Yelm, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Yelm, Washington had a total population of 11,102, the 119th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $90,750, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Yelm Quick Facts
How Yelm 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 | 10,618 | 11,102 | +4.6% |
| Median household income | $88,279 | $90,750 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $439,100 | $455,300 | +3.7% |
How Yelm 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Yelm 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 |
| Tumwater | 26,956 | $95,212 | 7.0% | $472,200 |
| 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 Yelm
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fife | 10,949 | $90,532 | $543,100 | 27.9% | 11.2% |
| Fairwood (Spokane County) | 10,674 | $91,988 | $469,100 | 46.5% | 7.8% |
| Birch Bay | 10,837 | $86,854 | $477,200 | 32.0% | 9.4% |
| Sumner | 10,733 | $98,191 | $519,900 | 26.3% | 4.9% |
| Mount Vista | 10,764 | $100,293 | $586,600 | 38.7% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Yelm is a small city located in Washington, within Thurston County. The total population is 11,102. It ranks as the 119th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Yelm is 31.0 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. With 29.4% of the population under 18, Yelm has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Yelm is $90,750. This is 8% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $455,300. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 66.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Yelm is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.3%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
27.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Yelm, 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 Yelm, Washington?
Yelm, Washington has a population of 11,102 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Yelm, WA?
The median household income in Yelm is $90,750, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Yelm, WA?
The poverty rate in Yelm is 6.0%. This means approximately 672 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Yelm, Washington?
Yelm's population is 63.2% White, 4.8% Black, 16.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Yelm, WA?
The median home value in Yelm is $455,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Yelm, Washington?
27.4% of adults (25+) in Yelm hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.