Moving to Aberdeen, Washington

The current estimated population of Aberdeen is 17,375, with a gender distribution of 49% male and 51% female. The population has remained stable, though economic challenges have resulted in slow growth compared to state averages.

City Facts:

  • Founded: 1884
  • County: Grays Harbor County
  • Land Area: 10.6 square miles
  • Population Density: 1,639 people per square mile
  • Area Code: 360
  • Zip Code: 98520

Geography and Location Overview: Aberdeen is located on the southwestern coast of Washington State, at the mouth of the Chehalis River and near the Pacific Ocean. Known as the “Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula,” Aberdeen is surrounded by dense forests and rivers, with Grays Harbor to the west providing access to the Pacific. Historically a logging town, Aberdeen’s economy has shifted towards tourism, fishing, and manufacturing, though timber still plays a role. The town is known for its connection to rock musician Kurt Cobain, who was born in the area. Its coastal setting, with easy access to the Olympic National Park and oceanfront attractions, makes Aberdeen a scenic but economically mixed region.

Demographics

Median resident age: 34.9 years
Median household income: $30,683
Median house value: $82,100

Population by Race

Races in Aberdeen:

  • White Non-Hispanic (82.2%)
  • Hispanic (9.2%)
  • American Indian (5.4%)
  • Other race (5.2%)
  • Two or more races (3.6%)
  • Other Asian (0.8%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (18.9%), Irish (11.5%), English (10.0%), United States (6.9%), Norwegian (5.5%), Swedish (4.6%).

Elevation: 10 feet

Land area: 10.6 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Aberdeen

  • High school or higher: 79.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.3%
  • Unemployed: 9.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 17.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Aberdeen city

  • Never married: 25.9%
  • Now married: 48.8%
  • Separated: 2.5%
  • Widowed: 7.4%
  • Divorced: 15.4%

7.1% Foreign born (4.5% Latin America, 1.4% Asia, 0.7% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: -177 (-1.1%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Aberdeen:

  • GRAYS HARBOR COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (915 ANDERSON DRIVE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Aberdeen:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Aberdeen:

  • ASTORIA REGIONAL (about 57 miles; ASTORIA, OR; Abbreviation: AST)
  • OLYMPIA (about 64 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Abbreviation: OLM)
  • WILLIAM R FAIRCHILD INTL (about 82 miles; PORT ANGELES, WA; Abbreviation: CLM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Aberdeen:

  • BOWERMAN (about 8 miles; HOQUIAM, WA; Abbreviation: HQM)
  • WILLAPA HARBOR (about 21 miles; SOUTH BEND/RAYMOND/, WA; Abbreviation: 2S9)
  • WESTPORT (about 21 miles; WESTPORT, WA; Abbreviation: 14S)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Aberdeen:

  • GRAYS HARBOR COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 1,289; Location: 1620 EDWARD P SMITH DR; Public; Website: ghc.ctc.edu)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Aberdeen:

  • SOUTH PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 57 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,908)
  • EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE (about 59 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,749)
  • LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE (about 81 miles; LONGVIEW, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,237)
  • PENINSULA COLLEGE (about 83 miles; PORT ANGELES, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,374)
  • PIERCE COLLEGE AT FORT STEILACOOM (about 89 miles; LAKEWOOD, WA; Full-time enrollment: 5,921)
  • TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 92 miles; TACOMA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,710)
  • OLYMPIC COLLEGE (about 92 miles; BREMERTON, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,889)

Schools

Public high schools in Aberdeen:

  • J M WEATHERWAX HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,062; Location: 213 E 2ND; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 285; Location: 300 N. WILLIAMS; Grades: 09 – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Aberdeen:

  • MILLER JUNIOR HIGH (Students: 637; Location: 100 E LINDSTROM; Grades: 07 – 08)
  • MCDERMOTH ELEMENTARY (Students: 440; Location: 601 NORTH K ST; Grades: KG – 06)
  • STEVENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 424; Location: 301 S. FARRAGUT; Grades: PK – 06)
  • A J WEST ELEMENTARY (Students: 404; Location: 1801 BAY AVE.; Grades: PK – 06)
  • ROBERT GRAY ELEMENTARY (Students: 373; Location: 1516 NORTH B ST; Grades: PK – 06)
  • CENTRAL PARK ELEMENTARY (Students: 232; Location: 601 SCHOOL ROAD; Grades: KG – 06)
  • WISHKAH VALLEY ELEMENTARY/HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 217; Location: 4640 WISHKAH RD.; Grades: KG – 12)
  • ALEXANDER YOUNG ELEMENTARY (Students: 173; Location: 1700 CHERRY ST; Grades: PK – 06)
  • HOPKINS ELEMENTARY (Students: 53; Location: 1313 PACIFIC; Grades: PK – PK)
  • GRAYS HARBOR JUVENILE DETENTION (Students: 29; Location: GRAYS HARBOR JUVENILE DETENTIO; Grades: 06 – 12)

Private primary/middle school in Aberdeen:

  • ST MARY S SCHOOL (Students: 138; Location: 518 NORTH H STREET; Grades: PK – 8)