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 (1,025 degrees awarded in 2024).

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 States Washington Thurston County, WA Olympia-Tumwater, WA Thurston County (Outer) PUMA, WA Thurston 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.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Olympia, WA

White (Non-Hispanic)
39.8k ± 1.33k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
3.75k ± 663
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
3.09k ± 564

10.6%

Hispanic Population

5.91k people

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.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
247,954 ± 12,030 people
India
116,227 ± 8,308 people
China
94,449 ± 7,500 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 247,954 Washington residents, followed by India with 116,227 and China with 94,449.

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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,178 ± 316
Vietnam
1,110 ± 253
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Olympia, WA. Showing the available data for Washington.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (57.2%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (39%)
Republican Party
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.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Patty Murray

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 1993

Maria Cantwell

Senator from Washington

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Olympia, WA awarded 1,025 degrees. The student population of Olympia, WA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,948 male students and 2,923 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Olympia, WA are White (580 and 58.1%), Hispanic or Latino (126 and 12.6%), Two or More Races (92 and 9.22%), and Unknown (90 and 9.02%).

The largest universities in Olympia, WA by number of degrees awarded are South Puget Sound Community College (1,025 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Olympia, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (530 and 51.7%), Welding Technology (81 and 7.9%), and Early Childhood Education & Teaching (56 and 5.46%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $4,777 for in-state students and $5,338 for out-of-state students.

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 2024 was 4,871 (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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 4,871 students enrolled in Olympia, WA, 40% men and 60% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,241 records, of which 59.7% were women and 40.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
530 degrees awarded
General Business
41 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
33 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Olympia, WA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 530 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

South Puget Sound Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,025 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was South Puget Sound Community College with 1,025 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 402 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Olympia, WA, which is 0.645 times less than the 623 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 580 degrees mean that there were 4.6 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 126 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 4-year or above ($4,777) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($480) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($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.

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.

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.

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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Olympia, WA is from Washington.

0.469

2024 Wage GINI in Washington

0.468

2023 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2024, the income inequality in Washington was 0.469 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0979% growth from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (59.4%)
Worked At Home (25.6%)
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.

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.

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.

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.