Quick answer: Olympia is Washington’s capital, a city of about 58,600 people at the southern tip of Puget Sound in Thurston County. The typical home value was about $526,200 in September 2026, roughly the same as a year earlier, according to Zillow. Here’s what to know about living, buying and selling in Olympia, with sources for every number.
Updated November 2026. Our office is next door in Tumwater at 111 Tumwater Blvd SE, Suite A109.
Olympia at a glance
| Population | 58,630 (April 2026) |
| Typical home value | $526,205 (September 2026) |
| A year earlier | $527,915 (September 2025) |
| County | Thurston (county seat) |
| School districts | Olympia, North Thurston, Tumwater |
| Bus service | Intercity Transit |
“Typical home value” is Zillow’s estimate for a middle-priced home, not a sale price. For actual sales, see the Thurston County housing market page, which we update every month with official NWMLS numbers.
The capital city
Olympia became the seat of the newly formed Thurston County in 1852 and has been Washington’s capital continuously since 1853, according to the Legislature. The Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus was completed in 1928, and its dome is the tallest masonry dome in North America, rising 287 feet. The city sits on Budd Inlet, the southernmost arm of Puget Sound.
Neighborhoods
The City of Olympia recognizes more than 25 neighborhood associations. Some of the names you’ll hear: South Capitol, Bigelow, Eastside, Northeast, Northwest Olympia, Southwest Olympia, Burbank/Elliott, Wildwood, Cooper Crest and East Bay Drive. The city also calls the Westside a regional shopping destination.
Every street is different. If you’d like to compare two neighborhoods side by side, ask us and we’ll pull recent sales for both.
Schools and colleges
The city lists three school districts: the Olympia School District, North Thurston and Tumwater.
- Olympia School District high schools: Olympia, Capital, Avanti and Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA)
- Middle schools: Jefferson, Reeves, Thurgood Marshall and Washington
- Colleges: The Evergreen State College and South Puget Sound Community College are in Olympia, and Saint Martin’s University is next door in Lacey.
School boundaries can change, so always check a specific address with the district before you buy.
Parks and the waterfront
- Percival Landing: a 0.9-mile boardwalk along West Bay downtown.
- Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park): 314 acres with more than four miles of trails.
- Capitol Lake and Heritage Park: trails that loop around the lake below the Capitol.
- Watershed Park: 153 acres, including the Moxlie Creek springs.
- Olympia Farmers Market: running since 1975 at 700 Capitol Way N. Its days change by season, so check the market’s schedule.
Getting around
- I-5 runs through Olympia, which the city calls the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, and US-101 meets I-5 at Olympia and Tumwater.
- Intercity Transit buses serve Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm.
- Amtrak: Centennial Station in Lacey serves the Olympia area.
- Boating: the Port of Olympia’s Swantown Marina has slips for up to 656 boats.
Buying a home in Olympia
- Know your payment first. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.24% on October 29, 2026, according to Freddie Mac. Get pre-approved so you know what fits before you tour.
- See new homes first. Set up new listing alerts, search every home for sale, or see homes that aren’t on Zillow yet.
- Check the address. Confirm the school district, the commute and any HOA rules for the exact home, not just the city.
Selling a home in Olympia
- Start with a real number. A price based on recent sales near you matters more than a citywide average. Get a free home value.
- Know all your options. Some sellers want the highest price, others want speed and certainty. You can compare a cash offer with a traditional listing.
- Watch the county trend. In October 2026, Thurston County had more homes for sale than a year earlier, so pricing and preparation matter. See the latest county numbers.
Nearby
Looking at neighboring cities too? See living in Tumwater and the Thurston County housing market.
Talk to a local agent
Thinking about buying or selling in Olympia? Call or text Steve Poulos, REALTOR® with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Northwest Home Team, at (360) 789-4921, visit our office at 111 Tumwater Blvd SE, Suite A109, or send us a message.
Sources
- Washington State Office of Financial Management, April 1, 2026 official population estimates
- Zillow Research, Zillow Home Value Index (Olympia city, all homes, September 2026)
- Washington State Legislature, Senate Resolution 8636 and State Capitol brochure; Washington State Capitol Campus
- Port of Olympia, Budd Inlet and Swantown Marina
- City of Olympia, About Olympia, Neighborhood Associations, Percival Landing, Squaxin Park and Watershed Park
- Olympia School District; The Evergreen State College; South Puget Sound Community College; Saint Martin’s University
- Heritage Park and Capitol Lake trails; Olympia Farmers Market; Intercity Transit; Amtrak Cascades stations; WSDOT, I-5 at US 101
- Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 29, 2026
