City · Washington
Tumwater, Washington
Tumwater, city, in Thurston County, Washington. Tumwater had 28,010 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 25,350 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 26,956 (±43). GEOID 5372905.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
28,010
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,350 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,956 ±43
Median household income
$95,212
±$9,459 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$472,200
±$11,258 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,779
±$65 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
Where is Tumwater and what county is it in?
Tumwater is a city in Thurston County, Washington. It covers 17.7 square miles of land, 1,429 residents per square mile in 2020.
Tumwater is in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Tumwater, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 28,010 people lived in Tumwater on July 1, 2025, up 7.6% since 2020, faster than Washington (+3.8%). The 2020 Census counted 25,350 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 26,956 (±43).
| Measure | Tumwater | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,956 ±43 | 299,067 | +3,982 |
| Households | 10,929 ±464 | 118,899 | +1,361 |
| Average household size | 2.42 ±0.10 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,377 ±497 | 125,163 | +1,305 |
Tumwater's population since 2000
From 12,698 in 2000 to 28,010 in 2025: up 120.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Tumwater as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Tumwater?
The median resident of Tumwater is 37.1 years old; 20.8% are under 18 and 15.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.3%. 7.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Tumwater | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.1 ±1.4 | 40.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.8% ±2.6 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.6% ±1.8 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Male | 47.7% ±1.9 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.3% ±2.0 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.5% ±4.0 pts | 69.5% | −15.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±1.8 pts | 3.2% | +2.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.3% ±1.5 pts | 6.0% | +4.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.0% ±2.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±2.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.5% ±1.9 pts | 8.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.2% ±2.2 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.7% ±1.8 pts | 12.6% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0% ±1.7 pts | 16.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.5% ±1.2 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.8% ±1.1 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 42.9% ±3.5 pts | 38.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.0% ±2.5 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.8% ±3.1 pts | 85.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.3% ±2.2 pts | 3.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Tumwater earn?
Half of Tumwater's 10,929 households earn less than $95,212 a year (±$9,459), against $96,563 in Thurston County and $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 it was $85,761 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Tumwater | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $95,212 ±$9,459 | $96,563 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $114,446 ±$7,733 | $114,140 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,975 ±$3,236 | $46,136 | +$4,958 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.0% ±1.9 pts | 9.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.6% ±3.3 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.9% ±2.4 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.5% ±1.4 pts | 97.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.4% ±2.2 pts | 94.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Tumwater?
Owners occupy 62.5% of Tumwater's occupied homes and renters 37.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $472,200 by its owner (±$11,258). The median renter pays $1,779 a month including utilities, and 40.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Tumwater | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $472,200 ±$11,258 | $480,300 | +$119,360 |
| Median gross rent | $1,779 ±$65 | $1,736 | +$307 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.0% ±8.3 pts | 43.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,257 ±$119 | $2,288 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.5% ±3.5 pts | 67.7% | +7.5 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.5% ±3.5 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Housing units | 11,377 ±497 | 125,163 | +1,305 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±1.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4% ±3.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.3% ±3.8 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.9% ±1.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.4% ±1.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 17.1% ±2.5 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.2% ±1.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.1% ±2.1 pts | 4.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Tumwater building?
Builders took permits for 250 new housing units in Tumwater in 2025 (92 in single-family houses), 8.9 per 1,000 residents against 4.4 across Washington.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Tumwater work and get to work?
59.6% of Tumwater's workers drive alone and 27.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Tumwater | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.6% ±2.6 pts | 61.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% ±1.7 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 59.6% ±4.0 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8% ±2.3 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 2.6% ±1.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 27.7% ±3.1 pts | 20.5% | +22.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min ±1.6 | 25.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Tumwater?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Tumwater, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $62,279 (Tract 108.01) to $91,042 (Tract 109.10).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 109.10Thurston County | 7,628 | $91,042 |
| Tract 109.20Thurston County | 5,605 | $86,042 |
| Tract 108.02Thurston County | 4,649 | $72,185 |
| Tract 108.01Thurston County | 2,838 | $62,279 |
| Tract 117.20Thurston County | 6,519 | $112,482 |
| Tract 104Thurston County | 3,518 | $125,982 |
| Tract 118.21Thurston County | 5,901 | $84,502 |
| Tract 118.22Thurston County | 4,279 | $114,063 |
| Tract 110Thurston County | 5,324 | $111,328 |
| Tract 117.22Thurston County | 3,783 | $115,977 |
| Tract 105.20Thurston County | 5,849 | $53,997 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Tumwater) · Census block assignment files
How does Tumwater compare with other places in Washington?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Tumwater is the 1,436th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 42nd-most populous of 281 in Washington.
Tumwater ranks 190th of 387 places in Washington with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 42nd | 281 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 52nd | 203 |
| Residents per square mile | 197th | 394 |
| Median household income | 190th | 387 |
| Per capita income | 167th | 393 |
| Median home value | 213th | 384 |
| Median gross rent | 146th | 351 |
| Poverty rate | 196th | 281 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 97th | 382 |
| Median age | 261st | 394 |
| Owner-occupied share | 272nd | 388 |
| Work from home | 49th | 307 |
| Travel time to work | 301st | 394 |
Tumwater's figures with every place in Washington (CSV)
Every place in Washington, sortable · Compare Tumwater with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Tumwater?
7 of the 57 figures for Tumwater on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Tumwater are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Tumwater.