Editing Olympia, Washington

{{Short description|Capital city of Washington, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Olympia, Washington
| settlement_type    = [[List of capitals in the United States|State capital city]]
| total_type         = City
| nickname           = Oly
| motto              = 
| named_for          = [[Olympic Mountains]]
<!-- Images --------------->| image_skyline      = Olympia_Collage.jpg
| imagesize          = 300px
| image_caption      = From top, and left to right: [[Old Capitol Building (Olympia, Washington)|Old Capitol Building]], [[East Olympia, Washington|East Olympia]], [[Interstate 5]] at the junction of [[U.S. Route 101]], Port of Olympia, Downtown from [[Capitol Lake]], [[Washington State Capitol]], Salmon sculpture, [[Mount Rainier]], [[Percival Landing Park]], [[Olympic Mountains]] and Swantown Marina
| image_flag         = Flag of Olympia, Washington.jpeg
| image_seal         = Seal of Olympia, Washington.png
| image_map          = Thurston County Washington Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Olympia Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location within [[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston County]] in [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = Washington#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Washington##Location within the United States
| pushpin_label      = Olympia
<!-- Location ------------->| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston]]
<!-- Government ----------->| government_type    = Council/City Manager
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Dontae Payne]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = January 28, 1859
<!-- Area ----------------->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 24, 2022|archive-date=September 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922164348/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_53.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 52.02
| area_land_km2      = 47.20
| area_water_km2     = 4.82
| area_total_sq_mi   = 20.09
| area_land_sq_mi    = 18.23
| area_water_sq_mi   = 1.87
<!-- Population ----------->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 55733
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="Census-Estimate2023">{{cite web |date=May 2024 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 20,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2023 Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2023-ANNRNK.xlsx  |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=December 23, 2024}}</ref>
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 55605
| population_urban   = 208157 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|182nd]])
| population_metro   = 298758 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|172nd]])
| population_rank    = US: 718th<br />WA: [[List of municipalities in Washington|24th]]
| population_density_sq_mi = 2902.26
| population_density_km2 = 1120.58
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 1960.0
| population_demonym = Olympian
<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=USGS>{{Cite web |title=Geographic Names Information System |url=https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/gaz-record/1533353 |access-date=May 8, 2023 |website=edits.nationalmap.gov |archive-date=May 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508143901/https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/gaz-record/1533353 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 29
| elevation_ft       = 95
| coordinates        = {{coord|47|2|16|N|122|54|3|W|region:US-WA|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 98501–98509, 98511–98513, 98516, 98599
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 360|360]], [[Area code 564|564]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-51300
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1533353<ref name=USGS />
| website            = {{URL|https://olympiawa.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
| image_blank_emblem = Official logo of Olympia, Washington.jpg
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
}}
'''Olympia''' is the [[List of capitals in the United States|capital city]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. It had a population of 55,605 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], making it the state of Washington's [[List of municipalities in Washington|23rd-most populous city]]. Olympia is the county seat of [[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston County]], and the central city for a [[metropolitan statistical area]] of 298,758, the fifth-largest in Washington state. Located 50 miles southwest of [[Seattle]], Olympia anchors the [[South Puget Sound]] region of Western Washington.

The [[Squaxin]] and other [[Coast Salish]] peoples inhabited the southern Puget Sound region prior to the arrival of European and American settlers in the 19th century. The [[Treaty of Medicine Creek]] was signed in 1854 and followed by the Treaty of Olympia in 1856; these two treaties forced the Squaxin to relocate to an [[Indian reservation]]. Olympia was declared the capital of the Washington Territories (later the state of Washington) in 1853 and incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859. It became a city in 1882.

Aside from its role in the state government, Olympia is also recognized as a countercultural hub in the Pacific Northwest. The city's [[Music of Olympia, Washington|music scene]] gained prominence in the 1990s for its role in the emergence of [[punk rock]] movements such as [[riot grrrl]] and [[grunge]]. Olympia is also home to [[The Evergreen State College]], a public liberal arts institution known for its non-traditional curriculum.

Today, Olympia has been ranked among the U.S. cities with the most potential for economic growth by the [[Milken Institute]], thanks to its booming technology sector.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Rob |title=Milken Institute Lauds Olympia for its Booming Tech Sector |url=https://seattlemag.com/seattle-culture/milken-institute-lauds-olympia-for-its-booming-tech-sector/ |website=Seattle Magazine |date=January 15, 2025 |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> [[Intercity Transit]] provides fare-free bus service throughout the Olympia area, which has high per-capita use of public transportation relative to other cities of its size.

==History==
{{main|History of Olympia, Washington}}
[[File:Old State Capitol Building, Olympia, Washington, ca 1906 (BAR 267).jpeg|thumb|left|The [[Old Capitol Building (Olympia, Washington)|Old Capitol Building]] in 1906]]

The site of Olympia had been home to [[Lushootseed]]-speaking peoples known as the Steh-Chass (or Stehchass, later part of the post-treaty Squaxin Island Tribe) for thousands of years. Other Native Americans regularly visited the head of Budd Inlet and the Steh-Chass, including the other ancestor tribes of the [[Squaxin Island Tribe|Squaxin]], as well as the [[Nisqually people|Nisqually]], [[Puyallup people|Puyallup]], [[Upper Chehalis people|Chehalis]], [[Suquamish]], and [[Duwamish people|Duwamish]]. The first recorded Europeans came to Olympia in 1792. [[Peter Puget]] and a crew from the British [[Vancouver Expedition]] are said to have explored the site, but neither recorded any encounters with the resident Indigenous population. In 1846, [[Edmund Sylvester]] and [[Levi Lathrop Smith]] jointly claimed the land that is now downtown Olympia. In 1851, the U.S. Congress established the Customs District of Puget Sound for Washington Territory and Olympia became the home of the customs house. Its population steadily expanded from [[Oregon Trail]] immigrants. In 1850, the town settled on the name Olympia, at local resident Colonel [[Isaac N. Ebey]]'s suggestion,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://olympiawa.gov/community/about-olympia/history-of-olympia-washington.aspx|title=History of Olympia, Washington|publisher=olympiawa.gov|date=July 27, 2012|access-date=September 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910081749/http://olympiawa.gov/community/about-olympia/history-of-olympia-washington.aspx|archive-date=September 10, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> because of its view of the [[Olympic Mountains]] to the northwest. The area began to be served by a small fleet of steamboats known as the [[Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet]]. It was declared the capital of the Washington Territories by Governor [[Isaac Stevens|Isaac I. Stevens]] in November 1853.<ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Isaac Stevens selects Olympia as capital of Washington Territory on November 28, 1853. |url=https://www.historylink.org/file/5054 |website=HistoryLink |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> Olympia was the first and only capital of Washington in its history as both a territory and a state.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jan/29/we-the-people-many-states-have-had-multiple-capita/|title=We the People: Many states have had multiple capitals, but Washington's has always been Olympia|publisher=The Spokesman-Review}}</ref>

Over two days, December 24–26, 1854, Governor Stevens negotiated the [[Treaty of Medicine Creek]] with the representatives of the Nisqually, Puyallup, Squawksin, Steh'Chass, Noo-Seh-Chatl, Squi-Aitl, T'Peeksin, Sah-Heh-Wa-Mish, and S'Hotl-Ma-Mish tribes. Stevens's treaty included the preservation of Indigenous fishing, hunting, gathering and other rights. It also included a section which, at least as interpreted by United States officials, required the Native American signatories to move to one of three reservations. Doing so would effectively [[Puget Sound War#The War|force the Nisqually people to cede]] their prime farming and living space. An additional agreement between the state, city, and indigenous groups, known as the Treaty of Olympia or as the [[Quinault Treaty]], was completed during 1855.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nwifc.org/w/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/treaty-of-olympia.pdf|title=The Treaty of Olympia, Jan. 6, 1856|website=nwifc.org|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822113903/https://nwifc.org/w/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/treaty-of-olympia.pdf|archive-date=August 22, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> One of the leaders of the Nisqually, [[Leschi (Native American leader)|Chief Leschi]], outraged, refused to give up ownership of this land and instead fought for his people's right to their territory, sparking the beginning of the [[Puget Sound War]]. The war ended with Leschi's capture in 1856; he was executed two years later.

Olympia was incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859, and as a city in 1882.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://olympiawa.gov/community/about-olympia/history-of-olympia-washington/elected-officials-chronology.aspx|title=Olympia's Leadership|date=January 2, 2018|website=olympiawa.gov/|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822113518/http://olympiawa.gov/community/about-olympia/history-of-olympia-washington/elected-officials-chronology.aspx|archive-date=August 22, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[1949 Olympia earthquake]] damaged many historic buildings beyond repair, and they were demolished. Parts of the city also suffered damage from earthquakes in [[1965 Puget Sound earthquake|1965]] and [[2001 Nisqually earthquake|2001]].

[[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]] was built through the south side of the city in the late 1950s as a replacement for earlier highways that traveled through downtown Olympia. The freeway was originally planned to cut through the city, but was moved farther out to save costs. It opened to traffic on December 12, 1958, and was later expanded in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |last=Batcheldor |first=Matt |date=December 7, 2008 |title=I-5 at 50: It's changed the face of the region |page=A1 |work=The Olympian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119394703/i-5-at-50-its-changed-the-face-of-the/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 23, 2023 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224074503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119394703/i-5-at-50-its-changed-the-face-of-the/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Olympia Washington.jpg|thumb|Astronaut photograph of Olympia, Washington, taken from the International Space Station (ISS)]]

Olympia is located in Thurston County<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> at the southern end of [[Puget Sound]] on [[Budd Inlet]], where the [[Deschutes River (Washington)|Deschutes River]] [[estuary]] enters the Sound. The river was dammed in 1951 to create [[Capitol Lake]]; in late 2022 the state government approved the dam's removal to restore the estuary at an unspecified date.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary EIS identifies estuary restoration as preferred long-term management approach|url=https://des.wa.gov/about/news-center/news/2022/capitol-lake-deschutes-estuary-eis-identifies-estuary-restoration-preferred-long-term-management|publisher=Washington State Department of Enterprise Services|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424151436/https://des.wa.gov/about/news-center/news/2022/capitol-lake-deschutes-estuary-eis-identifies-estuary-restoration-preferred-long-term-management|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city is {{convert|47|mi|km}} southwest of [[Seattle]], the most populous city in Washington, and {{convert|100|mi|km}} north of [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Things to Do in Olympia, WA |url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/olympia-wa |work=[[Frommer's]] |accessdate=March 13, 2024}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Olympia has an area of {{convert|19.68|sqmi|2}}, of which {{convert|17.82|sqmi|2|abbr=on}} is land and {{convert|1.86|sqmi|2|abbr=on}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref> The cities of Lacey and Tumwater border Olympia.

The area is located near the southern limit of the [[Last Glacial Period#Pinedale or Fraser glaciation (Rocky Mountains)|Fraser Glaciation]] and the underlying sediments consist largely of [[Vashon Glaciation|Vashon]]-age [[till]] and [[Glaciofluvial deposits|outwash]] deposited at that time; the area also includes former lakebeds and alluvial deposits associated with [[proglacial lake]]s that existed in the area near the end of Vashon-stage glaciation. Residual glacial topography in the area includes [[drumlin]]s, [[subglacial channel]]s, and [[kettle lake]]s.<ref name= "Walsh et al. 2003">{{cite map |author = T.J. Walsh, R.L. Logan, H.W. Schasse, and M. Polenz|year = 2003|title = Geologic Map of the Tumwater 7.5-minute Quadrangle, Thurston County, Washington|url = https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/ger_ofr2003-25_geol_map_tumwater_24k.pdf|scale = 1:24000|publisher = Washington State Department of Natural Resources|access-date = April 24, 2023}}</ref> Much of downtown Olympia sits on [[reclaimed land]]. [[Intertidal zone|Tidewater]] areas were filled as early as the 1870s, but the major change occurred in 1910–11 with placement of the Carlyon Fill (named for mayor P.H. Carlyon). Over {{Convert|2|e6yd3|spell=in}} of sediment were [[Dredging|dredged]], thereby creating a deep-water port at Olympia; the dredged material was used to fill tidelands, creating almost 30 blocks of what is now downtown.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Olympia's Shorelines|url=https://www.thurstontalk.com/2012/11/11/history-of-olympias-shorelines/|author=Emmett O’Connell|date=November 11, 2012 |access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=April 2023}}

===Climate===
Olympia has a warm-summer [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csb''). The local [[microclimate]] has dry summers in July and mildly humid summers in early June and late August, with cool July and August overnight lows. It is part of USDA [[Hardiness zone]] 8a, with isolated pockets around Puget Sound in zone 8b.<ref>{{cite web|title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|access-date=June 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/|archive-date=February 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most of western Washington's weather is brought in by weather systems that form near the [[Aleutian Islands]] in [[Alaska]]. It contains cold moist air, which brings western Washington cold rain, cloudiness, and fog. November through January are Olympia's rainiest months. City streets, creeks, and rivers can flood from November to February. The monthly mean temperature ranges from {{convert|38.4|°F|1}} in December to {{convert|64.1|°F|1}} in August. Seasonal snowfall for 1981–2010 averaged {{convert|10.8|in|cm|1}}<ref name= "NWS Seattle, WA (SEW)">{{cite web
|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sew
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|access-date = September 5, 2016
|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
|archive-date = May 14, 2021
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210514063409/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sew
|url-status = dead
}}</ref> but has historically ranged from trace amounts in 1991–92 to {{convert|81.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} in 1968–69.<ref name = "NWS Seattle, WA (SEW)"/>

[[File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Olympia Area, WA(ThreadEx).svg|thumb|right|Climate chart for Olympia]]
Olympia averages {{convert|50|in|mm|sigfig=3}} of precipitation annually and has a year-round average of 75% cloud cover. Annual precipitation has ranged from {{convert|29.92|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 1952 to {{convert|66.71|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 1950; for water year (October 1 – September 30) precipitation, the range is {{convert|32.71|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 2000–01 to {{convert|72.57|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 1998–99.<ref name = "NWS Seattle, WA (SEW)"/> With a period of record dating back to 1948, extreme temperatures have ranged from {{convert|-8|°F|0}} on January 1, 1979, up to {{convert|110|°F|0}}, on June 28, 2021; the record cold daily maximum is {{convert|18|°F|0}} on January 31, 1950, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is {{convert|69|°F|0}} on July 22, 2006.<ref name = "NWS Seattle, WA (SEW)"/> Between 1991 and 2020 the mean coldest daily maximum was right on the freezing point at {{convert|32|F|C}} and the warmest night of the year averaged a very mild {{convert|60|F|C}}.<ref name= "NWS Seattle, WA (SEW)"/>

On average, 6.3 days annually reach {{convert|90|°F|0}}, 1.8 days stay at or below freezing all day, and 78 nights reach the freezing mark.<ref name = "NWS Seattle, WA (SEW)"/> The average window for freezing temperatures is October 8 through May 3, allowing a growing season of 157 days, nearly 100 days shorter than in Seattle.<ref name = "NWS Seattle, WA (SEW)"/>

{{Olympia, Washington weatherbox}}

{{Graph:Weather monthly history
| table=ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Olympia, Washington.tab
| title=Olympia monthly weather statistics
}}

===Artesian water===
Olympia was historically dependent on [[artesian water]]s, including springs that supplied early settlers in Swantown and Tumwater. The artesian spring at Fourth Avenue and Main Street (now called Capitol Way) was the main community well where settlers, as well as the local Steh-Chass and visiting Native Americans, gathered to socialize. Settler accounts recall paying Native Americans to collect water here. The artesian well at [[Artesian Commons]] park, a former parking lot, is active.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://olympiawa.gov/documents/CouncilPackets/20100614/FA_DiamondPkgLotSTF.pdf|title=Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Acquisition of Diamond Parking Lot, June 2010|author=City of Olympia|access-date=February 3, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721060534/http://olympiawa.gov/documents/CouncilPackets/20100614/FA_DiamondPkgLotSTF.pdf|archive-date=July 21, 2011}}</ref> Another still flows at the corner of Olympia Avenue and Washington Street. A small park was constructed around another spring in the [[Bigelow Neighborhood]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/parks-and-trails/bigelow-springs.aspx |title=Bigelow Springs |access-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314014921/http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/parks-and-trails/bigelow-springs.aspx |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The northeast end of Capitol Lake was the location of an artesian well until the construction of a new park that included changes to the shoreline. McAllister Springs, Olympia's main water source, is fed by artesian wells, and the former [[Olympia Brewery]] is supplied by 26 artesian wells.

Efforts to protect and preserve the free-flowing artesian well on 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia began in 1991 with support from a local coffee roaster. Donations from the public were used to form "Friends of the Artesians", a group that researched the wells, maintained them, and tested their quality. They were later replaced by the non-profit organization [[H2Olympia]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oly-wa.us/Artesians/index.php|title=Friends of Artesians: Homepage|access-date=August 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704013324/http://www.oly-wa.us/Artesians/index.php|archive-date=July 4, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, the city of Olympia committed $50,000 toward improvements of an artesian well in a parking lot that the city purchased the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theolympian.com/2011/01/13/1504565/city-will-protect-improve-well.html#storylink=mirelated|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914172511/http://www.theolympian.com/2011/01/13/1504565/city-will-protect-improve-well.html%23storylink=mirelated|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 14, 2012|title=City of Olympia Will Protect, Improve Artesian Well.|author=Matt Batcheldor|access-date=February 8, 2011}}</ref> Renovations at the well were completed in late 2011, including surface improvements, solar lighting, and a raised area to fill bottles. In spring 2012, sea-themed mosaic artwork created by community members was installed at the site of the well.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 1203
|1880= 1232
|1890= 4698
|1900= 3863
|1910= 6996
|1920= 7795
|1930= 11733
|1940= 13254
|1950= 15819
|1960= 18273
|1970= 23296
|1980= 27447
|1990= 33840
|2000= 42514
|2010= 46478
|2020= 55605
|estyear=2023
|estimate=55733
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|date=November 11, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=November 11, 2023|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610232059/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br />2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Olympia_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5351300 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519201440/https://data.census.gov/profile/Olympia_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5351300 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 55,605 people within the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2825|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 25,642 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1303|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 78.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 9.6% [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino]], 7.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], and 6.9% from other races or multiracial.<ref name="census-2020">{{cite web|title=Census Bureau Profile: Olympia city, Washington|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Olympia_city,_Washington?g=160XX00US5351300|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 46,478 people, 20,761 households, and 10,672 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2608.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 22,086 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1239.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 6.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.8% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 6.3% of the population.

There were 20,761 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were other families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

==Economy==
{{Further|List of companies based in Olympia, Washington}}
[[File:Olympia, Washington City Hall 01.jpg|thumb|Olympia City Hall]]
According to Olympia's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cms7files.revize.com/olympia/Document_center/Government/Budget%20Financial%20Reports/Financial%20reports/2021-ACFR.pdf |title=City of Olympia ACFR |access-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112001628/https://cms7files.revize.com/olympia/Document_center/Government/Budget%20Financial%20Reports/Financial%20reports/2021-ACFR.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> the county's top employers are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Rank
! Employer
! Number of<br />employees
|-
|1
| [[Washington (state)|State of Washington, including education]]
| 20,566
|-
|2
| Local government, including education
|2,593
|-
|3
| [[Providence St. Peter Hospital]]
|2,173
|-
|4
| Capital Medical Center
|700
|-
|5
| [[YMCA]]
|700
|-
|6
|[[Washington State Employees Credit Union]]
|501
|-
|7
|[[AMR Corp]]
|499
|-
|8
|Titus Will
|431
|-
|9
| Olympian
|366
|-
|10
| Olympia Orthopedic
|300
|}

==Arts and culture==

===Music===
[[File:Nirvana around 1992 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] got its start in the Olympia and [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] punk-rock scenes of the late 1980s; lead singer [[Kurt Cobain]] grew up in nearby [[Aberdeen, Washington|Aberdeen]].]]
{{main|Music of Olympia, Washington}}

Despite its relatively small population, Olympia is internationally known for its local music scene, particularly in the [[alternative rock]] and [[punk (music)|punk]] genres. It is most notable for its role in incubating the [[riot grrrl]] and [[grunge]] movements of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yenigun |first1=Sami |title=Olympia, Wash.: Why Here? Why Now? |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2010/08/20/129326440/olympia-wash-why-here-why-now |publisher=NPR |access-date=April 7, 2025 |date=August 20, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A look backstage during the height of Olympia's punk scene |url=https://www.knkx.org/news/2020-01-13/a-look-backstage-during-the-height-of-olympias-punk-scene |publisher=KNKX |date=January 13, 2020 |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> The Olympia Music History Project formed in 2023 to research and document the area's music scene during the late 20th century, the peak of its influence.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vinson |first=Ty |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Learn about Olympia's place in music history on new website |url=https://www.theolympian.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article297945793.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref>

Olympia has been a starting point or home for numerous bands that have achieved international recognition. [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], among the most popular bands of the 20th century and known for popularizing the Pacific Northwest-based [[grunge]] genre, has roots in Olympia: lead singer [[Kurt Cobain]] lived in Olympia for several years during the band's rise to fame, and penned most songs on their bestselling album [[Nevermind]] while living there.<ref>{{cite news |last=Seminara |first=March |date=March 25, 2014 |title=Chasing Kurt Cobain in Washington State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/30/travel/chasing-kurt-cobain-in-washington-state.html |website=The New York Times |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref> [[Bikini Kill]] started the influential [[feminism|feminist]] [[punk rock|punk]] movement [[riot grrrl]] in Olympia in 1990, as a counterpoint to grunge. Other prominent Olympia-based bands in the riot grrrl movement included [[Sleater-Kinney]], named after a street in neighboring [[Lacey, Washington]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rietmulder |first=Michael |date=September 26, 2024 |title=Sleater-Kinney returns to Olympia after 19 years |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/sleater-kinney-returns-to-olympia-after-19-years/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref>

In addition, local alternative rock record labels [[K Records]] and [[Kill Rock Stars]] have played a significant role in shaping [[alternative rock]] and its subgenres. [[K Records]], founded by musician [[Calvin Johnson (musician)|Calvin Johnson]], supported the early careers of Pacific Northwest artists including [[Modest Mouse]] and [[Phil Elverum]]. Kurt Cobain is said to have had a tattoo of Johnson's logo on his forearm.<ref>{{cite news |last=Segal |first=Dave |date=February 24, 2016 |title=Is K Records a 'Broken, Sinking Ship'? |url=https://www.thestranger.com/music/2016/02/24/23611835/is-k-records-a-broken-sinking-ship |website=The Stranger |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref> During its heyday, Johnson and his label earned the attention of [[Beck]], then a rising star, who traveled to Olympia to record the collaborative album [[One Foot In The Grave (album)|One Foot In The Grave]] with Johnson.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hochman |first=Steve |date=June 26, 1994 |title=Beck's Back |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-26-ca-8567-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref>

Kill Rock Stars, founded in Olympia shortly after K Records, got their start releasing Bikini Kill's first EP, and eventually grew into an indie label hosting the likes of Sleater-Kinney, [[Elliott Smith]], and [[Xiu Xiu]], among others.<ref>{{cite news |last=Douglas |first=Martin |date=June 9, 2022 |title=The Almost Complete History of Kill Rock Stars |url=https://kexp.org/read/2022/6/9/almost-complete-history-kill-rock-stars/ |publisher=[[KEXP]] |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref>

Today, Olympia continues to play host to a strong local music scene, including several annual music festivals across various genres, including South Sound Block Party, Oly Funk Fest, and Olympia Old Time Music Festival.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

[[The Fleetwoods]], a popular 1950s and 1960s doo-wop group, whose hits included "[[Come Softly to Me]]" and "[[Mr. Blue]]", originated in Olympia. Additionally, acclaimed [[black metal]] band [[Wolves in the Throne Room]] hails from the city, forming in 2002.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

===Fine and visual arts===
[[File:Oly WA Capitol Theater 06.jpg|thumb|The [[Capitol Theater (Olympia)|Capitol Theater]], home of the [[Olympia Film Society]]]]
Olympia is a regional center for fine arts. A number of [[theatre|theatrical]] experiences are available with companies such as Animal Fire Theater, Olympia Family Theater, Olympia Little Theater, Theater Artists Olympia, Broadway Olympia Productions, and Harlequin Productions at the historic State Theater, as well as Broadway Olympia's Black Box Theater at Capitol Mall. The Olympia Symphony Orchestra performs five regular-season concerts at the Washington Center and two pops concerts. The Masterworks Chorale Ensemble performs four regular-season concerts at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

Visual art venues include some of the local coffeehouses, Olympia Coffee Roasting Co., [[Batdorf & Bronson]], and Burial Grounds downtown, with the latter indefinitely closed. Art House Designs is an art gallery that also hosts a jazz performance space. [[Murals]] and public art installations of [[sculpture]] are prevalent in Olympia and are especially featured on the State Capitol Campus and along [[Percival Landing]] on the urban waterfront. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts also presents visual art exhibitions throughout the season in its lobby areas.

Notable art venues near Olympia include Art in Ecology, housed in Washington Department of Ecology's 322,000-square-foot, three-story building on the campus of Saint Martin's University. Art in Ecology is a long-established art-in-the-workplace venue that has works by numerous northwest artists. Permanent installations by Alfredo Arreguin, commissioned by the Washington State Arts Commission, are accompanied by changing solo and group exhibitions throughout the year. Appointments to view the works are needed; tours take about an hour.

South Puget Sound Community College has a gallery in its Minnaert Center with rotating exhibitions. Evergreen State College, northwest of Olympia, has a professionally curated gallery with rotating shows in the Dan Evans Library building. South of Olympia, [[Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park]] has an 80-acre [[sculpture garden]] and [[art gallery]].

Each year, the [[Olympia Film Society]] (OFS) produces a film festival and fosters film and video education in Olympia. It also shows independent, classic, and international films year-round at the art-deco [[Capitol Theater (Olympia)|Capitol Theater]]. A mostly volunteer-powered organization, OFS supports and presents a variety of cultural events, including ''All Freakin' Night'', an all-night horror film screening with a cult following.
[[File:Lakefair.JPG|thumb|[[Lakefair]], Olympia's annual summer festival, pictured in 2008]]
On the fourth Saturday in April, in honor of [[Earth Day]], Olympia is host to one of the region's largest community celebrations – the [[Procession of the Species]]. Held in conjunction with the city's biannual Arts Walk, the Procession is organized by the community-based nonprofit organization Earthbound Productions, and is the culmination of an annual Community Art Studio that is free and open to the public.<ref>[http://www.procession.org/AboutStudio.php About the Community Art Studio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525163111/http://www.procession.org/AboutStudio.php |date=May 25, 2011 }} — Official Website of the Procession of the Species. Retrieved October 16, 2009.</ref> In its July 2009 ''Best of America'' feature, ''[[Reader's Digest]]'' magazine honored the Procession of the Species with the top spot in its "can't resist" parades and processions list.<ref>[http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/888342.html "Procession of the Species tops Reader's<!-- "Readers" in original --> Digest list"]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} — June 22, 2009. ''The Olympian''. Retrieved October 16, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/best-of-america-just-for-fun-awards/article141292-6.html 8 People, Places and Things We Love About America] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226000437/http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/best-of-america-just-for-fun-awards/article141292-6.html |date=December 26, 2009 }} — ''Reader's Digest''. Retrieved October 16, 2009.</ref> Open to all, the Procession of the Species attracts up to 30,000 viewers, while its costumed participants of all ages frequently number nearly 3,000. On the Friday evening before the Procession of Species, a Luminary Procession is held.

In February 2025, the Olympia city council passed a resolution declaring the city a "sanctuary city" for [[LGBTQ|LGBTQ+]] people, guaranteeing municipal-level protections on top of existing [[LGBTQ rights in Washington (state)|state laws enshrining LGBT rights]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympia becomes Washington's first LGBTQ+ sanctuary city |url=https://www.advocate.com/politics/olympia-lgbtq-sanctuary-city |access-date=February 7, 2025 |website=The Advocate |language=en}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Olympia Farmers Market 04.jpg|thumb|Plants for sale at the Olympia Farmers Market]]
Olympia has a wide array of [[public park]]s and nature conservation areas. [[Percival Landing Park]] includes {{convert|0.9|mi|km}} of [[boardwalk]] along Budd Inlet, as well as a playground, picnic areas, and a large open space. The boardwalk leads north to an open-air amphitheater, a viewing tower beside the Port of Olympia, as well as the Olympia Farmers' Market. [[Squaxin Park]] has an extensive trail system, 150-year-old forest, and undeveloped waterfront on Puget Sound.

Additional developed parks in the city include [[Sunrise Park]], [[Watershed Park]] and [[Woodruff Park (Olympia)|Woodruff Park]]. Neighborhood parks include Friendly Grove, located in a small eastside community, Trillium Park, which was created by the efforts of adjoining neighborhood associations, and Yauger Park, home to one of Olympia's public [[skate park]]s.

Protected areas such the [[Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge]] is near Olympia, as are [[Burfoot Park]], [[Capitol State Forest]], and the [[Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area]].

==Sports==

In May 1984, Olympia hosted the U.S. Olympic women's marathon trial under the auspices of the Capital City Marathon. The city had won a bid ahead of several larger U.S. cities. The winner of the event was [[Joan Benoit]], who won a [[gold medal]] at the first women's Olympic marathon at the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] later that year in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Schrager |first=Daniel |date=May 15, 2024 |title=Back in 1984, Olympia saw the 'biggest bidding upset in the history of the Olympic Games' |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article288434749.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref>

Olympia is the home of the [[Oly Rollers]], the local women's flat track roller derby league whose travel team, the Cosa Nostra Donnas, were the 2009 national champions of the [[Women's Flat Track Derby Association]] (WFTDA), winning the national Declaration of Derby tournament in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Feelgood|first=Justice|url=http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com/2009/11/2009_nationals_capsule_recaps|title=Derbynewsnetwork.com|publisher=Derbynewsnetwork.com|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=November 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518041843/http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com/2009/11/2009_nationals_capsule_recaps|archive-date=May 18, 2012}}</ref>

[[FC Olympia]] (formerly the Oly Town Artesians) is an amateur soccer club that was founded in 2014 and primarily played at Black Hill High School. They field an amateur men's team in [[USL League Two]] and the [[Evergreen Premier League]]. The women's team was associated with the Northwest Premier League.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weber |first=Dave |date=July 1, 2022 |title=From modest beginnings, Oly Town Artesians become solid presence in men's and women's soccer |url=https://www.theolympian.com/sports/article262842193.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=March 3, 2023}}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, the teams play their home matches at South Sound Stadium and the women's team plays in the [[USL W League]].{{Citation needed|reason=Need source stating when move to new stadium occurred and shift for women's team to different league.|date=November 2024}}

==Education==
The majority of Olympia is located in the [[Olympia School District]].<ref name=ThurstonSDMap2020>{{cite map|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53067_thurston/DC20SD_C53067.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53067_thurston/DC20SD_C53067.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Thurston County, WA|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 13, 2024}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53067_thurston/DC20SD_C53067_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> It enrolled 9,782 students in K-12 in the 2021–22 school year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympia School District |url=https://washingtonstatereportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ReportCard/ViewSchoolOrDistrict/100182 |publisher=Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> The district has a total of 18 schools: 11 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. Its high schools are [[Olympia High School (Washington)|Olympia High School]] (formally known as William Winlock Miller High School), [[Capital High School (Washington)|Capital High School]], and Avanti High School.

Portions of Olympia are in the [[North Thurston Public Schools]] district<!--UNI 05850--> and the [[Tumwater School District]]<!--UNI 09100-->.<ref name=ThurstonSDMap2020/>

In the 2007–08 school year, Olympia began the Parent Partnership Program, which provides more opportunities to homeschooling families. Olympia's online high school, Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA), is part of the same program. Private elementary schools include Olympia Waldorf School, Olympia Community School, St. Michael School, Holy Family, and Evergreen Christian. Private middle schools include Olympia Waldorf School and NOVA School. Pope John Paul II High School is a private high school.

In addition to primary and secondary schools, Olympia has a number of institutions of higher learning, including [[The Evergreen State College]] and [[South Puget Sound Community College]]. The Evergreen State College (TESC) offers bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and science, and master's degrees in environmental studies, public administration, education, and teaching. [[South Puget Sound Community College]] (SPSCC) offers associate degrees in arts, science, biology, elementary education, pre-nursing, applied science, general studies, and business.

==Media==
Robust journalism in Olympia dates to before [[Washington Territory]]'s incorporation in 1853.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Washington Activities in History |first=Clarence B. |last=Bagley |journal=Oregon Historical Quarterly |date=1905 |title-link=wikisource:en:Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 6/Number 4#411 }}</ref>

''[[The Olympian]]'' is the local daily newspaper. The Tacoma-based ''[[Weekly Volcano]]'' has covered Olympia entertainment since 2001. Progressive newspaper ''Works in Progress'' is published monthly.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://olywip.org/about/ |title=About Us |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=May 17, 2014 |publisher=Works in Progress |access-date=September 11, 2021 }}</ref> The statewide government channel [[TVW (Washington)|TVW]] is based in Olympia. Online outlet NorthAmericaTalk, an aggregate for local community news and marketing, was established with headquarters in Olympia.

Olympia and Thurston County are included in the Seattle-Tacoma designated market area (DMA), and therefore are chiefly served by Seattle's network-affiliated television stations and some radio stations. Since 1983, Olympia has had a public, educational and government access television station, which was rebranded in 2016 as Thurston Community Media.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tcmedia.org/about/ |title=Thurston Community Media - About |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=Thurston Community Media |access-date=September 11, 2021 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912013009/https://tcmedia.org/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Olympia sits on the southern fringe of the FM signal of [[National Public Radio]] member station [[KUOW-FM|KUOW]]. An AM simulcast is transmitted from a tower in nearby [[Tumwater]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kuow.org/reception-help |title=KUOW: Reception Help |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=KUOW-FM |access-date=September 11, 2021 |archive-date=September 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912013007/https://www.kuow.org/reception-help |url-status=live }}</ref> Evergreen State College's [[KAOS (FM)|KAOS]] broadcasts a mix of educational and political programming, with student-driven music shows.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kaosradio.org/program-schedule-1 |title=Program Schedule |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=KAOS-FM |access-date=September 11, 2021 }}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Intercity Transit 902.JPG|right|thumb|An [[Intercity Transit]] bus on a local route in Olympia]]

[[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]] is the main highway through Olympia and traverses the southern edge of downtown near the Capitol Campus. It continues south towards [[Portland, Oregon]], and northeast to [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] and Seattle. In Tumwater, Interstate 5 intersects [[U.S. Route 101 in Washington|U.S. Route 101]], which travels northwest across Olympia's outskirts and connects the city to the rest of the [[Olympic Peninsula]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref>{{cite WSDOT map |year=2014 |inset=[https://web.archive.org/web/20201017114759/https://wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2017/08/31/highway-map-Olympia.pdf Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater] |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> [[Olympia Regional Airport]], located in Tumwater, is operated by the Port of Olympia and serves [[general aviation]] as well as [[corporate aviation]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Boone |first=Rolf |date=January 22, 2023 |title=Dozens rally outside port meeting, raising concerns about Olympia Regional Airport |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article270935917.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> The airport hosts the [[Olympic Flight Museum]] and the Olympic AirShow, a local airshow that is held annually in June at the museum.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hou |first=Joanna |date=June 16, 2023 |title=WWII fighter plane, training helicopter among attractions at this weekend's Olympic Airshow |url=https://www.theolympian.com/entertainment/article276377781.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref>

Public transit services in Olympia and surrounding areas are provided by [[Intercity Transit]], a local system that is primarily financed by a [[sales tax]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Orenstein |first=Walker |date=June 8, 2018 |title=A tax vote could be headed your way for public transit in Thurston County. Here's why |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article212574084.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> Olympia Transit Center is the main hub of the system and is also served by [[Grays Harbor Transit]], the [[Mason Transit Authority]], [[Lewis County Transit]] and intercity [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] and [[FlixBus]] buses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Spegman |first=Abby |date=May 12, 2018 |title=Intercity Transit plans $8.5 million expansion of downtown Olympia hub |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article210982094.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Vinson |first=Ty |date=January 11, 2022 |title=Greyhound to begin service out of Olympia Transit Center starting Jan. 15 |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article257193847.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> Intercity Transit also operates a prototype [[bus rapid transit]] service, the One, from Olympia to Lacey as well as connecting express service to [[Lakewood, Washington|Lakewood]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Boone |first=Rolf |date=May 28, 2023 |title=Here's how far Intercity Transit has come since the COVID-19 pandemic |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article275685841.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Route 620: Olympia/Lakewood Express |url=https://www.intercitytransit.com/plan-your-trip/routes/620 |publisher=Intercity Transit |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> All Intercity Transit services have been [[zero-fare public transport|fare-free]] since 2020 as part of a demonstration program.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tu |first1=Maylin |title=As Fare-Free Transit Catches On, Checking In On 5 Cities With Free Public Transit |url=https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/as-fare-free-transit-catches-on-checking-in-on-5-cities-with-free-public-tr |website=nextcity.org |language=en}}</ref> {{as of|2021}}, Olympia is among the top 50 metropolitan areas in the United States for public transit ridership per capita and is tied with [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] with 14.1 riders per capita.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 2024 |title=APTA 2023 Public Transportation Factbook |page=34 |url=https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/APTA-2023-Public-Transportation-Fact-Book.pdf |publisher=[[American Public Transportation Association]] |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref>

[[Amtrak]] provides intercity train service to the Olympia–Lacey area at [[Centennial Station]], which is staffed by volunteers. It is served by the daily ''[[Coast Starlight]]'' from [[Los Angeles]] and the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] and more frequent [[Amtrak Cascades|Amtrak ''Cascades'']] trains that operate from Portland to Seattle and [[Vancouver]], British Columbia.<ref>{{cite news |last=Krotzer |first=Chelsea |date=November 17, 2017 |title=Volunteers keep Lacey's train station unique and welcoming |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article185339953.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kroman |first=David |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Amtrak to add two round trips between Seattle and Portland |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/amtrak-to-add-two-roundtrips-between-seattle-and-portland/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 7, 2025}}</ref> In the early 21st century, several organizations have proposed the start of an intercity passenger-only [[ferry]] service to connect Olympia to Seattle and other areas on Puget Sound.<ref>{{cite news |last=Spegman |first=Abby |date=November 4, 2019 |title=New study means Olympia can keep dreaming about ferry service to Tacoma or Seattle |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article236919433.html |work=The Olympian |accessdate=March 3, 2025}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{main|List of people from Olympia, Washington}}
{{div col|colwidth=24em}}
*[[Lynda Barry]], cartoonist<ref>{{cite web |title=Lynda Barry: Evergreen Cuts Are 'Cultural Genocide' – OLY ARTS |url=https://olyarts.org/lynda-barry/ |date=13 August 2018}}</ref>
*[[Neil Boyal]], soccer player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Midfielder Neil Boyal Inks First Pro Deal with Fuego FC |url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1214260 |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=[[USL League One]]}}</ref>
*[[Kurt Cobain]], musician in [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Kurt Cobain Apartment|url=http://olympiahistory.org/kurt-cobain-apartment/|website=olympiahistory.org|access-date=April 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518183512/http://olympiahistory.org/kurt-cobain-apartment/|archive-date=May 18, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Rachel Corrie]], peace activist 
*[[Carrie Brownstein]], musician in [[Sleater-Kinney]], actress and comedian known for [[Portlandia]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker talk Sleater-Kinney, and 30 years of making music |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/25/1239898790/carrie-brownstein-and-corin-tucker-talk-sleater-kinney-and-30-years-of-making-mu |website=NPR |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Kimya Dawson]], singer-songwriter and member of [[the Moldy Peaches]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympia singer Kimya Dawson featured on "Juno" soundtrack|author=Monica Guzman|date=December 19, 2007|url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2007/12/19/olympia-singer-kimya-dawson-featured-on-juno-soundtrack/|publisher=blog.seattlepi.com/|access-date=September 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702065611/http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2007/12/19/olympia-singer-kimya-dawson-featured-on-juno-soundtrack/|archive-date=July 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 
*[[Dan Erickson]], playwright and producer
*[[Matt Groening]], creator of [[The Simpsons]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Groening to give grads Bart-like wisdom? The Seattle Times |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20000609/4025621/matt-groening-to-give-grads-bart-like-wisdom |website=archive.seattletimes.com}}</ref>
*[[Kathleen Hanna]], musician in [[Bikini Kill]], leader of the 1990s [[riot grrrl]] feminist punk movement<ref>{{Cite magazine|title = Bikini Kill Biography|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/bikini-kill/biography|magazine = [[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=December 4, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151209010818/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/bikini-kill/biography|archive-date=December 9, 2015 |url-status = dead}}</ref> 
*[[Christopher Hedrick]], entrepreneur
*[[Donald Hume (rower)|Donald Hume]], American rower who won Olympic gold at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
*[[Geoff Jenkins]], Major League Baseball outfielder<ref>{{cite web |title=Geoff Jenkins Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jenkige01.shtml |website=Baseball Stats |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Calvin Johnson (musician)|Calvin Johnson]], musician in [[Beat Happening]], founder of Olympia-based record label [[K Records]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Calvin Johnson (musician)|url=http://www.olympiapowerandlight.com/2010/06/calvin-johnson-is-the-coolest-guy-in-olympia/|publisher=Olympia Power & Light|access-date=September 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713020758/http://www.olympiapowerandlight.com/2010/06/calvin-johnson-is-the-coolest-guy-in-olympia/|archive-date=July 13, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
*[[Rickie Lee Jones]], Grammy-winning musician<ref>{{cite web |title=Don Rich |url=https://olympiahistory.org/don-ulrich-11815/ |website=Olympia History |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Kasey Keller]], US soccer goalkeeper<ref>{{cite web|title=Kasey Keller|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kasey-keller|publisher=mlssoccer.com|access-date=September 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904150522/http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kasey-keller|archive-date=September 4, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> 
*[[Peter Kennedy (figure skater)|Peter Kennedy]], five-time national champion and [[1952 Winter Olympics]] silver medalist in pairs figure skating
*[[Scott LaValla]], USA Rugby player<ref>{{cite web|title=Scott LaValla|url=http://usarugby.org/mens-eagles-players/item/scott-lavalla|publisher=USA Rugby|access-date=September 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921024749/http://usarugby.org/mens-eagles-players/item/scott-lavalla|archive-date=September 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Jim Lynch (writer)|Jim Lynch]], writer<ref>{{Cite web|title = Bio – Jim Lynch|url = http://www.jimlynchbooks.com/bio.htm|website = www.jimlynchbooks.com|access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160115060048/http://www.jimlynchbooks.com/bio.htm|archive-date=January 15, 2016 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
*[[Nikki McClure]], artist<ref>{{Cite web|title = Nikki McClure|url = http://nikkimcclure.com/bio/|website = nikkimcclure.com|access-date=January 11, 2016 |url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160131225555/http://nikkimcclure.com/bio/|archive-date=January 31, 2016 }}</ref>
* [[Sam Miller (comedian)|Sam Miller]], comedian<ref name="Wenatchee2023">{{cite news |last=Drake |first=Jessica |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Comedian Sam Miller is 'real big' and gets big laughs |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/go/comedian-sam-miller-is-real-big-and-gets-big-laughs/article_2cdaec4c-e923-11ed-9a59-bb20235fee87.html |work=[[The Wenatchee World]] |location=[[Wenatchee, Washington]] |access-date=April 1, 2024 |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418152712/https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/go/comedian-sam-miller-is-real-big-and-gets-big-laughs/article_2cdaec4c-e923-11ed-9a59-bb20235fee87.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[William Henry Mitchell]], pioneer and sheriff
*[[Roland S. Morris]] (1874–1945), U.S. ambassador to Japan.
*[[Colin O'Brady]], endurance athlete and mountain climber
*[[Don Rich]], lead guitarist for [[Buck Owens]]
*Gary Toxel, member of [[the Fleetwoods]]
*[[Unwound]], a [[post-hardcore]] [[punk rock|punk]] band formed in Olympia<ref>{{cite web|title=The Light at the End of the Tunnel is a Train: A Critical Overview of Unwound|url=https://www.kexp.org/read/2022/4/21/light-end-tunnel-train-critical-overview-unwound/}}</ref>
*Aaron and Nathan Weaver, members of the band, [[Wolves in the Throne Room]]
{{div col end}}

==International relations==
{{See also|List of sister cities in the United States}}

Olympia is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
*{{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Katō, Hyōgo|Katō]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]], Japan<ref name="Sister Cities in the State of Washington">{{cite web |title=Washington's Sister Cities Relationships |url=https://www.ltgov.wa.gov/washington-sister-cities |website=Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Washington |access-date=August 9, 2021 |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904081758/https://www.ltgov.wa.gov/washington-sister-cities |url-status=live }}</ref>

A previous sister city agreement with [[Olympia, Greece]], is no longer in effect.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.olympiawa.gov/community/about/Sister_City/ |title=Information on Olympia's former sister cities |access-date=November 18, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427223143/http://www.olympiawa.gov/community/about/Sister_City/ |archive-date=April 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> An attempt to create a sister city partnership with [[Rafah]], [[Palestine]], was rejected by the city council in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Buhain |first=Venice |date=April 19, 2007 |title=Council vote won't stop Rafah visits |page=B1 |work=The Olympian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-olympian-council-vote-wont-stop-raf/133294903/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112001626/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-olympian-council-vote-wont-stop-raf/133294903/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On December 12, 2023, the City Council passed a resolution calling for an "immediate and permanent ceasefire" during the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]. Furthermore, the city recognized the right of existence of both the Palestinian and Israeli states.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vinson |first=Ty |date=December 15, 2023 |title=Olympia City Council passes ceasfire resoulution despite criticism it doesn't go far enough |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article283099578.html |access-date=April 30, 2024 |work=The Olympian}}</ref>

==See also==
[[File:Olympaaug05 v2.jpg|thumb|right|View from Tumwater Hill]]
{{Portal|United States}}

*[[Daniel R. Bigelow House|Bigelow House]]
*[[Capital City Pride]] – Community Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Festival
*[[Freechild Institute for Youth Engagement]] – Nonprofit organization in Olympia
*[[Lakefair|Capitol Lakefair]] – Annual festival in Olympia
*[[Port Militarization Resistance]]
*[[USS Olympia|USS ''Olympia'']], 2 ships

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Olympia (Washington)|Olympia, Washington}}
*[http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/ City of Olympia]
*[http://www.olympiahistory.org Olympia Historical Society]
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Olympia (Washington)|display=Olympia, the capital of the state of Washington, U.S.A. |short=x}}
*[https://www.experienceolympia.com/ Convention and Visitors Bureau]

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