City of Gig Harbor

City of Gig Harbor Official site of the City of Gig Harbor These three fisherman rowed from British Columbia to Gig Harbor and decided to stay. Census Bureau).

Gig Harbor - The Maritime City

Discovered in 1840 and incorporated in 1946, Gig Harbor is one of the most picturesque small cities in America. The city was named from the Wilkes Expedition in which the crew entered the harbor in a longboat called a "captain's gig". 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. The current population is 12,029 (2020 U.S. Average Seasonal Temperatures: Summer 65F to 80F / 35F to 50F. Average Annual Rainfall - 37 inches (wettest / Dec - driest / Jul) . Altitude: Sea level to 440 feet

We welcome comments and encourage respectful conversations on the City of Gig Harbor social media platforms. Persons who post comments are solely responsible for the content of their posts and comments, including but not limited to any claims of copyright infringement or libel resulting from the posted content. Posts and comments contributed by members of the public are their own and do not express the official policy or position of the city. The city makes no representation as to the accuracy or validity of information posted by anyone other than an official City of Gig Harbor representative. Comments should be on-topic, respectful, and civil. The city respects and values a diversity of opinions and perspectives and asks that all comments be free from hate, harassment, obscenities, or other derogatory language about other people or groups based on age, race, ethnicity, country of origin, s*xual orientation, gender identity, ability, religion, income, political persuasion, or cultural practices. Commenters may not provide any comments which would be considered:

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A big thank you to Visit Gig Harbor  for the incredible work you do to showcase our community and support Gig Harbor’s e...
09/11/2026

A big thank you to Visit Gig Harbor for the incredible work you do to showcase our community and support Gig Harbor’s economic vitality!

Visit Gig Harbor Tourism Director Rosalyn Rochac-Finnegan presented an update on the organization’s work promoting Gig Harbor as a year-round travel destination during the Aug. 13 study session.

Over the past year, Visit Gig Harbor has strengthened the city's tourism brand through a redesigned website, professional photo library, and improved analysis of visitor data. From Jan. 1 to July 18, Gig Harbor welcomed 593,648 visitors, with 58% staying overnight and an average stay of 1.9 days, bringing valuable activity to local restaurants, lodging, and small businesses.

Through thoughtful tourism marketing, creative storytelling, strategic partnerships and a strong focus on bringing visitors to our community, Visit Gig Harbor helps shine a light on the people, places and businesses that make Gig Harbor special.

A thriving visitor economy benefits our entire community, and continued investment in tourism marketing supports local businesses, strengthens the economy, and helps Gig Harbor continue to grow as a vibrant destination.

We’re grateful for Visit Gig Harbor’s partnership and all you do to help put Gig Harbor on the map. Thank you for helping make our community a destination worth discovering!

Check out one of Visit Gig Harbor’s videos - https://youtu.be/sgaWUzc57ec?si=zwfYhbyFObJq-wwK



[Visit Gig Harbor tourism promotion video: https://youtu.be/sgaWUzc57ec?si=zwfYhbyFObJq-wwK ]

Experience Shopping with Wonder in Gig Harbor, Washington — where w...

Today, 25 years later, we pause to remember the lives lost and honor the heroes who selflessly stepped forward on Septem...
09/11/2026

Today, 25 years later, we pause to remember the lives lost and honor the heroes who selflessly stepped forward on September 11, 2001.

We remember the families, first responders, service members, and communities forever impacted by that day. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

The city is honored to be represented by Mayor Mary Barber and the Gig Harbor Police Department at the Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony this morning at the GHFMO Headquarters, Station 50.

“May we never forget the courage of those who helped, the families of those who were lost and all who came together to help.” -Mayor Mary Barber

[Images: Photos courtesy Mayor Mary Barber of the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One Headquarters in Gig Harbor on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. The ceremony was held outside Station 50 where a 9/11 memorial display is located. The 9/11 World Trade Center steel beam artifact obtained by Gig Harbor Fire personnel and driven cross county in the Spring of 2001. Gig Harbor Firefighters Local 3390]

What does it take to keep Gig Harbor a place where people of all ages, stages and incomes can afford to call home? 🏠 Cre...
09/10/2026

What does it take to keep Gig Harbor a place where people of all ages, stages and incomes can afford to call home? 🏠

Creating a community where people can afford to live takes many solutions working together.

The city is updating its development code to create more housing options. This careful balancing act aims to align city code with state requirements while honoring the community’s character and priorities. The work follows the city’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan and responds to new state requirements around housing, subdivisions, accessory dwelling units, and parking.

Community input is an important part of the process, which is one reason the city recently conducted an online survey. Results show support for a wider range of housing options, including mixed-use housing, renovating older buildings for housing, and accessory dwelling units. This is the second phase of a larger effort to address housing diversity.

Learn more about what’s changing, why it matters, and what’s next, in Community Development Director Eric Baker’s latest news article: https://www.gigharborwa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1576



[Image: Local Gig Harbor apartments.]

Give blood, save lives! Join the American Red Cross at the Gig Harbor Civic Center for a community blood drive on Tuesda...
09/09/2026

Give blood, save lives!

Join the American Red Cross at the Gig Harbor Civic Center for a community blood drive on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Every donation helps ensure hospitals have the lifesaving blood they need. If you're able, please consider giving!

Schedule your donation here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time?zipSponsor=98322&driveType=all



[Image: Graphic of a blood drop icon with a smiling face and a headline that reads, “Donate Your Blood. Donate Blood. Be the Reason Someone Lives” With a message below the main caption that reads, “Sept. 29, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. City of Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St., Gig Harbor, WA, Register now.” At the bottom of the flyer it reads www.redcrossblood.org and a QR code to the right.]

Take our survey:  👉 https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a56650abf1a34bd68dc48e8bd9e6cfac  We want to hear from you to det...
09/08/2026

Take our survey:
👉 https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a56650abf1a34bd68dc48e8bd9e6cfac

We want to hear from you to determine the future of a piece of city property adjacent to Soundview Forest!

Purchased in 2018 along with the forested section, this has been a rental property managed by the city. Under the purchase and sale agreement, the property can no longer be used as a residence.

Funded by a grant, the city is conducting a feasibility study to look at installing a stormwater park at the property as well as explore opportunities to develop the property as a public space. The proposed stormwater park would remove pollutants from rain runoff along Soundview before it flows into the harbor. One element of the study is collecting community feedback to help shape the future of this property and inform the city’s planning process.

What would you like to see on this property? Share your ideas, priorities, and vision.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey before it closes on October 2.



[Image: Photo of the city-owned property adjacent to Soundview Forest]

City offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.  We extend a special thank you t...
09/04/2026

City offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

We extend a special thank you to our dedicated staff in police and public works who remain on duty this weekend, ensuring that the rest of us can enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday. Your service embodies the spirit of Labor Day, and we’re deeply grateful.

From all of us at the City of Gig Harbor: stay hydrated, put on your sunscreen, and stay safe out there. 💙



[Image: Flyer announcing that the Gig Harbor Civic Center will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. The design features large blue text reading "Labor day," red stripes and blue stars, and large red text reading "Closed." The City of Gig Harbor logo appears at the bottom, with a decorative red, white, and blue flag-inspired border in bottom left corner.]

We’re incredibly grateful to the Lu Winsor Environmental Fund, a program supported by Pierce County, Peninsula Light Com...
09/04/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to the Lu Winsor Environmental Fund, a program supported by Pierce County, Peninsula Light Company, and the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, for their generous $1,000 grant to help support the Community Parks Habitat Initiative! 🌳

This grant will fund the purchase of native plants for restoration projects at Crescent Creek Park and Wilkinson Farm Park. The new plants will be installed during the city’s annual Parks Appreciation Day, where community volunteers will help plant these native species in areas where invasive plants have been cleared.

This funding supports city efforts to enhance community parks, provide native plants to expand wildlife habitats, and help maximize the impact of taxpayer dollars.



[Image: Black graphic celebrating 2026 Lu Winsor Environmental Fund grantee. The text reads "2026" at the top, followed by "Lu Winsor Environmental Fund" and the large word "Grantee" in green. Below is the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation logo featuring a white tree with the text, "Building, Bridging, Enriching!" At the bottom, the text reads: "Serving Washington's South Sound, greater Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, and surrounding watersheds."]

  Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One  Deputy Chief of Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness Tom Wescott presented an overview...
09/03/2026

Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One Deputy Chief of Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness Tom Wescott presented an overview of the fire department’s wildfire preparedness efforts and shared steps community members can take to protect their homes, families, and neighborhood at the Aug. 13 study session. 🔥

Community members are encouraged to sign up for Pierce County emergency alerts by texting “PCALERT” to 888-777, follow Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One on social media, create an evacuation plan, and prepare a “go bag” with essential items in case of evacuations.

To help homeowners reduce wildfire risk, the fire department has partnered with Washington State Department of Natural Resources to offer the Wildfire Ready Neighbor Program. Through this free program, individuals can sign up to have a firefighter come walk your property, identify potential wildfire hazards, and provide recommendations along with a zone-by-zone action plan to better protect your home from wildfire.

By investing in preparedness and prevention, Gig Harbor is taking steps to help community members stay safe during dry summer months.

Wildfire Ready Neighbor Program: https://www.gigharborfire.org/wildfire-ready-neighbors/

[Image: A blue flyer with large white text reading, "Are you wildfire ready?" The Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One logo is on the bottom right and the Wildfire Ready Neighbors logo is on the bottom left. Two photos of firefighters attending to wildfires are on either side.]

We are proud to announce that Liz Kovell, payroll and benefits administrator, was named Employee of the Quarter for summ...
09/02/2026

We are proud to announce that Liz Kovell, payroll and benefits administrator, was named Employee of the Quarter for summer 2026!

Hear what one of her nominators had to say:
“Liz’s commitment to service extends well beyond her technical responsibilities. She has assisted with onboarding new employees, is a valuable resource to staff throughout the organization, and consistently provides excellent service to our employees and the city. She approaches challenges with care, expertise, and a continuous-improvement mindset.”

Congratulations, Liz, and thank you for the important work you do every day for the city and our community!

All full-time and part-time regular employees are eligible for the quarterly award. Annually, Employees of the Quarter are eligible for Employee of the Year. The 2026 Employee of the Year will receive two additional floating holidays for use in 2027.



[Image: From left: City Administrator Katrina Knutson, the Employee of the Quarter Liz Kovell, and Mayor Mary Barber. Photo by city staff.]

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