Waterfront Houses for Sale in Jefferson County, Washington

Jefferson County History and Demographic Information

Created in 1852 from a section of Lewis County, Jefferson County is situated on the Olympic Peninsula between the Pacific Ocean on the west and Hood Canal to the east. Named after Thomas Jefferson, the county’s seat is Port Townsend, which is also its largest city. According to recent census data, its population is just over 32,000, and almost 38% of its residents are over the age of 65 — the state as a whole has just under 16% under 65. Over 44% of all Jefferson County residents over the age of 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

JEFFERSON COUNTY’S PUBLIC LAND

A large portion of Jefferson County is owned by the public. Roughly 60% of the county is made up of Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park, which cover more than a million acres of wild lands that offer remarkable biodiversity, glacier-capped mountains, and numerous distinct ecosystems. Another 20% of the county is under federal and state agency jurisdiction. The county is also home to two sovereign indigenous nations, whose territories include the Hoh Reservation and the Quinault Reservation.

For anyone who loves nature and its many offerings, Jefferson County is truly a heaven on Earth.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE

While there are generally jobs of all types throughout the county, Jefferson County’s history as a logging and maritime center remain vital to its economy. Lumber, shipbuilding and ship repair, and fish processing are staples. Agriculturally, tree farms that supply the logging industry with material continue to flourish, as do aquaculture farms, and organic farms. Value-added products, like breads and cheeses, are growing in popularity and economic importance and can be bought regularly at the Jefferson County Farmers Market in Port Townsend.

NEARBY COUNTIES

To the west of Jefferson County, nestled between Hood Canal and Puget Sound, sits Kitsap County, a water- and beach-lover’s paradise. To the south sit Mason County and Grays Harbor County. Mason County boasts a handful of excellent state parks and is home to the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship held each year at OysterFest. Grays Harbor County has numerous lakes and rivers and is the host of Loggers Playday, a unique, annual festival that celebrates the region’s logging history.