How long is the commute from Olympia, WA?
Workers who live in Olympia, WA take an average of 20.0 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
59.4% of workers drive alone to work.
1.9% take public transportation.
4.9% of workers walk to work.
25.6% work from home.
7.6% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 20.0 minutes (±1.2)
- Public transportation
- 1.9%
- Work from home
- 25.6%
- Households without a car
- 7.6%
How people in Olympia get to work
| Means of transportation | Olympia | Thurston County | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 59.4% (±2.8 points) | 66.9% | 63.4% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 6.3% (±1.4 points) | 7.5% | 8.5% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 1.9% (±1.0 points) | 1.0% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 4.9% (±1.3 points) | 2.3% | 3.0% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 1.9% (±0.8 points) | 1.8% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 25.6% (±2.6 points) | 20.5% | 19.8% | 15.1% |
In Olympia, the average commute is lower than in Thurston County (25.8 minutes).
It is also lower than in Washington (26.6 minutes).
It is lower than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Olympia, the share commuting by public transportation is not measurably different from Thurston County (1.0%).
It is also lower than in Washington (3.4%).
It is lower than the national figure (3.2%).
In Thurston County, Olympia ranks 11 of 11 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 382 of 470.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Olympia
| Vehicles available | Olympia | Thurston County | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 7.6% (±1.3 points) | 4.7% | 7.1% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 43.8% (±2.9 points) | 29.6% | 30.5% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 33.3% (±2.5 points) | 37.3% | 36.3% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 15.3% (±1.9 points) | 28.3% | 26.1% | 21.9% |
In Olympia, the share of households without a vehicle is higher than in Thurston County (4.7%).
It is not measurably different from Washington (7.1%).
It is not measurably different from the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Olympia
| Olympia | Thurston County | Washington | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 25.6% (±2.6 points) | 20.5% (±1.0 points) | 19.8% (±0.2 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 97.7% (±0.7 points) | 97.4% (±0.4 points) | 97.1% (±0.1 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 94.8% (±1.2 points) | 94.5% (±0.6 points) | 93.6% (±0.1 points) | 91.0% |
In Olympia, the share of households with a broadband subscription is not measurably different from Thurston County (94.5%).
It is not measurably different from Washington (93.6%).
It is higher than the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Olympia
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia | — | 20.0 minutes (±1.2) | — |
| Tumwater | 3.7 mi | 21.3 minutes (±1.6) | Not measurably different |
| Lacey | 4.6 mi | 25.4 minutes (±1.2) | Higher |
| Tanglewilde | 5.4 mi | 28.3 minutes (±5.7) | Higher |
| DuPont | 13 mi | 24.9 minutes (±2.6) | Higher |
| Anderson Island | 13 mi | 35.5 minutes (±10.2) | Higher |
| Tenino | 13 mi | 33.3 minutes (±3.0) | Higher |
| Yelm | 14 mi | 33.8 minutes (±3.1) | Higher |
| Longbranch | 14 mi | 45.5 minutes (±6.8) | Higher |
Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Lacey, WA (25.4 minutes), Tanglewilde, WA (28.3 minutes), DuPont, WA (24.9 minutes).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across Thurston County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Tenino | 33.3 minutes (±3.0) |
| 6 | Rochester | 32.0 minutes (±3.6) |
| 7 | Tanglewilde | 28.3 minutes (±5.7) |
| 8 | Grand Mound | 27.2 minutes (±4.8) |
| 9 | Lacey | 25.4 minutes (±1.2) |
| 10 | Tumwater | 21.3 minutes (±1.6) |
| 11 | Olympia | 20.0 minutes (±1.2) |
Showing 7 of 11 places in Thurston County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Olympia
How long is the average commute in Olympia?
Workers who live in Olympia, WA take an average of 20.0 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Olympia without a car?
7.6% of households in Olympia have no vehicle, and 1.9% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Olympia?
25.6% (±2.6 points) of workers who live in Olympia worked from home, and 94.8% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Olympia city, Washington
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Olympia city, Washington
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Olympia city, Washington
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Olympia city, Washington (place:51300, in state:53).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
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