Rochester ZIP Codes — Thurston County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Rochester, Washington and it is 98579. Area code: 360/564.

ZIP codes

94.23

sq mi land

0.52

sq mi water

360/564

area code

Rochester, WA ZIP code map

About Rochester, WA

Rochester, Washington, is a quaint city located in the scenic region of Thurston County. Known for its rich greenery and community spirit, Rochester offers a unique blend of rural charm and modern conveniences. It has become a favorable spot for families and individuals searching for a peaceful lifestyle amidst the beauty of nature.

Location & geography

Geographically, Rochester is located in the southwestern part of Washington State, approximately 17 miles northeast of the state capital, Olympia. The city is bordered by several small, scenic rivers, with a total land area of 94.23 square miles and a water area of 0.52 square miles. This diverse terrain makes it ideal for outdoor activities and offers picturesque landscapes for both residents and visitors alike.

Community & economy

The character of Rochester is defined by its strong sense of community and commitment to local culture. The economy is primarily supported by agriculture, small businesses, and various service industries, contributing to a close-knit environment. Daily life in Rochester often includes local events, farmers markets, and recreational activities that showcase the city's rich heritage and community involvement.

Transportation

Rochester is serviced by several key highways, including U.S. Route 12, which provides direct access to nearby cities and the greater Pacific Northwest. The nearest major airport is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, located roughly 60 miles to the north, while local transit options help residents navigate the city effectively. Overall, the transportation network supports easy commuting for both residents and visitors alike.

History

Rochester was founded in the late 19th century and was originally established as a farming community. Over the years, the city has seen growth in various sectors, including timber and agriculture, that have shaped its development. Notable events in Rochester's history include its incorporation and the establishment of local cultural traditions that continue to thrive today.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Rochester is its annual Rochester Farmers Market, which draws visitors from around the region to enjoy local produce and crafts. Additionally, the area's picturesque countryside and proximity to major cities make it a desirable location for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life.

ZIP codes for Rochester, WA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
98579	Rochester	Thurston	View map

Demographics & statistics

14,259

Population

40.7

Median age

$91,493

Median household income

$35,279

Per capita income

$365,900

Median home value

$1,159

Median monthly rent

79.1%

Home ownership

11.0%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

4,204

Housing units

18.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

580

Under 5

613

317

5–9

334

338

10–14

356

404

15–19

427

314

20–24

331

874

25–34

923

976

35–44

1,031

1,041

45–54

1,100

392

55–59

414

556

60–64

588

743

65–74

785

348

75–84

367

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,040	21.3%
18 and over	11,219	78.7%
65 and over	2,350	16.5%
Median age	40.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 77.3%

Two or more races 9.6%

Hispanic or Latino 7.5%

Other race 2.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 2.1%

Black or African American 0.6%

Asian 0.4%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	11,918	77.3%
Two or more races	1,482	9.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1,154	7.5%
Other race	358	2.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	317	2.1%
Black or African American	92	0.6%
Asian	66	0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	26	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 1.8%

$10k–$15k 1.3%

$15k–$25k 6.8%

$25k–$35k 5.1%

$35k–$50k 12.6%

$50k–$75k 13.0%

$75k–$100k 13.7%

$100k–$150k 28.7%

$150k–$200k 9.9%

$200k+ 7.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.8%
$10k–$15k	1.3%
$15k–$25k	6.8%
$25k–$35k	5.1%
$35k–$50k	12.6%
$50k–$75k	13.0%
$75k–$100k	13.7%
$100k–$150k	28.7%
$150k–$200k	9.9%
$200k+	7.1%
Median income	$91,493

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.0%

$50k–$100k 2.8%

$100k–$150k 1.8%

$150k–$200k 6.0%

$200k–$300k 19.9%

$300k–$500k 40.3%

$500k–$1M 24.7%

$1M+ 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$365,900
Median rent / month	$1,159
Owner occupied	79.1%
Renter occupied	20.9%
Vacant	2.9%
Single-family detached	67.2%
Large apartment buildings	1.6%
Mobile homes	26.0%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.87

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.5%
2010–2019	9.1%
2000–2009	26.7%
1990–1999	20.9%
1980–1989	14.9%
1970–1979	16.6%
1960–1969	1.8%
1950–1959	1.0%
1940–1949	0.3%
1939 or earlier	7.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	5.6%
2 bedrooms	21.7%
3 bedrooms	54.3%
4 bedrooms	16.2%
5+ bedrooms	1.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.9%
1 vehicle	19.3%
2 vehicles	24.2%
3 or more	53.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.0%
Electricity	73.3%
Propane / LP gas	9.1%
Fuel oil	0.6%
Wood	13.6%
Solar	0.9%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,855	55.8%
Cohabiting couple	614	12.0%
Male householder, no spouse	723	14.1%
Female householder, no spouse	929	18.1%
Households with children under 18	1,547	30.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,659	32.4%
Average household size	2.78

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.7%	29.9%
Married	51.8%	50.0%
Separated	0.4%	1.6%
Widowed	1.8%	5.7%
Divorced	14.4%	12.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.7%

HS graduate 34.2%

Some college, no degree 27.9%

Associate's degree 10.7%

Bachelor's degree 13.6%

Graduate / professional 5.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.5%
Bachelor's or higher	18.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	306	12.1%
Kindergarten	157	6.2%
Elementary school	844	33.4%
High school	815	32.3%
College / grad school	403	16.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Public administration 17.2%

Education & healthcare 15.6%

Retail trade 15.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.4%

Manufacturing 8.6%

Agriculture & mining 8.2%

Professional & management 8.2%

Finance & real estate 5.2%

Construction 4.1%

Other services 2.8%

Transportation & utilities 2.4%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Information 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.9%
Service	16.0%
Sales & office	27.5%
Natural resources & construction	14.4%
Production & transportation	16.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.1%
Government	26.8%
Self-employed	2.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	71.5%
Carpool	7.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.2%
Other means	8.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	30.1

Poverty

All people 11.0%

Under 18 years 20.2%

18 and over 8.5%

Married-couple families 3.8%

Female-led households 8.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.4%
Retirement income	27.1%
Supplemental Security	5.1%
Cash public assistance	5.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.8%
High cholesterol	32.9%
Heart disease	6.0%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	10.6%
Arthritis	26.4%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.8%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.7%
No physical activity	18.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.7%
Fair or poor health	14.4%
Poor mental health	16.6%
Poor physical health	11.2%
No health insurance	11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	68.9%
Visited dentist	63.4%
Cholesterol screening	88.0%
Teeth loss	12.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,182	10.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.5%
Under 18	6.5%
18–64 years	15.4%
65 and over	33.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	75.0%
Public insurance	44.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	13,066	91.6%
Spanish	372	2.8%
Other Indo-European	356	2.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	16	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	13,487	94.6%
Born in same state	13,264	93.0%
Born in different state	9,056	63.5%
Foreign born	223	1.6%
Naturalized citizen	772	5.4%
Not a US citizen	247	32.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,125	14.9%
French	1,354	9.5%
Arab	1,098	7.7%
Polish	942	6.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	143	1%
Dutch	57	0.4%
Norwegian	52	0.4%
German	5	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.9%
Internet access	98.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rochester, WA have?

Rochester, WA has one ZIP code: 98579. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.