Ocean Shores
City in Washington
LIVABILITY RATING
71
/ 100
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City Scores and Ratings
B
LIVABILITY
A-
COST
B
EDUCATION
B
CRIME
Pros and Cons of Living in Ocean Shores
You might be looking to move to Ocean Shores, Washington or just interested in the city’s livability, so to help you, we’ve put together the pros and cons of living in Ocean Shores. This assessment ranks the factors used to assess livability and compares them against other cities on a national and state level. While this assessment should give a good detailed idea about the advantages and disadvantages of living in Ocean Shores, it might not incorporate all areas that might appeal to some people.
Since moving to a new city can be a big decision. Hopefully, this evaluation will help you in your career change, relocation, or just a change.
Summary of Pros and Cons
Pros
- Livability
- Cost of Living
- Crime
- Education
- Low Poverty Rate
Cons
- Population Size
Details of Pros and Cons
Living in Ocean Shores, Washington
Ocean Shores is a very small city in the state of Washington which is located in the county of Grays Harbor. Ocean Shores has seen fast and consistent growth of new residents over the past 5 years. This is one of the fastest growing small towns in the nation. The population has reached 5814 with a population growth rate of 6.5% in the last year and 16.2% in the last 5 years.Living in Ocean Shores has a sparse suburban feel, which can be a nice mix between rural areas and larger suburban areas since there is more space for the money and generally still nice a tight knit community. Many communities' character and identity are connected to the natural water that surrounds and runs through them. This is no exception, the city's total area of the city limits has significant amount of water.
City Type:
Sparse Suburban
Home Value:
$219,800
Mortgage:
$1,277
The estimates above for a typical home value and mortgage are based on median values for the area. Data sources: American Community Survey and the US Census.
Is Ocean Shores, Washington a good place to live?
Yes, Ocean Shores is a great place to live. Ocean Shores ranks well in a combination of factors and diversity. Ocean Shores truly has something for everyone, and that’s why it’s a great place to call home.
Ultimately, what makes a great city to live in is subjective. Some people might prefer a smaller city with a tight-knit community, while others might prefer a larger city with more options. The important thing is that a city provides what its residents need and want. If a city has everything a person is looking for, it can be a great place to live.
There are a lot of factors that make a city a good place to live. One of the most important is affordability. Housing costs shouldn’t consume too much of a person’s income. Another important factor is job availability. A city should have a healthy economy and a variety of jobs to choose from.
A city also needs to be safe. People should feel comfortable walking around at night and there shouldn’t be a lot of crime. Amenities are another important factor. A city should have a variety of restaurants, bars, and other places to go out. It’s also nice if a city has a lot of parks and green spaces.
Finally, a city should be diverse. There should be a variety of cultures and religions represented. People should feel welcome to live in any part of the city. A city that meets all these criteria is a great place to live.
Pros and Cons Details
Pros of Living in Ocean Shores
- Livability – Ocean Shores’s overall livability score is above average. This rating is the sum of the city’s data points and factors, and then a weighting of these variables is used to determine a good standard quality of life compared to other cities. The livability score considers education, crime, cost of living, and residents’ overall happiness calculated as a predictive index through our advanced statistical models.
- Cost of Living – When choosing a new place to live, the cost of living is a significant consideration. The cost of living in Ocean Shores is lower than the national average and most cities in the state. While some areas can be higher than others on a state and federal level, the overall average of housing costs, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services are less expensive.
- Crime – See our full report on crime in Ocean Shores, and why it is a significant pro and consideration for living here.
- Education – See our full report on education in Ocean Shores, and why it is a significant pro and consideration for living here.
- Low Poverty Rate – There is a lower poverty rates in Ocean Shores than in other cities in the United States. The average poverty rate across cities in America is about 10-13%.
Cons of Living in Ocean Shores
- Population Size – The city only has 5,814 residents which is considered very small. Different surveys have shown that economic conditions are much worse in small towns than in bigger cities.
Population & Growth
1 Year Growth
6.5%
5 Year Growth
16.2%
Who is Living in Ocean Shores, Washington? Demographics
The city has starting to see an aging population in recent years. The median age in the city is about 61 years old. The typical family has on average 2.5 people including children and parents. In terms of diversity, on a national level, Ocean Shores ranks number 2378 which is above the national average for diversity and on a state level ranks 77 which is above the state average.
Median Age:
60.7
Average Family Size:
2.47
People in Poverty %:
6.1%
Data sources: American Community Survey and the US Census.
A city’s demographics are important for a variety of reasons. From a business standpoint, knowing the age, income, and education level of a city’s residents can help companies to decide where to locate their businesses. It can also give them insight into what type of products or services will be in demand. For government officials, demographics can play a role in everything from budgeting to planning new infrastructure projects. And for individuals, it can be helpful to know the demographics of a city before moving there, as it can give you a sense of what to expect in terms of your neighbors and the overall atmosphere of the community.
Of course, demographics can also have some drawbacks. If a city’s residents are largely of one age group or income level, it can create challenges in providing adequate services and amenities. And if a city’s demographics change rapidly, it can be difficult for residents to keep up with the changing needs of the community. Nevertheless, knowing the demographics of a city is important for both individuals and businesses alike.
Population of Male and Female Residents
| Male | 47.8% |
| Female | 52.2% |
How Does Gender Imbalance Impact a City?
Gender imbalance is important when evaluating a city because it impacts many social aspects. So, what kind of impact on a city does gender imbalance have? According to many studies, there is no one exact answer to this question as it depends on the city and its specific situation. However, generally speaking, a city with a more balanced male-female population would be considered more stable and prosperous.
Studies about gender imbalances have shown that when there are too many or too few men in a population, it can lead to increased crime rates and other social problems. For example, in societies with a large gender imbalance, young men may be more likely to engage in criminal activity in order to prove their masculinity. Conversely, in societies with too many women, they may be at a disadvantage when competing for jobs and other resources.
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Insight Pages for Ocean Shores
Overview
Education
Crime
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Ocean Shores Reviews
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
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Resident of Ocean Shores
November 14, 2023
The reasons why I loved to Ocean Shores are probably the reason why some dislike Ocean Shores. This is essentially a large retirement community with 70% of its population are over 65. Population under 18 is less than 14%. I miss seeing children during Halloween and Easter.
The crime here is mainly property theft so don’t leave stuff out you don’t want stolen. The city is quiet except for during the summer months where we get a huge influx of tourists. For locals this means longer wait times and traffic on our little 2 lane road.
Populations are diverse here which means we have Chinese and Mexican restaurants. Yay!
This is a small safe community unless you are walking at night when the animals come out. Beware of black bears, raccoons, wolves, deer, and other wild life who are not afraid of humans. The people here are guilty of feeding the animals. These animals are obese from eating people food and trash.
This is a perfect little town for those who want a peaceful and safe home. I didn’t give the town a perfect 5 stars since this city is not equipped to handle major emergencies and needs more medical facilities. Do not have a heart attack in Ocean Shores. You may not make it to Olympia in time.
Jessica A.
