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CITY · 2020 ACS

Yelm

Washington · 10,617 residents · 5.711 sq mi
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The short version

Yelm is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $77,297. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 7,328 residents. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $270,900. At a median age of 29.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 29.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 57%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
10,617
+223%since 2000
from 3,289 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,859 / sq mi
+223%since 2000
from 576 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
29.9
−3%since 2000
from 30.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3973K6K9K12K1990201020202024Yelm
202411K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$77,297
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,453 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,658
+62%since 2000
from $15,865 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
52.7%
+16.1 ptssince 2009
from 36.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.7%
−4.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information17.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade12.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.8%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$270,900
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $114,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,358
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $625 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.6%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 55.3% in 2000
36.4% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+20%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Yelm on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.3%(2,740)
Black1.7%(57)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(176)
Asian1.7%(56)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.2%(730)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.3%(7,141)
Black3.2%(342)
Hispanic / Latino12%(1,275)
Asian3.5%(369)
Other12.1%(1,280)
Diversity Score62.1%(6,592)
Diversity Score
62
+180%since 2000
from 22 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 17.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 89.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.7%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
37.9 min
+63%since 2000
from 23.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.7%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.7%
+3.7 ptssince 2011
from 61.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.3%
−26.6 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.1%
−82.8 ptssince 2013
from 87.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Yelm

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Places similar to Yelm
Head to head

Compare Yelm to nearby cities

YELM VS
Lacey
Income$90,625+17%
Home value$457,100+69%
Population58,833+389%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
YELM VS
Fort Lewis
Income$58,796−24%
Home value$211,500−22%
Population15,167+26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
YELM VS
DuPont
Income$120,781+56%
Home value$583,600+115%
Population9,778−19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
YELM VS
Tumwater
Income$95,212+23%
Home value$472,200+74%
Population28,010+133%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Yelm, Washington?

Yelm, Washington has about 10,617 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Yelm, Washington?

The typical household in Yelm, Washington earns about $77,297 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Yelm, Washington expensive?

In Yelm, Washington, the median home is worth about $270,900, and the typical rent is about $1,358 a month.

How educated are people in Yelm, Washington?

About 20.7% of adults age 25 and over in Yelm, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Yelm, Washington?

About 5.7% of people in Yelm, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Yelm, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Yelm, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,247 residents, a change of about 675 percent over that period.

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

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