Port Orchard
cityPort Orchard is a city located in Kitsap County, Washington, serving as its county seat. Situated on the Kitsap Peninsula, it lies 13 miles west of West Seattle and is accessible via Washington State Ferries. The city offers a mix of waterfront living and suburban charm. The population was 15,587 in the 2020 census and estimated to be around 17,149 in 2024. Key sectors in Port Orchard's economy include retail trade, manufacturing, and healthcare. The city also benefits from its proximity to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. As the commercial center for South Kitsap, Port Orchard provides a range of services and employment opportunities for the surrounding area. Port Orchard's history is tied to the early settlement of the Kitsap Peninsula, with its origins as a sawmill town in the mid-19th century. Named after Port Orchard, the strait separating Bainbridge Island from the Kitsap Peninsula, the city offers scenic views of the Olympic Mountains and a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
Port Orchard, Washington
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 53-55785
- Country
- United States
- County
- Kitsap County
- Region
- Puget Sound
- Elevation
- 430 ft
- Total Area
- 11.21 sq mi
- Land Area
- 9.64 sq mi
- Water Area
- 1.57 sq mi
- Latitude
- 47.53167
- Longitude
- -122.63833
- Climate
- Temperate climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers.
- Notable Features
- Sinclair Inlet · Olympic Mountains
- Neighboring Areas
- Bremerton · East Port Orchard · Parkwood
- Population (2020)
- 15,587
- Est. Population (2024)
- 17,149
- Median Age
- 35
- Median Income
- $89,795
- Poverty Rate
- 9.69%
- Family Households
- 67.5%
- Owner-Occupied
- 62%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of Port Orchard includes 75.6% White, 5.1% Asian, 13.0% Two or more races, 10.6% Hispanic or Latino.
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 7 members
- School District
- South Kitsap School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Community Development · Parks & Recreation
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.8%
- Economic Profile
- Residential/Suburban · Commercial
- Employment Sectors
- Retail Trade · Manufacturing · Health Care & Social Assistance
- Major Employers
- Kitsap Bank · Olympic Property Group
- Schools
- 14
- Students
- 9,297
- Teachers
- 547
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- School Districts
- South Kitsap School District
- Transportation
- Washington State Ferries · Highways · Public Transportation
- Utilities
- Municipal Water · Power · Broadband/Fiber
- Major Facilities
- Harrison Medical Center (in Bremerton) · Bremerton National Airport (PWT)
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- South Kitsap Regional Park
- Parks & Trails
- City Parks · Hiking Trails
- Founded
- 1854
- Incorporated
- 1890
- Named After
- Harry Masterman Orchard of the HMS Discovery
- Historical Significance
- Early settlement and commercial center in Kitsap County, important for naval activities and timber industry.
- Key Events
- William Renton and Daniel Howard established a sawmill in 1854. · Town platted by Frederick Stevens in 1886 and named Sidney. · Incorporated as Sidney in 1890. · Became the county seat in 1892. · Name changed to Port Orchard in 1903.