Tumwater, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tumwater, Washington had a total population of 26,956, the 48th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $95,212, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Tumwater Quick Facts
How Tumwater 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 | 26,519 | 26,956 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $93,635 | $95,212 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $438,000 | $472,200 | +7.8% |
How Tumwater 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+)
Tumwater 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 |
| Olympia | 55,951 | $81,302 | 14.0% | $486,200 |
| 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 Tumwater
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orchards | 29,438 | $100,146 | $461,700 | 24.8% | 10.5% |
| Frederickson | 25,383 | $109,500 | $477,400 | 20.0% | 5.7% |
| Moses Lake | 26,083 | $74,752 | $310,000 | 21.4% | 15.8% |
| North Lynnwood | 23,339 | $101,088 | $616,400 | 43.8% | 7.2% |
| Hazel Dell | 23,237 | $86,305 | $455,500 | 27.2% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Tumwater is a mid-sized community located in Washington, within Thurston County. The total population is 26,956. It ranks as the 48th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tumwater is 37.1 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tumwater is $95,212. This is 3% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 18% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.0%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $472,200. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 62.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tumwater is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.3%.
Education
42.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 96.8%. Notably, 16.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tumwater, 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 Tumwater, Washington?
Tumwater, Washington has a population of 26,956 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tumwater, WA?
The median household income in Tumwater is $95,212, which is 18% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tumwater, WA?
The poverty rate in Tumwater is 7.0%. This means approximately 1,877 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tumwater, Washington?
Tumwater's population is 66.5% White, 4.6% Black, 9.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tumwater, WA?
The median home value in Tumwater is $472,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Tumwater, Washington?
42.9% of adults (25+) in Tumwater hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.