Tumwater, WA

Washington · Metropolitan Area

Tumwater is a small city in Washington with a population of 26,519. Residents earn $93,635 per year, which is 25% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
26,519 Population 1,495/sq mi density
$93,635 Median Income $48,005 per capita
$438,000 Home Value $521,198 Zillow
$1,654 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
309 Violent Crime/100K 3,564 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$93,635 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$438,000 home value, $1,654/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
309 violent crimes/100K (19% below avg)
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $93,635
25% higher than US avg
Home Value $438,000
55% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 309/100K
19% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 41.6%
23% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,654
42% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.0%
3% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.2%
50% lower than US avg

How Tumwater Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population26,519
Median Age38.1 yrs
Density1,495/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

A+
Median Income$93,635
Per Capita$48,005
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty6.2%
County GDP$21,563M
Commute21 min

Housing

A
Home Value$438,000
Rent$1,654
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$521,198

Crime

F
Violent309/100K
Property3,564/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault202/100K
Burglary888/100K

Health

Obesity31.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.9%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain50.6 in/yr
Elevation190 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+41.6%
High School+95.9%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 58%
Commute21 min
EV Stations9
Libraries7

Is Tumwater a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Tumwater receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Tumwater offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Tumwater is $93,635, 25% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Tumwater is $438,000, making it a premium housing market at 55% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,654 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Tumwater is below the national average at 309 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,564 per 100,000, 82% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 41.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Tumwater experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Tumwater has a population of 26,519 with a density of 1,495 people per square mile. The median age is 38.1 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.6%), with 3.8% Hispanic, 3.8% Black.

Population

26,519
Total Population
1,495
People / sq mi
38.1yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
17.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Tumwater vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.0%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.0%
40% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Tumwater vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Tumwater is $93,635, which is 25% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Tumwater vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$93,635
25% above US avg
Per Capita Income$48,005
Avg Weekly Wage$1,385
IRS Avg AGI$86,381

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.2%
50% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,476
County GDP$21,563M

Business (County)

Restaurants620
Healthcare986
Retail761
Manufacturing166

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,518
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.49%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.8 min
Work from Home23.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Tumwater is $438,000, 55% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,654 (42% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $521,198.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$438,000
55% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$521,198
Median List Price$595,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$595,000
$/Sq Ft$277
Homes Sold29
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops19.2%
Inventory52

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,654
42% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,893

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,518
86% above US avg
Effective Rate1.49%
In Tumwater, 31.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 28.9% report depression. 16.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Tumwater vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.0%
3% below US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma11.6%
COPD4.7%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity16.0%
Depression28.9%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.5%
Checkup Rate67.0%
Premature Death7,249/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access75.7%
Healthcare Facilities986
Tumwater has a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, 19% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,564 per 100,000 (82% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Tumwater vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent308.5/100K
19% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape37.2/100K
Robbery69.2/100K
Assault202.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,563.8/100K
82% above US avg
Burglary888.3/100K
Theft2,393.6/100K
Vehicle Theft281.9/100K
Arson21.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Tumwater has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.6 inches
33% above US avg
Snowfall3.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation190 ft (58 m)
Area17.7 sq mi (45.9 km²)
Population Density1,495/sq mi
Coordinates46.9895°N, 122.9173°W
County FIPS53067
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 41.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.1%
D 58.5%

Winner: Democrat by 20.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+41.6%
23% above US avg
High School+95.9%
School Test Score5.36
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,495/sq mi
Total Area17.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities986
Restaurants620
Retail Stores761

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.8 min
Work from Home23.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Tumwater with another city: