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Port Angeles, WA

Frequently asked questions

Port Angeles, WA

Port Angeles is a city and county seat of Clallam County, Washington, United States. With a population of 19,960 as of the 2020 census, it is the largest city in the county. The population was estimated at 20,134 in 2021.

The city's harbor was dubbed Puerto de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (Port of Our Lady of the Angels) by Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza in 1791. By the mid-19th century, after settlement by English speakers from the United States, the name was shortened and partially anglicized to its current form, Port Angeles Harbor.

Port Angeles is home to Peninsula College. It is the birthplace of football hall of famer John Elway and residents include writers and artists. The city is served by William R. Fairchild International Airport. Ferry service is provided across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on the MV Coho.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.52 square miles (37.61 km²), of which 10.70 square miles (27.71 km²) is land and 3.82 square miles (9.89 km²) is water.

The city is situated on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula along the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Port Angeles features a long and narrow glacial moraine named Ediz Hook that projects northeasterly nearly three miles into the Strait. Ediz Hook creates a large, natural deep-water harbor shielded from the storms and swells that move predominantly eastward down the Strait from the Pacific Ocean. Coast Guard Air Station / Sector Field Office (SFO) Port Angeles is situated on the end of Ediz Hook. The harbor is deep enough to provide anchorage for large ocean-going ships such as tankers and cruise ships. The south shore of Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria, British Columbia are visible across the Strait to the north.

Port Angeles is located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, which means the city gets significantly less rain than other areas of western Washington. The average annual precipitation total is approximately 25 in (640 mm), compared to Seattle's 38 in (970 mm). Temperatures are moderated by the maritime location, with winter lows rarely below 25 °F (−4 °C) and summer highs rarely above 80 °F (27 °C). However, in the winter, the city can be vulnerable to windstorms and Arctic cold fronts that sweep across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Port Angeles receives about 4 in (10 cm) of snow each year, but it rarely stays on the ground for long.

Port Angeles is also the location of the headquarters of Olympic National Park, which encompasses most of the Olympic Mountains. This park was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, during the Great Depression.

In terms of health and wellness, Port Angeles prioritizes a healthy lifestyle, offering residents and visitors access to various recreational activities thanks to its proximity to outdoor spaces. Olympic Memorial Hospital provides comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Anytime Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For a rejuvenating massage experience, visit Resst Massage & Bodywork, which specializes in Swedish, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, and Trigger Point techniques. If you're interested in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, Blue Heron Acupuncture & Wellness provides comprehensive treatments including cupping therapy and herbal medicine. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy state-of-the-art facilities at the Shore Aquatic Center, which features a wide range of aquatic activities and classes. Yoga practitioners should check out Olympic Iyengar Yoga, offering classes for all levels in a serene environment. For a unique workout experience, the Fitness Center at the Port Angeles YMCA has various programs tailored to individual fitness goals.

Top sites in Port Angeles are Olympic National Park, Feiro Marine Life Center, Port Angeles City Pier, and Salt Creek Recreation Area.

Population: 20,112 (2024). ZIP codes: 98362, 98363. Area code: 360. Elevation: 141 ft (43 m). Area: 14.53 sq mi (37.63 km²).

FAQs

What is special about Port Angeles, WA?

Permanently settled in 1862, it has sheltered harbor facilities that serve the fishing industry; the city also has lumber, paper, and food-processing plants. Dairy farms are in the vicinity. Port Angeles is the headquarters for nearby Olympic National Park and is known for its Salmon Derby (held every Labor Day weekend). It is home to Peninsula College (1961) and a U.S. Coast Guard station, the oldest in the United States.

Is Port Angeles, WA a good place to live?

Port Angeles is in Clallam County. Living in Port Angeles offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Port Angeles, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals and retirees live in Port Angeles and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Port Angeles are above average.

How much does it cost to live in Port Angeles, WA?

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Port Angeles is $32,572 a year — less than the annual cost of living for Washington of $38,410 and less than the national figure of $38,433. In Port Angeles, the median home value is $202,500, less than the national median home value of $204,900. The median price of a home built in 1939 or earlier is $190,800, while the median value of a home built in 2014 or later is $302,400. The typical renter in Port Angeles spends $928 a month on housing, greater than the $1,023 national median monthly rent.

Sources

City of Port Angeles

Wikipedia

Niche

Britannica

24/7 Wall St.

Olympic National Park

Port Angeles City Pier

Salt Creek Recreation Area

Olympic Memorial Hospital

Anytime Fitness

Resst Massage & Bodywork

Blue Heron Acupuncture & Wellness

Shore Aquatic Center

Olympic Iyengar Yoga

Port Angeles YMCA

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