Jefferson County, Washington
Jefferson County | |
|---|---|
Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend | |
Location within the U.S. state of Washington | |
Washington's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 47°50′N 123°35′W / 47.84°N 123.58°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Founded | December 22, 1852 |
| Named after | 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 (2024) | 33,944 |
| • Density | 17/sq mi (7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | co.jefferson.wa.us |
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,977. The county seat and only incorporated city is Port Townsend. The county is named for Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson County was formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory, 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.