Elma

In Satsop, neighbors catch wild salmon from their boats, which glide across the Satsop River. The community and waterway were both named after a local Native American tribe. Fifteen miles east of Aberdeen, the area is known for being in the countryside of Washington state. “It’s bigger than areas like Porter and Malone, so it’s still rural but has more people,” says broker Kristi Christensen, who works with Better Properties Grays Harbor and grew up in the area. The community of about 800 people depends on Elma, a town 5 miles east, for its public schools, grocery store and other essentials. Satsop River Public Boat Launch is in the southwest corner of the community. At this water recreation spot, residents often kayak and go salmon fishing. At Vance Creek County Park in Elma, there are walking trails around two ponds where visitors can swim. They’re also stocked for fishing, and one has a boat launch. Lake Sylvia State Park, located about 5 miles west in Montesano, provides visitors with kayaking opportunities and a swimming beach. Anglers delight in the stocked waters of trout, bass and perch, while hikers explore the scenic pine forest trails. With the Olympic National Park to the north and Capitol State Forest to the south, outdoorsy Satsop residents have their pick of camping and hiking trails in the wilderness. Satsop has a country feel, from the local livestock store to barns surrounded by endless fields. It's common to spot tractors, stables and RV parking on neighbors’ lawns. Most of the yards have at least an acre of land, although there are smaller lots along Old 410 Highway. Mostly developed in the early 1900s, the architecture includes ranch-style homes from the 1930s, bungalows and farmhouses. However, the community also has new construction homes built in 2024. Ranch-style homes range from $300,000 to $500,000, while new construction ranges from $600,000 to $700,000. The community doesn’t have a lot of retail, but there are a few local stores like Satsop Landscaping & Nursery. It sells a variety of flowers, trees and vegetables. McCombs Livestock, a small local business, has hay and feed for farm animals. To get to a grocery store, residents must drive up to East County Thriftway in Elma. The larger town offers restaurants like Rusty Tractor Restaurant, a diner with a country atmosphere — from farming equipment decorations to barnyard animal art. Its best-known dish is the chicken fried steak. At Joey‘s Crepes & More, patrons can stop in for a brunch of sweet or savory crepes in a small family-owned restaurant that opened in 2023. The Satsop School District and Elma School District serve the community, earning a C-plus grade from Niche. “Satsop’s pretty small, but there's a great school there,” Christensen says. The only school in the Satsop School District, Satsop Elementary has a B-plus grade and stands out as the best public elementary school in Grays Harbor County. Elma Middle School has a C-plus rating, while Elma High School has a B-minus rating. The high school offers courses from ornamental design for landscaping to sports science. Elma hosts community events throughout the year. The Heat on the Street Car and Motorcycle Show in August features displays of vintage rides, live music and dancing on Main Street. For seasonal celebrations, the Fall Festival in downtown Elma features trick-or-treating and a costume contest at the end of October. The Christmas Tree Lighting Festival includes caroling and pictures with Santa. Satsop is a car-dependent community. It's located about 40 miles from Olympia via State Route 8. It’s also about 15 miles east of Aberdeen via State Route 12. There is a Grays Harbor Transit bus stop next to Satsop Elementary School. The closest hospital is Harbor Regional Health Emergency Department, 25 miles away in Aberdeen. The Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, the closest international airport, is about 80 miles away.