Jefferson County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 47°50′N 123°35′W / 47.84°N 123.58°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
Founded | December 22, 1852 |
Named for | Thomas Jefferson |
Seat | Port Townsend |
Largest city | Port Townsend |
Area | |
• Total | 2,183 sq mi (5,650 km2) |
• Land | 1,804 sq mi (4,670 km2) |
• Water | 379 sq mi (980 km2) 17% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 32,977 |
• Estimate (2022) | 33,589 |
• Density | 17/sq mi (7/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
Congressional district | 6th |
Website | www |
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,977.[1] The county seat and only incorporated city is Port Townsend.[2] The county is named for Thomas Jefferson.[3]
Jefferson County was formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory,[4] and included the northern 4,854-square-mile (12,571.8 km2) portion of the Olympic Peninsula. On April 26, 1854, the legislature of Washington Territory created Clallam County from the northwestern 2,670-square-mile (6,915.3 km2) portion of this original area.
The Hood Canal Bridge connects Jefferson County to Kitsap County, Washington. The Coupeville-Port Townsend route of the Washington State Ferries connects the county to Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington.