$502,485Average Value$313Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
An outdoorsy community in Grays Harbor County
Porter, a rural community in Grays Harbor County, offers an escape from busy city life with its outdoor experiences. Locals can live on acres of land next door to the Capitol State Forest, making it an ideal setting for those seeking endless recreation. Shaded by giant pine trees, mountain bikes pass by horseback riders in the untouched nature of rugged Washington state. The small community of less than 200 people is dependent on Elma, a small town 5 miles north. Porter residents need to drive up to its school system, grocery store and community events for activities. It's also 30 miles west of Olympia and about 25 miles east of Aberdeen for a central location between two cities.
In Porter, an endless outdoor experience of state forest recreation and rural home life awaits.
Porter Creek Campground has amenities such as picnic tables, bbq grills and toilets.
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Capitol State Forest and more recreation
Directly east of Porter, Capitol State Forest is a natural oasis of evergreen woodlands among the Black Hills Mountains. “We've all grown up going out to Capitol Forest. There’s hiking and camping, driving and seeing beautiful sites and views,” says broker Kristi Christensen who works with Better Properties Grays Harbor and grew up in the area. The park’s trails pass by waterfall scenery and panoramic vistas from the top of Capitol Peak. At Vance Creek County Park in Elma, there are walking paths around two ponds, where visitors can also go swimming. It features a dog park with sections for large and small furry friends. The community is about 45 miles south of Olympic National Forest, a rainforest renowned for its scenic lakes and views of the Olympic Mountains.
Directly east of Porter, Capitol State Forest is a natural oasis of evergreen woodlands
The trails pass by waterfall scenery and panoramic vistas in the Capital State Forest.
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Retail and restaurants located in Elma
Being in such a rural place means limited retail, so Porter residents need to drive 2 miles north to Malone for the closest convenience store. Red's Hop N' Market is a locally owned shop that sells snacks and drinks. To get to a grocery store, residents must drive up to East County Thriftway, located in Elma. The larger town also 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.
Nearby Elma has some retail and shopping opportunities.
The Rusty Tractor Restaurant has a bar as well as dining spaces.
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Acreage on Porter Creek Road
The main section of Porter next to State Route 12 is a small network of streets where homes and lots are small, but this quickly changes — the yards become more spread-out along Porter Creek Road. Some homes are on pastures with cows and red barns, while others are on rolling foothills dense with evergreen forest. “It’s a very small area with a lot of farming. You have good value for the land there,” Christensen says. The architecture includes ranch-style homes, manufactured homes, bungalows and farmhouses. Ranch-style homes range from $200,000 to $300,000, while farmhouses range from $350,000 to $600,000. There's plenty of undeveloped acreage from $50,000 to $200,000, where buyers can build their dream homes.
Large lot homes can be found scattered throughout the Porter neighborhood.
A perfectly kept rambler style home in rural Porter.
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Elma public schools
The community is served by the Elma School District, which earns a C-plus grade according to Niche. Elma Elementary School has a B-minus rating. Elma Middle School has a C-plus rating, while Elma High School has a B-minus rating. The school offers courses from personal finance to forensic science.
Elma Middle School serves students 6th through 8th grades.
Elma Eagles pride can be seen throughout the campus.
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Central to Olympia and Aberdeen
Porter is a car-dependent community. It's located about 30 miles from Olympia via State Route 8. It’s also about 25 miles east of Aberdeen via State Route 12. As a rural place, there aren’t any public transit options in the area. The closest hospital is Harbor Regional Health Emergency Department, 30 miles away in Aberdeen. The Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is about 80 miles away.
No matter which road is travelled in the Porter neighborhood, beauty is nearby.
Travelling along State Route 12 can unveil some beautiful scenery.
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Elma community events
Porter residents can go to Elma for community events throughout the year. The Heat on the Street Car and Motorcycle Show, which happens in August, has displays of vintage rides as well as live music and dancing on Main Street. For seasonal celebrations, the Fall Festival in downtown Elma features trick-or-treating and a costume contest. The Christmas Tree Lighting Festival has activities from caroling to taking pictures with Santa.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Rebecca Champagne- Bingaman,
an experienced agent in this area.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Porter
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Porter Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Porter, Elma sell after 85 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Porter, Elma over the last 12 months is $343,800, down 43% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Peaceful 10.9-acre retreat with open concept living, fresh paint, new flooring, fixtures and modern finishes throughout. Huge shop with bathroom and finished bonus room - perfect for a hobby room, office or guest space. Relax or camp by your private creek oasis, accessible by vehicle or on foot. Enjoy fruit trees, garden space and room to roam. Easy access to town and Hwy 8. A rare blend of
Escape to your own 14-acre paradise, where country charm meets endless possibilities! This property backs to 1000s of acres of state forestry land and is a haven for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts. There's a 24'x60' shop is perfect for locked & dry storage along with a 2400 sqft barn with stalls. Finally, the 720 sqft partially finished garage may be a potential ADU option. Harvest fresh fruit
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Rebecca Champagne- Bingaman,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
210
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$98,437
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,475
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.2%
College Graduates
14%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7%
% Population in Labor Force
55.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
65''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
1/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
