Olympia, WA

Census Place

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2024 Population
55,951
US Senator
Patty Murray
Democratic Party
US Senator
Maria Cantwell
Democratic Party
2024 Median Age
40.5
3.32% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
14%
5.15% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$81,302
5.68% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$486,200
6.18% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
27,259
0.339% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Olympia, WA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.8% of the residents in Olympia, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Olympia, WA are South Puget Sound Community College (982 degrees awarded in 2023) and Fosbre Academy of Hair Design (51 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Olympia, WA was $486,200, and the homeownership rate was 49.8%.

Most people in Olympia, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20 minutes. The average car ownership in Olympia, WA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Jim Culp
United StatesWashingtonThurston County, WAOlympia-Tumwater, WAThurston County (Outer) PUMA, WAThurston County (Central)--Olympia, Lacey, & Tumwater Cities PUMA, WA

Population & Diversity

Olympia, WA is home to a population of 56k people, from which 96.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 8.4% of Olympia, WA residents were born outside of the country (4.7k people).

In 2024, there were 10.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (39.8k people) in Olympia, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.75k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.09k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.8%
2024 Citizenship
97%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 96.8% of Olympia, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Olympia, WA was 97%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Olympia, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Olympia, WA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    39.8k ± 1.33k
  2. Asian (Non-Hispanic)
    3.75k ± 663
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    3.09k ± 564
10.6%
Hispanic Population
5.91k people

In 2024, there were 10.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (39.8k people) in Olympia, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.75k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 3.09k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

10.6% of the people in Olympia, WA are hispanic (5.91k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Olympia, WA as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Washington.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    248,556 ± 12,042 people
  2. India
    107,324 ± 7,987 people
  3. China
    89,838 ± 7,316 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 248,556 Washington residents, followed by India with 107,324 and China with 89,838.

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Foreign-Born Population

8.4%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
4.7k people
8.21%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
4.56k people

As of 2024, 8.4% of Olympia, WA residents (4.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Olympia, WA was 8.21%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Olympia, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,178 ± 316
  2. Vietnam
    1,110 ± 253
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    475 ± 173

Olympia, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.06 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Olympia, WA.

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Economy

The economy of Olympia, WA employs 27.3k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Olympia, WA were Public Administration (4,853 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,407 people), and Retail Trade (3,195 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($91,875), Finance & Insurance ($91,576), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($86,090).

Employment

Occupations

27.3k
2024 Value
± 1,426
0.339%
1 Year growth
± 7.33%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Olympia, WA grew at a rate of 0.339%, from 27.2k employees to 27.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Olympia, WA, are Management Occupations (3,259 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,766 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (2,347 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Olympia, WA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Washington (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

27.3k
2024 Value
± 1,426
0.339%
1 Year growth
± 7.33%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Olympia, WA grew at a rate of 0.339%, from 27.2k employees to 27.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Olympia, WA, are Public Administration (4,853 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,407 people), and Retail Trade (3,195 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Olympia, WA, though some of these residents may live in Olympia, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$61,067
Median earning men ± $4,867
$51,085
Median earning women ± $2,855

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($93,261), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($91,649), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($90,625).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($81,781), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($63,816), and Wholesale Trade ($60,769).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
Y-Axis
3.62%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.58M people employed in Washington. This represents a 3.62% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.3%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Washington.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Kamala Harris with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (39%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.4%).

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing the state of Washington. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Olympia, WA. Showing the available data for Washington.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (57.2%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (39%)
    Republican Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (1.4%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Washington went to Kamala Harris with 57.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (39%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.4%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Washington for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.
Patty Murray
Senator from Washington3
Assumed office on January 3, 1993
Maria Cantwell
Senator from Washington1
Assumed office on January 3, 2001

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing Washington.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Washington over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Olympia, WA awarded 1,033 degrees. The student population of Olympia, WA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,734 male students and 2,604 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Olympia, WA are White (586 and 58.2%), Hispanic or Latino (146 and 14.5%), Two or More Races (93 and 9.24%), and Asian (74 and 7.35%).

The largest universities in Olympia, WA by number of degrees awarded are South Puget Sound Community College (982 and 95.1%) and Fosbre Academy of Hair Design (51 and 4.94%).

The most popular majors in Olympia, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (550 and 53.2%), Early Childhood Education & Teaching (72 and 6.97%), and General Business (47 and 4.55%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2018 in Olympia, WA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 92.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 68.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 4,338 (40% men and 60% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 4,338 students enrolled in Olympia, WA, 40% men and 60% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,176 records, of which 59.7% were women and 40.3% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    550 degrees awarded
  2. General Business
    47 degrees awarded
  3. Registered Nursing
    28 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Olympia, WA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 550 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Olympia, WA according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. South Puget Sound Community College
    982 degrees awarded
  2. Fosbre Academy of Hair Design
    51 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was South Puget Sound Community College with 982 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 358 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Olympia, WA, which is 0.53 times less than the 675 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 586 degrees mean that there were 4.01 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 146 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($4,623) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($480) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($942) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Olympia, WA was $486,200 in 2024, which is 1.46 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $457,900 to $486,200, a 6.18% increase. The homeownership rate in Olympia, WA is 49.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Olympia, WA have an average commute time of 20 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Olympia, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$486,200
Median Property Value 2024
±$10,636
$12,685
Median Property Taxes
±$782

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Olympia, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Olympia, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

49.8%
Homeownership
2024
66.1%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 49.8% of the housing units in Olympia, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 49.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Olympia, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$81,302
Median Household Income
± $4,826
25.5k
Number of Households
± 1,326

In 2024, the median household income of the 25.5k households in Olympia, WA grew to $81,302 from the previous year's value of $76,930.

The following chart displays the households in Olympia, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Olympia, WA is from Washington.
0.468
2023 Wage GINI in Washington
0.47
2022 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2023, the income inequality in Washington was 0.468 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.276% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Washington in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Washington across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (59.4%)
  2. Worked At Home (25.6%)
  3. Carpooled (6.26%)

In 2024, 59.4% of workers in Olympia, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (25.6%) and those who carpooled to work (6.26%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

20 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Olympia, WA have a shorter commute time (20 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.34% of the workforce in Olympia, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Olympia, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Olympia, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Olympia, WA have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

14% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Olympia, WA (7.74k out of 55.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Males 25 - 34 and then Males 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Olympia, WA is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

94.4% of the population of Olympia, WA has health coverage, with 47.1% on employee plans, 17.1% on Medicaid, 13.2% on Medicare, 13.8% on non-group plans, and 3.22% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Washington see 1,202 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,202 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1152 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 186 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 19.8% under 18 years, 22% between 18 and 34 years, 38.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

5.64%
Uninsured
47.1%
Employer Coverage
17.1%
Medicaid
13.2%
Medicare
13.8%
Non-Group
3.22%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Olympia, WA declined by 1.46% from 5.72% to 5.64%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Olympia, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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