Olympia
RANK #669 / 996 NAT · #14 / 21 WA · POP 294,272
1YR FORECAST: +0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — 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.
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 996 counties.
At 32/100, Thurston County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $88,895 combined with job growth of +1.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Thurston County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $411,700 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,499/month on average.
Thurston County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.6% clip. Home values shifted +0.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.18% 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.