Thurston County, Washington Income Statistics
Thurston County Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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B
Thurston County Around averageWealthier than 87% of counties in Washington
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Thurston County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $96,312 | $98,224 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $69,867 | $73,370 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.4% | 5.6% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 15.7% | 19.3% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 12.1% | 18.5% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Thurston County is about 2% lower than in Washington. Income has been growing slower in Thurston County (5.4%/yr) than in Washington (5.6%/yr).
About 16% of adults in Thurston County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Washington average of 19%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Thurston County, Washington grew by 62.1% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $96,312 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Thurston County
| Metric | Thurston County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.517 | 0.534 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $79,098 | $86,137 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $67,325 | $68,506 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.9% | 20.5% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Thurston County, it is 0.517, lower than Washington's 0.534, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 17% more than women's income in Thurston County, Washington. Over a 35-year career, a 17% wage gap accumulates to roughly $412,055 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Thurston County, Washington has narrowed from about 24% to 15% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 24% in 2010. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,197 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Thurston County | Washington Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 20.5% | 19.8% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 7,373 people are unemployed in Thurston County, Washington.
The average commute time in Thurston County is 22 minutes, about the same as in Washington.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Thurston County, Washington has fallen from 7.3% to 4.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.0% in 2013.
Thurston County, WA Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Thurston County, WA is the 2nd largest of the 6 counties compared here, 299,046 residents against a local median of 112,357. Where Thurston County, WA breaks from the counties next to it is median household income, sitting 15% above the local median of $83,435 at $96,312. That is the better end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves spread $29,871 on median household income, so Thurston County, WA sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Thurston County, WA has the 3rd highest median household income of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurston County, WA | 299,046 | $96,312 #3/6 | 5.4%/yr #6/6 | 4.9% #3/6 | 0.517 #1/6 |
| Mason County, WA | 67,950 | $83,435 | 6.2%/yr | 6.5% | 0.547 |
| Lewis County, WA | 85,146 | $74,810 | 6.7%/yr | 5.3% | 0.540 |
| Pierce County, WA | 929,755 | $99,574 | 6.2%/yr | 4.9% | 0.525 |
| Kitsap County, WA | 276,921 | $104,681 | 6.0%/yr | 4.2% | 0.519 |
| Cowlitz County, WA | 112,357 | $76,590 | 5.8%/yr | 5.9% | 0.542 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Thurston County, Washington has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Washington, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Thurston County, Washington.
How Rich Is Thurston County, Washington?
Thurston County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $96,312, about 2% lower than the Washington average of $98,224.
How has median household income changed in Thurston County, Washington?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Thurston County, Washington rose 62%, from $59,408 to $96,312. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Washington as a whole: +62% against +73%.
What was the median household income in Thurston County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Thurston County, Washington was $93,531, up 6% from $88,625 in 2022. The Washington median that year was $95,216.
What was the median household income in Thurston County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Thurston County, Washington was $75,897. By 2024 it had risen 27% to $96,312.
What is the Gini coefficient in Thurston County, Washington?
The Gini coefficient in Thurston County is 0.517. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Thurston County, Washington?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Thurston County, Washington has narrowed from about 24% to 15% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 24% in 2010. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,197 since 2009.
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