Yelm ZIP Codes — Thurston County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Yelm, Washington and it is 98597. Area code: 360/564.

ZIP codes

111.02

sq mi land

3.78

sq mi water

360/564

area code

Yelm, WA ZIP code map

About Yelm, WA

Yelm, Washington, is a charming city located in the heart of Thurston County. Known for its beautiful landscape and small-town feel, Yelm serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the Pacific Northwest. This city offers a unique blend of rural charm and urban amenities, making it an attractive place for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Yelm is situated approximately 20 miles southeast of Olympia, the state capital, and about 30 miles from Tacoma. The city boasts a land area of 111.02 square miles and features a small water area of 3.78 square miles, making it ideal for various outdoor activities. The topography is a mix of flat landscapes and gentle hills, offering picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Community & economy

The community in Yelm has a welcoming atmosphere characterized by friendly residents and a strong sense of local pride. The city's economy is diversified, with key industries including retail, education, and agriculture, allowing for a robust local marketplace. Daily life in Yelm is enriched by community events, parks, and recreational facilities that foster a connected and active lifestyle.

Transportation

Major highways serving Yelm include State Route 510 and State Route 7, providing convenient access to neighboring cities and regions. The nearest commercial airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, located about 40 miles to the northwest. Public transit options are available, ensuring residents have access to transportation throughout the area.

History

Yelm was established in the late 19th century and has roots in the agricultural sector, which was its primary industry during its early years. The city became incorporated in 1926 and has since evolved into a bustling residential community. Notable events in Yelm's history include the establishment of various local festivals celebrating its rich culture and heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Yelm is that it is home to the Yelm-Tenino Trail, a scenic route that attracts walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Another interesting tidbit is that Yelm is often referred to as the 'Gateway to Mount Rainier' due to its proximity to the iconic national park.

ZIP codes for Yelm, WA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
98597	Yelm	Thurston	View map

Demographics & statistics

25,982

Population

35.9

Median age

$88,965

Median household income

$37,541

Per capita income

$377,100

Median home value

$1,408

Median monthly rent

80.6%

Home ownership

6.8%

Poverty rate

5.2%

Unemployment

8,160

Housing units

20.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

736

Under 5

701

852

5–9

810

987

10–14

940

851

15–19

810

996

20–24

948

1,971

25–34

1,875

1,840

35–44

1,751

1,862

45–54

1,772

891

55–59

847

683

60–64

649

1,106

65–74

1,052

431

75–84

411

108

85+

102

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6,208	23.9%
18 and over	19,774	76.1%
65 and over	3,210	12.4%
Median age	35.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 78.2%

Two or more races 8.6%

Hispanic or Latino 3.9%

Black or African American 2.4%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 2.3%

Other race 2.2%

Asian 1.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	21,139	78.2%
Two or more races	2,329	8.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1,062	3.9%
Black or African American	653	2.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	609	2.3%
Other race	602	2.2%
Asian	449	1.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	201	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 4.4%

$10k–$15k 1.0%

$15k–$25k 3.5%

$25k–$35k 3.2%

$35k–$50k 8.8%

$50k–$75k 17.8%

$75k–$100k 17.4%

$100k–$150k 23.8%

$150k–$200k 14.1%

$200k+ 5.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.4%
$10k–$15k	1.0%
$15k–$25k	3.5%
$25k–$35k	3.2%
$35k–$50k	8.8%
$50k–$75k	17.8%
$75k–$100k	17.4%
$100k–$150k	23.8%
$150k–$200k	14.1%
$200k+	5.9%
Median income	$88,965

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.0%

$50k–$100k 3.6%

$100k–$150k 2.1%

$150k–$200k 5.5%

$200k–$300k 16.0%

$300k–$500k 44.8%

$500k–$1M 21.8%

$1M+ 2.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$377,100
Median rent / month	$1,408
Owner occupied	80.6%
Renter occupied	19.4%
Vacant	6.7%
Single-family detached	76.2%
Large apartment buildings	2.3%
Mobile homes	15.8%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.78

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	13.1%
2000–2009	31.4%
1990–1999	21.3%
1980–1989	13.1%
1970–1979	11.1%
1960–1969	3.0%
1950–1959	1.8%
1940–1949	1.1%
1939 or earlier	4.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.2%
1 bedroom	5.3%
2 bedrooms	14.2%
3 bedrooms	50.3%
4 bedrooms	22.2%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.2%
1 vehicle	17.4%
2 vehicles	39.7%
3 or more	39.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	15.0%
Electricity	68.8%
Propane / LP gas	6.1%
Fuel oil	0.2%
Wood	9.3%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,178	55.7%
Cohabiting couple	808	8.7%
Male householder, no spouse	1,615	17.4%
Female householder, no spouse	1,699	18.3%
Households with children under 18	3,252	35.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,528	27.2%
Average household size	2.79

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.8%	25.2%
Married	53.1%	54.3%
Separated	0.8%	0.7%
Widowed	2.5%	5.4%
Divorced	8.7%	14.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%

Some HS, no diploma 7.4%

HS graduate 29.1%

Some college, no degree 29.4%

Associate's degree 11.7%

Bachelor's degree 14.3%

Graduate / professional 6.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.8%
Bachelor's or higher	20.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	182	2.8%
Kindergarten	338	5.1%
Elementary school	2,837	42.9%
High school	1,492	22.5%
College / grad school	1,768	26.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 16.3%

Retail trade 14.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 13.3%

Public administration 13.2%

Construction 11.7%

Manufacturing 6.5%

Professional & management 6.1%

Transportation & utilities 5.6%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Other services 3.8%

Agriculture & mining 2.1%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.3%
Service	18.1%
Sales & office	17.7%
Natural resources & construction	12.2%
Production & transportation	18.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	69.5%
Government	24.5%
Self-employed	6.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.2%
Carpool	10.5%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	1.8%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	38.5

Poverty

All people 6.8%

Under 18 years 5.2%

18 and over 7.3%

Married-couple families 3.7%

Female-led households 15.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	27.3%
Retirement income	28.0%
Supplemental Security	3.3%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.5%
High cholesterol	30.4%
Heart disease	5.3%
Stroke	2.6%
Asthma	10.7%
Arthritis	24.2%
Kidney disease	2.6%
Pulmonary disease	6.2%
Cancer	6.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.4%
No physical activity	18.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.2%
Fair or poor health	13.6%
Poor mental health	17.3%
Poor physical health	10.6%
No health insurance	11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	68.1%
Visited dentist	63.2%
Cholesterol screening	86.6%
Teeth loss	12.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	3,636	19.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.1%
Under 18	2.2%
18–64 years	12.8%
65 and over	35.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.6%
Public insurance	34.4%
Uninsured under 19	2.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	24,545	94.5%
Spanish	657	2.7%
Other Indo-European	324	1.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	72	0.3%
Other languages	261	1.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	24,437	94.1%
Born in same state	23,635	91.0%
Born in different state	10,842	41.7%
Foreign born	802	3.1%
Naturalized citizen	1,545	5.9%
Not a US citizen	617	39.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	3,394	13.1%
French	1,680	6.5%
Arab	1,510	5.8%
Polish	988	3.8%
English	306	1.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	235	0.9%
German	127	0.5%
Norwegian	65	0.3%
Irish	13	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.8%
Internet access	96.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Yelm, WA have?

Yelm, WA has one ZIP code: 98597. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.