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County in Washington, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
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![]() | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Washington | |
![]() Washington's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 46°56′N 122°50′W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | January 12, 1852 |
Named for | Samuel Thurston |
Seat | Olympia |
Largest city | Lacey |
Area | |
• Total | 774 sq mi (2,000 km2) |
• Land | 722 sq mi (1,870 km2) |
• Water | 52 sq mi (130 km2) 6.7% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 294,793 |
• Estimate (2022) | 298,758 ![]() |
• Density | 368/sq mi (142/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
Congressional districts | 3rd, 10th |
Website | thurstoncountywa |
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.
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]
Major watersheds: Black River, Budd/Deschutes, Chehalis River, Eld Inlet, Henderson Inlet, Nisqually River, Skookumchuck River, Totten Inlet and West Capitol Forest.
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.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 1,507 | — | |
1870 | 2,246 | 49.0% | |
1880 | 3,270 | 45.6% | |
1890 | 9,675 | 195.9% | |
1900 | 9,927 | 2.6% | |
1910 | 17,581 | 77.1% | |
1920 | 22,366 | 27.2% | |
1930 | 31,351 | 40.2% | |
1940 | 37,285 | 18.9% | |
1950 | 44,884 | 20.4% | |
1960 | 55,049 | 22.6% | |
1970 | 76,894 | 39.7% | |
1980 | 124,264 | 61.6% | |
1990 | 161,238 | 29.8% | |
2000 | 207,355 | 28.6% | |
2010 | 252,264 | 21.7% | |
2020 | 294,793 | 16.9% | |
2022 (est.) | 298,758 | [9] | 1.3% |
U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[1] |
As of the 2020 census, there were 294,793 people, 121,438 households in the county.
As of the 2010 census, 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]
As of the 2000 census, 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.
Several school districts provide K–12 education in Thurston County, including those that overlap with other counties:[18]
Thurston County also has three post-secondary educational institutions:
The county is home to several rail trails, including the Chehalis Western Trail, which is the longest in the county, the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail, and the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail.
Special-purpose districts include cemetery, fire, hospital, library, school, and water and sewer districts. Each special district is governed by officials elected by voters within that jurisdiction.
Seven fire districts, three city fire departments, and two regional fire authorities provide fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency medical services. Each fire district is governed by an elected board of commissioners. Most districts have three commissioners. Fire districts receive most of their revenue from property taxes. All of the fire districts and the regional fire authority have volunteer or paid-call firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
The City of Olympia is an all-career department. Fire District 3 only allows volunteers to live within the City of Lacey city limits.
Thurston County Fire Districts are:[20]
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.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
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