Editing Tumwater, Washington

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Tumwater, Washington
|settlement_type          = [[City (Washington)|City]]
|nickname                 = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Tumwater pano 01.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Panoramic view of the upper falls and the former [[Olympia Brewery]], 2011
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Thurston_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Tumwater_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Tumwater, Washington
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- 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_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Debbie Sullivan<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet the Tumwater Mayor and City Council|url=https://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/government/mayor-city-council|publisher=City of Tumwater|access-date=April 6, 2024}}</ref>
|established_title        = [[Municipal incorporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = November 25, 1869<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/History.htm|title=Tumwater History|access-date=May 26, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730030409/http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/History.htm|archive-date=July 30, 2009}}</ref>
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 46.00
|area_land_km2            = 45.32
|area_water_km2           = 0.67
|area_total_sq_mi         = 17.76
|area_land_sq_mi          = 17.50
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.26
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 25844
|pop_est_as_of            = 2021
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2021"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 25350
|population_density_km2   = 530.04
|population_density_sq_mi = 1372.80
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = −8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −7
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 53
|elevation_ft             = 174
|coordinates              = {{Coord|47|0|28|N|122|54|40|W|region:US-WA_type:city(25,000)|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 98501, 98511–98512
|area_code                = [[Area code 360|360]] 
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-72905
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1512742<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/|ci.tumwater.wa.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Tumwater''' is a city in [[Thurston County, Washington]], United States. The population was 25,350 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5372905 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 15, 2022}}</ref> The city is situated near where the [[Deschutes River (Washington)|Deschutes River]] enters [[Budd Inlet]], the southernmost point of [[Puget Sound]]; it also borders the state capital of [[Olympia, Washington|Olympia]] to the north. Tumwater is the oldest permanent Anglo-American settlement on Puget Sound.<ref>[https://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/about-tumwater/history "History,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902184051/https://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/about-tumwater/history |date=September 2, 2021 }} City of official website. Retrieved January 28, 2020.</ref>

==Etymology==
Tumwater was originally called "New Market" by American settlers, and under the latter name was [[plat]]ted in 1845.<ref name="City">{{cite web | url=http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/about-tumwater/history | title=A brief history | publisher=City of Tumwater | access-date=March 31, 2018 | archive-date=August 21, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821200944/http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/about-tumwater/history | url-status=dead }}</ref> The present name is derived from [[Chinook Jargon]] and means "waterfall".<ref name="City" /> A post office called Tumwater was established in 1863.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=WA&county=Thurston | title=Post Offices| publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=March 31, 2018}}</ref>

==History==
The site of Tumwater and [[Tumwater Falls]] has been home to [[Lushootseed|Southern Lushootseed-speaking]] peoples known as the '''Steh-Chass / Stehchass''' or '''Statca'sabsh''' (a subtribe of the [[Sahewamish|Sahewamish (Sahe'wabsh)]], an subgroup of the [[Nisqually people]]; who became part of the post-treaty [[Squaxin Island Tribe]]) for thousands of years. "Steh-Chass" is the Lushootseed name for Budd Inlet, Deschutes River and the Tumwater Falls area, and for an important village of the Statca'sabsh.

Tumwater was incorporated as a town on November 25, 1869,<ref>{{cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/visitors/our-history |publisher=City of Tumwater |accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 7, 1953 |title=Tumwater Settled By Simmons Party |page=E8 |work=[[The News Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-tumwater-settled-by-sim/150153038/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref> and as a city in 1875.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/historic/docs/Place-Names.pdf | title=Thurston County Place Names: A Heritage Guide | publisher=Thurston County Historical Commission | date=1992 | access-date=March 28, 2018 | pages=90 | archive-date=March 24, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324163309/https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/historic/docs/Place-Names.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The construction of [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]], which was completed in 1958, required the demolition of 100 buildings in downtown Tumwater. Major businesses had already relocated northeast to Tumwater Square, which remains a local shopping center. The [[Tumwater Historic District]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1978 to preserve remnants of downtown amid plans to widen Interstate 5.<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}}</ref>

<gallery widths="150" heights="200">
File:Tumwater Falls.jpg|Tumwater Falls of the Deschutes River
File:Old Olympia Brewery as seen from Tumwater, WA park.jpg|The original brewery that produced [[Olympia Brewing Company|Olympia Beer]], pictured in 2012
</gallery>

==Geography==
Tumwater is located two miles south of the neighboring [[List of capitals in the United States|state capital]] of [[Olympia, Washington|Olympia]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|14.49|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|14.32|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}} 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/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref>

===Climate===
This region experiences warm and dry summers, with average monthly temperatures between 71.6&nbsp;°F (22&nbsp;°C) and 98.1&nbsp;°F (36.7&nbsp;°C). According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Tumwater has a [[Mediterranean climate#very Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|very warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=727920&cityname=Tumwater,+Washington,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Tumwater, Washington Koppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Based on [[Washington locations by per capita income|per capita income]], one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Tumwater ranks 89th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked. It is also the highest rank in Thurston County.

{{US Census population
|1870= 354
|1880= 171
|1890= 410
|1900= 270
|1910= 490
|1920= 472
|1930= 793
|1940= 955
|1950= 2725
|1960= 3885
|1970= 5373
|1980= 6705
|1990= 9976
|2000= 12698
|2010= 17371
|2020= 25350
|estyear=2021
|estimate=25844
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 21, 2022|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 21, 2022}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 11, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> there were 17,371 people, 7,566 households, and 4,460 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1213.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 8,064 housing units at an average density of {{convert|563.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.5% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 5.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 6.2% of the population.

There were 7,566 households, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were non-families. Of all households, 31.6% were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the city was 35 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18, 10% from 18 to 24; 31.7% were between the ages of 25 and 44; 26.8% from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 12,698 people, 5,659 households, and 3,253 families living in the city. The population density was 1,276.1 people per square mile (492.7/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 5,953 housing units at an average density of 598.2 per square mile (231.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 88.41% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.39% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.24% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.90% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.36% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.50% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.21% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.08% of the population.

There were 5,659 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. Of all households, 33.7% were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 23.2% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,329, and the median income for a family was $54,156. Males had a median income of $41,778 versus $32,044 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $25,080. About 4.3% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
The Davis Meeker oak tree, listed on the Tumwater Register of Historic Places,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Carleen |title=Tumwater seeks to hire arborist as 400-year-old oak tree faces potential ax |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/tumwater-seeks-to-hire-arborist-as-400-year-old-oak-tree-faces-potential-ax,345742 |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |publisher=The Center Square |date=July 11, 2024}}</ref> is a 400-year-old historic [[Garry oak]] located at the [[Olympia Regional Airport]] on Old Highway 99.<ref name="400YOTT"/> Named after [[Ezra Meeker]] and Jack Davis, an environmentalist who helped save the oak in 1984 during a highway improvement project, the tree was a trail maker on the [[Cowlitz Trail]], and then later on the [[Oregon Trail]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tuaño |first1=Jerome |title=Proposal for Cowlitz Trail to be added to Oregon Trail gets thumbs up from Tumwater |url=https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/proposal-for-cowlitz-trail-to-be-added-to-oregon-trail-gets-thumbs-up-from-tumwater,8972 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |work=The JOLT News |date=January 18, 2023}}</ref> In 2024, safety for passing motorists became a concern when a {{convert|10|foot|abbr=off}} branch broke and fell several feet near the roadway.<ref name="400YOTT"/> Tumwater's mayor, Debbie Sullivan, attempted to remove the tree in May of that year without the support of the city council<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tuaño |first1=Jerome |title=Tumwater mayor decides to remove Davis-Meeker Oak: Councilmembers and arborists disagree |url=https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/tumwater-mayor-decides-to-remove-davis-meeker-oak,15662 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |work=The JOLT News |date=May 15, 2024}}</ref> based on a 2023 report of the city's arborist that concluded the tree was high risk; the report was criticized for having numerous flaws.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last1=Westbrook |first1=Jeffrey |title='Save the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak' group leading multi-prong effort to save historic Tumwater tree |url=https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/save-the-davis-meeker-garry-oak-group-leading-multi-prong-effort-to-save-historic-tumwater-tree,15855 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |work=The JOLT News |date=June 3, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Scott |title=Arborist to Tumwater: Save the Davis Meeker Oak: Open letter to Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan and City Administrator Lisa Parks |url=https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/tumwater-mayor-decides-to-remove-davis-meeker-oak,15662 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |work=The JOLT News |date=April 29, 2024}}</ref> Due to public protests, coupled with a citizen lawsuit and report discrepancies, the mayor paused her efforts and agreed to obtain a second opinion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mikkelsen |first1=Drew |title=Tumwater mayor pauses tree removal after 'passionate pleas' |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/tumwater-mayor-pauses-historic-tree-removal-after-passionate-pleas/281-7986d959-dd29-48ab-975f-2a0e262afed5 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=KING 5 News |date=June 5, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vinson |first1=Ty |title=Tumwater mayor pauses plan to cut down historic Davis-Meeker oak tree. Here's why |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article289047709.html |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=The Olympian |date=June 6, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tuaño |first1=Jerome |title=Tumwater’s arborist contradicted himself on Davis-Meeker Oak |url=https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/tumwaters-arborist-contradicted-himself-on-davis-meeker-oak,16099 |access-date=17 November 2024 |work=The JOLT News |date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> Options to save the tree were announced by the city in February 2025<ref name="400YOTT">{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Kipp |title=400-year-old Tumwater tree may be spared |url=https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/tumwater-historic-tree-damage-assessment/281-882a46c4-9188-43a4-b99f-929111550eef |access-date=February 13, 2025 |work=[[KING 5 News]] |date=February 12, 2025}}</ref> and the city council adopted a plan to preserve the tree in April.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tuaño |first1=Jerome |title=Tumwater adopts resolution funding maintenance of Davis-Meeker tree |url=https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/tumwater-adopts-resolution-funding-maintenance-of-davis-meeker-tree,19604 |access-date=April 21, 2025 |work=The JOLT News|date=April 17, 2025}}</ref>

Four identical concrete [[totem poles]] are located on the [[Art Deco]]-style Carlyon Bridge in Tumwater. The [[Haida argillite carvings|Haida]]-style sculptures contain, from the top, a raven, a [[grizzly bear]], an eagle, and another bear. The totems were added as part of an overall project on Capitol Boulevard in 1937. The sculptures, when erected, were considered to be the only known concrete totems in the world. They remained without color until 1951, painted with some hues regarded to be non-traditional in indigenous works, but repainted after 1990. The designer of the totems is unknown.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vinson |first1=Ty |title=Concrete totems still standing in Tumwater once marked the gateway to Puget Sound. Here's their story |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article293092889.html |access-date=November 13, 2024 |work=The Olympian |date=October 27, 2024}}</ref>

==Government==
Due to the city being located in close proximity to the state capital, Tumwater is home to many state government offices, including the [[Washington State Department of Corrections]], the [[Washington State Department of Labor and Industries]], the [[Washington State Department of Health]], the [[Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner]], the [[Washington State Department of Revenue]] and the Office of the Attorney General.<ref>"[http://www.doc.wa.gov/contact.asp Contact Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201151032/http://www.doc.wa.gov/contact.asp |date=December 1, 2012 }}." [[Washington State Department of Corrections]]. Retrieved on December 7, 2009.</ref>

The City of Tumwater itself is a non-charter Code City and uses a mayor-council form of government. The Mayor is elected as a chief executive officer and advised by seven council members who act as policymakers and provide guidelines and performance objectives.<ref>{{cite web |title="Government" |url=https://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/government |website=City of Tumwater |access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref> The Tumwater City Council elections are held in odd-numbered years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Here are the candidates you'll be choosing from in this fall's local elections |url=https://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/election/article275614376.html |access-date=August 7, 2023 |publisher=The Olympian |date=May 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
The [[Tumwater School District]] is home to numerous schools including [[Tumwater High School]] and [[Black Hills High School]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tumwater.k12.wa.us/home/index.html |title=Tumwater School District |access-date=May 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525154441/http://www.tumwater.k12.wa.us/home/index.html |archive-date=May 25, 2009 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/ City of Tumwater, Washington] (official website)

{{Thurston County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tumwater, Washington| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Thurston County, Washington]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1846]]
[[Category:Chinook Jargon place names]]
[[Category:1846 establishments in Oregon Country]]