Olympia, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olympia, Washington had a total population of 55,951, the 25th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $81,302, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Olympia Quick Facts
How Olympia Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,583 | 55,951 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $76,930 | $81,302 | +5.7% |
| Median home value | $457,900 | $486,200 | +6.2% |
How Olympia Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Olympia Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Thurston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | 11.6% | $457,100 |
| Tumwater | 26,956 | $95,212 | 7.0% | $472,200 |
| Yelm | 11,102 | $90,750 | 6.0% | $455,300 |
| Tanglewilde | 6,314 | $100,714 | 7.0% | $444,900 |
| Rochester | 5,834 | $99,286 | 16.3% | $445,300 |
| Grand Mound | 3,287 | $72,426 | 7.3% | $411,400 |
| North Yelm | 2,522 | $73,725 | 2.1% | $384,500 |
| Rainier | 2,455 | $106,019 | 14.6% | $425,900 |
| Tenino | 2,025 | $82,639 | 11.6% | $369,000 |
| Nisqually Indian Community | 628 | $73,750 | 17.5% | $310,000 |
Cities Similar to Olympia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacey | 57,737 | $90,625 | $457,100 | 34.1% | 11.6% |
| Burien | 51,513 | $91,318 | $638,800 | 33.2% | 12.9% |
| Lakewood | 62,937 | $74,720 | $461,200 | 23.2% | 13.2% |
| Richland | 62,753 | $95,813 | $436,700 | 46.6% | 9.0% |
| Shoreline | 61,431 | $112,751 | $811,100 | 52.8% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Olympia is a mid-sized community located in Washington, within Thurston County. The total population is 55,951. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olympia is 40.5 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Olympia is $81,302. This is 17% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $486,200. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 49.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Olympia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.6%.
Education
51.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.5%. Notably, 20.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Olympia, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Olympia, Washington?
Olympia, Washington has a population of 55,951 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olympia, WA?
The median household income in Olympia is $81,302, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olympia, WA?
The poverty rate in Olympia is 14.0%. This means approximately 7,741 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olympia, Washington?
Olympia's population is 71.2% White, 2.7% Black, 10.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olympia, WA?
The median home value in Olympia is $486,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Olympia, Washington?
51.8% of adults (25+) in Olympia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.