County · Washington
Thurston County, Washington
Thurston County, Washington. Thurston County had 304,261 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.2% since 2020, slower than Washington (+3.8%). It holds 12 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 62 census tracts. GEOID 53067.
Thurston County is the county of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
304,261
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 294,793 · ACS 2020-2024: 299,067
Median household income
$96,563
±$1,945 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$480,300
±$4,565 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,736
±$30 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Thurston County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 294,793 residents in Thurston County. The Census Bureau estimates 304,261 for July 1, 2025, up 3.2% since 2020, slower than Washington (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 299,067 over 723 square miles of land.
| Measure | Thurston County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 299,067 | 7,816,116 | +19,356 |
| Households | 118,899±801 | 3,064,820 | +8,916 |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.02 | 2.50 | −0.03 |
| Housing units | 125,163±92 | 3,306,620 | +8,607 |
Thurston County's population since 2000
From 207,355 in 2000 to 304,261 in 2025: up 46.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Thurston County?
Thurston County holds 12 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Olympia with 56,724 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Olympia | 55,605 | $81,302 |
|---|---|---|
| Lacey | 53,526 | $90,625 |
| Tumwater | 25,350 | $95,212 |
| Yelm | 10,617 | $90,750 |
| Tanglewilde | 6,265 | $100,714 |
| Rochester | 6,064 | $99,286 |
| Grand Mound | 3,301 | $72,426 |
| North Yelm | 3,140 | $73,725 |
| Rainier | 2,369 | $106,019 |
| Tenino | 1,870 | $82,639 |
| Nisqually Indian Community | 668 | $73,750 |
| Bucoda | 600 | $73,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Thurston County?
The median resident of Thurston County is 40.0 years old; 20.9% are under 18 and 18.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 69.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.6%. 8.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Thurston County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0±0.2 | 38.3 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 20.9% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.7%±0.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.6% | 14.4% | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 69.5%±0.4 pts | 63.1% | −5.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.0%±0.3 pts | 9.7% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.9%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.3%±0.4 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.8%±0.6 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.6%±0.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.1%±0.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.0%±0.4 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7%±0.5 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.5%±1.0 pts | 39.6% | +2.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.9%±0.7 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4%±0.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
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 Thurston County earn?
Half of Thurston County's 118,899 households earn less than $96,563 a year (±$1,945), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $88,614 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,949 after inflation. 9.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Thurston County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $96,563±$1,945 | $98,141 | +$7,949 |
| Mean household income | $114,140±$2,232 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,136±$865 | $53,744 | +$2,854 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.5%±0.7 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.2%±1.8 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.2%±0.8 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.5%±0.6 pts | 93.6% | – |
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 Thurston County?
Owners occupy 67.7% of Thurston County's occupied homes and renters 32.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $480,300 by its owner (±$4,565). The median renter pays $1,736 a month including utilities, and 43.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Thurston County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $480,300±$4,565 | $564,600 | +$125,983 |
| Median gross rent | $1,736±$30 | $1,760 | +$237 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.8%±2.8 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,288±$27 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.7%±1.1 pts | 63.8% | +2.3 pts |
| Housing units | 125,163±92 | 3,306,620 | +8,607 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0%±1.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.9%±1.2 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.1%±0.6 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.6%±0.5 pts | 9.6% | – |
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 Thurston County building?
Builders took permits for 1,669 new housing units across Thurston County in 2025 (743 single-family), 5.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Thurston County get to work?
66.9% of Thurston County's workers drive alone and 20.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | Thurston County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.5%±0.9 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2%±0.4 pts | 5.1% | −1.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 66.9%±1.1 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±0.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 20.5%±1.0 pts | 19.8% | +14.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.8 min±0.5 | 26.6 min | −1.0 min |
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 are Thurston County's census tracts?
Thurston County is divided into 62 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,141 (Tract 105.10) to $157,978 (Tract 118.10).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Thurston County compare with Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 6th of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 6th of 39 |
| Median household income | 6th of 39 |
| Median home value | 14th of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 6th of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 6th of 39 |
| Median age | 24th of 39 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Thurston County 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' school search.