Grays Harbor County, Washington

Grays Harbor County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 72,797.[1] The county seat is Montesano, and its largest city is Aberdeen.[2] Grays Harbor County is included in the Aberdeen Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Grays Harbor County
U.S. county
Grays Harbor County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°09′N 123°50′W
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedApril 14, 1854
Named forGrays Harbor
SeatMontesano
Largest cityAberdeen
Area
 • Total2,224 sq mi (5,760 km2)
 • Land1,902 sq mi (4,930 km2)
 • Water322 sq mi (830 km2)  14%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total72,553
 • Estimate 
(2020)
75,061
 • Density38.3/sq mi (14.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.co.grays-harbor.wa.us
Lake Quinault

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.[3]

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.[4] This county's boundaries have not changed since its creation, but on June 9, 1915,[5] its name was changed to Grays Harbor County to eliminate confusion with the town of Chehalis in Lewis County.[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. 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.[7]

Geographic features

State parks

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1860285—
187040140.7%
1880921129.7%
18909,249904.2%
190015,12463.5%
191035,590135.3%
192044,74525.7%
193059,98234.1%
194053,166−11.4%
195053,6440.9%
196054,4651.5%
197059,5539.3%
198066,31411.4%
199064,175−3.2%
200067,1944.7%
201072,7978.3%
2019 (est.)75,061[8]3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2019[1]

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 67,194 people, 26,808 households, and 17,907 families living in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile (14/km2). There were 32,489 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.30% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 4.66% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 2.27% from other races, and 3.10% from two or more races. 4.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.3% were of German, 11.9% United States or American, 9.9% English, 9.2% Irish, and 6.1% Norwegian ancestry. 94.1% spoke English 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $16,799. 16.10% of the population and 11.90% of families were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under the age of 18 and 40% of those 65 and older.

2010 census

As of the 2010 Census, there were 72,797 people, 28,579 households, and 18,493 families living in the county.[14] 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 per square mile (7.1/km2).[15] 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.[14] 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.[16]

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.[14]

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.[17]

Politics

Grays Harbor County used to be one of the most consistently Democratic in the nation. Until 2016, the last Republican presidential candidate to carry the county was Herbert Hoover in 1928[18] and the last Republican gubernatorial candidate to carry the county (until 2016) was Daniel J. Evans in 1964.[19] However, Donald Trump carried the county in the 2016 presidential election.

In the United States House of Representatives Grays Harbor is part of Washington's 6th congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+5 and is represented by Derek Kilmer. In the Washington State Legislature it lies in the 19th and 24th districts. In the Washington State Senate it is represented by Dean Takko, and Kevin Van De Wege. In the Washington House of Representatives it is represented by Brian Blake, Mike Chapman, Steve Tharinger, and Jim Walsh. All these politicians represent the Democratic Party, except Jim Walsh who is a member of the Republican Party.[20]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 51.7% 19,877 45.1% 17,354 3.2% 1,210
2016 48.0% 14,067 41.0% 12,020 11.0% 3,214
2012 41.2% 11,914 55.1% 15,960 3.7% 1,073
2008 41.5% 12,104 56.0% 16,354 2.5% 726
2004 46.1% 12,871 52.2% 14,583 1.8% 499
2000 43.2% 11,225 51.2% 13,304 5.6% 1,443
1996 29.1% 7,635 53.7% 14,082 17.3% 4,533
1992 25.4% 6,904 46.3% 12,599 28.4% 7,735
1988 37.9% 8,860 60.3% 14,097 1.9% 434
1984 44.0% 11,286 54.7% 14,050 1.3% 335
1980 40.2% 10,226 44.4% 11,290 15.4% 3,928
1976 39.6% 9,464 56.4% 13,478 4.0% 951
1972 45.7% 10,839 49.6% 11,786 4.7% 1,120
1968 34.0% 7,720 59.4% 13,480 6.6% 1,484
1964 24.9% 5,744 74.5% 17,145 0.6% 138
1960 41.9% 10,067 57.4% 13,773 0.7% 166
1956 47.3% 11,599 52.5% 12,858 0.2% 57
1952 49.3% 12,168 49.9% 12,317 0.8% 198
1948 36.0% 8,357 58.8% 13,660 5.2% 1,198
1944 36.0% 7,834 63.4% 13,803 0.6% 130
1940 35.6% 8,369 63.3% 14,861 1.1% 257
1936 23.4% 5,053 73.3% 15,851 3.3% 718
1932 27.9% 5,141 55.9% 10,310 16.2% 2,985
1928 66.3% 10,798 32.3% 5,258 1.4% 230
1924 60.2% 8,273 9.0% 1,239 30.8% 4,239
1920 50.9% 5,920 29.1% 3,378 20.0% 2,324
1916 44.3% 5,024 44.0% 4,992 11.6% 1,320
1912 34.7% 3,055 22.2% 1,953 43.2% 3,806[22]
1908 60.4% 3,128 24.1% 1,248 15.6% 807
1904 68.1% 2,589 16.4% 624 15.5% 587
1900 58.8% 1,850 34.3% 1,081 6.9% 217
1896 48.0% 1,267 51.1% 1,350 0.9% 24
1892 42.0% 990 33.9% 798 24.1% 568

Economy

The principal economic activities are

  • Wood and Paper Products
  • Seafood Processing
  • Food Processing
  • Manufacturing

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

Further reading
  • Grays Harbor Development Club (1912). Grays Harbor Country Washington. Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Co. p. 32. From the book "thirty years ago ... Destructive Development began ... greed for wealth ... denuded acres ... logged-off land ... found to be fertile ... capable of the highest state of cultivation ... fishing profit ... splendid landlocked body of water ... fir ... perfect lumber ... lumber and shingle mills ... Clams, crabs and shrimp ... abundant ... an agreeable climate ... dairy industry ... unbounded ... few soils are superior to those here ... unlimited opportunity ... berry orchards ... poultry leading place ...
  • Weinstein, Robert A. (1978). Grays Harbor, 1885-1913. Viking. p. 190.

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Grays Harbor County – Thumbnail History". Historylink.org. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  4. "Statutes of the Territory of Washington, 1854, p. 472 An Act to Create the County of Chehalis" (PDF).
  5. "Statutes of Washington, 1915, Explanatory" (PDF).
  6. "Statutes of Washington, 1915, chapter 77, SB 297" (PDF).
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  16. "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  17. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  18. "Presidential election of 1928 – Map by counties".
  19. "David Leip's Election Atlas". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  20. (PDF) http://leg.wa.gov/LIC/Documents/Maps/Statewide%20Legislative%20District%20Map.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  22. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,847 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,683 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 228 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 48 votes.

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