Areas We Serve
LACEY
Incorporated in 1966, Lacey is one of Puget Sound’s most livable and economically vibrant
communities. Whether you’re searching for a great place to live or raise a family, the optimal
location to start or expand your business, or a place to spend the day, Lacey embodies the very best of
living, working and playing in the Pacific Northwest.
Nearly 20 percent of the city has been designated for parks, natural areas and open spaces. With more
than 20 parks, a Regional Athletic Complex, five freshwater lakes, the sparkling waters of Puget Sound,
four outstanding golf courses, miles of ADA-accessible walking and bicycle paths, and the adjacent
3,700-acre Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge – outdoor recreation opportunities are virtually
unlimited.
In 2019, Lacey was designed as the 75th “Best Places to Live in America” by Money Magazine,
in 2023 named #24 on the Fortune “50 Best Places for Families to Live,” and the city also
holds the distinction of being an official EPA “Green Power Community” due to its commitment
to green power use – one of the first in the nation.
A variety of community events, including an outdoor summer entertainment series, Lacey Spring Fun Fair,
Lacey Cultural Celebration, Juneteenth Celebration, and much more appeal to residents and visitors of
all ages.
Living options within Lacey accommodate every lifestyle – from stunning waterfront, fairway and
mountain-view settings to urban-style townhomes. Lacey’s also become a popular retirement mecca,
with thousands of active retirees from around the country seeking a year-round temperate climate,
superior medical services and no state income tax.
Lacey’s crime rates are consistently among the lowest in the region, thanks to the level of
professionalism and training of the Lacey Police Department’s Officers and other staff. In
addition, the Lacey Police Department shares an exceptional partnership with the community that allows
them to proactively respond to emerging issues and maintain the City’s high quality of life.
Business enterprises from around the world have taken notice of Lacey’s high quality of life, and
economic development has flourished. In 2021, WalletHub named the City of Lacey as the best small city
in Washington State to start a business. In addition, Lacey ranked 138 out of more than 1,300 cities
across the United States.
City of Lacey | (360) 491-3214
420 College St. SE | Lacey, WA 98503
www.ci.lacey.wa.usYMP
OLYMPIA
As Washington State’s capital city, Olympia is the financial, cultural and economic center of
South Puget Sound. National polls consistently rank Olympia at or near the top for livability.
Currently, Olympia is:
■ Ranked by Sperling’s Best Places as the most secure mid-sized metro area.
■ Listed as a Top 10 small city for health and wellness on the Gallup Well-Being Index.
You will find that Olympia is impacted by a number of industries including health care and is the seat
of state government; transportation access from Interstate 5 and State Route 101; an active waterfront
port and marine terminal; local and national transit centers; and convenient access to rail lines.
Olympia has a stable council-manager government structure with only three city managers since 1982.
Olympia’s seven-member city council has adopted an action-oriented agenda, and in partnership with
other local agencies, is investing over $100 million in waterfront and downtown public projects.
Olympians take pride in the community’s visual beauty and livability. In 2011, the city received
its 18th designation as a Tree City USA. A system of walking, biking and hiking trails provide a
convenient commute and leisure access within the city and throughout the greater area. The quality of
Olympia’s aquifer-fed, municipally-operated water utility exceeds state and federal standards.
From wildlife habitats to playground and ball fields, the City of Olympia manages 40 parks totaling
nearly 1,000 acres of property. And art comes alive in Olympia with more performing and visual art
venues per capita than any other city in Washington State.
City of Olympia | (360) 753-8325
P.O. Box 1967 | Olympia, WA 98507-1967
www.olympiawa.gov
TUMWATER
Tumwater, known as Washington’s First Community, was the starting point for further American
settlements at Olympia, Seattle, Whidbey Island and other points on Puget Sound. It was from Puget Sound
that the movement to divide Oregon grew, resulting in the creation of the Washington Territory in
1853.
The city’s early growth and development were greatly influenced by the close proximity to the
power generating falls of the Deschutes River, nearby salt water access for transportation and
communication, and abundance of timber in the area. The town developed on the lands around the mouth of
the river, and homes and sawmills sprang up along its banks above the original settlement. The current
Tumwater Brewery District Plan was created with four goals in mind:
1. To create a stronger sense of place by facilitating pedestrian access, establishing gathering
places for residents and fostering a distinct District identity
2. To improve transportation options, safety and access within and across the District
3. To expand economic opportunity and activity
4. To improve the function and appearance of the built environment
Tumwater is the third-largest city in Thurston County with an official population of 24,040, covering
over 14.5 square miles.
City of Tumwater | (360) 754-5855
555 Israel Rd. | Tumwater, WA 98501
www.ci.tumwater.wa.us
YELM
Yelm stands out among the most-livable cities in Thurston County – highly attractive and
affordable. The quality of life remains as energizing and vital today as it was 150 years ago when
settlers first arrived in the Nisqually Valley. Successful partnerships and community cooperation,
individually and together, make the greater Yelm community strong and vibrant. Progressive- and
community-minded leaders plan and shape this dynamic and exciting city where many opportunities
exist.
Yelm offers safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, great schools, fabulous parks, family-oriented
community celebrations and a vast array of business, employment and volunteer opportunities. Residents
enjoy spectacular views of Mount Rainier from nearly every place in the city. Yelm is a recognized Tree
City USA city for 16 consecutive years and holds the largest Arbor Day celebration in the state, as well
as hosting a diverse urban forest of beautifully vital and colorful street trees.
The city has thoughtfully invested in infrastructure upgrades over the past decade, creating new roads
and parks, and also expanding the water system. Increased economic opportunities, availability of retail
goods and services, proximity to military installations and an abundance of recreation options are why
many people have chosen to make Yelm their new hometown. An engaged, proactive business community and
local service organizations work together to enhance and help maintain the exceptional quality of life
experienced by our residents and our neighbors.
Yelm has become the center of commerce for south Thurston and southeast Pierce counties, with a daily
service area of over 40,000 people. Walkable and beautiful, Yelm blends the past with the future to
create a sense of history – mixing potential and hope in the present. Learning about the colorful
characters who shaped Yelm and the surrounding prairie is easy at the Yelm Historical Museum. The
Longmire Park athletic complex addresses the needs of our new and future generations. Built for young
ball players, families and others, the park is a shining addition to the community and a prime spot for
mountain viewing. Yelm’s Public Safety Building and Emergency Operations Center enhances public
safety programs and court services, and provides state-of-the-art police services and emergency/disaster
operations.
Other city services include a municipal water system and Washington’s first reclaimed-water
treatment facilities. Reclaimed water is used for irrigation and provides water for a public
catch-and-release pond at Cochrane Memorial Park, near the city center. Yelm city employees are
professional, efficient and provide exceptional service in every department. Residents can expect to be
treated with courtesy and respect.
Off the beaten track, Yelm is within driving distance of all the major metropolitan areas of western
Washington. We invite you to discover Yelm, where we meet challenges with creative solutions to
strengthen the fabric of our community and sustain our quality of life. Yelm is a great place to work,
live, and raise a family.
City of Yelm | (360) 458-3244
105 Yelm Ave. W | Yelm, WA 98597
www.ci.yelm.wa.us
RAINER
The best yet. Set in the shadow of the mountain it’s named for; Rainier’s stunning view
earned its original name from local tribes as “the best yet.”
By the 19th century, the little town was growing thanks to the Gehrke family and the Tacoma-Kalama
railroad. Several structures and a park honor the first pioneer settlers, including the church and
schoolhouse, both of which are registered Washington historical landmarks. The church, built in 1896 is
similar in turn-of-the-century German style to the historic Little White Church in Elbe, retains its
early American style.
The Americana feel is mirrored in the quaint downtown, home to charming oddities like the historic
Gehrke outhouse. If you’re riding the entire length of the Yelm-Rainer-Tenino Trail, this is a
good place to stop for a break, as it’s the exact midpoint of the trek between Rainer-Tenino.
Savor a snack and a cup of coffee – but stick to the working bathrooms.
City of Rainier | (360) 446-2265
102 Rochester St. | Rainier, WA 98576
www.ci.rainier.wa.us
TENINO
Like many Western towns, Tenino got its start when an entrepreneurial pioneer traveled across the
country in search of open space and opportunity. Settled by Stephen Hodgden, a goldseeker from Maine,
Tenino earned a spot on the map when the Northern Pacific Railroad created a stop there in 1872.
(Despite numerous legends and myths about T-9-0, the town is likely named after the steamship Tenino on
the Columbia, named after a collective of tribes now known as the Warm Springs bands.)
Tenino grew into a boomtown in the late 19th century thanks to its proximity to Olympia and its supply
of sandstone, a resource that was exported to Seattle and San Francisco following those cities’
devastating fires. The pale stone remains the defining architectural feature of many local buildings,
even though it fell out of use by the early 20th century. Nowadays, the old quarry serves the community
as the town pool, a favorite all-ages activity for residents and visitors alike on a hot day.
That’s not Tenino’s only creative use of resources; its other claim to fame is its wooden
money, a local currency created to help locals get through the Great Depression. The scrip was
reintroduced and approved by the state auditor as legitimate money during the COVID-19 pandemic to help
residents in need and to keep the local economy moving. Put your money where your mouth is, and take
advantage of Tenino’s vibrant dining scene, from lakeside dining at Lady of the Lake Public House
to the much-loved Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen and the stick-to-your-ribs breakfast of Sandstone
Cafe. With a full belly, you’ll be powered up to browse Tenino’s signature shops, including
Iron Works Boutique, Tenino Antiques Mall and the oddities of Tenino Time Machine. Animal lovers will
enjoy a visit to Wolf Haven International sanctuary and the T90 Equestrian Event Center is a must for
horse aficionados.
City of Tenino | (360) 264-2368
149 Hodgden St. S. | Tenino, WA 98589
www.ci.tenino.wa.us
BUCODA
Bucoda may be tiny, but its reputation as a Halloween headquarters is larger than life. While the town
today transforms into “Boo-coda” every October, its haunted history runs deep. This was the
site of Washington Territory’s first prison back when the area was called Seatco, from the Coast
Salish/Upper Chehalis word “tsiatko,” which means “spirit” and refers to
legendary beings ranging from hairy Sasquatch-type creatures to more dangerous night spirits that
indigenous locals blamed for mysterious deaths. The prison, described as “hell on earth,”
closed in 1887 and burned down in 1907. A commemorative stone in a park near the Skookumchuck River is
all that exists of its memory today.
Bucoda gradually shed its dark reputation with the arrival of settlers and industry. The haunting
grounds were renamed Bucoda – a combination of the last names of James Buckley, Samuel Coulter and
John David, three late 19th century investors who sought to steer the town toward a better reputation.
By the 1870s, the Northern Pacific Railroad, coal mines, sawmills and other construction industries had
taken root, making it so lucrative that it later earned the moniker “the town with the
million-dollar payroll.”
With a population of approximately 600, Bucoda becomes the spooky capital of the Northwest every fall
– so much so that in 2021 the town voted to embrace its dark side by renaming Bucoda
“BOO-coda” for the month of October. All in good fun, no evil spirits allowed.
Town of Bucoda | (360) 278-3525
110 Main St. N. | Bucoda, WA 98530
https://www.bucoda.us
ROCHESTER
Rochester has deep roots in its Native, pioneer and Scandinavian past. What is now Rochester was home
to tribal nations before the mid-19th century arrival of pioneers who initiated businesses based on the
region’s natural resources. Early railroad lines shuttling timber around the country made
Rochester something of a boom town and when that industry declined, the town became known for its
strawberries.
The Chehalis Tribe still calls this area home, and today they thrive thanks in part to the presence of
Lucky Eagle Casino. Rochester honors the heritage of some of its founders with the annual tradition of
Swede Day. Rochester’s most notable attraction is the Gate City Schoolhouse, a one-room building
dating back to 1910 and reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life.
Prehistoric sea life, including whale fossils, have been found along the high bank bluffs above the
Chehalis River, some of which are viewable at the Grand Mound/Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Like the
old days, agriculture still plays a major role here, with several farms and nurseries ready to offload
flowers, fruits, vegetables, and plants in this agriculturally rich area alongside the Chehalis
River.
Town of Rochester | (360) 273-7974
18543 Albany St. SW | Rochester, WA 98579
https://rochester-wa.com/
GRAND MOUND
Grand Mound traces its origins to the days when the Chehalis Tribe grazed animals on the prairie. The
tribe thrives here today, sharing ownership of Grand Mound’s biggest attraction, Great Wolf Lodge.
With a dozen indoor waterslides and activities for all ages, as well as plenty of other activities,
shopping and dining, this theme park is a premier destination for families.
Grand Mound, so named by early settlers – the James, Mills and Brown families – has gone
through a few name changes; from Agayt (“long open space”) to nsq’wanxtn (“place
to dry hides on a frame”) to Prairie de Butte once Hudson’s Bay Company began to settle in
the area – the current name refers to the same wide, raised land that’s part of a system of
regional hillocks.
A few miles north are the famously mysterious Mima Mounds, fields of earthen piles that, after much
studying, appear to be random acts of nature (unless aliens had something to do with it). A three-story
brick structure, once the old Grand Mound School and one of the largest buildings in the area, is now in
private ownership and is across the street from Great Wolf Lodge.
THURSTON COUNTY
Thurston County, Washington, is 738 square miles situated at the southern end of Puget Sound between
the Olympic Peninsula and Mount Rainier, in between Portland and Seattle. The county has a moderate
climate, typically without extreme temperatures. The average high is 63 degrees F and the average low is
42 degrees F. The rainfall is enough that the area stays green and beautiful year-round.
Unincorporated Thurston County is about 612 square miles from Lewis County to the south, up to the
three major cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. In between, you can find a variety of neighborhoods
from the very modern to the more rural and rustic.
If you want urban amenities, there is a neighborhood for that. If you want isolation and Mother Nature
all around, you can find that as well. There are several tidy cities and towns in the rural areas
including Tenino, Rainier and Bucoda. There is also the booming area of Rochester and Grand Mound.
Thurston County boasts a wide array of recreational activities including three county parks. Burfoot
and Frye Cove parks are pristine slices of nature, both situated on the salt water along Puget Sound.
Kenneydell Park features a swimming area at freshwater Black Lake. The Chehalis Western Recreational
Trail winds through spectacular scenery from the south county to the urban centers to the north.
Thurston County | (360) 754-3800
3000 Pacific Ave. SE | Olympia, WA 98501
www.co.thurston.wa.us
