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Aberdeen, WA

Frequently asked questions

Aberdeen, WA

Aberdeen is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 17,013 at the 2020 census. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis. Aberdeen is occasionally referred to as the "Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula".

Samuel Benn, a New York City native, established a homestead on the Chehalis River in 1859 and later platted a town at the site named Aberdeen. According to accounts collected by historian Edmond S. Meany, the name has two possible origins: from the Ilwaco-based Aberdeen Packing Company, which opened a cannery on the homestead in 1873; or from the Scottish city of Aberdeen, named by an early settler who had lived in Scotland. Like the Scottish city, Aberdeen is a port settlement situated at the mouth of two rivers—the Chehalis and the Wishkah. An earlier name for the settlement was Heraville, which was recorded by Benn.

The city was founded by Samuel Benn in 1884 and incorporated on May 12, 1890. Although it became the largest and best-known city in Grays Harbor, Aberdeen lagged behind nearby Hoquiam and Cosmopolis in its early years. When A.J. West built the town's first sawmill in 1894, the other two municipalities had been in business for several years. Aberdeen and its neighbors vied to be the terminus for the Northern Pacific Railroad, but instead of ending at one of the established mill towns, the railroad skimmed through Cosmopolis and headed west for Ocosta. Hoquiam and Aberdeen citizens together built a spur; in 1895, the line connected Northern Pacific tracks to Aberdeen.

Aberdeen is at the eastern end of Grays Harbor, near the mouth of the Chehalis River and southwest of the Olympic Mountains. Grays Harbor is notable as the northernmost ria on North America's Pacific Coast because it has remained free of glaciers throughout the Quaternary due to unfavorable topography and warm temperatures. It is thought that, during glacial periods of the Quaternary, the Chehalis River was a major refugium for aquatic species, as was the west coast from the Olympic Peninsula southward for plants that later formed the northern part of the Pacific temperate rainforest in formerly glaciated areas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.36 square miles (32.01 km²), of which 10.65 square miles (27.58 km²) is land and 1.71 square miles (4.43 km²) is water.

Aberdeen places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Grays Harbor Community Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Timber Gym and Anytime Fitness offer comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For a comprehensive fitness experience, check out the YMCA of Grays Harbor, which offers everything from group exercise classes to swimming. Aberdeen is also home to several parks and outdoor spaces, like the beautiful Lake Sylvia State Park, perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. For a focus on holistic health, It's Your Practice offers yoga classes for meditation. The Harbor Physical Therapy is ideal for those needing rehabilitation services.

Top sites in Aberdeen, WA are Aberdeen Art Center, Extreme Fun Center Aberdeen, Sam Benn Park, and Westport Winery Garden Resort.

Population: 17,044 (2024). ZIP code: 98520. Area codes: 360, 564. Elevation: 23 ft (7 m). Area: 12.58 sq mi (32.57 km²).

FAQs

What is Aberdeen, WA known for?

Aberdeen is called the "Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula", because of its proximity to the southern end of the peninsula and Olympic National Park. Since the late 1980s, Aberdeen has been famous as being the "Birthplace of Grunge", and the hometown of Nirvana members Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. A sign welcoming visitors to Aberdeen proclaims "Come As You Are" as a tribute to the band. Professional wrestling fans will know it as the hometown of Bryan Danielson, now performing under his real name in All Elite Wrestling but perhaps better known for his long run in WWE as Daniel Bryan. Although it's hard to imagine today, at one point Aberdeen was a notorious Western outpost at the turn of the 20th century, with several saloons, brothels, and gambling halls in and around the town. Because of the wild atmosphere associated with these establishments, Aberdeen was nicknamed "The Hellhole of the Pacific."

Is Aberdeen, Washington a good place to live?

Aberdeen, Washington, is a small city in Gray Harbor County, southwest of the Olympic Mountains. It is located next to Hoquiam and Cosmopolis and has a rich history that predates even the state of Washington. Aberdeen offers an affordable cost of living, high-quality schools, a rich history, and a lovely natural environment. On the other hand, the crime rates are high, job opportunities are inadequate, and it rains a lot, which could be a pro or a con. 

What is the crime rate in Aberdeen, WA?

With a crime rate of 47 per one thousand residents, Aberdeen has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 21. Within Washington, more than 89% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Aberdeen.

Sources

City of Aberdeen

Wikipedia

Wikivoyage

Neighborhood Scout

Home and Money

Aberdeen Art Center

Extreme Fun Center Aberdeen

Sam Benn Park

Westport Winery Garden Resort

Grays Harbor Community Hospital

Timber Gym

Anytime Fitness

YMCA of Grays Harbor

Lake Sylvia State Park

It's Your Practice

Harbor Physical Therapy

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