Ocosta, Washington

Ocosta, Washington
CDP
Ocosta seen from ISS Expedition 71, April 2024
Ocosta seen from ISS Expedition 71, April 2024
Interactive map of Ocosta, Washington
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyGrays Harbor
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
GNIS feature ID2807186[1]

Ocosta is an unincorporated community and Census-designated place in Grays Harbor County, in the U.S. state of Washington.[1]

As of the 2020 census, Ocosta had a population of 502.[2]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020502—
U.S. Decennial Census[3]

Ocosta first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S. census.[4]

Racial and ethnic composition

Ocosta CDP, Washington – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2020[5] 2020
White alone (NH) 430 85.66%
Black or African American alone (NH) 0 0.00%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 9 1.79%
Asian alone (NH) 8 1.59%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0.00%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 28 5.58%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 27 5.38%
Total 502 100.00%

History

Map of Ocosta Harbor, c. 1892

The town, originally called Ocosta-by-the-sea, was the product of a disagreement between Aberdeen, WA and the Northern Pacific Railroad. In those days, it was common for the NP to accept a cash incentive from a town that wished to connect to the system. Aberdeen refused to pay, and the NP established the town in an attempt to bypass the city.

The town was reached in 1892; however, Ocosta's harbor was found to be unsuitable, and the NP instead struck a deal with Aberdeen to build a spur into the city. When the 1893 financial panic occurred, the Northern Pacific ultimately halted progress, and the city of Aberdeen finished the spur, using rails from a sunken barque.[6]

A post office called Ocosta was established in 1890, and remained in operation until 1943.[7] The community was named for the nearby ocean coast.[8] The ZIP Code for Ocosta is 98520.[9]

Education

It is in the Ocosta School District.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Ocosta Census Designated Place". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  2. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  4. ↑ "2020 Geography Changes". United States Census Bureau.
  5. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ocosta CDP, Washington". United States Census Bureau.
  6. ↑ Davidson, Mike (June 20, 2001). "History of Railroads in Grays Harbor". Washington Genealogy. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  8. ↑ Meany, Edmond S. (1923). Origin of Washington geographic names. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 195.
  9. ↑ "Ocosta WA ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  10. ↑ Geography Division (December 21, 2020). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Grays Harbor County, WA (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026. - Text list

46°53′19″N 124°02′19″W / 46.88861°N 124.03861°W / 46.88861; -124.03861


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