City in Thurston County, Washington · 5.7 sq mi · 2,151 people per sq mi
12,286 people live in Yelm. The typical household earns $90,750, and the median resident is 31 years old.
2026 projection
From 10,617 in 2020
Poverty rate 6.05%
Men 29.2 · Women 32.9
1930–2026
12,286
2026 projection
15.7% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1930–2026
12,286
2026 projection
15.7% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 12,286 | +243 | 2.02% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12,043 | +370 | 3.17% |
| 2024 | 11,673 | +453 | 4.04% |
| 2023 | 11,220 | +244 | 2.22% |
| 2022 | 10,976 | +217 | 2.02% |
| 2021 | 10,759 | +142 | 1.34% |
| 2020 | 10,617 | +180 | 1.72% |
| 2019 | 10,437 | +231 | 2.26% |
| 2018 | 10,206 | +342 | 3.47% |
| 2017 | 9,864 | +378 | 3.98% |
Showing 10 of 25 years.
The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.
Yelm is growing faster than Thurston County, Washington, and the U.S.
Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 111 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 17 residents
56% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 56% | 59% | 52% |
| Never married | 29% | 31% | 27% |
| Divorced | 11% | 7% | 16% |
| Widowed | 3% | 1% | 5% |
| Separated | 1% | 2% | <1% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
14 sources