Learn More About Home Care in Olympia, WA
Welcome to Olympia, WA, the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. With endless views of the coastlines, mountains, and forests of gorgeous Washington state, Olympia is a unique, mid-sized city with something for everyone.
Home care, or in-home care, is a service which offers compassion and help to seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and wish to remain in their homes. Levels of care vary according to need, and can include companionship, meal prep, cleaning, transportation, and help with ADLs like bathing and dressing. Home care aides are trained to understand the nuances of senior care but generally aren’t licensed to provide medical services.
Cost of Home Care in Olympia, WA
In 2019, the median monthly cost of a home health aide was about $5,800 in Olympia and in the state of Washington, according to Genworth.
Learn More About Olympia, WA
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Olympia is considered cheaper than the national average and the city enjoys relatively low costs for necessities such as food and clothing.
Index Scores
All index scores are based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates that the cost is two times greater than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates that the cost is half the average.
| Household Expenses |
Health Care |
Insurance |
Entertainment |
Grocery |
Clothing |
| 85 |
97 |
84 |
77 |
88 |
84 |
Income and Housing
| Median income age 45-64 |
Median income age 65+ |
Median household income |
Average individual income |
Median employee salary |
Average property tax |
One-bedroom apartment gross rent estimate |
| $71,880 per year |
$41,354 per year |
$56,604 per year |
$33,158 per year |
$50,231 per year |
$3,363 per year |
$866 per month |
Local Hospitals
The top hospitals that service Olympia include:
Capital Medical Center
- Facility type: Proprietary acute care
- Bed count: 100+
- Specialties: Primary care, emergency services, specialty care clinics
Providence Saint Peter Hospital
- Facility type: Faith-based acute care
- Bed count: 390+
- Specialties: Cardiac care, cancer care, neurosciences, orthopedic care
Mason General Hospital
- Facility type: Governmental critical access district
- Bed count: 25+
- Specialties: Emergency services, cancer care, diabetes care, diagnostic imaging
Weather and Climate
Olympia’s climate is classified as Mediterranean, which means that the city experiences dry, warm summers and cool, wet winters. Olympia is noted for receiving lots of rain, especially during the winter months. The summers in Olympia are best spent outside as the weather is extremely pleasant and sunny. The average humidity level is 79%, and humidity levels are often highest during December at about 91%.
Seasonal Temperatures
| January Average |
January Maximum |
January Minimum |
| 38°F |
44°F |
32°F |
| July Average |
July Maximum |
July Minimum |
| 63°F |
76°F |
50°F |
Air Quality
- Relative Air Quality Index: 90
This index is based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates twice the presence of air pollutants than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates half the presence.
Precipitation
- Average Annual Precipitation: 50.8″
Demographics and Values
Population Statistics
| Median age |
Percent of population over 65 |
Population |
Population Density |
Average Household Size |
| 39 |
17.1% |
53,563 |
2,947.7 per square mile |
2.2 |
Race & Ethnicity
| American Indian or Alaskan Native |
Asian |
Black |
Hispanic or Latino |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
Two or More Races |
White (not Hispanic or Latino) |
| 1.1% |
7.3% |
2.8% |
8.4% |
0.4% |
4.5% |
76.5% |
These figures were taken from the most recent U.S. Census.
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity
These scores were taken from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.
- Non-discrimination laws in Olympia: 30/30
- Overall inclusivity: 100/100
2016 Presidential Election Results for Thurston County
| Democratic |
Republican |
Other |
| 53.2% |
37.8% |
00.0% |
Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation
The heartbeat of Olympia can be felt throughout the city, but especially on the Capitol Campus in historic downtown Olympia. Due to its unique geographic location between the fresh waters of the Deschutes River and the salt water of Puget Sound, Olympia is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna, which, along with stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountain Range, can be enjoyed in more than 40 public parks throughout the city.
Historic downtown Olympia bears the feeling of a hardworking, 19th-century port town, peppered with the upscale, present-day modernities. When visiting downtown, one can enjoy legendary sites like the Old Capitol Building — the location of Olympia’s original capitol building — and Capitol Theater, now home to the Olympia Film Society. In addition, the downtown district is home to Percival Landing, a four-acre park situated in Budd Inlet. The park prides itself in having numerous picnic areas and works of public art and picnic areas, along with being the home of the annual Wooden Boat Festival.
One cannot visit Olympia without paying a visit to the Washington State Capitol Building, located on the Capitol Campus along with several other government buildings. This area overlooks Capitol Lake and boasts greenspaces, art sculptures, and historical monuments. Other must-see historic sites in Olympia include the Bigelow House Museum — the oldest residence in the city, designed in Carpenter Gothic style — and the Sand Man, a century-old tugboat turned museum.
Transportation
When it comes to getting around, Olympia has a vast network of bus routes, known as Intercity Transit, connecting the near and far neighborhoods of the city. In January 2020, the city introduced the five-year Zero-Fare program, which means all Intercity Transit bus services require no paid fare for five years. If traveling outside of the Intercity Transit service region, seniors are eligible for discounted fares in the Puget Sound area, Seattle’s King County area, and others.
