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Olympia, WA

Frequently asked questions

Olympia, WA

Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It had a population of 55,605 at the time of the 2020 census, making it the state of Washington's 23rd-most populous city. Olympia borders Lacey to the east and Tumwater to the south.

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 incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859, and as a city in 1882.

Olympia is at the southern end of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet, where the Deschutes River estuary enters the Sound. The river was dammed in 1951 to create Capitol Lake; in late 2022 the state government approved the dam's removal to restore the estuary at an unspecified date.

The city is 60 miles (97 km) southwest of Seattle, the most populous city in Washington, and 100 miles (160 km) north of Portland, Oregon. According to the United States Census Bureau, Olympia has an area of 19.68 square miles (50.97 km²), of which 17.82 sq mi (46.15 km²) is land and 1.86 sq mi (4.82 km²) is water. The cities of Lacey and Tumwater border Olympia.

The area is located near the southern limit of the Fraser Glaciation and the underlying sediments consist largely of Vashon-age till and outwash deposited at that time; the area also includes former lakebeds and alluvial deposits associated with proglacial lakes that existed in the area near the end of Vashon-stage glaciation. Residual glacial topography in the area includes drumlins, subglacial channels, and kettle lakes. Much of downtown Olympia sits on reclaimed land. Tidewater areas were filled as early as the 1870s, but the major change occurred in 1910–11 with the placement of the Carlyon Fill (named for Mayor P.H. Carlyon). Over two million cubic yards of sediment were dredged, thereby creating a deep-water port at Olympia; the dredged material was used to fill tidelands, creating almost 30 blocks of what is now downtown.

In terms of health and wellness, Olympia offers a range of amenities to promote a healthy lifestyle. The Providence St. Peter Hospital and Olympia Medical Center offer comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Whetstone Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. The True Self Yoga and Firefly Yoga provide a serene environment for yoga and meditation classes. For fitness enthusiasts, Flow Fitness offers state-of-the-art gym facilities and personalized training sessions. Cirque Climbing Gym is perfect for those looking to combine fitness with fun, offering climbing walls for all skill levels.

Top sites in Olympia, WA are WET Science Center, Hands On Children's Museum, Percival Landing Park, and Millersylvania State Park.

Population: 55,733 (2023). ZIP code: 98501. Area code(s): 360, 564. Elevation: 95 ft (29 m). Area: 20.09 mi².

FAQs

What is Olympia WA known for?

Olympia balances its seriousness as the state capital with a funky, indie vibe. Straddling Capitol Lake and Budd Inlet, miles of waterfront make for long walks and great views. The city’s historic district is home to a quaint downtown full of vintage clothing stores, antiquing opportunities, and coffee shops. A haven for artists, visitors will find murals on walls throughout the city, art walks, galleries, theaters, and music venues. Acclaimed restaurants take up prime real estate along the waterfront, while an incredible assortment of dining opportunities abound downtown.

Is Olympia an expensive place to live?

The cost of living in Olympia, WA is 1% lower than the state average and 16% higher than the national average. Olympia, WA housing is 22% more expensive than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 3% less pricey. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 13% more in Olympia, WA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 13% more. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 23% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 13% pricier in Olympia, WA.

Is Olympia, Washington a good place to live?

Olympia is in Thurston County. Living in Olympia offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Olympia, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many young professionals live in Olympia and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Olympia are highly rated.

Sources

City of Olympia 

Wikipedia

State Of WA Tourism

Rentcafe

Niche

WET Science Center 

Hands On Children's Museum

Percival Landing Park 

Millersylvania State Park

Providence St. Peter Hospital

Olympia Medical Center

Whetstone Fitness

True Self Yoga

Firefly Yoga

Flow Fitness

Cirque Climbing Gym

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