Grays Harbor County

Ocean beaches at Copalis.

With a low cost-of-living and a high quality-of-life, Grays Harbor County is a great place to work and live.

Grays Harbor at a Glance

  • The County covers 1,910 square miles
  • It has approximately 72,000 residents
  • The contiguous cities of Aberdeen, Hoquiam, and Cosmopolis hold half the county's population
  • 88% of the land is in trees - the 3rd or 4th growth since 1900 when most of it was harvested
  • Winter daily mean low-temperatures are in the high 30's and summer daily mean high-temperature are in the 70's
  • Seattle and Portland metropolitan areas are within an easy 2-2.5 hour drive
  • Nine rivers flow into Grays Harbor Bay which flows into the Pacific Ocean and is rich in oysters, crab, clams, shrimp, salmon, steelhead, and much more.

Tourist Destination

Horses on beach at Ocean Shores.

Grays Harbor County is Washington State's most popular vacation destination promising an unforgettable experience with:

  • Over 55 miles of open Pacific Ocean beaches
  • Thousands of miles of forest roads
  • The Olympic National Park, Quinault rainforest and miles of trails
  • Unlimited fishing, boating, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling
  • Whale and bird watching from January to June
  • Casinos and gambling at the Quinault tribal beach resort
  • Numerous city and state parks and 4 public golf courses

Size and Location

Grays Harbor County and Grays Harbor Bay are located on the south side of the Olympic Peninsula on the Pacific coast of Washington. The County is 1,917 sq. mi. (15th largest in Washington) with about 10 sq. mi. in urban land.

Grays Harbor County's borders are 15 miles west of Olympia, 75 miles southwest of Seattle, and 75 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon.

The County's topography is naturally varied from rolling tree-covered hills to sandy ocean beaches. Interior river valleys give way to rugged mountains in the county's northern part

Grays Harbor map by Google

Click on the map above to see a google map of Grays Harbor

Climate

Grays Harbor enjoys a moderate marine climate that is among the most pleasant in the world. The county's climate has been ranked third most pleasant in the U.S. Warm, dry summers compliment mild, wet winters. The growing season is over 200 days.

Temperature

Temperatures in August average a very comfortable daytime high of 70 Degrees (F) and nighttime low of 50 (F); January temperatures average a mild nighttime low of 36 (F) and daytime high of 48 (F).

While the rest of the nation is alternatively overheating or freezing, Grays Harbor residents live in a mild, comfortable, energy saving environment year-round.

Precipitation

It does rain in Grays Harbor County, but unlike most other parts of the country, gray skies are almost always productive. And when the sun shines, which is often, the sunlight in the crystal skies can be dazzling.

Grays Harbor rainfall averages about 70 inches per year with 78% of it occurring between October and March. Summer precipitation in July and August averages about 1.3 inches per month. Total winter snow fall averages less than 5 inches and rarely remains on the ground through the day.

GH Index

Notable Harborites

Ned and Lillian Bishop, Bishop Foundation

Kurt Cobain, Lead singer and guitarist, "Nirvana"

Pat Simmons, Song writer and driving force, the "Doobie Brothers"