Thurston
6.1
High score (8-10)
Thurston County's Olympia is the state capital and a small city with a disproportionately large alternative and arts culture for its size — the Evergreen State College draws students and alumni who are ideologically unconventional, and the state government workforce creates a population of educated, policy-oriented adults who aren't doing standard suburban life. The downtown Olympia bar and music scene is real and has produced nationally known bands. For a man comfortable in progressive cultural environments and left-of-center social scenes, Olympia is one of the more interesting small-city social environments in Washington. The capital city workforce also ensures a steady flow of educated mid-career women.
Mid score (6-8) · Your profile
Thurston County is split between Olympia's distinctive counterculture-government hybrid identity and the sprawling suburbs of Lacey and Tumwater that are essentially generic South Sound bedroom communities. Lacey especially has grown rapidly and is indistinguishable from any American suburb. The Evergreen State social world has its own internal culture that can feel exclusionary to outsiders who don't share its ideological framework. Olympia's social scene is good but operates in a somewhat insular progressive bubble.
Lower score (below 6)
The suburbs of Thurston County — Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm — are standard American residential sprawl with minimal social infrastructure and a population that socializes privately rather than in public venues. Even Olympia's social scene, for all its distinctiveness, is small enough that it repeats itself quickly. The state government workforce culture can be bureaucratic and risk-averse socially in ways that make organic connection difficult. If you don't have existing Olympia social connections, entry is slower than the city's reputation suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in Thurston, Washington?
$92k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in Thurston, Washington?
Women marry at 30
How common is a college degree in Thurston, Washington?
39% men have degree
What's the average male height in Thurston, Washington?
177 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in Thurston, Washington?
Local women avg 30.0