Tumwater, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tumwater, Washington
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Panoramic view of the upper falls and the former Olympia Brewery, 2011
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Location of Tumwater, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Thurston |
| Incorporated | November 25, 1869 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17.76 sq mi (46.00 km2) |
| • Land | 17.50 sq mi (45.32 km2) |
| • Water | 0.26 sq mi (0.67 km2) |
| Elevation | 174 ft (53 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 25,350 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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25,844 |
| • Density | 1,372.80/sq mi (530.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
98501, 98511, 98512
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| Area code | 360 |
| FIPS code | 53-72905 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512742 |
Tumwater is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. About 25,350 people lived there in 2020. The city is located where the Deschutes River flows into Budd Inlet. This is the southernmost part of Puget Sound. Tumwater also borders Olympia, the state capital, to the north. It is the oldest permanent American settlement in the Puget Sound area.
Contents
What Does Tumwater Mean?
American settlers first called this area "New Market." They mapped it out in 1845. The name "Tumwater" comes from a language called Chinook Jargon. It means "waterfall," which makes sense because of the beautiful Tumwater Falls. A post office named Tumwater opened in 1863.
A Look at Tumwater's Past
For thousands of years, the area around Tumwater and its falls was home to the Steh-Chass people. They were a group of Southern Lushootseed-speaking people. They had an important village near the falls. These people later became part of the Squaxin Island Tribe.
Tumwater officially became a town on November 25, 1869. It became a city in 1875.
In 1958, a major highway called Interstate 5 was built. This project required tearing down about 100 buildings in downtown Tumwater. Many businesses had already moved to Tumwater Square, which is still a shopping area today. To protect what was left of the old downtown, the Tumwater Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Where is Tumwater Located?
Tumwater is located just 2 miles south of Olympia. Olympia is the capital city of Washington state.
The city covers about 14.49 square miles (37.53 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Tumwater's Weather
Tumwater has warm and dry summers. The average monthly temperatures during summer are usually between 71.6°F (22°C) and 98.1°F (36.7°C). This type of weather is called a very warm-summer Mediterranean climate.
Who Lives in Tumwater?
Tumwater is a well-off area in Washington state. It ranks 89th out of 522 areas in the state for income per person. It is also the highest-ranked area in Thurston County.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 354 | — | |
| 1880 | 171 | −51.7% | |
| 1890 | 410 | 139.8% | |
| 1900 | 270 | −34.1% | |
| 1910 | 490 | 81.5% | |
| 1920 | 472 | −3.7% | |
| 1930 | 793 | 68.0% | |
| 1940 | 955 | 20.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,725 | 185.3% | |
| 1960 | 3,885 | 42.6% | |
| 1970 | 5,373 | 38.3% | |
| 1980 | 6,705 | 24.8% | |
| 1990 | 9,976 | 48.8% | |
| 2000 | 12,698 | 27.3% | |
| 2010 | 17,371 | 36.8% | |
| 2020 | 25,350 | 45.9% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 25,844 | 48.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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Population Details from 2010
In 2010, there were 17,371 people living in Tumwater. Most residents (85%) were White. Other groups included African American (1.7%), Native American (1.2%), Asian (4.8%), and Pacific Islander (0.5%). About 6.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in the city was 35 years old. About 27% of the people were under 18. About 13% were 65 or older.
Arts and Fun in Tumwater
Tumwater is home to the Davis Meeker oak tree. This special Garry oak tree is about 400 years old! It's located near the Olympia Regional Airport. The tree was named after Ezra Meeker and Jack Davis, who helped save it in 1984. It was once a marker on old trails like the Cowlitz Trail and the Oregon Trail. The Davis Meeker oak tree is listed on the Tumwater Register of Historic Places.
In 2024, there was a discussion about removing the tree. The mayor, Debbie Sullivan, wanted to remove it based on a report. However, many other tree experts disagreed with the report. After people spoke out and a lawsuit was filed, the mayor decided to get a second opinion. A group working to save the tree later found an email that said the tree was not high risk.
Four unique concrete totem poles stand on the Carlyon Bridge in Tumwater. These sculptures are in the Haida style. Each pole shows a raven, a grizzly bear, an eagle, and another bear. They were added to the bridge in 1937. When they were first put up, they were thought to be the only concrete totems in the world. They were painted in 1951, and then repainted again after 1990. No one knows who designed these interesting totems.
Schools in Tumwater
The Tumwater School District has many schools. These include Tumwater High School and Black Hills High School.
See also
In Spanish: Tumwater (Washington) para niños
