Quick answer: Gig Harbor is a waterfront city of about 13,100 people in Pierce County, across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from Tacoma, known for its working harbor and fishing history. The typical home value was about $811,400 in September 2026, a little higher than a year earlier, according to Zillow. Here’s what to know about living, buying and selling in Gig Harbor, with sources for every number.
Updated November 2026. Our Tacoma office is at 9621 Golden Given Rd E.
Gig Harbor at a glance
| Population | 13,140 (April 2026) |
| Typical home value | $811,438 (September 2026) |
| A year earlier | $806,445 (September 2025) |
| County | Pierce |
| Incorporated | 1946 |
| School district | Peninsula School District |
| To Tacoma | SR 16, Tacoma Narrows Bridge |
“Typical home value” is Zillow’s estimate for a middle-priced home, not a sale price. For actual sales, see the Pierce County housing market page, which we update every month with official NWMLS numbers.
The Maritime City
- The name: in May 1841 a crew from the Wilkes Expedition found the hidden harbor, and Sinclair named the little bay Gig Harbor after the boat (a gig) he had rowed in on, according to HistoryLink.
- Fishing families: Croatian and Scandinavian families settled here, and the harbor became home to a largely Croatian fishing fleet.
- Boatbuilding: the Skansie Shipbuilding Company, started in 1912, built more than 100 vessels, mostly purse seiners.
- A city since 1946: voters approved incorporation in June 1946. The 1950 Narrows Bridge then made Gig Harbor an easy-to-reach suburb of Tacoma. The city calls itself “The Maritime City.”
City limits vs. a Gig Harbor address
The City of Gig Harbor says its city limits are “much smaller than many people expect,” and that places in unincorporated Pierce County also have a Gig Harbor mailing address. That can change who handles permits, roads and other services for a home. Check the city’s map for the exact address, or ask us to check it for you.
Schools
Gig Harbor is served by the Peninsula School District, which has about 9,100 students, 10 elementary schools, 4 middle schools and 3 high schools across 120 square miles.
- High schools: Gig Harbor High School, Peninsula High School and Henderson Bay High School
- Middle schools: Goodman, Harbor Ridge, Key Peninsula and Kopachuck
- College: Tacoma Community College has a Gig Harbor campus offering associate degrees and Running Start
School boundaries can change, so always check a specific address with the district before you buy.
The waterfront and parks
- Skansie Brothers Park: a 2.59-acre downtown waterfront park named for the four Croatian Skansie brothers, with a historic netshed, a 1908 home and a covered pavilion.
- Jerisich Dock: a waterfront mini-park on Harborview Drive with first-come, first-served moorage.
- Harbor History Museum: on Harborview Drive, with more than 29,000 artifacts, images and archival records of the area’s history.
- Sehmel Homestead Park: a 98-acre PenMet Parks site with a playground, turf field, amphitheater and about 4 miles of trails.
Getting around
- Tacoma Narrows Bridge: SR 16 connects Gig Harbor and Tacoma. Tolls are only collected on trips headed to Tacoma; WSDOT lists $4.50 with a Good To Go! pass for a two-axle vehicle, more at the booth or by mail.
- Buses: Pierce Transit Route 100 serves Gig Harbor between the Tacoma Community College Transit Center and the Purdy Park & Ride, with a stop at the Kimball Drive Park & Ride.
Buying near the water
The City of Gig Harbor’s Shoreline Master Program regulates all development and use within 200 feet of the shoreline. If you’re looking at a waterfront home or planning changes near the water, check the shoreline rules before you buy, and ask us to pull recent waterfront sales.
Homes for sale in Gig Harbor
Looking at homes for sale in Gig Harbor? Search every home for sale on the MLS or get new listings by email. In October 2026 Pierce County had 20% more homes for sale than a year earlier, so buyers have more to choose from.
Buying a home in Gig Harbor
- Know your payment first. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.24% on October 29, 2026, according to Freddie Mac. Get pre-approved so you know what fits before you tour.
- Check the address. Confirm city limits or county, the school, shoreline rules and HOA rules for the exact home.
Selling a home in Gig Harbor
- Start with a real number. A price based on recent sales near you matters more than a citywide average, especially for waterfront and view homes. Get a free home value.
- Watch the county trend. The median sale price in Pierce County was $560,000 in October 2026, the same as a year earlier, with about 3.9 months of inventory. See the latest county numbers.
Nearby
Looking around the South Sound? See the Pierce County housing market, or living in Tacoma, Lakewood and Puyallup.
Common questions
What is the average home price in Gig Harbor, WA?
Zillow’s typical home value for Gig Harbor was $811,438 in September 2026, up from $806,445 a year earlier. For actual sales across Pierce County, the median sale price was $560,000 in October 2026, according to NWMLS.
Is a Gig Harbor address inside the city?
Not always. The City of Gig Harbor says its city limits are much smaller than many people expect, and places in unincorporated Pierce County also have a Gig Harbor mailing address.
What school district is Gig Harbor in?
The Peninsula School District, whose high schools are Gig Harbor, Peninsula and Henderson Bay. Always check the specific address with the district.
Do you pay a toll to get to Gig Harbor?
No. Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls are only collected on trips headed to Tacoma. WSDOT lists $4.50 with a Good To Go! pass for a two-axle vehicle.
How did Gig Harbor get its name?
In 1841 a crew from the Wilkes Expedition rowed into the harbor in a gig, a small boat, and named it Gig Harbor, according to HistoryLink.
Talk to a local agent
Thinking about buying or selling in Gig Harbor? Visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Northwest Home Team at 9621 Golden Given Rd E in Tacoma, call (360) 529-0992, or find a local agent.
Sources
- Washington State Office of Financial Management, April 1, 2026 Population of Cities, Towns and Counties
- Zillow Research, Zillow Home Value Index (Gig Harbor, all homes, September 2026)
- HistoryLink, Gig Harbor – Thumbnail History and Gig Harbor incorporates in 1946
- City of Gig Harbor: About Gig Harbor, City limits, Skansie Brothers Park, Jerisich Dock, Shoreline Master Program
- Peninsula School District, Our Schools; TCC Gig Harbor campus
- Harbor History Museum; PenMet Parks, Sehmel Homestead Park
- WSDOT, Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolling; Pierce Transit, Route 100
- NWMLS monthly market recap, October 2026 (Pierce County median sale price, active listings, months of inventory)
- Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 29, 2026
All listings featuring the icon are provided courtesy of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. The database information herein is provided from and copyrighted by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). NWMLS data may not be reproduced or redistributed and is only for people viewing this site. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. The information contained in these listings has not been verified by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Northwest Home Team and should be verified by the buyer. All properties are subject to prior sale or withdrawal. All rights are reserved by copyright. Property locations as displayed on any map are best approximations only and exact locations should be independently verified. Listing information last updated on May 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM PST.
