Grays Harbor County

Grays Harbor County, Washington, is a county situated in the Southwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula along the Pacific Ocean. It is one of two counties that form the state’s westernmost extremity and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean coastline to its west and Mason County to its east.

The county seat of Grays Harbor is Montesano, and it is home to a small civilian airport called Westport Airport. It has a population of over 74,720 people, according to the 2020 census. It has an area of ​​2,224 sq mi (5,760 km2) and is named after the harbor located at its center, from which settlers arrived from Portland in 1853. This harbor was named after Robert Gray, who ran a popular ferry service at the time. It served as an essential historical route for settlers moving westward to California during that period.

Grays Harbor County Ecosystem

Grays Harbor County, Washington, is the home of various coastal ecosystems found throughout its enormous expanse.

The Long Beach Peninsula borders Grays Harbor to the south and separates Long Island from the mainland of the Pacific Ocean coastline. This peninsula comprises numerous bays that are part of Willapa Bay’s estuary, which flows into Grays Harbor.

To the north, there is the Copalis River estuary and Shoalwater Bay which both flow into the Pacific Ocean coastline. The southern part of this county’s coastal region is home to numerous freshwater rivers that empty into the Pacific Ocean. The largest of these rivers is the Chehalis River and is known for the large sediment load that it carries to the ocean. To the east of this river is a cliff face known as Chehalis Cliff.

The Grays Harbor County Ecosystems harbor a diverse array of wildlife and waters home to numerous marine species. Birdlife found in this coastal area includes seagulls, terns, fulmars, eagles, and other shorebirds. Mammals found in this coastal county include deer, elk, rabbits, and various types of rodents. This area is home to numerous fish species, including salmon, trout, and other types of fish found along the coastlines.

Economy

Tourism is the most significant contributor to the economy in Grays Harbor County. It attracts many visitors due to its sizable scenic coastline and areas of historical importance, such as the Fort Canby Army base, which has been converted into a state park.

Other main contributors to this county’s economy include farming, fishing, and logging industries. The timber industry is the primary source of income for the region, and it is a significant economic activity in this coastal county. The fishing industry is also a significant contributor to the Grays Harbor economy, and this has been a historically significant industry for many people in this region.

Grays Harbor County Offices

Grays Harbor County is home to the following offices:

Sheriff’s Office-Rick Scott is the sheriff. The office is located at 100 W Broadway Ave, Suite 3, Montesano, WA 98563. You can contact the office through [email protected].

Clerk’s office – The county clerk is Kym Foster. The office is located at 102 W Broadway suite 203, Montesano, WA 98563. The office is open from Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 11 AM. You can contact the office via a phone call at (360) 249-3842.

Board of County Commissioners office-District commissioner one is Jill Warne, District commissioner 2 is Kevin Pine, and district commissioner 3 is Vickie Raines. The office building is located at 100 West Broadway, Suite #1, Montesano, WA 98563. You can contact them via email at [email protected] or make a call through (360) 249-3731 / 1-800-230-1638 or (360) 249-3783 (FAX).

Grays Harbor County Superior Court is located at 102 W. Broadway Ave, Rm. 305, Montesano, WA 98563. You can contact the office through Tel: 360-249-5311. The office is open from Monday to Friday 8:30 – 12:00 & 1:15 – 4:30.

Auditor’s office-The auditor is Joseph R. MacLean. The office building is located at 100 W. Broadway, Suite 2, Montesano, WA 98563. You can contact the office via the mainline: (360) 249-4232.

Other offices include The assessor’s office, coroner office, elected officials, prosecutors office, and treasurer’s office.

Geography

Grays Harbor County has a total area of ​​2,224 sq mi (5,760 km2), and within this county are four significant streams that flow into the Pacific Ocean coastline or Grays Harbor. The county map is home to several features such as the Copalis River, Willapa Bay, and Shoalwater Bay estuaries. The county lines are formed by several mountain ridges

The largest water body is the Willapa River; it flows across this county from North to South and its tributaries. Other rivers that flow through this county include the Chehalis River, Copalis River, and Shoalwater Bay.

The area is home to numerous small islands known as Grays Harbor Islands. To the south of the county are sandy beaches that stretch out into the Pacific Ocean coastline. At the same time, its northern part is defined by the Willapa Bay estuary, which separates the county from the Long Beach Peninsula. The coastline is home to numerous cliffs where you can find some of the tallest sea stacks.

The majority of this county’s terrain is plains and has an elevation of 4880 feet (1487 m). Significant mountains found in this county include Mount Willapa; it is located near the coastline in the northern part of the county. Other notable peaks are Seaborg Mountain and Copalis Mountain.

The following counties border Grays Harbor:

– Mason County to the northeast.

– Pacific Ocean coastline to its west and southwest, and also borders the Long Beach Peninsula to the south.

– Thurston County is to the southeast and borders Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and the Naselle River area.

The following cities are found in Grays Harbor County, Washington: Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Cosmopolis, Elma, Montesano, Oakville, McCleary, Ocean shores, and Westport.

Protected Areas in Grays Harbor County

There are several protected areas in Grays Harbor County, and all of them are open to visitors. You will find the following protected areas in this county:

• Chehalis Indian reservation
• Part of Olympic national forest
• Part of Olympic national park
• Quinault Indian reservation
• Colonel Bob Wilderness
• Copalis national wildlife refuge
• Grays Harbor national wildlife refuge

These areas are home to a wide variety of plant species, and there are numerous species of animals that you can find in this coastal county. These include birds, amphibians, mammals, and others.

Grays Harbor County Public Transport System

This county has a public transport system that includes various forms of vehicles. This county’s bus line is known as the Grays Harbor Transit System, and it operates in Aberdeen, Montesano, Westport, Hoquiam, Cosmopolis. It also operates a dial-a-ride service in Aberdeen and Hoquiam. The Grays Harbor County Public Transportation Association also offers transportation to senior citizens and disabled passengers via their Dial-A-Ride Program.

Grays Harbor Major Highways

Grays Harbor is home to some of the major roads in Washington; they include US Route 12, which runs through this county for approximately 430.8 miles, and it is the second-longest state route in this state.

This road starts at Aberdeen and terminates at Olympia. The Ocean Gateway also goes through parts of Grays Harbor County. It’s a major highway that runs through this region, and it starts in Aberdeen, goes southward to the Grays Harbor area ending in Astoria. State Route 8 is 20.67 miles long and also runs through this region and connects Hoquiam to Aberdeen.

Other major highways found in the county include state route 109, state route 107, state route 101, and 105.

Conclusion

Grays Harbor County is home to a diverse group of wildlife and natural habitats. This county has the fishing industry as one of its primary economic activities.

Additionally, it is the site of the enormous sea stacks in both Washington and Oregon. This county has a rich history and a large number of tourist attractions that one can visit. It is also home to a large variety of medical services, government offices, academic institutions, and different local organizations involved in community service.

Grays Harbor County Offices by Type