According to definitionexplorer, Gig Harbor is a charming waterfront city located in the southern part of the Puget Sound region of Washington state. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes and stunning views of the Olympic Mountains, Gig Harbor is a popular tourist destination for visitors to the Pacific Northwest. With its rich maritime history and vibrant culture, Gig Harbor has something for everyone to enjoy.
Located just across Henderson Bay from Tacoma, Gig Harbor is bordered by several smaller cities and towns, each with their own unique character and charm that make them great places to visit or live. To the north lies Bremerton, home to Naval Base Kitsap and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Bremerton offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking trails, parks, marinas, and more.
East of Gig Harbor lies Purdy, a small community known for its historic homes and peaceful atmosphere. Purdy also has several public parks with playgrounds, picnic areas, and trails perfect for walking or biking alongside scenic views of Henderson Bay.
Further south lies Key Center, a small unincorporated town that is home to many local businesses including farms and wineries as well as outdoor activities such as fishing spots on Key Peninsula Lake or hunting on nearby land owned by Key Center residents.
To the west lies Fox Island which is known for its picturesque views of Mt Rainier on clear days as well as its abundance of wildlife such as bald eagles and deer that can be spotted along Fox Island’s shoreline or in nearby forests. Fox Island also features multiple parks featuring tennis courts, boat launches, playgrounds, picnic areas and more making it an ideal destination for families looking to get out into nature while still having access to modern amenities like restaurants or grocery stores.
Finally, there’s Port Orchard which sits just across Sinclair Inlet from Gig Harbor offering stunning views of both Puget Sound & Sinclair Inlet from various points around town like Waterfront Park or South Kitsap Regional Park which feature walking trails with breathtaking views of both bodies of water during sunset hours. Port Orchard also offers plenty of shopping options with stores ranging from boutique shops to larger chain stores making it an ideal destination for any shopping enthusiast looking to explore what this charming town has to offer.
Population of Gig Harbor, Washington
According to dictionaryforall, Gig Harbor is a small city located in Pierce County, Washington. With a population of just over 8,500 people, Gig Harbor is a tight-knit community of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles. The majority of the population is Caucasian (87%), with small percentages of African American (2.4%), Hispanic or Latino (2.3%), Asian (3.7%) and Native American (0.7%).
Gig Harbor has an average age of 45 years old, with the largest age group being 45-54 at 28%. This is followed by 25-34 at 18%, 55-64 at 16%, 35-44 at 14%, 65+ at 11%, 18-24 at 9% and under 18 years old at 4%. The median household income in Gig Harbor is $71,260 with a poverty rate of 6%.
The city’s educational attainment rate is slightly above the national average for adults aged 25 and over with 81% having obtained a high school degree or higher compared to 79% nationally. However, the percentage of those who have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Gig Harbor is lower than the national average with 29% compared to 33% nationally.
Gig Harbor has an unemployment rate of 5.8%, slightly lower than the national average which stands around 6%. The most common occupations among residents are Retail Salespersons, Cashiers and Office Clerks making up 11% of all employed individuals in Gig Harbor followed by Management Occupations which make up 10%. Other popular occupations include Personal Care Aides, Registered Nurses, Elementary School Teachers and Construction Laborers which each make up around 5% of employed individuals in Gig Harbor respectively.
The city’s economy relies heavily on tourism as well as retail trade due to its location near tourist attractions such as Point Defiance Park and its proximity to Tacoma which provides access to larger stores such as Costco or Target that draw shoppers from nearby areas like Bremerton or Port Orchard on weekends for shopping trips.
Schools and education of Gig Harbor, Washington
Gig Harbor is served by the Peninsula School District, which includes nine elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and one alternative school. The district has a long-standing tradition of excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. The school district has earned numerous awards including the Washington Achievement Award for overall academic performance and the Washington State Parental Involvement Award for fostering strong family engagement.
Elementary schools offer a comprehensive educational program that includes core academic subjects such as math, science, social studies, language arts, music and art. Middle schools provide students with more specialized learning opportunities such as electives in foreign languages or technology. High school students have access to a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses as well as career-oriented programs in health care, engineering and business.
The school district also offers numerous extracurricular activities such as sports teams, clubs and student organizations. Gig Harbor is home to several championship sports teams at both the middle and high school levels including basketball, soccer and baseball teams that have won numerous state championships over the years. Additionally, there are many clubs available for students to join such as robotics or debate which provide an opportunity for students to explore their interests outside of the classroom.
Gig Harbor also offers several post-secondary options including Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom which provides associate degrees in a variety of fields including business administration or healthcare administration, Pacific Lutheran University which provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in areas like education or engineering technology and Tacoma Community College which offers two-year degrees in fields like information technology or hospitality management.
For those looking to continue their education beyond college level Gig Harbor is also home to St Martin’s University which provides master’s degree programs in fields such as nursing or public administration as well as doctoral programs in areas like psychology or theology.
Landmarks in Gig Harbor, Washington
Gig Harbor, Washington, is a small town located on the Kitsap Peninsula in Puget Sound. It’s known for its picturesque harbor, waterfront restaurants and shops, and its proximity to the Olympic Mountains. Here are some of the most popular landmarks in Gig Harbor:
Harbor History Museum: The museum tells the story of Gig Harbor’s history from its beginnings as a fishing village to its modern-day status as an affluent community. The museum features displays on local maritime history, Native American artifacts and artworks by local artists.
Skansie Brothers Park & Net Sheds: This waterfront park is home to two historic net sheds that were used by local fishermen for storing their equipment. The park also offers a playground and picnic area with stunning views of the harbor.
Tideflats Park: This waterfront park offers plenty of space to explore nature or take part in recreational activities like kayaking and fishing. There’s also a boat launch that provides access to the harbor.
Gig Harbor Lighthouse: Located at the northern tip of Gig Harbor, this working lighthouse was built in 1887 and is still active today. It stands at 60 feet tall and features a red light that can be seen from up to 12 miles away.
Titlow Beach Park: Situated along Henderson Bay, this beach park offers plenty of space for swimming or exploring tide pools during low tide. There are also trails for hiking or biking along with picnic tables and grills for barbecuing.
Hales Passage Marine Reserve: This marine reserve stretches along Hales Passage between Fox Island and McNeil Island in Puget Sound. It is home to diverse wildlife including sea lions, otters, seals and numerous species of seabirds that can be spotted from shore or by boat tour operators offering cruises through the area.
Wollochet Bay Estuary Preserve: Located just outside of town this preserve is home to ancient forests filled with cedars, hemlocks, firs, oaks and madronas as well as wetlands teeming with wildlife such as beavers, muskrats and river otters. There are several trails throughout the preserve perfect for bird watching or exploring nature at its finest.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation opportunities or want to learn more about Gig Harbor’s unique history there’s something here for everyone in this quaint little town located on Washington State’s Kitsap Peninsula.