Olympia
City in Thurston County, Washington
Olympia is a city in Thurston County, Washington, with 55,605 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 95 ft (29 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Tumwater, 3.7 miles S.
- 55,605residents (2020 Census)
- 95 ftelevation · 29 m
- 18.2 sq miland area · 47.2 km²
- 3,052 / sq mipopulation density
- 98505ZIP code
About Olympia
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington. The population was 55,605 at the 2020 census, while the Olympia metropolitan statistical area has an estimated 300,000 residents. Olympia is the county seat of Thurston County and anchors the South Puget Sound region of western Washington, 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Seattle.
The Squaxin and other Coast Salish peoples inhabited the southern Puget Sound region prior to the arrival of European and American settlers in the 19th century. The Treaty of Medicine Creek was signed in 1854 and followed by the Treaty of Olympia in 1856; these two treaties forced the Squaxin to relocate to an Indian reservation. Olympia was declared the capital of the Washington Territory in 1853 and incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859. It became a city in 1881.
Aside from its role in the state government, Olympia is also recognized as a countercultural hub in the Pacific Northwest. The city's music scene gained prominence in the 1990s for its role in the emergence of punk rock movements such as riot grrrl and grunge. The Olympia area is also home to The Evergreen State College, a public liberal arts institution known for its non-traditional curriculum. Intercity Transit provides fare-free bus service throughout the Olympia area, which has high per-capita use of public transportation relative to other cities of its size.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Olympia weather: 7-day forecast
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Live webcams in Olympia
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Living in Olympia
- Median household income
- $81,302
- Median home value
- $486,200
- Median rent
- $1,599/mo
- Median age
- 40.5
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Map of Olympia
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Open in Google Maps ›Olympia, WA population
Olympia had 55,605 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 55,605 |
|---|---|
| Density | 3,052 per sq mi (1,178 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Olympia at a glance
| State | Washington (WA) |
|---|---|
| County | Thurston County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 55,605 (2020) |
| Land area | 18.22 sq mi (47.2 km²) |
| Water area | 1.86 sq mi (4.81 km²) |
| Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Coordinates | 47.0406° N, 122.8950° W |
| ZIP code | 98505 |
| Official website | olympiawa.gov |
| Census code (GEOID) | 5351300 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Olympia
- Tumwater3.7 mi S
- Lacey4.7 mi E
- Tanglewilde5.4 mi E
- Nisqually Indian Community10.1 mi E
- DuPont12.5 mi E
- Anderson Island12.6 mi NE
- Tenino13.0 mi S
- Yelm13.7 mi SE
- Longbranch14.0 mi NE
- Rainier14.2 mi SE
- North Yelm14.2 mi E
- Ketron Island14.6 mi NE
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Olympia
What county is Olympia in?
Olympia is in Thurston County, Washington.
What is the population of Olympia, WA?
55,605 people lived in Olympia at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Olympia, WA?
The ZIP code of Olympia is 98505.
What is the elevation of Olympia?
95 feet (29 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Olympia?
Tumwater (3.7 mi), Lacey (4.7 mi), Tanglewilde (5.4 mi), Nisqually Indian Community (10.1 mi), DuPont (12.5 mi).
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