Olympia, Washington

Capital city of Washington, United States

State capital city in Washington, United States

Olympia

State capital city

Downtown Olympia during Lakefair

Washington State Capitol and Mount Rainier

Capitol Lake

Budd Inlet

Old Capitol Building

Flag

Seal

Logo

Nickname:

Oly

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Coordinates: 47°2′16″N 122°54′3″W﻿ / ﻿47.03778°N 122.90083°W﻿ / 47.03778; -122.90083
Country| United States
State| Washington
County| Thurston
Founded| 1850
Incorporated| January 28, 1859
Named after| Olympic Mountains
Government

• Type| Council/City Manager
• Mayor| Dontae Payne (D)
Area

[1]

• 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

[2]

| 95 ft (29 m)
Population

(2020)[3]

• City

| 55,605

• Estimate

(2024)[4]

| 56,271
• 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

Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington. The population was 55,605 at the 2020 census, while the Olympia metropolitan statistical area has an estimated 300,000 people. Olympia is the county seat of Thurston County and anchors the South Puget Sound region of western Washington, 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Seattle.

The Squaxin and other Coast Salish peoples inhabited the southern Puget Sound region prior to the arrival of European and American settlers in the 19th century. The Treaty of Medicine Creek was signed in 1854 and followed by the Treaty of Olympia in 1856; these two treaties forced the Squaxin to relocate to an Indian reservation. Olympia was declared the capital of the Washington Territory in 1853 and incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859. It became a city in 1882.

Aside from its role in the state government, Olympia is also recognized as a countercultural hub in the Pacific Northwest. The city's music scene gained prominence in the 1990s for its role in the emergence of punk rock movements such as riot grrrl and grunge. Olympia is also home to The Evergreen State College, a public liberal arts institution known for its non-traditional curriculum. Intercity Transit provides fare-free bus service throughout the Olympia area, which has high per-capita use of public transportation relative to other cities of its size.

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of Olympia, Washington

The Old Capitol Building in 1906

The site of Olympia had been home to Lushootseed-speaking peoples known as the Steh-Chass (or Stehchass, later part of the post-treaty Squaxin Island Tribe) for thousands of years. Other Native Americans regularly visited the head of Budd Inlet and the Steh-Chass, including the other ancestor tribes of the Squaxin, as well as the Nisqually, Puyallup, Chehalis, Suquamish, and Duwamish. The first recorded Europeans came to Olympia in 1792. Peter Puget and a crew from the British Vancouver Expedition are said to have explored the site, but neither recorded any encounters with the resident Indigenous population. In 1846, Edmund Sylvester and Levi Lathrop Smith jointly claimed the land that is now downtown Olympia. In 1851, the U.S. Congress established the Customs District of Puget Sound for Washington Territory and Olympia became the home of the customs house. Its population steadily expanded from Oregon Trail immigrants. In 1850, the town settled on the name Olympia, at local resident Colonel Isaac N. Ebey's suggestion,[5] because of its view of the Olympic Mountains to the northwest. The area began to be served by a small fleet of steamboats known as the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet. It was declared the capital of the Washington Territories by Governor Isaac I. Stevens in November 1853.[6] Olympia was the first and only capital of Washington in its history as both a territory and a state.[7]

Over two days, December 24–26, 1854, Governor Stevens negotiated the Treaty of Medicine Creek with the representatives of the Nisqually, Puyallup, Squawksin, Steh'Chass, Noo-Seh-Chatl, Squi-Aitl, T'Peeksin, Sah-Heh-Wa-Mish, and S'Hotl-Ma-Mish tribes. Stevens's treaty included the preservation of Indigenous fishing, hunting, gathering and other rights. It also included a section which, at least as interpreted by United States officials, required the Native American signatories to move to one of three reservations. Doing so would effectively force the Nisqually people to cede their prime farming and living space. An additional agreement between the state, city, and indigenous groups, known as the Treaty of Olympia or as the Quinault Treaty, was completed during 1855.[8] One of the leaders of the Nisqually, Chief Leschi, outraged, refused to give up ownership of this land and instead fought for his people's right to their territory, sparking the beginning of the Puget Sound War. The war ended with Leschi's capture in 1856; he was executed two years later.

Olympia was incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859,[9] and as a city in 1882.[10]

The 1949 Olympia earthquake damaged many historic buildings beyond repair, and they were demolished. Parts of the city also suffered damage from earthquakes in 1965 and 2001.

Interstate 5 was built through the south side of the city in the late 1950s as a replacement for earlier highways that traveled through downtown Olympia. The freeway was originally planned to cut through the city, but was moved farther out to save costs. It opened to traffic on December 12, 1958, and was later expanded in 1991.[11]

## Geography

[edit]

View from ISS Expedition 71, June 2024

Olympia is located in Thurston County[12] at the southern end of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet, where the Deschutes River estuary enters the Sound. The river was dammed in 1951 to create Capitol Lake; in late 2022 the state government approved the dam's removal to restore the estuary at an unspecified date.[13]

The city is 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Seattle, the most populous city in Washington, and 100 miles (160 km) north of Portland, Oregon.[14] According to the United States Census Bureau, Olympia has an area of 19.68 square miles (50.97 km2), of which 17.82 sq mi (46.15 km2) is land and 1.86 sq mi (4.82 km2) is water.[15] The cities of Lacey and Tumwater border Olympia.

The area is located near the southern limit of the Fraser Glaciation and the underlying sediments consist largely of Vashon-age till and outwash deposited at that time; the area also includes former lakebeds and alluvial deposits associated with proglacial lakes that existed in the area near the end of Vashon-stage glaciation. Residual glacial topography in the area includes drumlins, subglacial channels, and kettle lakes.[16] Much of downtown Olympia sits on reclaimed land. Tidewater areas were filled as early as the 1870s, but the major change occurred in 1910–11 with placement of the Carlyon Fill (named for mayor P.H. Carlyon). Over two million cubic yards (1,500,000 m3) of sediment were dredged, thereby creating a deep-water port at Olympia; the dredged material was used to fill tidelands, creating almost 30 blocks of what is now downtown.[17][unreliable source?]

### Climate

[edit]

Olympia has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csb). The local microclimate has dry summers in July and mildly humid summers in early June and late August, with cool July and August overnight lows. It is part of USDA Hardiness zone 8a, with isolated pockets around Puget Sound in zone 8b.[18] Most of western Washington's weather is brought in by weather systems that form near the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. It contains cold moist air, which brings western Washington cold rain, cloudiness, and fog. November through January are Olympia's rainiest months. City streets, creeks, and rivers can flood from November to February. The monthly mean temperature ranges from 38.4 °F (3.6 °C) in December to 64.1 °F (17.8 °C) in August. Seasonal snowfall for 1981–2010 averaged 10.8 inches (27.4 cm)[19] but has historically ranged from trace amounts in 1991–92 to 81.5 in (207 cm) in 1968–69.[19]

Climate chart for Olympia

Olympia averages 50 inches (1,270 mm) of precipitation annually and has a year-round average of 75% cloud cover. Annual precipitation has ranged from 29.92 in (760 mm) in 1952 to 66.71 in (1,694 mm) in 1950; for water year (October 1 – September 30) precipitation, the range is 32.71 in (831 mm) in 2000–01 to 72.57 in (1,843 mm) in 1998–99.[19] With a period of record dating back to 1948, extreme temperatures have ranged from −8 °F (−22 °C) on January 1, 1979, up to 110 °F (43 °C), on June 28, 2021; the record cold daily maximum is 18 °F (−8 °C) on January 31, 1950, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 69 °F (21 °C) on July 22, 2006.[19] Between 1991 and 2020 the mean coldest daily maximum was right on the freezing point at 32 °F (0 °C) and the warmest night of the year averaged a very mild 60 °F (16 °C).[19]

On average, 6.3 days annually reach 90 °F (32 °C), 1.8 days stay at or below freezing all day, and 78 nights reach the freezing mark.[19] The average window for freezing temperatures is October 8 through May 3, allowing a growing season of 157 days, nearly 100 days shorter than in Seattle.[19]

Climate data for Olympia Regional Airport, Washington (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1948−present)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 64
(18)  | 73
(23)  | 79
(26)  | 88
(31)  | 96
(36)  | 110
(43)  | 104
(40)  | 104
(40)  | 98
(37)  | 90
(32)  | 74
(23)  | 64
(18)  | 110
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 56.3
(13.5)  | 59.4
(15.2)  | 67.9
(19.9)  | 76.2
(24.6)  | 83.9
(28.8)  | 87.9
(31.1)  | 93.6
(34.2)  | 92.2
(33.4)  | 86.3
(30.2)  | 73.7
(23.2)  | 61.5
(16.4)  | 55.5
(13.1)  | 96.0
(35.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 46.0
(7.8)  | 49.1
(9.5)  | 53.7
(12.1)  | 58.9
(14.9)  | 66.1
(18.9)  | 70.8
(21.6)  | 77.6
(25.3)  | 78.0
(25.6)  | 72.1
(22.3)  | 60.2
(15.7)  | 50.6
(10.3)  | 44.9
(7.2)  | 60.7
(15.9)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 39.6
(4.2)  | 40.7
(4.8)  | 44.1
(6.7)  | 48.2
(9.0)  | 54.5
(12.5)  | 59.1
(15.1)  | 64.2
(17.9)  | 64.2
(17.9)  | 59.1
(15.1)  | 50.3
(10.2)  | 43.2
(6.2)  | 38.9
(3.8)  | 50.5
(10.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 33.2
(0.7)  | 32.3
(0.2)  | 34.5
(1.4)  | 37.5
(3.1)  | 43.0
(6.1)  | 47.4
(8.6)  | 50.7
(10.4)  | 50.5
(10.3)  | 46.2
(7.9)  | 40.5
(4.7)  | 35.8
(2.1)  | 32.8
(0.4)  | 40.4
(4.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 18.8
(−7.3)  | 19.0
(−7.2)  | 23.9
(−4.5)  | 27.5
(−2.5)  | 32.3
(0.2)  | 38.4
(3.6)  | 42.7
(5.9)  | 41.9
(5.5)  | 35.9
(2.2)  | 27.9
(−2.3)  | 21.6
(−5.8)  | 18.4
(−7.6)  | 12.6
(−10.8)
Record low °F (°C)  | −8
(−22)  | −1
(−18)  | 9
(−13)  | 23
(−5)  | 25
(−4)  | 30
(−1)  | 35
(2)  | 33
(1)  | 25
(−4)  | 14
(−10)  | −1
(−18)  | −7
(−22)  | −8
(−22)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 7.80
(198)  | 5.09
(129)  | 5.68
(144)  | 3.67
(93)  | 2.26
(57)  | 1.46
(37)  | 0.53
(13)  | 0.96
(24)  | 2.04
(52)  | 5.07
(129)  | 8.21
(209)  | 7.85
(199)  | 50.62
(1,286)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 2.0
(5.1)  | 0.6
(1.5)  | 0.1
(0.25)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 1.2
(3.0)  | 3.9
(9.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 20.3  | 16.4  | 18.8  | 16.3  | 11.4  | 8.5  | 4.0  | 4.8  | 8.1  | 15.1  | 19.5  | 20.2  | 163.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.5  | 0.7  | 0.1  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.1  | 0.8  | 2.2
Average relative humidity (%)  | 87.5  | 84.5  | 80.0  | 75.6  | 72.9  | 72.4  | 70.8  | 72.1  | 77.6  | 85.1  | 88.4  | 89.1  | 79.7
Average dew point °F (°C)  | 34.5
(1.4)  | 36.0
(2.2)  | 36.9
(2.7)  | 39.2
(4.0)  | 43.9
(6.6)  | 48.9
(9.4)  | 52.0
(11.1)  | 52.7
(11.5)  | 49.6
(9.8)  | 44.8
(7.1)  | 39.6
(4.2)  | 35.4
(1.9)  | 42.8
(6.0)
Source 1: NOAA (dew points and relative humidity 1961–1990)[20][21]
Source 2: National Weather Service[22]

### Artesian water

[edit]

Olympia was historically dependent on artesian waters, including springs that supplied early settlers in Swantown and Tumwater. The artesian spring at Fourth Avenue and Main Street (now called Capitol Way) was the main community well where settlers, as well as the local Steh-Chass and visiting Native Americans, gathered to socialize. Settler accounts recall paying Native Americans to collect water here. The artesian well at Artesian Commons park, a former parking lot, is active.[23] Another still flows at the corner of Olympia Avenue and Washington Street. A small park was constructed around another spring in the Bigelow Neighborhood.[24] The northeast end of Capitol Lake was the location of an artesian well until the construction of a new park that included changes to the shoreline. McAllister Springs, Olympia's main water source, is fed by artesian wells, and the former Olympia Brewery is supplied by 26 artesian wells.

Efforts to protect and preserve the free-flowing artesian well on 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia began in 1991 with support from a local coffee roaster. Donations from the public were used to form "Friends of the Artesians", a group that researched the wells, maintained them, and tested their quality. They were later replaced by the non-profit organization H2Olympia in 2009.[25] In 2011, the city of Olympia committed $50,000 toward improvements of an artesian well in a parking lot that the city purchased the same year.[26] Renovations at the well were completed in late 2011, including surface improvements, solar lighting, and a raised area to fill bottles. In spring 2012, sea-themed mosaic artwork created by community members was installed at the site of the well.

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 1,203| | —
1880| 1,232| | 2.4%
1890| 4,698| | 281.3%
1900| 3,863| | −17.8%
1910| 6,996| | 81.1%
1920| 7,795| | 11.4%
1930| 11,733| | 50.5%
1940| 13,254| | 13.0%
1950| 15,819| | 19.4%
1960| 18,273| | 15.5%
1970| 23,296| | 27.5%
1980| 27,447| | 17.8%
1990| 33,840| | 23.3%
2000| 42,514| | 25.6%
2010| 46,478| | 9.3%
2020| 55,605| | 19.6%
2024 (est.)| 56,271| [27]| 1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[28]
2020 Census[3]

### 2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 55,605 people within the city. The population density was 2,825 inhabitants per square mile (1,090.7/km2). There were 25,642 housing units at an average density of 1,303 units per square mile (503 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.4% White, 9.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 3.1% African American, and 6.9% from other races or multiracial.[29]

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 46,478 people, 20,761 households, and 10,672 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,608.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,007.0/km2). There were 22,086 housing units at an average density of 1,239.4 units per square mile (478.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.7% White, 2.0% African American, 1.1% Native American, 6.0% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.3% of the population.

There were 20,761 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were other families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

## Government

[edit]

See also: List of mayors of Olympia, Washington

The City of Olympia operates as a Council–manager government, with a mayor and 6 elected council members. The council appoints a city manager to operate the City and direct employees. As of the fiscal year 2023, the City had a general fund budget of $114 million and a full-time staff of 600.[30]

### Sanctuary city

[edit]

In February 2025, the Olympia city council passed a resolution declaring the city a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people, guaranteeing municipal-level protections on top of existing state laws enshrining LGBT rights.[31]

## Economy

[edit]

Further information: List of companies based in Olympia, Washington

Olympia City Hall

According to the city's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR),[32] the unemployment rate was 4.8% and the median household income was $67,975; the top local employers were:

Rank  | Employer  | Employees in 2023

|
|

1 | State of Washington, including education | 20,566
2 | Local government, including education | 2,593
3 | Providence St. Peter Hospital | 2,053
4 | Nisqually Red Wind Casino | 700
5 | Capital Medical Center | 700 (2020 est.)
6 | Superior Gardens | 501
7 | YMCA | 431
8 | Washington State Employees Credit Union | 499 (2020 est.)
9 | Titus Will | 366
10 | AMR Corp | 300

## Arts and culture

[edit]

### Music

[edit]

Nirvana got its start in the Olympia and Tacoma punk-rock scenes of the late 1980s; lead singer Kurt Cobain grew up in nearby Aberdeen.

Main article: Music of Olympia, Washington

Despite its relatively small population, Olympia is internationally known for its local music scene, particularly in the alternative rock and punk genres. It is most notable for its role in incubating the riot grrrl and grunge movements of the 1990s.[33][34] The Olympia Music History Project formed in 2023 to research and document the area's music scene during the late 20th century, the peak of its influence.[35]

Olympia has been a starting point or home for numerous bands that have achieved international recognition. Nirvana, among the most popular bands of the 20th century and known for popularizing the Pacific Northwest-based grunge genre, has roots in Olympia: lead singer Kurt Cobain lived in Olympia for several years during the band's rise to fame, and penned most songs on their bestselling album Nevermind while living there.[36] Bikini Kill started the influential feminist punk movement riot grrrl in Olympia in 1990, as a counterpoint to grunge. Other prominent Olympia-based bands in the riot grrrl movement included Sleater-Kinney, named after a street in neighboring Lacey, Washington.[37]

In addition, local alternative rock record labels K Records and Kill Rock Stars have played a significant role in shaping alternative rock and its subgenres. K Records, founded by musician Calvin Johnson, supported the early careers of Pacific Northwest artists including Modest Mouse and Phil Elverum. Kurt Cobain is said to have had a tattoo of Johnson's logo on his forearm.[38] During its heyday, Johnson and his label earned the attention of Beck, then a rising star, who traveled to Olympia to record the collaborative album One Foot In The Grave with Johnson.[39]

Kill Rock Stars, founded in Olympia shortly after K Records, got their start releasing Bikini Kill's first EP, and eventually grew into an indie label hosting the likes of Sleater-Kinney, Elliott Smith, and Xiu Xiu, among others.[40]

Today, Olympia continues to play host to a strong local music scene, including several annual music festivals across various genres, including South Sound Block Party, Oly Funk Fest, and Olympia Old Time Music Festival.[citation needed]

The Fleetwoods, a popular 1950s and 1960s doo-wop group, whose hits included "Come Softly to Me" and "Mr. Blue", originated in Olympia. Additionally, acclaimed black metal band Wolves in the Throne Room hails from the city, forming in 2002.[citation needed]

### Fine and visual arts

[edit]

The Capitol Theater, home of the Olympia Film Society

Olympia is a regional center for fine arts. A number of theatrical experiences are available with companies such as Animal Fire Theater, Olympia Family Theater, Olympia Little Theater, Theater Artists Olympia, Broadway Olympia Productions, and Harlequin Productions at the historic State Theater, as well as Broadway Olympia's Black Box Theater at Capitol Mall. The Olympia Symphony Orchestra performs five regular-season concerts at the Washington Center and two pops concerts. The Masterworks Chorale Ensemble performs four regular-season concerts at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

Visual art venues include some of the local coffeehouses, Olympia Coffee Roasting Co., Batdorf & Bronson, and Burial Grounds downtown, with the latter indefinitely closed. Art House Designs is an art gallery that also hosts a jazz performance space. Murals and public art installations of sculpture are prevalent in Olympia and are especially featured on the State Capitol Campus and along Percival Landing on the urban waterfront. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts also presents visual art exhibitions throughout the season in its lobby areas.

Notable art venues near Olympia include Art in Ecology, housed in Washington Department of Ecology's 322,000-square-foot, three-story building on the campus of Saint Martin's University. Art in Ecology is a long-established art-in-the-workplace venue that has works by numerous northwest artists. Permanent installations by Alfredo Arreguin, commissioned by the Washington State Arts Commission, are accompanied by changing solo and group exhibitions throughout the year. Appointments to view the works are needed; tours take about an hour.

South Puget Sound Community College has a gallery in its Minnaert Center with rotating exhibitions. Evergreen State College, northwest of Olympia, has a professionally curated gallery with rotating shows in the Dan Evans Library building. South of Olympia, Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park has an 80-acre sculpture garden and art gallery.

Each year, the Olympia Film Society (OFS) produces a film festival and fosters film and video education in Olympia. It also shows independent, classic, and international films year-round at the art-deco Capitol Theater. A mostly volunteer-powered organization, OFS supports and presents a variety of cultural events, including All Freakin' Night, an all-night horror film screening with a cult following.

On the fourth Saturday in April, in honor of Earth Day, Olympia is host to one of the region's largest community celebrations – the Procession of the Species. Held in conjunction with the city's biannual Arts Walk, the Procession is organized by the community-based nonprofit organization Earthbound Productions, and is the culmination of an annual Community Art Studio that is free and open to the public.[41]

## Parks and recreation

[edit]

Percival Landing Park

Olympia has a wide array of public parks and nature conservation areas.[42] Percival Landing Park is one of three city waterfront parks, located on the southern-most point of Puget Sound.[43] It includes 0.9 miles (1.4 km) of boardwalk along Budd Inlet, as well as a playground, picnic areas, and a large open space. The boardwalk leads north to an open-air amphitheater, a viewing tower beside the Port of Olympia, as well as the Olympia Farmers' Market.

Sylvester Park is a historic block-sized park downtown, across from the Old Capitol Building. Capitol Lake near downtown and the Washington State Capitol offers several parks[44] and walking trails.[45]

Squaxin Park is a 314-acre park with an extensive trail system, playground and beach access.[46] Additional developed parks in the city include Sunrise Park, Watershed Park and Woodruff Park. Neighborhood parks include Friendly Grove, located in a small eastside community, Trillium Park, which was created by the efforts of adjoining neighborhood associations, and Yauger Park, home to one of Olympia's public skate parks.[47]

Protected areas such as the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge are near Olympia, as are Burfoot Park, Capitol State Forest, and the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area.

## Sports

[edit]

In May 1984, Olympia hosted the U.S. Olympic women's marathon trial under the auspices of the Capital City Marathon. The city had won a bid ahead of several larger U.S. cities. The winner of the event was Joan Benoit, who won a gold medal at the first women's Olympic marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics later that year in Los Angeles.[48]

Olympia is the home of the Oly Rollers, the local women's flat track roller derby league whose travel team, the Cosa Nostra Donnas, were the 2009 national champions of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), winning the national Declaration of Derby tournament in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[49]

FC Olympia (formerly the Oly Town Artesians) is an amateur soccer club that was founded in 2014 and primarily played at Black Hill High School. They field an amateur men's team in USL League Two and the Evergreen Premier League. The women's team was associated with the Northwest Premier League.[50] As of 2024[update], the teams play their home matches at South Sound Stadium and the women's team plays in the USL W League.[citation needed]

## Education

[edit]

South Puget Sound Community College is a public community college in the city.

The majority of Olympia is located in the Olympia School District.[51] It enrolled 9,782 students in K-12 in the 2021–22 school year.[52] The district has a total of 18 schools: 11 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. Its high schools are Olympia High School (formally known as William Winlock Miller High School), Capital High School, and Avanti High School.

Portions of Olympia are in the North Thurston Public Schools district and the Tumwater School District.[51]

In the 2007–08 school year, Olympia began the Parent Partnership Program, which provides more opportunities to homeschooling families. Olympia's online high school, Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA), is part of the same program. Private elementary schools include Olympia Waldorf School, Olympia Community School, St. Michael School, Holy Family, and Evergreen Christian. Private middle schools include Olympia Waldorf School and NOVA School. Pope John Paul II High School is a private high school.

In addition to primary and secondary schools, Olympia has a number of institutions of higher learning, namely The Evergreen State College and South Puget Sound Community College. The Evergreen State College offers bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and science, and master's degrees in environmental studies, public administration, education, and teaching. South Puget Sound Community College offers associate degrees in arts, science, biology, elementary education, pre-nursing, applied science, general studies, and business.

## Media

[edit]

Robust journalism in Olympia dates to before Washington Territory's incorporation in 1853.[53]

The Olympian is the local daily newspaper. The Tacoma-based Weekly Volcano has covered Olympia entertainment since 2001. Progressive newspaper Works in Progress is published monthly.[54] The statewide government channel TVW is based in Olympia. Online outlet NorthAmericaTalk, an aggregate for local community news and marketing, was established with headquarters in Olympia.

Olympia and Thurston County are included in the Seattle-Tacoma designated market area (DMA), and therefore are chiefly served by Seattle's network-affiliated television stations and some radio stations. Since 1983, Olympia has had a public, educational and government access television station, which was rebranded in 2016 as Thurston Community Media.[55] Olympia sits on the southern fringe of the FM signal of National Public Radio member station KUOW. An AM simulcast is transmitted from a tower in nearby Tumwater.[56] Evergreen State College's KAOS broadcasts a mix of educational and political programming, with student-driven music shows.[57]

## Transportation

[edit]

Port of Olympia

Interstate 5 is the main highway through Olympia and traverses the southern edge of downtown near the Capitol Campus. It continues south towards Portland, Oregon, and northeast to Tacoma and Seattle. In Tumwater, Interstate 5 intersects U.S. Route 101, which travels northwest across Olympia's outskirts and connects the city to the rest of the Olympic Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean.[58] Olympia Regional Airport, located in Tumwater, is operated by the Port of Olympia and serves general aviation as well as corporate aviation.[59] The airport hosts the Olympic Flight Museum and the Olympic AirShow, a local airshow that is held annually in June at the museum.[60]

Public transit services in Olympia and surrounding areas are provided by Intercity Transit, a local system that is primarily financed by a sales tax.[61] Olympia Transit Center is the main hub of the system and is also served by Grays Harbor Transit, the Mason Transit Authority, Lewis County Transit and intercity Greyhound and FlixBus buses.[62][63] Intercity Transit also operates a prototype bus rapid transit service, the One, from Olympia to Lacey as well as connecting express service to Lakewood.[64][65] All Intercity Transit services have been fare-free since 2020 as part of a demonstration program.[66] As of 2021[update], Olympia is among the top 50 metropolitan areas in the United States for public transit ridership per capita and is tied with Phoenix with 14.1 riders per capita.[67]

Amtrak provides intercity train service to the Olympia–Lacey area at Centennial Station, which is staffed by volunteers. It is served by the daily Coast Starlight from Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area and more frequent Amtrak Cascades trains that operate from Portland to Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.[68][69] In the early 21st century, several organizations have proposed the start of an intercity passenger-only ferry service to connect Olympia to Seattle and other areas on Puget Sound.[70]

## Notable people

[edit]

Main article: List of people from Olympia, Washington

* Lynda Barry, cartoonist[71]
* Kurt Cobain, musician in Nirvana[72]
* Rachel Corrie, peace activist
* Carrie Brownstein, musician in Sleater-Kinney, actress and comedian known for Portlandia[73]
* Kimya Dawson, singer-songwriter and member of the Moldy Peaches[74]
* Dan Erickson, playwright and producer
* Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons[75]
* Kathleen Hanna, musician in Bikini Kill, leader of the 1990s riot grrrl feminist punk movement[76]
* Christopher Hedrick, entrepreneur
* Donald Hume, American rower who won Olympic gold at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
* Geoff Jenkins, Major League Baseball outfielder[77]
* Calvin Johnson, musician in Beat Happening, founder of Olympia-based record label K Records[78]
* Rickie Lee Jones, Grammy-winning musician[79]
* Kasey Keller, US soccer goalkeeper[80]
* Peter Kennedy, five-time national champion and 1952 Winter Olympics silver medalist in pairs figure skating
* Scott LaValla, USA Rugby player[81]
* Jim Lynch, writer[82]
* Nikki McClure, artist[83]
* Sam Miller, comedian[84]
* William Henry Mitchell, pioneer and sheriff
* Roland S. Morris (1874–1945), U.S. ambassador to Japan.
* Eloise Mumford \- actress
* Colin O'Brady, endurance athlete and mountain climber
* Don Rich, lead guitarist for Buck Owens
* Gary Toxel, member of the Fleetwoods
* Unwound, a post-hardcore punk band formed in Olympia[85]
* Aaron and Nathan Weaver, members of the band, Wolves in the Throne Room

## International relations

[edit]

See also: List of sister cities in the United States

Olympia is twinned with:

* Katō, Hyōgo, Japan[86]

A previous sister city agreement with Olympia, Greece, is no longer in effect.[87] An attempt to create a sister city partnership with Rafah, Palestine, was rejected by the city council in 2007.[88]

On December 12, 2023, the City Council passed a resolution calling for an "immediate and permanent ceasefire" during the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Furthermore, the city recognized the right of existence of both the Palestinian and Israeli states.[89]

## See also

[edit]

View from Tumwater Hill

* United States portal

* Bigelow House
* Capital City Pride – Community Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Festival
* Freechild Institute for Youth Engagement – Nonprofit organization in Olympia
* Capitol Lakefair – Annual festival in Olympia
* Port Militarization Resistance
* USS Olympia, 2 ships

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
2. ^ a b "Geographic Names Information System". edits.nationalmap.gov. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
3. ^ a b "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
4. ^ "QuickFacts: Olympia city, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
5. ^ "History of Olympia, Washington". olympiawa.gov. July 27, 2012. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
6. ^ "Governor Isaac Stevens selects Olympia as capital of Washington Territory on November 28, 1853". HistoryLink. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
7. ^ "We the People: Many states have had multiple capitals, but Washington's has always been Olympia". The Spokesman-Review.
8. ^ "The Treaty of Olympia, Jan. 6, 1856" (PDF). nwifc.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
9. ^ Act of incorporation of the town of Olympia: together with the Rules of order of the Board of Trustees. Olympia, Washington: Edward Furste. 1859. OCLC 18731541.
10. ^ "Olympia's Leadership". olympiawa.gov/. January 2, 2018. Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
11. ^ Batcheldor, Matt (December 7, 2008). "I-5 at 50: It's changed the face of the region". The Olympian. p. A1. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
12. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
13. ^ "Capitol Lake – Deschutes Estuary EIS identifies estuary restoration as preferred long-term management approach" (Press release). Washington State Department of Enterprise Services. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
14. ^ "Things to Do in Olympia, WA". Frommer's. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
15. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
16. ^ T.J. Walsh; R.L. Logan; H.W. Schasse; M. Polenz (2003). Geologic Map of the Tumwater 7.5-minute Quadrangle, Thurston County, Washington (PDF) (Map). 1:24000. Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
17. ^ Emmett O’Connell (November 11, 2012). "History of Olympia's Shorelines". Retrieved April 24, 2023.
18. ^ "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
19. ^ a b c d e f g "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
20. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
21. ^ "WMO Climate Normals for OLYMPIA, WA 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
22. ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
23. ^ City of Olympia. "Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Acquisition of Diamond Parking Lot, June 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
24. ^ "Bigelow Springs". Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
25. ^ "Friends of Artesians: Homepage". Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
26. ^ Matt Batcheldor. "City of Olympia Will Protect, Improve Artesian Well". Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
27. ^ "QuickFacts Olympia city, Washington". United States Census Bureau. July 1, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
28. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
29. ^ "Census Bureau Profile: Olympia city, Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
30. ^ McCarthy, Pat (December 9, 2024). "Accountability Audit Report, City of Olympia, For the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023". Office of the Washington State Auditor. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
31. ^ "Olympia becomes Washington's first LGBTQ+ sanctuary city". The Advocate. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
32. ^ "City of Olympia ACFR" (PDF). Finance Department. City of Olympia. December 31, 2023. p. 170\. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 6, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
33. ^ Yenigun, Sami (August 20, 2010). "Olympia, Wash.: Why Here? Why Now?". NPR. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
34. ^ "A look backstage during the height of Olympia's punk scene". KNKX. January 13, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
35. ^ Vinson, Ty (January 17, 2025). "Learn about Olympia's place in music history on new website". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
36. ^ Seminara, March (March 25, 2014). "Chasing Kurt Cobain in Washington State". The New York Times. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
37. ^ Rietmulder, Michael (September 26, 2024). "Sleater-Kinney returns to Olympia after 19 years". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
38. ^ Segal, Dave (February 24, 2016). "Is K Records a 'Broken, Sinking Ship'?". The Stranger. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
39. ^ Hochman, Steve (June 26, 1994). "Beck's Back". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
40. ^ Douglas, Martin (June 9, 2022). "The Almost Complete History of Kill Rock Stars". KEXP. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
41. ^ About the Community Art Studio Archived May 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine — Official Website of the Procession of the Species. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
42. ^ "Parks & Recreation". www.olympiawa.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
43. ^ "Percival Landing". www.olympiawa.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
44. ^ "Marathon Park | Washington State Capitol Campus". capitol.wa.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
45. ^ "Heritage Park & Capitol Lake Trails | Washington State Capitol Campus". capitol.wa.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
46. ^ "Squaxin Park". www.olympiawa.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
47. ^ Tam, Katherine (August 15, 2005). "Reservoir boarders attract attention". The Olympian. p. 1B. NewsBank 10C0D2DF1E901CA8. Retrieved June 12, 2025 – via NewsBank.
48. ^ Schrager, Daniel (May 15, 2024). "Back in 1984, Olympia saw the 'biggest bidding upset in the history of the Olympic Games'". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
49. ^ Feelgood, Justice (November 22, 2009). "Derbynewsnetwork.com". Derbynewsnetwork.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
50. ^ Weber, Dave (July 1, 2022). "From modest beginnings, Oly Town Artesians become solid presence in men's and women's soccer". The Olympian. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
51. ^ a b 2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Thurston County, WA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2024. \- Text list
52. ^ "Olympia School District". Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
53. ^ Bagley, Clarence B. (1905). "Washington Activities in History" . Oregon Historical Quarterly.
54. ^ "About Us". Works in Progress. May 17, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
55. ^ "Thurston Community Media - About". Thurston Community Media. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
56. ^ "KUOW: Reception Help". KUOW-FM. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
57. ^ "Program Schedule". KAOS-FM. Retrieved September 11, 2021.[permanent dead link]
58. ^ Washington State Department of Transportation (2014). Washington State Highways, 2014–2015 (PDF) (Map). 1:842,000. Olympia: Washington State Department of Transportation. Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater inset. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
59. ^ Boone, Rolf (January 22, 2023). "Dozens rally outside port meeting, raising concerns about Olympia Regional Airport". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
60. ^ Hou, Joanna (June 16, 2023). "WWII fighter plane, training helicopter among attractions at this weekend's Olympic Airshow". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
61. ^ Orenstein, Walker (June 8, 2018). "A tax vote could be headed your way for public transit in Thurston County. Here's why". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
62. ^ Spegman, Abby (May 12, 2018). "Intercity Transit plans $8.5 million expansion of downtown Olympia hub". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
63. ^ Vinson, Ty (January 11, 2022). "Greyhound to begin service out of Olympia Transit Center starting Jan. 15". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
64. ^ Boone, Rolf (May 28, 2023). "Here's how far Intercity Transit has come since the COVID-19 pandemic". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
65. ^ "Route 620: Olympia/Lakewood Express". Intercity Transit. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
66. ^ Tu, Maylin. "As Fare-Free Transit Catches On, Checking In On 5 Cities With Free Public Transit". nextcity.org.
67. ^ "APTA 2023 Public Transportation Factbook" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 2024. p. 34. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
68. ^ Krotzer, Chelsea (November 17, 2017). "Volunteers keep Lacey's train station unique and welcoming". The Olympian. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
69. ^ Kroman, David (November 29, 2023). "Amtrak to add two round trips between Seattle and Portland". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
70. ^ Spegman, Abby (November 4, 2019). "New study means Olympia can keep dreaming about ferry service to Tacoma or Seattle". The Olympian. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
71. ^ "Lynda Barry: Evergreen Cuts Are 'Cultural Genocide' – OLY ARTS". August 13, 2018.
72. ^ "Kurt Cobain Apartment". olympiahistory.org. Archived from the original on May 18, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
73. ^ "Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker talk Sleater-Kinney, and 30 years of making music". NPR.
74. ^ Monica Guzman (December 19, 2007). "Olympia singer Kimya Dawson featured on "Juno" soundtrack". blog.seattlepi.com/. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
75. ^ "Matt Groening to give grads Bart-like wisdom? The Seattle Times". archive.seattletimes.com.
76. ^ "Bikini Kill Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
77. ^ "Geoff Jenkins Stats". Baseball Stats. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
78. ^ "Calvin Johnson (musician)". Olympia Power & Light. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
79. ^ "Don Rich". Olympia History. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
80. ^ "Kasey Keller". mlssoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
81. ^ "Scott LaValla". USA Rugby. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
82. ^ "Bio – Jim Lynch". www.jimlynchbooks.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
83. ^ "Nikki McClure". nikkimcclure.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
84. ^ Drake, Jessica (May 10, 2023). "Comedian Sam Miller is 'real big' and gets big laughs". The Wenatchee World. Wenatchee, Washington. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
85. ^ "The Light at the End of the Tunnel is a Train: A Critical Overview of Unwound".
86. ^ "Washington's Sister Cities Relationships". Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Washington. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
87. ^ "Information on Olympia's former sister cities". Archived from the original on April 27, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2006.
88. ^ Buhain, Venice (April 19, 2007). "Council vote won't stop Rafah visits". The Olympian. p. B1. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
89. ^ Vinson, Ty (December 15, 2023). "Olympia City Council passes ceasfire resoulution despite criticism it doesn't go far enough". The Olympian. Retrieved April 30, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Olympia, Washington.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Olympia, Washington.

* City of Olympia
* Olympia Historical Society
* "Olympia, the capital of the state of Washington, U.S.A." . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
* Convention and Visitors Bureau

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Thurston County, Washington, United States

County seat: Olympia

Cities|

* Lacey
* Olympia
* Rainier
* Tenino
* Tumwater
* Yelm

Map of Washington highlighting Thurston County

Town|

* Bucoda

CDPs|

* Grand Mound
* Nisqually Indian Community
* North Yelm
* Rochester
* Tanglewilde

Unincorporated
communities|

* Belmore
* Boston Harbor
* Bush
* Delphi
* Driftwood
* East Olympia
* Fir Tree
* Gate
* Independence
* Littlerock
* Maytown
* McIntosh
* Mima
* Offutt Lake
* Puget
* Rignall
* Skookumchuck
* Sunnydale
* Vail

Indian reservation|

* Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation‡
* Nisqually Indian Reservation

Ghost town|

* Bordeaux
* Tono

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Washington portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Washington

Olympia (capital)

Topics|

* Outline
* Climate change
* Municipalities
* Census-designated places
* Federal lands
* Indian reservations
* Geography
* Earthquakes
* History
* Highways
* Music
* Parks
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Society|

* Abortion
* Cannabis
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* Culture
* Demographics
* Economy
* Agriculture
* Education
* Gun laws
* Homelessness
* LGBT rights
* Politics

Politics|

| Government|

* Law
* Constitution
* Governors
* Legislature
* Legislative districts
* House
* Senate
* Ballot measures
* Congressional delegations
* Congressional districts
* City governments

|

State agencies|

* Agriculture
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* Public Stadium Authority
* Retirement Systems
* Revenue
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* Social and Health Services
* State Patrol
* Student Achievement Council
* Transportation
* Utilities and Transportation

Regions|

| Western|

* Kitsap Peninsula
* Long Beach Peninsula
* Olympic Peninsula
* Puget Sound
* San Juan Islands
* Skagit Valley

|

Eastern/Inland|

* Central Washington
* Columbia Plateau
* Methow Valley
* Okanogan Country
* Palouse
* Yakima Valley

Shared|

* Cascade Range
* Columbia Gorge
* Columbia River

Largest
cities|

* Seattle
* Spokane
* Tacoma
* Vancouver
* Bellevue
* Kent
* Everett
* Renton
* Spokane Valley
* Federal Way
* Yakima
* Kirkland
* Bellingham
* Auburn
* Kennewick
* Pasco
* Redmond
* Marysville
* Sammamish
* Lakewood
* Richland
* Shoreline
* Olympia
* Lacey
* Burien

Metropolitan
areas|

* Greater Seattle
* Greater Spokane
* Tri-Cities metropolitan area
* Wenatchee metropolitan area
* Greater Portland and Vancouver

Counties|

* Adams
* Asotin
* Benton
* Chelan
* Clallam
* Clark
* Columbia
* Cowlitz
* Douglas
* Ferry
* Franklin
* Garfield
* Grant
* Grays Harbor
* Island
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* Klickitat
* Lewis
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* Mason
* Okanogan
* Pacific
* Pend Oreille
* Pierce
* San Juan
* Skagit
* Skamania
* Snohomish
* Spokane
* Stevens
* Thurston
* Wahkiakum
* Walla Walla
* Whatcom
* Whitman
* Yakima

* Washington (state) portal
* Pacific Northwest portal

* v
* t
* e

Olympia topics

* History
* People

* v
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* e

Capitals of the United States by jurisdiction

Nation:

* US Washington, D.C.

States:

* AL Montgomery
* AK Juneau
* AZ Phoenix
* AR Little Rock
* CA Sacramento
* CO Denver
* CT Hartford
* DE Dover
* FL Tallahassee
* GA Atlanta
* HI Honolulu
* ID Boise
* IL Springfield
* IN Indianapolis
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* KS Topeka
* KY Frankfort
* LA Baton Rouge
* ME Augusta
* MD Annapolis
* MA Boston
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* MN Saint Paul
* MS Jackson
* MO Jefferson City
* MT Helena
* NE Lincoln
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* NH Concord
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* ND Bismarck
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* TN Nashville
* TX Austin
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* VT Montpelier
* VA Richmond
* WA Olympia
* WV Charleston
* WI Madison
* WY Cheyenne

Territories:

* AS Pago Pago
* GU Hagåtña
* MP Saipan
* PR San Juan
* VI Charlotte Amalie

* v
* t
* e

Seattle metropolitan area

Puget Sound region

Principal cities|

* Seattle
* Tacoma
* Bellevue
* Kent
* Everett
* Renton
* Auburn
* Redmond
* Lakewood

Other cities|

* Bremerton
* Mount Vernon
* Oak Harbor
* Silverdale
* Anacortes
* Shelton
* Olympia
* Centralia

Counties|

* King
* Pierce
* Snohomish
* Thurston
* Kitsap
* Skagit
* Island
* Mason

Geography|

* Puget Sound
* Cascade Range
* Mount Rainier
* Glacier Peak
* Lake Washington
* Lake Sammamish

* v
* t
* e

Steamboats of Puget Sound and western Washington State

* v
* t
* e

Ships of the Mosquito Fleet

Propellers|

| Wood|

* Albion
* Alice (1897)
* Alice Gertrude
* Annie M. Pence
* Aquilo (steamship)
* Aquilo (yacht)
* Arcadia
* Atlanta
* Audrey
* Bay Island
* Bellingham
* Burton
* C.C. Calkins
* C.C. Cherry
* Calista
* Camano
* Clallam
* Commander
* Concordia
* Crest
* Crystal
* Daring
* Dart
* Dauntless
* Defiance
* Dix
* Dode
* Dove
* Eagle
* Elfin
* Elk
* El Primero
* Elsinore
* Fleetwood
* Florence K
* Fortuna
* Flyer
* General Miles
* Hattie Hansen
* Hector
* Hyak
* Ilwaco
* Inland Flyer
* Iola
* Island Princess
* Islander
* Katherine
* L.T. Haas
* Lady of the Lake
* Magnolia
* Mizpah
* Monticello 2
* Otter
* Quickstep
* Rosalie
* Sentinel
* Triton
* Urania
* Vashon
* Verona
* Victor
* Virginia V
* Willapa

|

Steel|

* Aquilo (yacht)
* City of Sacramento
* Coho
* Duwamish
* El Primero
* Jessie Banning
* Kulshan
* Potlatch
* Sioux
* Sol Duc
* Tacoma

Sternwheelers|

* Bailey Gatzert
* Capital City
* Chehalis
* City of Shelton
* Clara Brown
* Comet
* Daisy
* Elwood
* Enterprise (1855)
* Emma Hayward
* Fairhaven
* Fidalgo
* Greyhound
* Hassalo (1880)
* Henry Bailey
* Irene
* Messenger
* Monte Cristo
* Multnomah
* Northern Light
* Old Settler
* Olympian
* Otter
* S.G. Simpson
* Teaser
* Telegraph
* Triumph
* Wenat
* WT Preston
* Zephyr

Sidewheelers|

* Alaskan
* Beaver
* Cyrus Walker
* Eliza Anderson
* Fairy
* George E. Starr
* Idaho
* King County
* Kirkland
* Leschi
* North Pacific
* Ocean Wave
* Olympia
* Olympian
* T.J. Potter
* Wilson G. Hunt
* West Seattle
* Yosemite

Steam tugs|

* Alice (1897)
* C.C. Cherry
* Cyrus Walker
* Duwamish
* Echo
* Elk
* Goliah (1849)
* Goliah (1907)
* Hector
* Rabboni
* Portland (1875)
* Richard Holyoke
* Ruth
* Wallowa

Steam ferries|

| Converted|

* Bailey Gatzert
* City of Sacramento
* Beeline
* Fortuna
* Sioux

|

Purpose-built|

* City of Clinton
* City of Mukilteo
* City of Seattle
* Issaquah
* King County
* Leschi
* West Seattle

Motor vessels|

* Alverene
* Bainbridge
* Carlisle II
* Coho
* Falcon
* Lotus
* Speeder
* Suquamish

* v
* t
* e

Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet companies, shipyards, and personnel

Companies|

| Passenger
and freight|

* Angeles Brewing & Malting Co.
* Black Ball Line
* Hale Pass. & Wollochet Bay Nav. Co.
* Hansen Trans. Co.
* Hunt Bros.
* Island Trans. Co.
* Kitsap County Trans. Co.
* La Conner Trading & Trans. Co.
* McDowell Trans. Co.
* Merchants Trans. Co.
* Moe Bros.
* Oregon Rwy & Nav. Co.
* Oregon Steam Navig. Co.
* Puget Sound Nav. Co.
* Pacific Coast Steamship
* Straits Steamship Co.
* Tacoma & Burton Nav. Co.
* Vashon Nav. Co.

|

Towing|

Pacific Tow Boat Co.

Ferry|

* Kitsap County Trans. Co.
* Oreg. & Wash. Ferry & Nav. Go.
* Puget Sound Nav. Co.
* West Seattle Land & Improv. Co.

Shipyards|

* Crawford & Reid
* J.F. Duthie
* Holland
* King & Winge
* Lake Washington
* Moran Bros.
* Martinolich

Personnel|

* William Ballard
* Thomas Coupe
* Joshua Green
* Matthew McDowell

* v
* t
* e

Steamboats in other areas

Articles by area|

| Washington|

* Lake Washington
* Columbia River
* Cowlitz River
* Grays Harbor
* Willapa Bay
* Columbia River (Wenatchee Reach)
* Lake Crescent

|

Oregon|

* Columbia River
* Willamette River
* Oregon Coast
* Yaquina Bay
* Coquille River
* Coos Bay

British Columbia|

* Upper Fraser River
* Lakes Route
* Arrow Lakes
* Okanagan Lake
* Upper Columbia and Kootenay Rivers
* Skeena River
* Stikine River
* Peace River

Alaska and Yukon|

Yukon River

Other|

Mackenzie River

Navboxes|

* Columbia River
* British Columbia
* California

Lists of vessels|

* List of ships in British Columbia
* List of steamboats on the Columbia River

Further information: Washington State Ferries

* v
* t
* e

County seats of Washington

* Asotin
* Bellingham
* Cathlamet
* Chehalis
* Colfax
* Colville
* Coupeville
* Davenport
* Dayton
* Ellensburg
* Ephrata
* Everett
* Friday Harbor
* Goldendale
* Kelso
* Montesano
* Mount Vernon
* Newport
* Okanogan
* Olympia
* Pasco
* Pomeroy
* Port Angeles
* Port Orchard
* Port Townsend
* Prosser
* Republic
* Ritzville
* Seattle
* Shelton
* South Bend
* Spokane
* Stevenson
* Tacoma
* Vancouver
* Walla Walla
* Waterville
* Wenatchee
* Yakima

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* NARA
* Yale LUX

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