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Tumwater, WA

Frequently asked questions

Tumwater, WA

Tumwater is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. The population was 25,350 at the 2020 census. The city is situated near where the Deschutes River enters Budd Inlet, the southernmost point of Puget Sound; it also borders the state capital of Olympia to the north. Tumwater is the oldest permanent Anglo-American settlement on Puget Sound.

Tumwater was originally called "New Market" by American settlers, and under the latter name was platted in 1845. The present name is derived from Chinook Jargon and means "waterfall". A post office called Tumwater was established in 1863.

The site of Tumwater and Tumwater Falls has been home to Southern Lushootseed-speaking peoples known as the Steh-Chass / Stehchass or Statca'sabsh (a subtribe of the Sahewamish (Sahe'wabsh), a subgroup of the Nisqually people; who became part of the post-treaty Squaxin Island Tribe) for thousands of years. "Steh-Chass" is the Lushootseed name for Budd Inlet, Deschutes River, and the Tumwater Falls area, and for an important village of the Statca'sabsh.

The city was incorporated in 1875. The construction of Interstate 5, which was completed in 1958, required the demolition of 100 buildings in downtown Tumwater. Major businesses had already relocated northeast to Tumwater Square, which remains a local shopping center. The Tumwater Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 to preserve remnants of downtown amid plans to widen Interstate 5.

In 2024, the city's attempts to remove the Davis Meeker Garry Oak Tree, a historic tree at the Olympia Regional Airport on Old Highway 99, were paused due to public protests and litigation. The 400-year-old specimen, which was a waypoint on the Cowlitz Trail, was considered a danger to passing motorists and in poor health.

Tumwater is located 2 miles south of the neighboring state capital of Olympia. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.49 square miles (37.53 km²), of which, 14.32 square miles (37.09 km²) is land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km²) is water.

Tumwater places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. MultiCare Capital Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Fitness Ablaze offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. The V Spa offers therapeutic massages tailored to individual needs. Fitness enthusiasts can join Anytime Fitness Tumwater, which provides a variety of workout options and personal training sessions. Firefly Yoga offers classes to enhance flexibility and mindfulness. For a family-friendly outing, Hands On Children's Museum in nearby Olympia provides engaging and educational activities. Olympus Spa is a women-only spa offering a range of health treatments.

The top sites in Tumwater, WA are the Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, Schmidt House, Tumwater Historical Park, and Barclift Park.

Population: 26,369 (2022). Elevation: 53 m. Area code: 360. ZIP code: 98512. Area: 14.49 square miles (37.53 km²).

FAQs

What is Tumwater WA famous for?

Tumwater, known as the end of the Oregon Trail or Cowlitz Trail, is the oldest permanent American settlement on Puget Sound. It is located at the mouth of the Deschutes River where it cascades into Puget Sound at its most southerly point. The Coastal Salish Indian groups, whose descendants are members of the tribes now known as Nisqually, Squaxin Island, and Chehalis, gathered shellfish and frequented the inlets and prairies of Puget Sound for centuries before Euro-American exploration and settlement. The rivers of the County were long-established sites for salmon harvesting, the prairies were popular hunting and plant harvesting sites, and the beaches were replete with shellfish, harvested by native peoples.

What are the demographics of Tumwater, WA?

Tumwater, WA is home to a population of 25.6k people, of which 98.1% are citizens. As of 2022, 6.74% of Tumwater, WA residents were born outside of the country (1.73k people). In 2022, there were 8.5 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (18.7k people) in Tumwater, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.2k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 1.15k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the crime rate in Tumwater, WA?

With a crime rate of 36 per one thousand residents, Tumwater has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 28. Within Washington, more than 81% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Tumwater.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Tumwater

Neighborhood Scout

Data USA

Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls 

Schmidt House

Tumwater Historical Park 

Barclift Park

MultiCare Capital Medical Center 

Fitness Ablaze

The V Spa

Anytime Fitness Tumwater

Firefly Yoga 

Hands On Children's Museum

Olympus Spa

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