Olympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital city of the state of Washington, in the United States of America. It became a city on January 28, 1859. As of the 2020 census, it has 55,605 people living in it.[3] The people of Olympia are called Olympians. Olympia is the county seat of Thurston County.
Olympia, Washington | |
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![]() From top, and left to right: Old Capitol Building, 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 | |
Nickname: Oly | |
![]() Location within Thurston County in Washington | |
Coordinates: 47°2′16″N 122°54′3″W / 47.03778°N 122.90083°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Thurston |
Incorporated | January 28, 1859 |
Named for | Olympic Mountains |
Government | |
• Type | Council/City Manager |
Area | |
• City | 20.09 sq mi (52.02 km2) |
• Land | 18.23 sq mi (47.20 km2) |
• Water | 1.87 sq mi (4.82 km2) |
Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) |
Population | |
• City | 55,605 |
• Rank | US: 718th WA: 24th |
• Density | 2,902.26/sq mi (1,120.58/km2) |
• Urban | 208,157 (US: 182nd) |
• Urban density | 1,960.0/sq mi (756.8/km2) |
• Metro | 298,758 (US: 172nd) |
Demonym | Olympian |
Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
ZIP codes | 98501–98509, 98511–98513, 98516, 98599 |
Area code | 360, 564 |
FIPS code | 53-51300 |
GNIS feature ID | 1533353[2] |
Website | olympiawa.gov |
Geography
changeOlympia is located at 47°2'33" North, 122°53'35" West (47.042418, -122.893077).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total size of 48.0 km² (18.5 mi²). 43.3 km² (16.7 mi²) of it is land and 4.7 km² (1.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 9.77% water.
Olympia is on the water (Puget Sound) and close to dark green forests and high mountains (the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier). On most days of the year the sky is full of clouds and it rains, but sunny weather is more common in July, August, and September.
Economy
changeMany people in Olympia work for the government of the State of Washington. Every year, state representatives and state senators come to Olympia to make laws and to pass a budget for the state government.
Olympia is the home of the Olympia Farmers Market and The Evergreen State College.
Culture
changeEvery April, the people of Olympia celebrate the "Procession of the Species,". It is a parade. Many Olympians, of all ages, dress up to look like animals, birds, fish, plants, and even insects, and walk in the parade. Some also play drums or dance the samba.
References
change- ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Geographic Names Information System". edits.nationalmap.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "QuickFacts: Olympia city, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
Other websites
change- City of Olympia
- State of Washington Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
- The Evergreen State College
- Procession of the Species
- Photography of Olympia Archived 2006-11-16 at the Wayback Machine