Tumwater is a city located in Thurston County, Washington near where the Deschutes River enters Budd Inlet, the southernmost point of Puget Sound. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,698.
Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Tumwater ranks 89th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked. It is also the highest rank achieved in Thurston County.
Tumwater is located at 47°0'28" North, 122°54'40" West (47.007768, -122.911074).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.1 km2 (10.1 mi2). 25.8 km2 (9.9 mi2) of it is land and 0.3 km2 (0.1 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.29% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 12,698 people, 5,659 households, and 3,253 families residing in the city. The population density is 492.7/km2 (1,276.1/mi2). There are 5,953 housing units at an average density of 231.0/km2 (598.2/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 88.41% White, 1.39% African American, 1.24% Native American, 3.90% Asian, 0.36% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 3.21% from two or more races. 4.08% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,659 households out of which 28.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% are non-families. 33.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.20 and the average family size is 2.82.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $43,329, and the median income for a family is $54,156. Males have a median income of $41,778 versus $32,044 for females. The per capita income for the city is $25,080. 8.5% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.5% of those under the age of 18 and 5.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Tumwater was founded next to the falls of the Deschutes River at the south end of Puget Sound as New Market in 1846 by a group of pioneers, making it the first United States settlement on the Puget Sound. The name was changed to Tumwater after a Chinook Jargon word meaning "throbbing water". Tumwater was officially incorporated on November 12, 1875.
From 1896-2003, Tumwater was very famous for its beer production. The Olympia Brewing Company began brewing in 1896 at a site along the Deschutes River and continued until Prohibition. After Prohibition ended, a new brewery was erected just upstream from the original. This brewery was eventually purchased by SABMiller and closed on July 1, 2003.
Tumwater is also known for its storied high school football programs of the past and present. The town has a strong history of support for Tumwater high school and the recently formed Black Hills High school. Most of the success can be directed toward Tumwater head coach Sid Otton, who took over the reigns in 1976. In the 2005 season he broke the all-time Washington state wins record of 283 wins. Under Otton's watchful eye the Thunderbirds of Tumwater have won four state titles and have made the state playoffs 18 times during his tenure.
Source:
TumwaterWashington.com
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