RANK #827 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 21 WA · POP 299,067
1YR FORECAST: -0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Thurston County, Washington, stands out for its unique Mima Mounds, a geological enigma on Mima Prairie. Located at the southern tip of Puget Sound, about 60 miles south of Seattle, the county offers a blend of urban amenities and natural landscapes. Its communities, including the state capital Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater, provide diverse living environments. The area boasts extensive outdoor recreation, with hundreds of miles of Puget Sound shoreline, numerous parks, and trails like the Chehalis Western Trail and Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail, ideal for hiking, biking, and kayaking. The climate is moderate, with green scenery year-round.
Life in the county offers a balance of natural beauty and community focus, attracting families and those seeking a less congested pace than larger nearby cities. Commuting primarily involves driving alone, though public transit options are available in urban centers. School districts like Olympia School District and North Thurston Public Schools serve local families. The economy, historically rooted in logging, shifted significantly in the 1950s with the growth of state government employment in Olympia. Recent economic development efforts have focused on attracting investment and fostering growth in various sectors, including infrastructure, water security, and environmental restoration.
Thurston County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.4% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 14.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Centralia Battery Energy Storage System
CENT bn, LLC (Developer)
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Thurston County Capital Improvement Program (2026-2031)
Thurston County Government
|
$267M | Planned |
|
Skookumchuck Wind Facility
Southern Power Co. (Operator)
|
$136M | Operating |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Manor House Subdivision
MK 58LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Thurston County scores just 17/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #827 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.8% and median household income of $96,563 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Thurston County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $480,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,736/month on average.
Thurston County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.8%). Home values shifted +0.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.01% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Thurston County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.