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Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. Located at the southern end of Puget Sound, Olympia had an estimated population of 55,400 as of 2021, making it the largest city in Thurston County and the 24th largest city in Washington state.

History

The history of Olympia dates back to 1850 when settlers first came to the area at the southern end of Budd Inlet, which flows into Puget Sound. Olympia was incorporated as a town in 1859 and chosen as the capital of the Washington Territory in 1853. Olympia served as the capital of the Washington Territory beginning in 1853 and through statehood in 1889. When Washington became a state in 1889, Olympia was chosen as the state capital.

Some key moments in Olympia's history:

• 1846 - The first European settlers arrive in the Olympia area
• 1850 - Olympia founded as Smithfield
• 1853 - Olympia designated capital of Washington Territory
• 1859 - Olympia incorporated
• 1889 - Olympia becomes capital of the new state of Washington

To learn more about the history of Olympia, visit the City of Olympia website.

Geography and Population

Olympia is located at coordinates 47°2′33′′N 122°53′35′′W. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.68 square miles, of which 17.82 square miles is land and 1.86 square miles is water.

As of 2021, Olympia had an estimated population of 55,400 residents. It is the largest city in Thurston County and ranks as the 24th most populous city in Washington state. The population density was 3,103 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy and Major Employers

The economy of Olympia is driven by the government sector, given its role as the state capital. Some of the major employers in Olympia include:

• Washington State Department of Social and Health Services - 6511 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98498, Phone: (253) 583-6100
• Washington State Office of Financial Management - 300 Insurance Bldg, Olympia, WA 98504, Phone: (360) 902-0555
• Washington State Department of Corrections - 7345 Linderson Way SW Tumwater, WA 98501, Phone: (360) 725-8213
• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - 7273 Linderson Way SW Tumwater, WA 98501, Phone: (360) 902-5800

Other major industries include education, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade. The presence of several colleges and universities also provides a boost to the local economy.

For more on Olympia's economy, visit the Choose Washington State website.

Attractions andLandmarks

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Olympia include:

• Washington State Capitol - 601 Capitol Way S, Olympia, WA 98501. The Washington State Capitol building was completed in 1928 and houses the state legislature. Free tours are available.
• Hands On Children's Museum - 414 Jefferson St NE, Olympia, WA 98501. An interactive children's museum with hands-on exhibits.
• Percival Landing Park - 217 Thurston Ave NW, Olympia, WA 98501. A waterfront park along Puget Sound with walking paths and views of the Olympic Mountains.
• Olympia Farmers Market - 700 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501. A popular farmers market operating since 1977, open Thursday-Sunday.
• Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge - 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516. A wildlife preserve with hiking trails and opportunities for bird watching.

Another noteworthy landmark is the Olympic Mountains, which can be seen towering over the Puget Sound from vantage points around Olympia. The Olympic Mountains are part of the Olympic National Park and contain numerous glaciers and snow-capped peaks reaching over 7,000 feet in elevation.

Google Map of Olympia

Washington State Capitol Building

Coordinates: 47°02'31.2"N 122°53'18.5"W

Address: 601 Capitol Way S, Olympia, WA 98501

Percival Landing Park

Coordinates: 47°03'15.6"N 122°54'26.9"W

Address: 217 Thurston Ave NW, Olympia, WA 98501

Government

Olympia is the county seat of Thurston County. The county government offices are located at:

Thurston County Courthouse
2000 Lakeridge Dr SW
Olympia, WA 98502
Phone: (360) 786-5490

As the state capital, Olympia is home to the Washington State Legislature, which is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate. The state's governor and lieutenant governor also have offices in the capital.

Education

Public education in Olympia falls under the governance of the Olympia School District and the North Thurston Public Schools.

Olympia School District serves most of the city and operates 15 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools, and other educational centers. North Thurston Public Schools serves a portion of Olympia and Lacey and has 18 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 1 secondary school.

Olympia is also home to several institutions of higher education, including The Evergreen State College, a public liberal arts college, and Saint Martin's University, a private Catholic university with its main campus located in Lacey.

Transportation

The major highways serving Olympia are Interstate 5, which runs north-south, and U.S. Route 101, which runs east-west. Other major roads include State Routes 507, 510, and 8.

Public transportation options in Olympia include:

• Intercity Transit, the public transit authority providing local bus service in Thurston County.
• Sound Transit, the regional transit authority operating express buses, commuter rail, and light rail services linking cities in the Puget Sound area.
• Washington State Ferries, providing ferry service from Steilacoom and Seattle.

Olympia's primary airport is the Olympia Regional Airport (OLM), owned by the Port of Olympia, with service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Sports

Olympia is home to a minor league baseball team called the Victoria HarbourCats, part of the West Coast League. The HarbourCats play at Warrior Field at the historic Capitol Center Park.

The city also has several collegiate athletic teams based at the Evergreen State College and Saint Martin's University that compete in Division II and III respectively. Community members can also enjoy public sports facilities such as Yauger Park Sports Complex.

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources and community websites for Olympia:

• Downtown Olympia Association
• Visitor Information - City of Olympia
• Parks & Recreation - City of Olympia
• Travel Information - Choose Washington
• City of Olympia Facebook

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