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Grays Harbor County, Washington facts for kids

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Grays Harbor County
U.S. county
Grays Harbor County Courthouse
Grays Harbor County Courthouse
Map of Washington highlighting Grays Harbor County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Washington
Founded April 14, 1854
Named for 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 
(2022)
 77,038 Increase
 • Density 38.3/sq mi (14.8/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 6th
Lake Quinault Mist
Lake Quinault

Grays Harbor County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 75,636. Its county seat is Montesano, and its largest city is Aberdeen. Grays Harbor County is included in the Aberdeen Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county is presently named after a large estuarine bay near its southwestern corner. On May 7, 1792, Boston fur trader Robert Gray crossed the bar into a bay which he called Bullfinch Harbor, but which later cartographers would label Chehalis Bay, and then Grays Harbor.

The area that now comprises Grays Harbor County was part of Oregon Territory in the first part of the nineteenth century. On December 19, 1845, the Provisional Government of Oregon created two counties (Vancouver and Clark) in its northern portion (which is now the state of Washington). In 1849, the name of Vancouver County was changed to Lewis County, and on April 14, 1854, a portion of Lewis County was partitioned off to become Chehalis County. This county's boundaries have not changed since its creation, but on June 9, 1915, its name was changed to Grays Harbor County to eliminate confusion with the town of Chehalis in Lewis County.

Geography

According to the United 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.

Geographic features

State parks

Major highways

  • WA-8.svg State Route 8
  • US 12.svg U.S. Route 12
  • US 101.svg U.S. Route 101
  • State Route 105
  • State Route 107
  • State Route 109

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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%
2022 (est.) 77,038 5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 72,797 people, 28,579 households, and 18,493 families living in the county. 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). 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. In terms of ancestry, 21.0% were German, 13.5% were Irish, 11.7% were English, 6.8% were Norwegian, and 4.2% were American.

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.

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 the poverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Principal economic activities in Grays Harbor County include wood and paper production, food processing (especially seafood), and manufacturing.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

  • Robert Arthur, actor
  • Elton Bennett, artist
  • Adam Bighill, CFL player
  • Gail Brown, actress
  • Trisha Brown, choreographer
  • Mark Bruener, NFL player
  • Daniel Bryan, professional wrestler
  • Robert Eugene Bush, Medal of Honor recipient
  • Kurt Cobain, musician
  • Colin Cowherd, ESPN Radio host (The Herd with Colin Cowherd)
  • Dale Crover, musician
  • Reuben H. Fleet, aviation pioneer
  • Clarence Chesterfield Howerton, circus performer
  • Jerry Lambert, actor
  • Robert Motherwell, artist
  • Peter Norton, software developer (Norton Utilities)
  • Krist Novoselic, musician
  • Buzz Osborne, musician
  • Douglas Osheroff, Nobel-winning physicist
  • Blanche Pennick, Washington State legislator
  • Patrick Simmons, musician
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof, musician

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Grays Harbor para niños

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