Indian reservations | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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