Thurston County, Washington
Thurston County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington, situated at the southern end of Puget Sound.[1] Established on January 12, 1852, it spans 727 square miles and has Olympia as its county seat and largest city, which also functions as the state capital.[2][1] As of the April 1, 2025, estimate from the Washington Office of Financial Management, the population stands at 309,100, reflecting steady growth from 294,793 recorded in the 2020 U.S. Census.[3] The county ranks as the sixth most populous in Washington among 39 counties and is among the fastest-growing in the Pacific Northwest, driven by its proximity to Seattle and Portland as well as natural features including the nearby Cascade Mountains and Pacific Ocean coast.[1] Urban centers such as Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater house over 140,000 residents, while the remainder inhabit smaller towns like Yelm and Tenino or rural areas.[1] Economically, state government employment dominates, comprising about 22% of total jobs as of 2023, underscoring the county's pivotal role in state administration.[4]
History
Indigenous Peoples and Early European Contact
The region encompassing present-day Thurston County was part of the traditional territory of Coast Salish peoples, particularly the Nisqually Tribe, who inhabited the south Puget Sound watershed for at least 10,000 years as a fishing-dependent society reliant on salmon runs.[5] Their aboriginal homeland spanned approximately 2 million acres, including areas around Olympia, the Nisqually River basin, prairies, and coastal zones, with major villages located near the Skate Creek and Mashel River confluences.[5] Archaeological evidence from the broader Puget Sound indicates human presence dating back at least 12,000 years, supporting continuous occupation by these groups through shell middens, village sites, and tool assemblages that reflect seasonal resource exploitation rather than permanent large-scale settlements.[6] The first documented European contact in the southern Puget Sound, including waters adjacent to Thurston County, occurred during the British Vancouver Expedition in May 1792, when Lieutenant Peter Puget and Master Joseph Whidbey charted the inlets over six days starting May 20.[7] Puget explored Eld Inlet—then termed Friendly Inlet—and visited a Nisqually village there on May 26, 1792, noting interactions with local inhabitants amid the expedition's mapping efforts.[8] These encounters involved limited trade and observation but no permanent European presence, as the expedition focused on hydrographic surveys rather than settlement.[9] Subsequent contacts intensified with the Hudson's Bay Company's establishment of Fort Nisqually in spring 1833 near the mouth of Sequalitchew Creek, on the Nisqually Delta bordering present-day Thurston and Pierce counties.[10] The fort served as a fur-trading outpost and agricultural station, fostering trade relations with the Nisqually through exchanges of furs, provisions, and labor, though it introduced European goods and diseases that disrupted local economies.[11] By the 1840s, HBC operations expanded farming on nearby prairies, drawing Nisqually workers while asserting British claims amid growing American interest in the Oregon Country.[12] The 1854 Treaty of Medicine Creek, signed on December 26 at a site on present-day McAllister Creek in Thurston County, marked a pivotal shift, as U.S. territorial governor Isaac Stevens negotiated with leaders from the Nisqually, Puyallup, Steilacoom, and Squaxin tribes.[13] The agreement ceded vast territories—including Nisqually prairies and riverine lands—for $32,500 in annuities and established a small 1,280-acre reservation on Puget Sound tides flats, reserving off-reservation fishing, hunting, and gathering rights while requiring relocation within one year of ratification on March 3, 1855.[13] This confinement to coastal lowlands, unsuitable for traditional upriver salmon fishing and prairie foraging, directly caused widespread displacement and resistance, as Nisqually headmen like Leschi contested the treaty's terms and adequacy, leading to immediate non-compliance and the outbreak of conflicts in the subsequent Puget Sound War.[13][5]Settlement and County Formation
Thurston County was created on January 12, 1852, by the Oregon Territorial Legislature, which carved it from portions of Pierce County in the Oregon Territory north of the Columbia River.[7] The county was named in honor of Samuel R. Thurston, Oregon Territory's first delegate to the U.S. Congress, who advocated for separating the northern region into a distinct territory due to geographic isolation and differing interests from southern Oregon settlers.[14] This naming reflected territorial politics, as Thurston introduced legislation in 1850 to divide the Oregon Territory, culminating in the Washington Territory Organic Act signed on March 2, 1853, shortly after the county's formation.[14] Early European-American settlement in the area began in 1845 with the arrival of Michael T. Simmons and his party, who established the first permanent non-Native community at Tumwater near the falls of the Deschutes River, initially for sawmilling and farming on prairie lands.[15] The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850 accelerated influx by granting up to 640 acres to married settlers and 320 acres to single individuals who improved the land, drawing pioneers to Puget Sound shores for logging timber resources, tilling fertile bottomlands, and harvesting fish stocks. By the 1853 territorial census, Thurston County's population reached 996 residents, concentrated in nascent communities like Tumwater and the newly platted town of Olympia, founded in 1850 as a potential port and administrative hub.[16] Olympia was designated the county seat upon Thurston County's organization in 1852, serving as the locus for foundational governance including probate courts and land claim records amid the resource-driven expansion.[17] This role solidified with the establishment of Washington Territory in 1853, when Governor Isaac Stevens selected Olympia as the provisional capital, leveraging its strategic position on Puget Sound for territorial administration and supply lines.[7] Initial infrastructure focused on basic county functions, such as the 1852 erection of a log courthouse and the recording of claims under the Donation Act, which formalized pioneer holdings amid competition for timber and arable land.[18] The 1860 U.S. Census recorded 1,507 inhabitants, reflecting sustained growth from these early extractive and agricultural pursuits.[19]20th-Century Expansion and State Capital Role
Thurston County's population expanded notably in the mid-20th century, rising from 37,285 residents in 1940 to 44,669 in 1950, a 19.8 percent increase attributed partly to the consolidation of state government functions in Olympia following World War II.[20] This growth reflected an influx of state employees drawn to stable public sector positions, as the completion of the Legislative Building in the 1920s had already positioned Olympia as the administrative hub, with further expansions including a new annex on the east side of Capitol Way in the 1960s to accommodate rising bureaucratic demands.[21] By the 1950s, state government employment overtook lumber milling as the county's primary economic driver, providing resilience amid national postwar suburbanization trends that encouraged migration to government-centered communities like Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey. Census records show the population effectively doubling from 1940 to 1970, with rapid acceleration in the 1950s and a 3.4 percent annual growth rate between 1960 and 1970, directly linked to the expansion of state administrative infrastructure and associated job opportunities.[7] [22] Infrastructure developments, such as the construction of Interstate 5 through the county during the 1950s and 1960s—completed statewide by 1969—facilitated commuter access to the Capitol Campus, bolstering economic stability through enhanced connectivity for public sector workers and visitors. These highways supported the centralization of state operations, mitigating volatility in traditional industries and promoting residential development tied to government payrolls. Parallel to this administrative-driven expansion, the county experienced environmental transitions as the logging sector waned due to exhaustion of old-growth timber resources, exemplified by the depletion of major Douglas fir stands in areas like the Black Hills by mid-century.[23] [24] Preservation efforts gained traction, with state park developments and interpretive facilities constructed in the late 1950s and early 1960s emphasizing recreation over extraction, including enhancements to managed lands that repurposed former logging sites for public use and contributed to a diversified local economy less reliant on timber harvests. This shift underscored the stabilizing influence of the state capital's role in redirecting economic focus toward sustainable land management alongside governmental expansion.Post-2000 Growth and Challenges
Thurston County's population grew by 43.51% between 2000 and 2023, reflecting an average annual increase of 1.89%, driven primarily by net domestic and international migration rather than natural increase.[25][26] This expansion accelerated in the 2010s, with the county adding residents at an average rate of 1.4% per year through 2022, fueled by its role as home to Washington state's capital in Olympia, which provides stable government employment, and its desirability for commuters to the Puget Sound region's tech and urban centers.[27] Projections estimate the population will reach 299,731 by 2025, continuing a trend of sustained influx that has strained infrastructure and land use.[28] Rapid growth has exacerbated urban sprawl, transforming former agricultural pastures and rural areas into housing subdivisions, particularly along corridors near Interstate 5 and state highways.[29] In response, county officials have updated comprehensive plans to designate Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) around Olympia and other cities, aiming to concentrate development, limit extension of urban utilities like sewers beyond designated boundaries, and preserve resource lands such as farms and forests amid projections of nearly 89,000 additional residents by 2045.[30][31] These policies seek to mitigate environmental fragmentation and traffic congestion, though enforcement challenges persist as housing demand outpaces supply.[32] The 2020s brought additional strains from rising homelessness, with point-in-time counts showing sharp increases linked to economic pressures and reduced state funding for shelters, prompting the county to implement the Encampment Resolution Program in 2025 through state contracts to clear and prevent unauthorized camps while expanding emergency options.[33][34] The COVID-19 pandemic intensified vulnerabilities, as federal rental aid programs administered locally suffered fraud; in December 2024, the U.S. Treasury demanded repayment of $667,990—the first such nationwide recoupment—for verified fraudulent claims involving falsified leases and applications, highlighting oversight gaps in emergency disbursements.[35] Despite budget cuts threatening dozens of shelter beds, the county secured commitments for $25.3 million in state homeless services funding in 2025 to sustain housing and prevention efforts.[36][37]Geography
Topography and Natural Features
Thurston County lies within the Puget Sound Lowland physiographic region, featuring predominantly low-relief terrain with elevations averaging 492 feet (150 meters) and most areas below 1,000 feet (305 meters). Northern coastal zones exhibit flat to gently undulating plains shaped by glacial deposition, transitioning southward into the dissected uplands of the Black Hills, where steeper slopes and higher relief prevail.[38] The county's maximum elevation occurs at Capitol Peak, measured at 2,670 feet (814 meters) via GPS and LiDAR surveys in the Capitol State Forest.[39] Hydrologically, the southern Black Hills contribute to the Black River watershed, spanning 144 square miles (373 square kilometers) and originating from Black Lake before flowing westward to confluence with the Chehalis River.[40] This system drains forested uplands and low-gradient floodplains, with tributaries carving narrow valleys through glacial sediments. Smaller streams like the Deschutes and tributaries of the Nisqually River handle northern drainage toward Puget Sound, reflecting the county's overall pattern of short, sediment-laden waterways influenced by Vashon glaciation.[41] Geologically, the subsurface consists of Eocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks overlain by Pleistocene glacial till, outwash, and lacustrine deposits up to 1,000 feet thick in places, forming the county's foundational aquifers and landforms.[41] Surficial materials include gravelly sands and silts from repeated glaciations, with exposed bedrock limited to erosional scarps in the Black Hills.[42] Dominant soil series, such as the Alderwood (coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Andic Xeric Paleudults) and Everett (mixed, isotic, acid, mesic Fluvaquentic Endoaquolls), derive from weathered glacial till and alluvium, exhibiting moderate permeability and fertility that historically supported extensive Douglas-fir and hemlock forestry, with timber harvests peaking in the early 20th century before selective logging practices.[43] These soils also underpin agricultural viability on well-drained uplands, though limitations like seasonal wetness occur in lowland variants. The county's location proximal to the Cascadia Subduction Zone exposes it to elevated seismic hazards, with U.S. Geological Survey models projecting potential magnitude 9 earthquakes every 200–1,000 years, generating intense ground acceleration (up to 0.5g peak horizontal) and secondary effects like liquefaction in glacial sediments.[44][45]Adjacent Jurisdictions
Thurston County shares land boundaries with four counties: Mason County to the north, Grays Harbor County to the west, Pierce County to the east, and Lewis County to the south.[4] It also maintains marine boundaries along Puget Sound to the northwest, influencing coastal resource administration and maritime trade coordination. These borders shape inter-county administrative cooperation, particularly in managing cross-jurisdictional infrastructure and natural resources without overlapping internal developments. The eastern boundary with Pierce County aligns with the Nisqually River, which demarcates the divide and requires joint efforts in watershed management, including flood risk mitigation and habitat preservation in the shared delta region.[46] [47] This riverine frontier facilitates administrative agreements on water quality monitoring and spill response, as the watershed spans both counties and supports regional fisheries and agriculture.[48] Interstate 5 serves as a critical north-south artery linking Thurston County to Pierce County southward, enabling efficient goods transport and daily commutes to Tacoma's commercial hubs, thereby bolstering cross-county economic interdependence and labor mobility.[49] Such connectivity underscores the administrative need for synchronized traffic management and regional planning to handle peak-hour flows toward Seattle metropolitan areas.[50]Climate and Environmental Conditions
Thurston County features a temperate marine climate (Köppen Cfb classification), moderated by Pacific Ocean currents and the Puget Sound's proximity, resulting in mild temperatures year-round and precipitation driven primarily by westerly winds interacting with the Olympic Mountains' orographic lift. NOAA data indicate an annual mean temperature of 40.6°F from 1934 to recent years, with winter averages near 40°F (highs around 47°F, lows 36°F) and summer highs averaging 70°F under infrequent heat domes.[51] Annual precipitation totals 40-52 inches, concentrated in wet winters from October to March, with dry summers reflecting the rain shadow partial influence despite coastal exposure; this pattern stems from seasonal shifts in the Pacific jet stream rather than continental extremes.[52] Historically, intensive logging from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries denuded large areas, exacerbating soil erosion and sedimentation in rivers like the Nisqually and Deschutes, as clear-cutting removed stabilizing root systems and increased runoff velocities. Reforestation initiatives by state and private entities since the 1940s, including sustained-yield forestry practices, have reversed much of this degradation, with second-growth conifer forests now dominating the landscape and mitigating erosion through restored canopy interception of rainfall. Current ecological baselines show resilient ecosystems adapted to these dynamics, though legacy scars persist in steeper slopes prone to shallow landslides during heavy rains. Flood risks arise from atmospheric rivers channeling intense Pacific moisture into the county's river basins, with the Nisqually, Chehalis, Deschutes, Skookumchuck, and Black rivers most vulnerable; minor events occur roughly once per winter, while major floods, such as the December 1996-January 1997 episode—the severest in modern records—caused widespread inundation exceeding prior benchmarks due to prolonged saturation.[53][54] Wildfire hazards remain moderate compared to eastern Washington, averaging 63 ignitions annually in wildland-urban interfaces, but regional events like the 2020 statewide fires (burning over 713,000 acres) and the 2025 Bear Gulch fire introduced hazardous smoke plumes, elevating respiratory risks without direct burns in the county. Projections indicate 33% more high fire danger days in the 2020s versus 1971-2000 baselines, tied to drier summer fuels from variable precipitation rather than uniform warming trends.[55][56]Protected Lands and Ecosystems
The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge covers over 4,500 acres in the Nisqually River Delta within Thurston County, encompassing estuarine wetlands, tidal flats, grasslands, and riparian forests that serve as spawning and rearing grounds for Chinook, coho, chum, pink salmon, and steelhead trout, alongside migration corridors for Pacific Flyway birds.[57][58] Management focuses on delta restoration to counteract historical dike-induced habitat loss, yielding measurable improvements in salmon habitat connectivity and fish passage since the 2009 estuary restoration project removed 2.7 miles of dikes.[58] State-managed lands include the 110,000-acre Capitol State Forest, dominated by even-aged Douglas-fir plantations but incorporating conservation targets under Washington's sustainable forests policy, which reserves 10-15% of suitable areas as older, structurally complex habitats to bolster biodiversity amid timber harvest pressures.[59][60] The Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area spans 922 acres of marine shoreline, freshwater wetlands, streams, and second-growth forest, protecting habitats that sustain populations of harbor seals, river otters, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, shorebirds, songbirds, and a large bat maternity colony.[61][62] Millersylvania State Park occupies 842 acres around Deep Lake, featuring wetlands and remnant old-growth forest that support woodland species including pileated woodpeckers.[63] Thurston County's Habitat Conservation Plan, approved in 2022, addresses development impacts across approximately 126,000 acres of species habitat by preserving and restoring up to 3,500 acres for federally threatened taxa such as the Mazama pocket gopher, Oregon spotted frog, and Oregon vesper sparrow, with mitigation strategies emphasizing site-specific habitat enhancements over broad ideological goals.[64] Smaller preserves, like the 67.5-acre Tumwater West site dedicated to prairie habitat for the Olympia pocket gopher, complement these efforts by targeting endemic species decline through exclusion of incompatible land uses.[65] In 2023, the Washington Department of Natural Resources incorporated adjacent lands into conservation around Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, expanding glacial outwash prairie protection amid ongoing threats from fragmentation.[66] These initiatives have demonstrably stabilized local populations of at-risk species by prioritizing empirical habitat metrics, though efficacy remains constrained by surrounding urban expansion.[64] Wetlands and forests in these protected areas provide ecosystem services including sediment trapping and nutrient filtration that reduce downstream pollution in the Nisqually and Black River watersheds, contributing to sustained water quality for municipal supplies serving over 250,000 residents; however, quantification specific to Thurston remains limited, with broader state assessments linking intact riparian buffers to 20-50% reductions in total suspended solids.[67] Overall, conservation outcomes prioritize causal habitat linkages—such as restored floodplain connectivity enhancing salmon smolt survival rates—over unsubstantiated projections, with monitoring data indicating persistent challenges from invasive species and climate-driven shifts in hydrology.[68]Demographics
Population Dynamics and Projections
The population of Thurston County grew from 294,793 residents recorded in the 2020 United States Census to an estimated 299,003 in 2023, reflecting an average annual increase of approximately 0.5% over this period.[69][70] This growth rate has decelerated in recent years, with the county adding about 3,600 residents between 2023 and 2024, equating to roughly 1.2% for that year amid broader statewide slowing.[71] Net domestic migration has been the dominant driver, contributing over 90% of recent annual gains—for instance, 3,444 net migrants in the 2023–2024 period—largely from higher-cost urban areas like King County, attracted by relatively affordable housing and proximity to state government employment in Olympia.[71][72] Natural increase, the difference between births and deaths, has remained modest at around 156 annually in recent data, underscoring limited contributions from fertility amid low birth rates.[71] Demographic aging is evident, with the median age rising to 40.3 years by 2023, exceeding the state average and signaling a shift toward an older population structure influenced by lower fertility rates (typically below replacement levels in Washington counties) and stable but gradually increasing mortality.[70] This trend aligns with national patterns but is amplified locally by retiree in-migration and the outflow of younger residents to urban job centers, resulting in a dependency ratio where older age cohorts exert growing pressure on services.[73] Projections from the Washington Office of Financial Management and regional planning bodies anticipate continued but moderated expansion, with Thurston County potentially reaching 390,000 residents by 2045 under medium-growth scenarios—a nearly 30% rise from 2023 levels—driven primarily by sustained net migration tied to state capital functions and commuting patterns rather than natural increase.[74] Alternative estimates suggest a more conservative 306,343 by 2025 assuming persistent 1.1% annual growth, though recent data indicate potential downside risks from decelerating statewide trends.[75] These forecasts emphasize empirical reliance on historical migration patterns and employment anchors, avoiding unsubstantiated assumptions about future economic shocks or policy shifts.[76]| Year | Population Estimate | Annual Growth Rate | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 294,793 | - | Census baseline[69] |
| 2022 | 298,758 | ~0.7% | Net migration[27] |
| 2023 | 299,003 | ~0.1% | Net migration[70] |
| 2024 | ~302,600 | ~1.2% | Net migration (3,444 net)[71] |
Ethnic and Racial Breakdown
According to the 2020 decennial census, Thurston County's population of 284,792 was predominantly White alone at 79.7%. Black or African American alone accounted for 4.2%, Asian alone 6.7%, American Indian and Alaska Native alone 1.8%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 1.1%, and Two or More Races 6.5%. Persons identifying as Hispanic or Latino of any race comprised 9.8%, a figure that increased from 6.7% in the 2010 census. [27]| Racial/Ethnic Category | Percentage (2020) |
|---|---|
| White alone | 79.7% |
| Black alone | 4.2% |
| Asian alone | 6.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1.8% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 1.1% |
| Two or More Races | 6.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.8% |
Socioeconomic Indicators
As of the 2019-2023 American Community Survey, Thurston County's median household income stood at $93,985, reflecting a 5.7% increase from the prior period and surpassing the national median of approximately $75,000 while aligning closely with Washington state's $92,000 figure.[81] Per capita income during the same timeframe was $45,199, indicating moderate individual earning power amid a cost-of-living index of 112.1—12.1% above the U.S. average—driven primarily by housing expenses that strain affordability for lower-wage segments.[82] The county's poverty rate was 9.7% over 2019-2023, affecting 28,292 residents and mirroring the state rate of 9.5%, with higher incidences among persons of color (11.8%) compared to white non-Hispanic individuals (8.8%); this persistence despite proximity to state government employment hubs underscores inefficiencies in translating public-sector stability into broader economic uplift.[83][84] Homeownership rates reached 67.8% in 2023, below the national average of 65-66% in some metrics but challenged by median home values of $451,500, which have escalated faster than incomes and contributed to renter-occupied units comprising about 32% of housing stock.[81][85] Educational attainment remains a strength, with 37.2% of adults aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher in 2023, up from 35.7% in 2019, though disparities persist as only 31.9% of persons of color achieve this level versus 38.9% for white non-Hispanics; these figures support workforce qualifications for administrative roles but highlight gaps in higher education access that may perpetuate income stratification.[86][87]| Indicator | Value (2019-2023 unless noted) | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $93,985 | Above U.S. ($75,149); near WA state ($92,000) |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | Matches WA state (9.5%); above U.S. (11.5%)[83] |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher (25+) | 37.2% (2023) | Above U.S. (34.3%); below WA state (40.5%)[86] |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.8% (2023) | Above U.S. (~65%); housing costs limit gains[81] |
| Cost-of-Living Index | 112.1 | 12.1% above U.S. average[82] |
Homelessness, Crime, and Social Issues
In Thurston County, the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) count identified 740 individuals experiencing homelessness, including 425 unsheltered, marking a decline from the peak of 1,145 in 2021 but reflecting ongoing challenges amid fluctuating state resources.[88] The 2024 PIT count rose to 952, with 334 unsheltered, an increase of 212 from 2023, driven in part by reduced shelter capacity following state budget constraints.[89] Empirical data from county surveys consistently link homelessness to untreated mental illness and substance abuse as primary drivers, with 41% of respondents in the 2022 PIT reporting mental health issues and 28% citing substance use disorders.[90] Similar patterns appear in earlier counts, such as 2018 and 2020 PITs, where mental illness and addiction were cited by 14-51% of those surveyed as precipitating factors, underscoring causal roles beyond housing shortages alone.[91][92] State-level funding shortfalls have exacerbated shelter bed losses, with Washington facing a $12 billion deficit in 2025 that prompted cuts to programs like the Right of Way Encampment Resolution, threatening operations at local facilities such as those in Olympia and Lacey.[93] Thurston County anticipated reduced state allocations to $5.5 million for 2025-26 homeless services, leading to potential bed reductions and reliance on county amendments for interim support through October 2025.[36][94] Encampment-focused initiatives, intended to transition unsheltered individuals, have faced criticism for sustaining visible street presence without addressing underlying behavioral factors, as evidenced by persistent unsheltered rates around 35-44% in recent counts.[34][95] Homelessness correlates with elevated local crime, particularly property offenses, as unsheltered concentrations in urban areas like Olympia's downtown deter commerce and increase reported thefts and public safety risks.[96][97] Individuals with histories of mental illness or substance abuse among the homeless face heightened incarceration risks, with studies indicating no reduction in recidivism under permissive policies that prioritize shelter over treatment.[98] In Thurston, these dynamics manifest in surveys linking addiction and untreated conditions to repeated cycles of eviction, vagrancy, and minor offenses.[99] Critiques of the dominant "Housing First" model highlight its inefficacy in Washington, where despite billions in expenditures, homelessness grew 2.2% statewide from 2024 to 2025, with chronic cases tied to unaddressed addiction and psychosis showing poor housing retention without mandatory sobriety or therapy.[100][101] Data from national analyses, applicable to state trends, reveal that Housing First fails to lower overall homelessness rates or improve outcomes for those with severe impairments, as only 8-17% fewer participants achieve stability compared to treatment-requiring alternatives.[102] Local evidence supports shifting toward enforcement of anti-camping laws and personal accountability measures, with public polls in Washington favoring treatment-first approaches by 83% over continued housing subsidies alone.[103] Such reforms align with causal evidence that sobriety and mental health stabilization precede sustainable housing, reducing public disorder more effectively than encampment tolerance.[104]Economy
Primary Sectors and Employment
Thurston County's economy is anchored by government as the dominant employment sector, which accounted for 43,623 jobs in 2024 and represented the largest share of total covered employment at 128,824 positions. This sector's prominence arises from Olympia functioning as Washington's state capital, accommodating numerous state agencies that employed 28,397 workers as of 2023. Health care and social assistance ranks second with 16,427 jobs, followed by retail trade at 12,101 positions.| Sector | Employment (2024) |
|---|---|
| Government | 43,623 |
| Health care and social assistance | 16,427 |
| Retail trade | 12,101 |
| Accommodation and food services | 9,606 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 6,878 |