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The Commemorative Quarter for Washington

The 2000 Census showed that Thurston County had a population of 207,355 people. This represented 3.52% of the total population of Washington, making it the state's 8th most populous county (out of 39 counties).

From the Census Estimates for 2009<1>, Thurston had a population of 250,979 people. This is an increase of 21.04% since the 2000 Census.

The following table shows the recent changes in population. Other than 2000, the population counts have been estimated by the Census Bureau.

YearPopulationChange
Since 2000		Year-to-Year Change
2010252,264+21.66%+0.51% since 2009
2009250,979+21.04%+2.2% since 2008
2008245,571+18.43%+2.87% since 2007
2007238,717+15.12%+2.31% since 2006
2006233,335+12.53%+2.5% since 2005
2005227,638+9.78%+1.84% since 2004
2004223,535+7.8%+1.57% since 2003
2003220,081+6.14%+1.6% since 2002
2002216,607+4.46%+1.91% since 2001
2001212,544+2.5%+2.5% since 2000
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2000207,355The Last Census

Thurston County had 86,652 Housing Units<2> at the time of the 2000 Census.

The 2000 Census shows that Thurston County has a total area<3> of 773 square miles [2,003 km²]. Of this total, 727 square miles [1,882 km²] of the area is land, with the balance (6.03%) being water (46.62 square miles [120.7 km²]).

Using the above population and land area values, Thurston County had a population density of 285.2 people per square mile [110.1 people/km²], making it the state's 7th most densely populated county (out of 39 counties).

US Census QuickFacts

The Census Bureau has created documents containing demographic information that are called QuickFacts. A QuickFact that is specific to Thurston County is available. The QuickFact also contains a comparison between Thurston and the state of Washington.

Click here for the Thurston County QuickFact (QF-53067).

Below are some of the communities that are located in Thurston County:

CommunityCensus
QuickFact		Population
(2009 Est)		Population
(2000 Census)		Change in
  Population
OlympiaQF-535130046,10042,5148.43%
LaceyQF-533674542,04631,22634.65%
TumwaterQF-537290516,26512,69828.09%

Below are the counties that adjoin and form the boundaries of Thurston County. A link to their specific Census QuickFact has been provided.

CountyCensus
QuickFact		DirectionPopulation
(2009 Est.)		Population
(2000 Census)		Change in
Population
Grays HarborQF-53027   W71,79767,1946.85%
LewisQF-53041   S74,74168,6008.95%
MasonQF-53045   NW58,01649,40517.43%
PierceQF-53053   NE796,836700,82013.7%

The northeastern boundary of the county is on Pudget Sound.

Other Roadside Stops ...

About Washington

The Communities of Washington

Off-the-Road Links ...

U.S. Census Bureau
Census QuickFact for Thurston County

Footnotes ...

<1>On a yearly basis, the US Census Bureau creates an estimate of the county's population. Keep in mind that this is an estimate and not an actual count. The last physical count was the 2000 Census and the next count will be for the 2010 Census.

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<2>A Housing Unit is a broad term for those places where people live (whether occupied or temporarily vacant), such as a house, an apartment, a mobile home, or an area that is considered as a separate living quarter. Separate living quarters (consisting of one or more rooms) are considered to be those places where people live, sleep and eat separately from others and that have access to the outside (either directly or by a shared hallway).

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<3>The area value has been supplied by the US Census Bureau and it can be different than the geographic boundaries of Thurston. The value given by the Census Bureau reflects their statistical (or sampling) requirements.

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<4>All Quarter-dollar coin images from the United States Mint.

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