Downtown Olympia
Photo by Leon Werdinger, Alamy Stock Photo, via NatGeo.


– Editor’s Note:
The more worldwide recognition Olympia gets equates potential visitors learning about and visiting Yelm.


– Livability ranked Olympia as number 61 out of 100 places to live
“This year, nearly 2,300 cities were ranked on more than 40 data points measuring economics, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and health care.”

From Livability on Olympia’s ranking
“The capital of Washington, this small city offers vibrant culture, a charming downtown and a range of outdoor activities for residents.

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Tumwater Falls Park and Wolf Haven International are just three of many natural attractions, and Puget Sound provides fantastic views, boating opportunities and great seafood. The economy of Olympia is strong in education, government, healthcare and manufacturing, and diverse neighborhoods offer a variety of housing options and architectural styles.

Olympia also earns high livability marks for its abundance of parks as well as Evergreen State College, which offers local students more than 60 fields of study. In addition, residents here love to get involved in political and social causes — they take pride in improving the community, and it shows.”
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