Thurston County, WA

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Population

280,588

1.95% growth

Median Age

39.4


Median Household Income

$71,765

9.09% growth

Poverty Rate

11.6%


Number of Employees

129,447

5.76% growth

Median Property Value

$283,400

8.29% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Thurston County, WA had a population of 281k people with a median age of 39.4 and a median household income of $71,765. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Thurston County, WA grew from 275,222 to 280,588, a 1.95% increase and its median household income grew from $65,783 to $71,765, a 9.09% increase.

The population of Thurston County, WA is 74.7% White Alone, 8.99% Hispanic or Latino, and 6.06% Two or More Races. N/A% of the people in Thurston County, WA speak a non-English language, and 96.6% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Thurston County, WA are South Puget Sound Community College (1,567 degrees awarded in 2016), The Evergreen State College (1,160 degrees), and Saint Martin's University (495 degrees).

The median property value in Thurston County, WA is $283,400, and the homeownership rate is 66.4%. Most people in Thurston County, WA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 26.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Thurston County, WA is 2 cars per household.

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United StatesWashingtonOlympia-Tumwater, WA

Economy

The economy of Thurston County, WA employs 129k people. The largest industries in Thurston County, WA are Public Administration (22,154 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (18,517 people), and Retail Trade (16,136 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($91,012), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($62,188), and Public Administration ($61,790).

Median household income in Thurston County, WA is $71,765. Males in Thurston County, WA have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $56,061. The income inequality in Thurston County, WA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.466, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$71,765

2017 value

± $2,663

9.09%

1 Year Growth

± 4.99%

Households in Thurston County, WA have a median annual income of $71,765, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $65,783 in 2016, which represents a 9.09% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Thurston County, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$76,243

Average Male Salary

± $1,417

$56,061

Average Female Salary

± $1,119

In 2017, full-time male employees in Washington made 1.36 times more than female employees.

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

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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

  1. Asian

    $68,438 ± $3,071

  2. White

    $60,339 ± $979

  3. Two or More Races

    $48,848 ± $3,228

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Washington workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.13 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

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

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Wage Distribution

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

0.466

2017 Wage GINI

0.467

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Washington was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.249% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 118.10

  2. Census Tract 122.21

  3. Census Tract 122.11

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Thurston County, WA was Census Tract 118.10 with a value of $93,698, followed by Census Tract 122.21 and Census Tract 122.11, with respective values of $92,054 and $90,673.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

11.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Thurston County, WA (30.8k out of 266k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. 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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    23,262 ± 1,148

  2. Hispanic

    4,934 ± 546

  3. Two Or More

    2,394 ± 392

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.

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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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

129k

2017 Value

± 5,959

5.76%

1 Year growth

± 6.34%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Thurston County, WA grew at a rate of 5.76%, from 122k employees to 129k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Thurston County, WA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (19,896 people), Management Occupations (15,848 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (11,473 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Thurston County, WA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Thurston County, WA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (19,896 people), Management Occupations (15,848 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (11,473 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Thurston County, WA has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (2.37 times higher than expected), Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (1.52 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.36 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Thurston County, WA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($81,000), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($76,931), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($76,591).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

129k

2017 Value

± 5,959

5.76%

1 Year growth

± 6.34%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Thurston County, WA grew at a rate of 5.76%, from 122k employees to 129k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Thurston County, WA, are Public Administration (22,154 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (18,517 people), and Retail Trade (16,136 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Thurston County, WA, by number of employees, are Public Administration (22,154 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (18,517 people), and Retail Trade (16,136 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Thurston County, WA has an unusually high number of Public Administration (3.77 times higher than expected), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.34 times), and Retail Trade (1.12 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Thurston County, WA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($91,012), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($62,188), and Public Administration ($61,790).

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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

  1. Transport equip.

    $38.6B

  2. Mixed freight

    $37.2B

  3. Gasoline

    $28.3B

In 2015, the top outbound Washington product (by dollars) was Transport equip. with $38.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($37.2B) and Gasoline ($28.3B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Washington state.

$296B

2015 Value

$444B

Projected 2045 Value

50.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound Washington trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 50.1% to $444B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. Oregon

    $26.3B

  2. California

    $14.2B

  3. Tennessee

    $9.45B

In 2015, the top outbound Washington domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Oregon with $26.3B, followed by California with $14.2B and Tennessee and $9.45B.

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

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Health

95.1% of the population of Thurston County, WA has health coverage, with 45.6% on employee plans, 13.2% on Medicaid, 11.9% on Medicare, 18.2% on non-group plans, and 6.24% on military or VA plans.

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

Primary care physicians in Thurston County, WA see 1025 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.84% decrease from the previous year (1055 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1356 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 433 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Garfield County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14%). Additionally, Adams County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (36.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,025 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Thurston County, WA see an average of 1,025 patients per year. This represents a 2.84% decrease from the previous year (1,055 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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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Health Care Coverage

4.94%

Uninsured

45.6%

Employer Coverage

13.2%

Medicaid

11.9%

Medicare

18.2%

Non-Group

6.24%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Thurston County, WA grew by 7.18% from 4.61% to 4.94%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Garfield County

    14% prevalence

  2. Pend Oreille County

    13.6% prevalence

  3. Wahkiakum County

    13.4% prevalence

Garfield County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Washington, at 14%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Washington by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Thurston County, WA is home to a population of 281k people, from which 96.6% are citizens. As of 2017, 7.37% of Thurston County, WA residents were born outside of the country (20.7k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Thurston County, WA is composed of 210k White Alone residents (74.7%), 25.2k Hispanic or Latino residents (8.99%), 17k Two or More Races residents (6.06%), 16k Asian Alone residents (5.7%), 7.74k Black or African American Alone residents (2.76%), 2.67k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.952%), 1.6k Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.569%), and 635 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.226%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Thurston County, WA are N/A.

Age

Age by Nativity

38

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

49

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2

In 2017, the median age of all people in Thurston County, WA was 39.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 38, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 49. But people in Thurston County, WA are getting getting younger. In 2016, the average age of all Thurston County, WA residents was 40.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

7.37%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

20.7k people

7.42%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

20.4k people

As of 2017, 7.37% of Thurston County, WA residents (20.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Thurston County, WA was 7.42%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    237,996 ± 11,783 people

  2. India

    86,024 ± 7,159 people

  3. Philippines

    78,671 ± 6,850 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 237,996 Washington residents, followed by India with 86,024 and Philippines with 78,671.

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Citizenship

96.6%

2017 Citizenship

97.1%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 96.6% of Thurston County, WA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Thurston County, WA was 97.1%, 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.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    210k ± 731

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    25.2k ± 2.94k

  3. Two or More Races

    17k ± 2.17k

In 2017, there were 8.32 times more White Alone residents (210k people) in Thurston County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 25.2k Hispanic or Latino and 17k Two or More Races residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Thurston County, WA as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  2. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  3. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

N/A% of Thurston County, WA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is approximately the same as the national average of 21.8%. In N/A, the most common non-English language spoken in Thurston County, WA was N/A. N/A% of the overall population of Thurston County, WA are native N/A speakers. N/A% speak N/A and N/A% speak N/A, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Gulf War (2001-)

    10,209 ± 1,814

  2. Vietnam

    8,249 ± 1,063

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    5,599 ± 1,046

Thurston County, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.24 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Thurston County, WA awarded 3,234 degrees. The student population of Thurston County, WA is skewed towards women, with 4,604 male students and 5,944 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Thurston County, WA are White (2,056 and 65.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (266 and 8.42%), Unknown (262 and 8.29%), and Two or More Races (247 and 7.82%).

The largest universities in Thurston County, WA by number of degrees awarded are South Puget Sound Community College (1,567 and 48.5%), The Evergreen State College (1,160 and 35.9%), and Saint Martin's University (495 and 15.3%).

The most popular majors in Thurston County, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,585 and 49%), Biological & Physical Sciences (174 and 5.38%), and General Business Administration & Management (97 and 3%).

The median tuition costs in Thurston County, WA are $33,950 for private four year colleges, and $6,534 and $23,007 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Biological & Physical Sciences

    174 degrees awarded

  2. General Business Administration & Management

    76 degrees awarded

  3. Liberal Arts & Sciences

    845 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Thurston County, WA was Biological & Physical Sciences with 174 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. South Puget Sound Community College

    1,567 degrees awarded

  2. The Evergreen State College

    1,160 degrees awarded

  3. Saint Martin's University

    495 degrees awarded

$6,534

Median In-State Public

$33,950

Median Private

In 2016, the Thurston County, WA institution with the largest number of graduating students was South Puget Sound Community College with 1,567 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,393

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,841

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 1,393 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Thurston County, WA, which is 0.757 times less than the 1,841 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    2,056 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    266 degrees awarded

  3. Unknown

    262 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Thurston County, WA were to White students. These 2,056 degrees mean that there were 7.73 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 266 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Thurston County, WA was $283,400 in 2017, which is 1.3 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $261,700 to $283,400, a 8.29% increase. The homeownership rate in Thurston County, WA is 66.4%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Thurston County, WA have an average commute time of 26.5 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Thurston County, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$71,765

Median Household Income

± $2,663

112k

Number of Households

± 5,320

In 2017, the median household income of the 112k households in Thurston County, WA grew to $71,765 from the previous year's value of $65,783.

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.

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Housing

Property Value

$283,400

2017 Median

± $6,496

$261,700

2016 Median

± $6,080

In 2017, the median property value in Thurston County, WA grew to to $283,400 from the previous year's value of $261,700.

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.

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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.

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Rent vs Own

66.4%

2017 Homeownership

63.1%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 66.4% of the housing units in Thurston County, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 63.1%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Thurston County, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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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 3 cars.

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Commute Time

26.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Thurston County, WA have a longer commute time (26.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 4.14% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    80.8%

  2. Carpooled

    8.44%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.97%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Thurston County, WA was Drove Alone (80.8%), followed by those who Carpooled (8.44%) and those who Worked At Home (4.97%).

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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