Education
Grays Harbor College
Grays Harbor College is a two-year community college, founded in 1930 and serving both Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.
To better meet the needs of all residents, Grays Harbor College has established satellite learning centers in Raymond, Ilwaco and the Whiteside Learning Center in Aberdeen. For area residents, enrolling at GHC means receiving quality education at affordable tuition rates. GHC provides:
- Strong academic programs resulting in Associate degrees that transfer seamlessly onto four-year colleges and universities.
- Strong occupational training programs that focus on current skills demanded in the workplace.
GH College cultivates partnerships with area businesses, community organizations and school districts. Businesses regularly partner with GHC to establish training programs and provide training for their workers. And a popular partnership with the school districts is the World Class Scholars program that motivates area junior high and high school students to focus on earning their high school diplomas and attend courses at the college.
Elementary and High Schools
Excellent describes the 13 school districts operating in Grays Harbor County. The County's districts have 38 elementary, middle and high schools.
Grays Harbor's teachers and students have often been selected for numerous state, national and world awards. While few counties can boast a Nobel Award winner as alumni of their high schools, Grays Harbor has two!
Grays Harbor schools are also progressive and innovative. Students in their final two years of high school can attend courses at Grays Harbor College simultaneously with their high school work; occasionally even gaining College Associate degrees concurrent with their High School diplomas.
School Districts
Enrollment by District (PDF)
PreSchool and After School
The county offers several child care and preschool centers. In addition, a state of the art YMCA in Hoquiam provides after school swimming and sporting activities.
The Grays Harbor 4-H and Future Farmers of America conduct a livestock auction of beef, sheep, swine, rabbits, goats and poultry during the Grays Harbor Fair for the purpose of providing an incentive to youth to exhibit and sell quality market stock.
Housing
Much of Grays Harbor County's housing inventory was built in the first half of the 20th century for the owners and workers of the booming natural resource industries. As a result, the county has some of the most beautiful and architecturally distinctive homes and buildings to be found anywhere in the U.S. Because the area depended so heavily on these industries during their declining demand, the county has missed most of the "look alike" houses built during the second half of the century.
In 2008, the average home price in the county was just $150,000 - a comfortable 3-bedroom home starts at about $95,000. It's no surprise, therefore, that 69% of all Grays Harbor residents own their own homes compared to 66.2% in the nation and 64.6% in the state. Yet, the county's housing vacancy rate is 17.5% (vs. 9.1% in the U.S. and 7.3% in Washington State).
Grays Harbor has an excellent selection of readily available, fine quality housing for sale.
Rents in Grays Harbor County are also very reasonable. Average rents range around $900-$1200 for 4 bedroom house, $650 for a 2-3 bedroom home, $525 for a 2-Bedroom apartment and $475 for a mobile home.
GH Index
Notable Harborites
John Elway, All Pro NFL Quarterback, Denver Broncos
Guy Bingham, Offensive Lineman, New York Jets
Mark Bruener, Offensive End, Pittsburgh Steelers