Thurston County, WA

County

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2020 Population

284,698

1.78% 1-year growth

US Senator

Patty Murray

Democratic Party

US Senator

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

39.1

0.256% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

9.83%

5.3% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$75,867

5.37% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$315,600

9.62% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

131,327

1.96% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Thurston County, WA had a population of 285k people with a median age of 39.1 and a median household income of $75,867. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Thurston County, WA grew from 279,711 to 284,698, a 1.78% increase and its median household income grew from $72,003 to $75,867, a 5.37% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Thurston County, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (73.9%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (6.05%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.69%), White (Hispanic) (5.61%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.88%).

None of the households in Thurston County, 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 Thurston County, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Thurston County, WA are South Puget Sound Community College (1,361 degrees awarded in 2020), The Evergreen State College (914 degrees), and Saint Martin's University (526 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Thurston County, WA was $315,600, and the homeownership rate was 66%. Most people in Thurston County, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Thurston County, WA was 2 cars per household.

Thurston County, WA borders Grays Harbor County, WA, Lewis County, WA, Mason County, WA, and Pierce County, WA.

Photo by brewbooks

United States Washington Olympia-Tumwater, WA

Diversity

Thurston County, WA is home to a population of 285k people, from which 96.8% are citizens. As of 2020, 8.27% of Thurston County, WA residents were born outside of the country (23.5k people).

In 2020, there were 12.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (210k people) in Thurston County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 17.2k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 16.2k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Thurston County, WA

White (Non-Hispanic)
210k ± 824
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
17.2k ± 1.4k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
16.2k ± 828

9.26%

Hispanic Population

26.4k people

9.26% of the people in Thurston County, WA are hispanic (26.4k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Thurston County, WA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

8.27%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

23.5k people

8.11%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

22.7k people

As of 2020, 8.27% of Thurston County, WA residents (23.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Thurston County, WA was 8.11%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.8

In 2020, the median age of all people in Thurston County, WA was 39.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 38, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 48. But people in Thurston County, WA are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Thurston County, WA residents was 39.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
245,459 ± 11,963 people
India
87,443 ± 7,218 people
China
77,854 ± 6,815 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 245,459 Washington residents, followed by India with 87,443 and China with 77,854.

Citizenship

96.8%

2020 Citizenship

96.8%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 96.8% of Thurston County, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Thurston County, WA was 96.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
9,063 ± 835
Vietnam
8,018 ± 536
Gulf War (1990s)
5,216 ± 599

Thurston County, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.13 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Washington. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Washington, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Washington. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Washington across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Thurston County, WA is $75,867. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Thurston County, WA was Census Tract 118.10 with a value of $113,750, followed by Census Tract 121 and Census Tract 126.10, with respective values of $104,949 and $104,271.

Males in Washington have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $61,193. The income inequality in Washington (measured using the Gini index) is 0.466, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Thurston County, WA employs 131k people. The largest industries in Thurston County, WA are Public Administration (22,389 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (17,460 people), and Retail Trade (15,688 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($81,406), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($78,906), and Public Administration ($66,323).

Wages

Median Household Income

$75,867

2020 value

± $1,706

5.37%

1 Year Growth

± 2.82%

Households in Thurston County, WA have a median annual income of $75,867, which is more than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $72,003 in 2019, which represents a 5.37% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Thurston County, WA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$82,611

Average Male Salary in Washington

± $1,547

$61,193

Average Female Salary in Washington

± $1,257

In 2020, full-time male employees in Washington made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Washington by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Washington

Asian
$80,218 ± $3,539
White
$65,319 ± $1,078
Two or More Races
$53,715 ± $3,170

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Washington workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.23 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Washington.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Washington by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

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

0.466

2020 Wage GINI in Washington

0.468

2019 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2020, the income inequality in Washington was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.301% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 118.10
Census Tract 121
Census Tract 126.10

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Thurston County, WA was Census Tract 118.10 with a value of $113,750, followed by Census Tract 121 and Census Tract 126.10, with respective values of $104,949 and $104,271.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Thurston County, WA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

9.83% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Thurston County, WA (27.6k out of 281k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 25 - 34 and then Females 18 - 24.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
20,332 ± 1,162
Hispanic
3,649 ± 486
Two Or More
2,217 ± 391

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

131k

2020 Value

± 2,960

1.96%

1 Year growth

± 2.98%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Thurston County, WA grew at a rate of 1.96%, from 129k employees to 131k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Thurston County, WA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (15,890 people), Management Occupations (14,538 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (12,917 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Thurston County, WA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Thurston County, WA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (15,890 people), Management Occupations (14,538 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (12,917 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Thurston County, WA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (1.74 times higher than expected), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (1.63 times), and Community & Social Service Occupations (1.32 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Thurston County, WA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($88,021), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($81,922), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($80,976).

Industries

Employment by Industries

131k

2020 Value

± 2,960

1.96%

1 Year growth

± 2.98%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Thurston County, WA grew at a rate of 1.96%, from 129k employees to 131k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Thurston County, WA, are Public Administration (22,389 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (17,460 people), and Retail Trade (15,688 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Thurston County, WA, though some of these residents may live in Thurston County, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Thurston County, WA, by number of employees, are Public Administration (22,389 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (17,460 people), and Retail Trade (15,688 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Thurston County, WA has an unusually high number of Public Administration (3.66 times higher than expected), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.81 times), and Retail Trade (1.08 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Thurston County, WA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($81,406), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($78,906), and Public Administration ($66,323).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Washington product (by dollars) was Transport equip. with $105B, followed by Misc. mfg. prods. ($46.1B) and Mixed freight ($35.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Washington products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Washington.

$500B

2020 Value in Washington

$980B

Projected 2050 Value in Washington

95.8% growth

In 2020, total outbound Washington trade was $500B. This is expected to increase 95.8% to $980B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Washington trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Most Common Trade Partners

Oregon
$34.9B
California
$26.9B
Hawaii
$23.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Washington domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Oregon with $34.9B, followed by California with $26.9B and Hawaii and $23.3B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Washington shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Thurston County, WA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.21%). The most partisan county was King County, WA with 75% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

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 Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (57.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (38.8%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.21%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Thurston County, WA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Washington.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for Thurston County, WA

57.5% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Washington

King County, WA
75% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
San Juan County, WA
73.7% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Lincoln County, WA
73.2% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Washington was King County, WA with 75% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Washington colored by their party leaning.

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.

US Representatives from Washington

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Washington have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Thurston County, WA awarded 2,847 degrees. The student population of Thurston County, WA is skewed towards women, with 3,434 male students and 5,248 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Thurston County, WA are White (1,694 and 60.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (356 and 12.7%), Two or More Races (224 and 8.02%), and Asian (189 and 6.77%).

The largest universities in Thurston County, WA by number of degrees awarded are South Puget Sound Community College (1,361 and 47.8%), The Evergreen State College (914 and 32.1%), and Saint Martin's University (526 and 18.5%).

The most popular majors in Thurston County, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,370 and 48.1%), Biological & Physical Sciences (161 and 5.66%), and Computer Science (137 and 4.81%).

The median tuition costs in Thurston County, WA are $39,500 for private four year colleges, and $7,185 and $27,375 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
742 degree-majorss awarded
General Business
53 degree-majorss awarded
Physical Sciences
39 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Thurston County, WA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 742 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

South Puget Sound Community College
1,361 degrees awarded
The Evergreen State College
914 degrees awarded
Saint Martin's University
526 degrees awarded

$7,185

Median In-State Public

$39,500

Median Private

In 2020, the Thurston County, WA institution with the largest number of graduating students was South Puget Sound Community College with 1,361 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

1,238

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,609

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 1,238 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Thurston County, WA, which is 0.769 times less than the 1,609 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Thurston County, WA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,694 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
356 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
224 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Thurston County, WA was White students. These 1,694 degrees mean that there were 4.76 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 356 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Thurston County, WA was $315,600 in 2020, which is 1.37 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $287,900 to $315,600, a 9.62% increase. The homeownership rate in Thurston County, WA is 66%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Thurston County, WA have an average commute time of 26.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Thurston County, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$315,600

2020 Median

± $4,506

$287,900

2019 Median

± $3,595

In 2020, the median property value in Thurston County, WA grew to to $315,600 from the previous year's value of $287,900.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Thurston County, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Thurston County, WA the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$75,867

Median Household Income

± $1,706

112k

Number of Households

± 2,629

In 2020, the median household income of the 112k households in Thurston County, WA grew to $75,867 from the previous year's value of $72,003.

The following chart displays the households in Thurston County, 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.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Thurston County, WA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Thurston County, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

66%

2020 Homeownership

65.4%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 66% of the housing units in Thurston County, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 65.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Thurston County, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

26.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Thurston County, WA have a shorter commute time (26.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3.3% of the workforce in Thurston County, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (77.1%)
Carpooled (9.25%)
Worked At Home (8.04%)

In 2020, 77.1% of workers in Thurston County, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.25%) and those who worked at home (8.04%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

95.3% of the population of Thurston County, WA has health coverage, with 46.5% on employee plans, 14.6% on Medicaid, 11.7% on Medicare, 16.3% on non-group plans, and 6.28% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Washington was $7,913 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,609).

Primary care physicians in Thurston County, WA see 991 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.1% decrease from the previous year (1002 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1345 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 260 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Wahkiakum County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14.8%). Additionally, Pend Oreille County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (41.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

991 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Thurston County, WA

Primary care physicians in Thurston County, WA see an average of 991 patients per year. This represents a 1.1% decrease from the previous year (1,002 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Thurston County, WA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,913

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Washington

$4,328

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,851

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,997

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Washington (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4%, from $7,609 to $7,913.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

4.69%

Uninsured

46.5%

Employer Coverage

14.6%

Medicaid

11.7%

Medicare

16.3%

Non-Group

6.28%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Thurston County, WA declined by 3.24% from 4.84% to 4.69%.

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