Thurston County, Washington

Thurston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 294,793.[1] The county seat and largest city is Olympia,[2] the state capital.

Thurston County
County
Former Thurston County Courthouse
Former Thurston County Courthouse
Map of Washington highlighting Thurston County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°56′N 122°50′W
Country United States
State Washington
FoundedJanuary 12, 1852
Named forSamuel Thurston
SeatOlympia
Largest cityOlympia
Area
 • Total774 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Land722 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Water52 sq mi (130 km2)  6.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total294,793
 • Estimate 
(2022)
298,758 Increase
 • Density368/sq mi (142/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 10th
Websitewww.co.thurston.wa.us

Thurston County was created out of Lewis County by the government of Oregon Territory on January 12, 1852. At that time, it covered all of the Puget Sound region and the Olympic Peninsula. On December 22 of the same year, Pierce, King, Island, and Jefferson counties were split off from Thurston County.[3][4] It is named after Samuel R. Thurston, the Oregon Territory's first delegate to Congress.[5]

Thurston County comprises the Olympia-Tumwater, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 774 square miles (2,000 km2), of which 722 square miles (1,870 km2) is land and 52 square miles (130 km2) (6.7%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Geographic features

Major watersheds: Black River, Budd/Deschutes, Chehalis River, Eld Inlet, Henderson Inlet, Nisqually River, Skookumchuck River, Totten Inlet and West Capitol Forest.

National protected areas

Ecology and environment

The habitat for the Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) runs through the county. The plant was placed on the Endangered Species list in 1997 but due to conservation efforts the 12 in (30 cm) tall prairie flower was delisted in 2023.[7]

Wildlife and land preserves in South Thurston County include the Black River Habitat Management Area, the Glacial Heritage Preserve,[8] and the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,507—
18702,24649.0%
18803,27045.6%
18909,675195.9%
19009,9272.6%
191017,58177.1%
192022,36627.2%
193031,35140.2%
194037,28518.9%
195044,88420.4%
196055,04922.6%
197076,89439.7%
1980124,26461.6%
1990161,23829.8%
2000207,35528.6%
2010252,26421.7%
2020294,79316.9%
2022 (est.)298,758[9]1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 294,793 people.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 252,264 people, 100,650 households, and 66,161 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 349.4 inhabitants per square mile (134.9/km2). There were 108,182 housing units at an average density of 149.8 per square mile (57.8/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 82.4% white, 5.2% Asian, 2.7% black or African American, 1.4% American Indian, 0.8% Pacific islander, 2.2% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.1% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 21.2% were German, 13.4% were English, 13.2% were Irish, 5.0% were Norwegian, and 4.7% were American.[16]

Of the 100,650 households, 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 38.5 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $60,930 and the median income for a family was $71,833. Males had a median income of $53,679 versus $41,248 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,707. About 7.1% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.[17]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 207,355 people, 81,625 households and 54,933 families living in the county. The population density was 285 people per square mile (110 people/km2). There were 86,652 housing units at an average density of 119 units per square mile (46 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.66% White, 2.35% Black or African American, 1.52% Native American, 4.41% Asian, 0.52% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 3.85% from two or more races. 4.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.1% were of German, 10.2% English, 9.8% Irish, 6.9% United States or American and 5.5% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 81,625 households, of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

Age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median household income was $46,975, and the median family income was $55,027. Males had a median income of $40,521 versus $30,368 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,415. About 5.80% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.80% of those under age 18 and 5.00% of those age 65 or over.

Education

School Districts in Thurston County, including those that have majorities of land in other counties:[18]

Higher Education in Thurston County:

Parks and recreation

The county is home to several rail trails, including the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail, Yelm—Rainier—Tenino Trail, and the longest in the county, the Chehalis Western Trail.

Media

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Politics

Thurston County leans Democratic. The county has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate since 1988 and the candidates have consistently received majority of the vote in the county.

United States presidential election results for Thurston County, Washington[20][21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 65,277 38.82% 96,608 57.46% 6,249 3.72%
2016 48,624 36.23% 68,798 51.27% 16,769 12.50%
2012 49,287 38.58% 74,037 57.96% 4,416 3.46%
2008 48,366 37.97% 75,882 59.57% 3,142 2.47%
2004 47,992 42.55% 62,650 55.55% 2,147 1.90%
2000 39,924 40.98% 50,467 51.80% 7,031 7.22%
1996 29,835 34.18% 45,522 52.16% 11,923 13.66%
1992 25,643 30.32% 38,293 45.28% 20,633 24.40%
1988 31,980 47.78% 33,860 50.59% 1,090 1.63%
1984 34,442 55.51% 26,840 43.26% 763 1.23%
1980 26,369 48.10% 20,508 37.41% 7,946 14.49%
1976 21,000 47.67% 21,247 48.23% 1,809 4.11%
1972 22,297 57.48% 14,596 37.63% 1,899 4.90%
1968 13,742 45.06% 14,228 46.65% 2,529 8.29%
1964 9,351 34.61% 17,578 65.05% 92 0.34%
1960 13,921 54.37% 11,620 45.38% 65 0.25%
1956 14,093 58.70% 9,897 41.22% 19 0.08%
1952 13,904 58.32% 9,764 40.96% 172 0.72%
1948 9,511 45.72% 10,461 50.28% 832 4.00%
1944 7,900 44.47% 9,708 54.64% 158 0.89%
1940 7,275 39.17% 11,092 59.72% 206 1.11%
1936 4,425 28.05% 10,647 67.49% 703 4.46%
1932 4,241 30.91% 6,308 45.97% 3,173 23.12%
1928 7,203 69.59% 3,013 29.11% 135 1.30%
1924 5,125 57.77% 943 10.63% 2,803 31.60%
1920 3,899 52.77% 1,367 18.50% 2,122 28.72%
1916 3,223 47.76% 2,658 39.39% 867 12.85%
1912 1,937 30.69% 1,456 23.07% 2,918 46.24%
1908 1,940 57.28% 964 28.46% 483 14.26%
1904 2,121 68.51% 668 21.58% 307 9.92%
1900 1,298 54.56% 978 41.11% 103 4.33%
1896 1,052 42.27% 1,415 56.85% 22 0.88%
1892 1,043 41.70% 810 32.39% 648 25.91%

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Reinartz, Kay. "History of King County Government 1853–2002" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2007.
  4. "Thurston County Place Names: A Heritage Guide" (PDF). Thurston County Historical Commission. 1992. p. 87. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 18, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  6. Sailor, Craig (July 22, 2023). "Rare South Sound blossom makes comeback". The Olympian. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  7. Browne Grivas, Erica (May 9, 2023). "Why conservation groups are trying to restore native prairies in WA". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  13. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  15. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  16. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  17. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Thurston County, WA" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list - List of districts based in Thurston County
  18. Newspapers: The Olympian, McClatchy Company, archived from the original on March 7, 2013, retrieved February 13, 2013
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  20. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,471 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,160 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 270 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 17 votes.

46.93°N 122.83°W / 46.93; -122.83

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