Yelm, WA Demographics

A map of Yelm's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	7,012	7,141	63.2%	67.3%
Hispanic	1,809	1,275	16.3%	12.0%
Multiracial	901	978	8.1%	9.2%
Native American/Other	705	512	6.4%	4.8%
Black	530	342	4.8%	3.2%
Asian	145	369	1.3%	3.5%

Yelm, Washington has an estimated population of 11,102, an increase from the 10,617 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 63.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic, 8.1% Multiracial, 6.4% Native American/Other, 4.8% Black, and 1.3% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Yelm, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Yelm has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is about as diverse as Washington overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Yelm, that probability was 52.0% in 2020 and 56.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Yelm is ranked the 119th most populous place in Washington, out of 639 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Yelm was ranked the 121st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Yelm's White Population

7,012 residents of Yelm, or 63.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Yelm is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 63.1% of the population is White. Yelm ranks 456th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Yelm's White population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Yelm's population has decreased from 67.3% to 63.2%.

Yelm is more White than neighboring Nisqually Indian Community (23.2% White). Yelm is less White than neighboring North Yelm (85.8% White), McKenna (72.6% White), Rainier (84% White), and Roy (75.4% White).

Yelm's Black Population

530 residents of Yelm, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Yelm is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Yelm ranks 75th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Yelm's Black population has grown by an estimated 55.0%. Black residents' share of Yelm's population has increased from 3.2% to 4.8%.

Yelm is more Black than neighboring North Yelm (0% Black), McKenna (1.8% Black), Rainier (0.3% Black), and Nisqually Indian Community (0.6% Black).

Yelm's Asian Population

145 residents of Yelm, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Yelm is lower than in Washington overall, where 9.7% of the population is Asian. Yelm ranks 151st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Yelm's Asian population has declined by an estimated 60.7%. Asian residents' share of Yelm's population has decreased from 3.5% to 1.3%.

Yelm is more Asian than neighboring North Yelm (0% Asian), McKenna (0% Asian), Rainier (0% Asian), and Nisqually Indian Community (0.5% Asian). Yelm is less Asian than neighboring Roy (2.2% Asian).

Yelm's Hispanic Population

1,809 residents of Yelm, or 16.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Yelm is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 14.4% of the population is Hispanic. Yelm ranks 190th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Yelm's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 41.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Yelm's population has increased from 12.0% to 16.3%.

Yelm is more Hispanic than neighboring North Yelm (3.8% Hispanic), Rainier (11.4% Hispanic), Nisqually Indian Community (9.7% Hispanic), and Roy (4.5% Hispanic). Yelm is less Hispanic than neighboring McKenna (21.4% Hispanic).

Yelm's Native American/Other Population

705 residents of Yelm, or 6.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Yelm is slightly higher than in Washington overall, where 2.1% of the population is Native American/Other. Yelm ranks 70th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Yelm's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 37.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Yelm's population has increased from 4.8% to 6.4%.

Yelm is more Native American/Other than neighboring North Yelm (0% Native American/Other), McKenna (0% Native American/Other), Rainier (1.5% Native American/Other), and Roy (0.4% Native American/Other). Yelm is less Native American/Other than neighboring Nisqually Indian Community (59.1% Native American/Other).

Yelm's Multiracial Population

901 residents of Yelm, or 8.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Yelm is comparable to the share in Washington overall, where 6.8% of the population is Multiracial. Yelm ranks 54th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 639 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Yelm's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 7.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Yelm's population has decreased from 9.2% to 8.1%.

Yelm is more Multiracial than neighboring McKenna (4.2% Multiracial), Rainier (2.7% Multiracial), and Nisqually Indian Community (6.8% Multiracial). Yelm is less Multiracial than neighboring North Yelm (10.4% Multiracial), and Roy (12.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.