Thurston County

Thurston County, WA, has a population of approximately 300,500 as of the latest census. The racial composition is about 84% White, 5% Asian, 2.2% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, and 7% identifying as Hispanic or Latino of any race. Median household income stands around $75,000. The age distribution includes 22% under 18, 62% 18-64, and 16% 65 and older. The county has a slightly higher female-to-male ratio, with women making up 51% of the population. Educational attainment shows 94% of residents have a high school diploma, and 35% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

As of 2023, the median home price in Thurston County, WA is approximately $485,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,500 per month. The home appreciation rate over the past year is about 10.5%. The county has a homeownership rate of 66.7% and a vacancy rate of 5.2%. Population growth has contributed to a housing demand, impacting prices and availability.

Thurston County, WA, conducts local elections for various county positions such as Commissioners, Sheriff, Auditor, and other municipal roles. Elections typically occur in even-numbered years, with primary elections in August and general elections in November.

2022 General Election Example:

• County Commissioner District 3:

  • Tye Menser (D) (Incumbent): 52.5% (28,674 votes)
  • Vivian Eason (R): 47.5% (25,947 votes)

• Sheriff:

  • Derek Sanders (R): 50.8% (80,212 votes)
  • John Snaza (Independent, Incumbent): 49.2% (77,740 votes)

• Auditor:

  • Mary Hall (D) (Incumbent): 55.1% (85,940 votes)
  • Sal Militello (R): 44.9% (69,971 votes)

Voter participation rates and the number of positions up for election vary each cycle. For accurate and up-to-date election information, visit the Thurston County Auditor's website.

Thurston County, WA, demonstrates a relatively high level of educational attainment. According to the U.S. Census Bureau:

• 93.8% of adults have a high school diploma or higher.
• 35.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

For comparison:

• National averages:

  • High school diploma or higher: 88.5%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 33.1%

• Washington State averages:

  • High school diploma or higher: 92.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 36.7%

Thurston County exceeds national averages in both high school and higher education achievement and is close to state averages, indicating a well-educated community.

As of recent data, Thurston County, WA, has an approximate labor force of 150,000 people with an unemployment rate around 4.8%, closely aligning with the national rate of 4.6% and slightly higher than Washington state's 4.5%. Key employment sectors in Thurston County include government, healthcare, retail trade, and education. Government jobs are particularly significant, constituting about 30% of total employment, more than double the national average of around 15%. Healthcare and social assistance employ approximately 14% of the local workforce, relatively comparable to the national average of 13%. Retail trade accounts for around 12%, similar to the national figure. Education services employ close to 10% in Thurston, higher than the national average of 8%. This profile demonstrates Thurston's strong leaning towards public sector employment and essential services.

As of the latest data, Thurston County, WA has an average household income of approximately $79,000. The state of Washington has a higher average at around $84,000, while the national average household income is about $68,700.

Thurston County's average income is slightly below the state average but significantly higher than the national average.

As of the latest data available, Thurston County, WA experienced a crime rate of 24.1 per 1,000 residents. Here is a summarized table highlighting the incidents for various types of crimes:

These figures are based on the most current reports, but crime rates can fluctuate over time. For the most accurate and updated information, consulting local law enforcement or government databases is recommended.