City profile
Yelm, WA
Thurston County · Population 11,102
Yelm is a town in Thurston County, WA with about 11,102 residents and a typical home value near $455,000. It is 23 miles from Tacoma, WA, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Mild & temperate
Winter avg
43°F
Summer avg
66°F
Sunny days / yr
155
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$455,300
Typical monthly housing
$2,792
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
114
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.84%
- State income tax (top)
- None
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 9.43%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 95/100
Top hazards: Landslide, Earthquake, Volcanic activity
Nearest major airport
38 mi to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 59% Democratic / 38% Republican
Community
Population
11,102
Black population
5.3%
County
Thurston County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: wildfire smoke, earthquakes
Highlights
- About 11,102 residents
- Typical home value about $455,000
- 23 miles from Tacoma, WA
Trade-offs
- Smaller community with fewer local amenities
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.