The First Community North of the Columbia River
Founded in 1845, historical Tumwater is located between Seattle and Portland on Interstate-5, serving the traveler with a central location for exploring Puget Sound and all its beauty, including Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Pacific Ocean beaches, and the Olympic Peninsula and rain forest.
With a population of 17,900, this friendly community boasts more than ten parks and playgrounds, a golfing range and municipal golf course, athletic clubs, and the Tumwater Timberland Library.
Two fire stations provide emergency services and public education. Paramedics staff Medic 5, one of the four County Advanced Life Support units.
The Tumwater School District is the third largest district in Thurston County. Tumwater was just recently named the 4th best city in Washington to raise a family!
Higher education is served by nearby community, state and private colleges.
Residents are well-served by the Tumwater medical community, with many outstanding private practices, clinics and health care professionals, and nearby hospitals.
Senior citizens contribute to our community spirit. Diversified living styles afford the highest quality of living in attractive settings from manufactured housing parks and apartment living, to retirement homes offering a variety of lifestyles from independent apartment living to meal and housekeeping services. Tumwater Old Town Center and professional organizations provide many varied senior services.
Joint Base Lewis McCord (JBLM) and the business community have a good relationship. Communication and cooperation among civilian and military populations is excellent. Many community residents are retired or active-service people.