Thurston, Washington

Thurston County, Washington is known as the Capitol County as it is home to the State Capital City of Olympia. Olympia is also the County seat for Thurston County and is located at the southern tip of the Puget Sound about 60 miles south of Seattle, Washington  Thurston started out as a rather large area that encompassed all of the Puget Sound region and the Olympic Peninsula. Parceled out of the original Lewis County territory in 1852, Thurston was additionally sub-divided before the end of 1853, and the bulk of it became the counties of Pierce,  King, Island, and Jefferson Counties.

Thurston County's Historic Districts are primarily in Olympia.  When it comes to cultural events, however, the City of Lacey, and the City of Tumwater are also very active, especially with Spring Events. One of Olympia's most defining spring events is the Procession of the Species and Spring Arts Walk, while the Capital Food and Wine Festival takes place in Lacey.  Thurston County has had a significant population growth since the 2000 U.S. Censuss reported 207,355 residents. With 2006 estimates of 234,670, that will be a 13.2% increase in les than a five year period.

The Olympia Regional Airport is right in the heart of Thurston County. Currently a general aviation facility, the Olympia Regional Airport provides convenient access to South Puget Sound for corporate jets and commuter-size planes, and is capable of accommodating commercial air service. Positioned for aviation development, the airport is ideal for industrial, commercial, and corporate users needing airport taxiway access and is one of the ways that Thurston County is poised for future development in a controlled and ready manner. The Marine Terminal is another of Thurston Counties ready for business stance. The Port's 60-acre terminal consists of three modern, deepwater berths, a direct railway to docks system, a bonded US Customs secure warehouse, and a modernly equipped container yard. The “Open for Business” mantra is heralded by the Thurston County Economic Development Council who have a wide range of no or low cost services available to existing and proposed business ventures interested in the area.,

Thurston County's full range of educational institutions includes 5 districts of public k-12 schools, Private Elementary Schools, The South Puget Sound Community College, Evergreen State College (offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Administration, environmental science, and education), and St. Martin's College (a Private four-year Liberal Arts College providing degrees in business, science, engineering, and education).

Thurston County Trail system is a magnet for equestrians, bikers, hikers, and picnickers; the Trails are part of the Parks and Recreation department which offers something for everyone in the family, from classes in Taekwon-do to special family outings and events for youths and teens. Known as the end of the Oregon Trail, Thurston County's mild climate, less than an hour from the Pacific Ocean coast, keeps its communities active and entertained with outdoor enthusiasms and scheduled cultural events.