Olympia, Washington

city in and county seat of Thurston County, Washington, United States, and Washington federated state capital city

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
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
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
Location within Thurston County in Washington
Olympia is located in Washington (state)
Olympia
Olympia
Location within Washington
Olympia is located in the United States
Olympia
Olympia
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 47°2′16″N 122°54′3″W / 47.03778°N 122.90083°W / 47.03778; -122.90083
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyThurston
IncorporatedJanuary 28, 1859
Named forOlympic Mountains
Government
 • TypeCouncil/City Manager
Area
 • City20.09 sq mi (52.02 km2)
 • Land18.23 sq mi (47.20 km2)
 • Water1.87 sq mi (4.82 km2)
Elevation95 ft (29 m)
Population
 • City55,605
 • RankUS: 718th
WA: 24th
 • Density2,902.26/sq mi (1,120.58/km2)
 • Urban
208,157 (US: 182nd)
 • Urban density1,960.0/sq mi (756.8/km2)
 • Metro
298,758 (US: 172nd)
DemonymOlympian
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
98501–98509, 98511–98513, 98516, 98599
Area code360, 564
FIPS code53-51300
GNIS feature ID1533353[2]
Websiteolympiawa.gov

Geography

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Olympia 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

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Many 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

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Every 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

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  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Geographic Names Information System". edits.nationalmap.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "QuickFacts: Olympia city, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.

Other websites

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