Port Townsend is a visual delight. It would be difficult to find a visitor or resident who didn't fall in love with Port Townsend at first sight-the tall brick tower of the Jefferson County Courthouse, looking like something out of Camelot; the sparkling waters of Port Townsend Bay and the handsome 19th-century brick business blocks stretched along the quiet waterfront. Ornate Victorian homes, some of them housing bed-and-breakfast inns, perch on bluffs overlooking the bay and Admiralty Inlet. The whole panorama of the white-clad Cascades - from Mt. Baker to Mount Rainier - punctuates the horizon to the east. On the south and west the snowcapped Olympics dominate the view. In all seasons of the year the town is alive with activities, events and festivals.
Come to Port Townsend and make your own discoveries. Port Townsend truly is a treasure.
Port Townsend is in a rain shadow formed by the Olympic Mountain range. The rainfall averages from 12 to 20 inches per year.
Municipal Services City: Water, sewer, garbage, animal control
Fire Department Nine full-time staff members, 28 volunteers, three aid units, eight engines.
Law Enforcement Eleven full time staff members, eight reserves, 11 patrol units.
County Fire Department One full time staff, 73 volunteers, 3 aid units, 17 engines. Law enforcement: 34 full time sheriff personnel, 13 reserve, 13 patrol units.
Chamber of Commerce In operation for over 107 years with 14 active committees and a membership that includes 240 local businesses.
Education Port Townsend
Two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school; two private schools, seven preschools, and one community college branch, one library.
Jefferson County
Two elementary schools, one junior high, and two high schools; one private school and two preschools; one library and a mobile library unit.
Community Services
Civic/Fraternal/Professional Organizations Over 75 organizations with local, regional, national, or international affiliation.
Recreation
Public swimming pool, three golf courses, 16 tennis courts, bowling alley, hiking trails, over 160 acres of public parks.
Local Government
City: Mayor, seven council members. County seat: Three commissioners, Port Authority: three commissioners. Tax Rate
City property tax: $14.45 per $1,000; City sales tax: 8.2%; City utilities/franchise excise tax: 6%; City B&O tax 0.25 of gross sales tax receipts. County property tax: $11.78 per $1,000; County sales tax: 8.2%.
Financial Institutions
Three banks, three savings & loan, two credit unions.
Industry
Pulp & paper, marine trades, boat building, health services, retail, wood products, diversified manufacturing, tourism.
Health Services
45-bed hospital, air ambulance, 31 doctors covering 20 areas of medical practice, 15 dental specialists, 92-bed nursing home.
Senior Citizens Organizations
35 local organizations and agencies provide a vast variety of services.
Churches
29 congregations encompassing 23 denominations/faiths.
Cultural/Performing Arts
Over 75 annual events sponsored by Centrum and other local organizations. Events range from jazz festivals, historic home tours, dinner theatre, craft fairs, sailing regattas, summer youth symposium, writers' conference, and film festivals.
Transportation/Delivery Services
Jefferson County International Airport: Charter Airlines. Jefferson County Transit: Daily service throughout the city and county; two motor freight lines, two express delivery services, taxi and limousine service, Washington State Ferry service between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island.
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