RANK #792 / 996 · POP 75,672 · WA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.5%
Grays Harbor County, situated on the southwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula, offers a distinctive blend of coastal and rainforest environments. One notable town is Montesano, the county seat, known for its historic courthouse and proximity to Lake Sylvia State Park. The county is about an hour's drive from Olympia, with communities like Aberdeen, Hoquiam, and Cosmopolis forming its commercial core. Commute times average around 24.3 minutes, with Grays Harbor Transit providing bus services throughout the county and regional connections to Olympia and Centralia. The area boasts extensive outdoor recreation, including miles of Pacific Ocean beaches for clam digging and beachcombing, and the Quinault Rainforest, one of the few temperate rainforests in the Western Hemisphere, offering hiking and scenic drives.
Life in Grays Harbor County is characterized by its natural surroundings and a strong sense of community. While professional job opportunities can be sparse, with many entry-level positions in education, medical, and human services, the area's affordability and access to nature attract residents. The economy is diversifying beyond its historical timber industry roots, with tourism playing a significant role, particularly in coastal towns like Ocean Shores and Westport. The Port of Grays Harbor is also a key economic driver, with ongoing expansion projects like the Terminal 4 Expansion, which is expected to create jobs in mid-2026. Additionally, government, healthcare, and manufacturing are among the top employment sectors.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Grays Harbor County has a Boom Town Index score of 20/100, ranking #792 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $59,105, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Grays Harbor County is $249,900 with median rent at $943/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2365, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed -1.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.18% of Grays Harbor County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.