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Shelton, WA

Frequently asked questions

Shelton, WA

Shelton is a city in and the county seat of Mason County, Washington, United States. Shelton is the westernmost city on Puget Sound. The population was 10,371 at the 2020 census. Shelton has a council–manager form of government and was the last city in Washington to use a mayor–commission form of government.

Shelton was officially incorporated in 1890. The city was named after David Shelton, a delegate to the territorial legislature. The land was previously called "Cota" and was inhabited and managed by the Squaxin Island Tribe, or "People of the Waters", who had inhabited the land for centuries before contact with white settlers. The land was ceded, along with 4,000 sq. miles of Indigenous land, on December 26, 1854, with the passage of the Treaty of Medicine Creek. After the passage of the treaty, David Shelton and his wife, Frances Shelton, each took a claim of land enabled by the Donation Land Claim Act totaling 640 acres in what would eventually be incorporated as Shelton.

Shelton was once served by a small fleet of steamboats which was part of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet. These boats included the Old Settler, Irene, Willie, City of Shelton, Marian, Clara Brown, and S.G. Simpson. The economy was built around logging, farming, dairying and ranching as well as oyster cultivation. The Simpson Timber Company mill on Puget Sound's Oakland Bay dominated the landscape of the downtown area; the mill was sold to Sierra Pacific Industries in 2015, who are currently building a new mill. Shelton also identified itself as "Christmastown USA" due to the area's cultivation of Christmas trees; the name was later revived for an annual festival. The Ridge Motorsports Park opened in 2012, and has hosted MotoAmerica and Trans-Am Series races.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.09 square miles (15.77 km²), of which 5.76 square miles (14.92 km²) is land and 0.33 square miles (0.85 km²) is water. 

Shelton places a strong emphasis on health and wellness to its residents. The Mason General Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Shelton Athletic Club offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For a relaxing experience, visit Adrift Hotel & Spa, known for its soothing massages and holistic treatments. Fitness enthusiasts can head to the Anytime Fitness to take advantage of their state-of-the-art gym facilities and diverse fitness classes. Joonbug Yoga provides a peaceful environment for yoga practitioners of all levels to enhance flexibility and reduce stress. For those seeking aquatic activities, the Mason County Recreation Area offers swimming and water aerobics. 

Top sites in Shelton WA include Kneeland Park, Jarrell Cove State Park, and Potlatch State Park.

Population: 10,814 (2022). Elevation: 23 ft (7 m). Area: 6.25 sq mi (16.18 km²). ZIP Code: 98584: Area Code: 360.

FAQs

What is Shelton, Washington famous for?

In 1955, the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce began referring to Shelton as "Christmastown, USA", due to the high volume of fir and pine trees being grown in the area. In 2019, Shelton officially broke the Guinness world record for "most lit Christmas trees".  Shelton hosts a variety of iconic events and festivals, drawing visitors from both throughout Washington and beyond. Notable events include OysterFest, the Mason County Forest Festival, the Shelton Farmers Market, and more.

Is Shelton, WA a good place to live?

With a low cost of living, a diverse population, and beautiful natural scenery, living in Shelton offers significant advantages for residents of all different backgrounds. Shelton is in Mason County, Washington, and is the westernmost city on the Puget Sound, situated on the banks of Oakland Bay. It’s also surrounded by natural beauty and is located between Capitol State Forest and Olympia State Park. Most of the shopping is in downtown Shelton, around South 1st Street and West Railroad Ave.

What is the crime rate in Shelton, WA?

With a crime rate of 41 per one thousand residents, Shelton 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 24. Within Washington, more than 85% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Shelton.

Sources

City of Shelton

Wikipedia

Already Moving

Neighborhood Scout

Kneeland Park

Jarrell Cove State Park

Potlatch State Park

Mason General Hospital 

Shelton Athletic Club

Adrift Hotel & Spa

Anytime Fitness

Joonbug Yoga

Mason County Recreation Area

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