Yelm, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yelm, Washington
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Yelm City Hall
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| Nickname(s):
Pride of the Prairie
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Location of Yelm, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Thurston |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.72 sq mi (14.81 km2) |
| • Land | 5.71 sq mi (14.79 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 354 ft (108 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,617 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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10,707 |
| • Density | 1,655.75/sq mi (639.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98597
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| Area code | 360 |
| FIPS code | 53-80220 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512817 |
Yelm is a city located in Thurston County, Washington, in the United States. It's known for its friendly community and beautiful surroundings. In 2020, about 10,617 people lived there.
Contents
A Look at Yelm's Past
The name "Yelm" comes from a word in the Coast Salish language. It means "heat waves from the sun." This refers to the shimmering heat you might see over the land.
The Yelm Prairie was once home to the Nisqually tribe. They used the open land to graze their horses. The first non-Native American settlers arrived in 1853. They joined sheep farmers from the Hudson's Bay Company who were already doing business there.
One of the early American settlers, James Longmire, described Yelm as a "beautiful spot." He saw tall grass, a pretty stream, and the majestic mountain in the distance. He also noted herds of deer wandering freely.
Yelm began to grow when the Northern Pacific Railway arrived in 1873. This allowed farmers and loggers to easily send their products to other places. The city's economy got another boost in 1916. An irrigation company created the Yelm Ditch. This helped farmers grow lots of beans, cucumbers, and berries.
Yelm officially became a city on December 8, 1924.
During the Great Depression, the Yelm Irrigation Company faced problems. It cost too much to keep the system running. Also, there wasn't a clear plan for how to share the water. This led the company to go out of business.
At the start of the 21st century, Yelm was one of the fastest-growing cities in Washington state. Many people were moving there.
Where is Yelm Located?
Yelm is in the southeastern part of Thurston County. It's right next to Pierce County. The city is also located along the Nisqually River.
You can find Yelm near the Nisqually Indian Reservation. This reservation is to the northwest of the city. Joint Base Lewis–McChord, a large military base, is on the northeast side of the river. Two main highways, State Route 510 and State Route 507, connect Yelm to other cities. These include Centralia and Spanaway.
The city covers about 5.69 square miles (14.74 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with only a tiny bit of water.
Who Lives in Yelm?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 384 | — | |
| 1940 | 378 | −1.6% | |
| 1950 | 470 | 24.3% | |
| 1960 | 479 | 1.9% | |
| 1970 | 628 | 31.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,294 | 106.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,337 | 3.3% | |
| 2000 | 3,289 | 146.0% | |
| 2010 | 6,848 | 108.2% | |
| 2020 | 10,617 | 55.0% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 10,707 | 56.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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The city's population has grown a lot over the years. In 2010, there were 6,848 people living in Yelm. These people made up 2,299 households.
Population Details from 2010
In 2010, the city had about 1,205 people per square mile. Most residents, about 81.6%, identified as White. Other groups included African American (3.3%), Native American (1.8%), and Asian (2.3%). About 9.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (53.3%) had children under 18 living with them. The average household had almost three people. The average family had about 3.4 people.
The average age of people in Yelm was 29 years old. About 36% of residents were under 18. About 32.3% were between 25 and 44 years old.
Yelm's Economy
Yelm is often called a "bedroom community." This means that many people who live in Yelm travel to nearby cities for work. These cities include Tacoma, Olympia, and Centralia. Yelm is also home to many military families. These families work or used to work at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Yelm has grown a lot in the last few decades. In 2017, the city council updated the Yelm Comprehensive Plan. This plan helps guide how the city will grow over the next 20 years. It covers things like:
- Utilities (like water and electricity)
- Public transportation
- Parks and community development
Fun in Yelm: Parks and Recreation
Yelm City Park was given to the city in 1950. It's located at the corner of SR 507 and Mosman Avenue. The park has a kitchen, covered areas, a playground, and picnic tables. Many community events happen here each year. These include Prairie Days, Christmas in the Park, and an annual car show.
Yelm has a special system for cleaning and reusing water. It's called a Class A Water Reclamation Facility. This system cleans all the city's wastewater. The cleaned water is then used for irrigation and to help local streams. This reclaimed water is also used in Cochrane Park. This 8-acre park is a wetland area. It has a pond where you can catch and release rainbow trout.
Learning in Yelm: Schools
Public schools in Yelm are part of the Yelm School District.
- Elementary Schools: Fort Stevens, Lackamas, McKenna, Millpond, Southworth, and Yelm Prairie.
- Middle Schools: Yelm Middle School and Ridgeline Middle School.
- High Schools: Yelm High School and Yelm Extension School.
There is also a private school in Yelm called Eagle View Christian School.
See also
In Spanish: Yelm (Washington) para niños
