Taholah is an unincorporated village on the Quinault Indian Reservation, in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. It was named in 1905 after a Quinault chief. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Taholah as a census-designated place (CDP). The headquarters for the Quinault Indian Nation was moved to Taholah from the town of Quinault on the shore of Lake Quinault.
As of the 2020 census, Taholah had a population of 776.
History
Taholah lies within a tsunami inundation zone and is at risk of flooding from rising sea levels due to climate change. The village has a seawall facing the Pacific Ocean, but it required several repairs due to damage sustained by breaches. The seawall was raised by by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2014 in response to more frequent flooding. The relocation plan would first require the acquisition of to be allocated to individuals with 175 homes for 129 families from the existing village, followed by the construction of new streets and water facilities.
A revised estimate of $150 million for the plan was released in 2017, with construction beginning two years later. The first part of the relocated village, a senior and children center named the Generations Building (), opened in May 2021.
Geography
Taholah is located in northwestern Grays Harbor County. The Quinault River empties into the Pacific Ocean on the northern edge of Taholah. Point Grenville, a major headland on the Washington coast, is 3 miles to the south. It is called Point Haynisisoos by the local Quinault.
Washington State Route 109 has its northern terminus in Taholah; the highway leads south to Moclips and to Hoquiam.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Taholah CDP has a total area of , of which are land and , or 1.92%, are water.
Climate
The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Taholah has a marine west coast climate, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps. Average annual rainfall is .
Demographics
As of the census