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Olympia, Washington

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Olympia, Washington
Map of Washington highlighting Thurston County.svg
General information

Mayor of Olympia Dontae Payne
Nonpartisan
Assumed office: January 1, 2024

Last mayoral election:2023
Next mayoral election:2027
Last city council election:2023
Next city council election:2025
City council seats:7[1]
City website
Composition data
Population:55,605
Race:White 73.8%
African American 3.2%
Asian 6.7%
Native American 1.2%
Pacific Islander 0.7%
Multiple 11.2%
Ethnicity:Hispanic or Latino origin 9.1%
Median household income:$76,930
High school graduation rate:96.5%
College graduation rate:50%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 census and 2023 ACS data. Percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.1%.
Related Olympia offices
Washington Congressional Delegation
Washington State Legislature
Washington state executive offices


Olympia is a city in Thurston County, Washington. The city's population was 55,605 as of 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau.

Click on the links below to learn more about the city's...

City government

See also: Council-manager government

The city government of Olympia utilizes a council-manager system. In this form of municipal government, an elected city council, which includes the mayor and serves as the city's primary legislative body, appoints a chief administrative officer called a city manager.[2]

Mayor

The mayor is a member of the city council. They preside over council meetings and official city ceremonies. The mayor also represents the city on the state, national, and international levels.[2]

The current Mayor of Olympia is Dontae Payne (nonpartisan). Payne assumed office in 2024.

City manager

The city manager serves as the city's chief administrative officer. Appointed by the city council, the city manager's responsibilities include overseeing the city's day-to-day operations, preparing and submitting the city's operating budget, and carrying out council policies.[2]

City council

The Olympia City Council is the city's primary legislative body. It is responsible for approving and adopting the city budget, making city policy, and voting on ordinances and resolutions.[2]

The city council consists of seven members, including the mayor. All members are elected at large.[2][3]

Other elected officials


Office Name Party Date assumed office Date term ends
Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim Nonpartisan 2023 2026


Mayoral partisanship

See also: Partisanship in United States municipal elections (2025)

Olympia has a Democratic mayor. As of September 2025, the mayors of 35 state capitals are affiliated with the Democratic Party, seven are Republicans, one is independent, and two are nonpartisan. The partisan affiliation of five state capital mayors is unknown. While most mayoral elections in state capital cities are nonpartisan, most officeholders are affiliated with a political party.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Olympia, Washington (2025)

The city of Olympia, Washington, is holding general elections for city council on November 4, 2025. A primary was scheduled for August 5, 2025. The filing deadline for this election was May 9, 2025.

2023

See also: Mayoral election in Olympia, Washington (2023) and City elections in Olympia, Washington (2023)

The city of Olympia, Washington, held general elections for mayor and city council on November 7, 2023. A primary was scheduled for August 1, 2023. The filing deadline for this election was May 19, 2023.

2022

See also: City elections in Olympia, Washington (2022)

The city of Olympia, Washington, held general elections for prosecuting attorney on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline for this election was May 20, 2022.

2021

See also: City elections in Olympia, Washington (2021)

The city of Olympia, Washington, held general elections for city council on November 2, 2021. A primary was scheduled for August 3, 2021. The filing deadline for this election was May 21, 2021.

Census information

The table below shows demographic information about the city.

Demographic Data for Olympia
Olympia
Population 55,605
Land area (sq mi) 18
Race and ethnicity**
White 75.9%
Black/African American 2.6%
Asian 6.7%
Native American 1%
Pacific Islander 1.4%
Other (single race) 1.3%
Multiple 11.4%
Hispanic/Latino 10.3%
Education
High school graduation rate 96.5%
College graduation rate 50%
Income
Median household income $76,930
Persons below poverty level 14.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2018-2023).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Budget

The city's budget process operates by fiscal years running from January 1 to December 31 of the year. The city charter names the city manager as responsible for preparing and submitting the budget with help from city personnel. The city council then reviews and approves the budget. The council also holds hearings to allow for public input in the budget process.[2][4][5]

Revenue and expenditure by year

The total resources and expenditure figures were pulled from the total budget summaries of the city's annual financial reports.[4][6][7][8]

City of Olympia historical revenue and expenditures
Fiscal year Budget type Total revenue Total expenditure
2025 Preliminary $109,568,976 $117,147,135
2024 Adopted $199,260,511 $205,139,470
2023 Actual $195,586,059 $190,351,673
2022 Actual $178,816,470 $176,868,590
2021 Actual $175,575,474 $160,246,846
2020 Actual $109,285,102 $148,372,601
2019 Actual $121,731,089 $162,602,816
2018 Actual $106,155,037 $132,808,341

Contact information

Mayor's office
City of Olympia, Washington
PO Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507-1967
Phone: 360-753-8447

City Clerk's office
City of Olympia, Washington
PO Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507-1967
Phone: 360-753-8325

Click here for city council contact information.

Ballot measures

See also: Thurston County, Washington ballot measures

The city of Olympia is in Thurston County. A list of ballot measures in Thurston County is available here.

See also

External links

Footnotes