6th most populous of 39
With 302,912 residents in 2024, Thurston County ranks 6th by population among Washington's 39 counties and is home to 3.8% of the state's residents.
Thurston County is home to 302,912 people (2024 estimate) on 723 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
302,912
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
294,802
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+2.8%
2020–2024
Land area
723 mi²
1,871 km²
Population density
419.3 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
2,990
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
2,840
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+150
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+3,236
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$69,277
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$21.6 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$96,563
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
9.5%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
38.5%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
8.3%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$480,300
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.4%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024302,912▲ 45%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 302,912 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 252,264 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 208,287 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +45.4% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,102 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +2,134 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 9.9 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 9.4 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Washington | 6th of 39 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $69,277 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $21.6 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $96,563 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 9.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 38.5% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 8.3% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $480,300 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,736/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 40.0 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 118,899 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.7% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Thurston County in context
Comparable indicators for Thurston County, Washington and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Washington | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +2.8% | +3.3% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 9.9 | 10.3 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 9.4 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 10.7 | 10.6 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 419.3 | 119.8 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $69,277 | $85,187 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $96,563 | $98,141 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 9.5% | 9.9% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 38.5% | 39.6% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 8.3% | 15.4% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $480,300 | $564,600 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,736/month | $1,760/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 40.0 years | 38.3 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.7% | 63.8% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
2 cities · choose how to order them
Did you know? Thurston County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 208,287 in 2000 to 302,912 in 2024, a change of +45.4%, compared with +34.6% for Washington as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 2,990 births and 2,840 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 150.
Record population
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population in 2024, at 302,912.
5th in density
Thurston County has about 419.3 residents per square mile of land, ranking 5th of 39 counties; Washington averages 119.8.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $96,563 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 6th of 39 Washington counties; the state median is $98,141.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $21.6 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 6th largest among 39 Washington counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 5.2% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS