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CITY · 2020 ACS

Olympia

Washington · 55,605 residents · 18.221 sq mi
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The short version

Olympia has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $63,185. Population has grown 31% since 2000. 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $330,800.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
46% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 56%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
55,605
+31%since 2000
from 42,514 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,052 / sq mi
+31%since 2000
from 2,333 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.0
+8%since 2000
from 36.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
32K38K45K52K58K1990201020202024Olympia
202456K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,185
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,846 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,914
+59%since 2000
from $22,590 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
43.0%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 31.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade4.5%
US avg: 10%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$330,800
+56%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $140,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,199
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $624 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
46.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 50.3% in 2000
53.3% rent
Afford Score
5.2
+52%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Olympia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.1%(35,343)
Black1.8%(772)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(1,863)
Asian5.8%(2,454)
Other0%
Diversity Score28.7%(12,208)
2020
White, non-Hispanic71.3%(39,622)
Black3%(1,661)
Hispanic / Latino9.1%(5,059)
Asian6.6%(3,683)
Other5.9%(3,272)
Diversity Score53.6%(29,805)
Diversity Score
54
+87%since 2000
from 29 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.0%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 40.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 91.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+51%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
70.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.9%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 7.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.1%
−5.4 ptssince 2011
from 68.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
47.5%
−27.7 ptssince 2009
from 75.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
10.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.8%
−80.6 ptssince 2013
from 86.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Olympia

Clermont
Pop 52,812
Hilo
Pop 50,404
Palm Harbor
Pop 61,512
The Hammocks
Pop 58,838
Places similar to Olympia
Head to head

Compare Olympia to nearby cities

OLYMPIA VS
Tumwater
Income$95,212+51%
Home value$472,200+43%
Population28,010−51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OLYMPIA VS
Lacey
Income$90,625+43%
Home value$457,100+38%
Population58,833+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OLYMPIA VS
DuPont
Income$120,781+91%
Home value$583,600+76%
Population9,778−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OLYMPIA VS
Yelm
Income$90,750+44%
Home value$455,300+38%
Population12,043−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Olympia, Washington?

Olympia, Washington has about 55,605 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Olympia, Washington?

The typical household in Olympia, Washington earns about $63,185 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Olympia, Washington expensive?

In Olympia, Washington, the median home is worth about $330,800, and the typical rent is about $1,199 a month.

How educated are people in Olympia, Washington?

About 46.0% of adults age 25 and over in Olympia, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Olympia, Washington?

About 14.7% of people in Olympia, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Olympia, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Olympia, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 21,765 residents, a change of about 64 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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