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Gig Harbor, WA

Frequently asked questions

Gig Harbor, WA

Gig Harbor is the name of both a bay on Puget Sound and a city on its shore in Pierce County, Washington. The population was 12,029 at the 2020 census.

Gig Harbor bills itself as "the Maritime City" and maintains a strong connection to its maritime heritage. Due to its close access to several state and city parks, and historic waterfront that includes boutiques and fine dining, it has become a popular tourist destination. Gig Harbor is located along State Route 16, about 6 mi (10 km) from its origin at Interstate 5, over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The S'Homamish or Homamish, an ancestral band of the modern-day Puyallup people, have inhabited Gig Harbor, known in Lushootseed as txʷaalqəɬ, meaning "place where game exists" for millennia. There was a Puyallup settlement at the mouth of the harbor that included six houses, and a large longhouse. This village existed until the late 19th century, with the longhouse finally being torn down by settlers in 1915. The band was later relocated to the Puyallup Indian Reservation.

During a heavy storm in 1840, Captain Charles Wilkes brought the captain's gig (small boat) into the harbor for protection. Later, with the publication of Wilkes' 1841 map of the Oregon Territory, the sheltered bay was named in English as Gig Harbor by George Sinclair for his boat.

In 1867, fisherman Samuel Jerisich came to the Gig Harbor area, along with many other immigrants from Sweden, Norway, and Croatia. The town was platted in 1888 by Alfred M. Burnham, the owner of a local general store and native of Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he advertised opportunities in Gig Harbor.

Gig Harbor was officially incorporated as a town on July 12, 1946, after a previous attempt in September 1945 was rejected by 13 votes. The town had 803 residents in 1950, but soon grew due to the ease of access afforded by the replacement bridge that turned Gig Harbor into a bedroom community for Tacoma workers. Gig Harbor was re-incorporated as a city in 1981. By the 1980s and 1990s, substantial residential and retail development had pushed the city's boundaries west to State Route 16, which had been upgraded to a partial freeway. The downtown area shifted towards tourism to compensate for lost business and attract new development. The city's historic boat building industry declined, but its facilities remain preserved as historic landmarks. A fleet of commercial fishing boats is based in Gig Harbor and make annual trips to Alaska for the summer season to harvest salmon.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.96 square miles (15.44 km²), of which 5.95 square miles (15.41 km²) are land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.

When it comes to health and wellness, Gig Harbor offers residents and visitors numerous options for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. The city boasts a variety of parks and recreational areas, such as the beautiful Kopachuck State Park and the Cushman Trail, which are ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and picnicking. St. Anthony Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Gig Harbor Strength & Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For a serene yoga experience, check out Intravene Wellness Therapies which also offers mobile IV therapy sessions. The Tuladhara Yoga Studio offers classes that cater to all levels. For a rejuvenating spa experience, visit the Spa at Cedarbrook Lodge. For those interested in holistic wellness, Gig Harbor Naturopathic Medicine provides naturopathic treatments.

Top sites in Gig Harbor WA include Harbor History Museum, Skansie Brothers Park and Netshed, and Kopachuck State Park.

Population: 12,484 (2022). Elevation:36 ft (11 m) . Zip Code: 98332. Area Code: 253. Area: 6.12 sq mi (15.85 km²).

FAQs

Why is Gig Harbor, WA famous?

Gig Harbor is one of several cities and towns that claim to be "the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula". It is located on Gig Harbor Bay in Puget Sound across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. Due to its close access to several state and city parks, and historic waterfront that includes boutiques and fine dining, it has become a popular tourist destination.

Is Gig Harbor, WA expensive?

Gig Harbor is part of Tacoma-Lakewood Metro Div. metro area, which is ranked 31 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. According to C2ER (the Council for Community and Economic Research), the cost of living in Gig Harbor is estimated to be 119.2% of the national average making it one of the more expensive cities in the US. The median household income in Gig Harbor is $96,192, which is 16% more than that of the state. The median income for an individual is $58,664, which is 32% more than that of the state.

What is the crime rate in Gig Harbor, WA?

With a crime rate of 62 per one thousand residents, Gig Harbor 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 16. Within Washington, more than 96% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Gig Harbor.

Sources

City of Gig Harbor

Wikipedia

Fly Homes

Neighborhood Scout

Harbor History Museum

Skansie Brothers Park and Netshed

Kopachuck State Park

Cushman Trail

St. Anthony Hospital

Gig Harbor Strength & Fitness

Intravene Wellness Therapies

Tuladhara Yoga

Spa at Cedarbrook Lodge

Gig Harbor Naturopathic Medicine

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.