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Dicosmoecus gilvipes 164831753
Dicosmoecus gilvipes 164831753 · Gabrielle Casciato, CC0
Wilkensen Crossing 1529
Wilkensen Crossing 1529 · Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
Wilkensen Crossing 1525
Wilkensen Crossing 1525 · Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
Wilkensen Crossing 1527
Wilkensen Crossing 1527 · Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
Wilkensen Crossing 1530
Wilkensen Crossing 1530 · Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo & Thrift 1537
Photo & Thrift 1537 · Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0

North Yelm, Washington

North Yelm is a community of 2,522 people in Thurston County, Washington.

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Population2,522 -25.1% since 2019
Elevation295 ft 90 m
Land area3.3 sq mi
ZIP code98597
Nearest airportGray Army Airfield (GRF) 8 mi

Why visit North Yelm

Townapedia lists 2 museums and landmarks, 12 parks and trails, 25 places to eat and 3 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include Yelm Cinemas and Nisqually Pines River Park.

August is the warmest month, with average highs of 78°F; February lows average 32°F.

About North Yelm

North Yelm is a census-designated place (CDP) in Thurston County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,140 at the 2020 census. The community borders Yelm and is situated near the intersection of Washington State Route 507 and SR 510.

From the Wikipedia article North Yelm, Washington (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do3

Yelm Cinemas

Cinema and theater · 1.9 mi

Prairie Park Street Southeast, Yelm

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Stewart Cliffs Viewpoint

Scenic view · 1.4 mi

This viewpoint offers a great view of the Nisqually River and the forest around it. The viewpoint is perched on a cliff and also has...

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Nisqually Falls

Waterfall

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Museums and landmarks2

The tire pile

Monument and historic site · 1.5 mi

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Yelm Cross

Monument and historic site · 1.3 mi

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Parks, trails and playgrounds12

Nisqually Pines River Park

Park · 1.5 mi

Mo-Fr 08:00-21:00; Sa-Su 11:00-21:00

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Mountain View Meadows Community Park

Park · 0.9 mi

Iverson Loop SE, Yelm

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Cherry Meadows Neighborhood Park

Park · 0.8 mi

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Longmire Community Park

Park · 1.8 mi

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Mountain Meadows Park

Park · 0.8 mi

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Nisqually Pines HOA Park

Park · 1.5 mi

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Prairie Line Trail

Hiking and trails · 1.5 mi

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Prairie Line Trailhead

Park · 1.5 mi

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Tahoma Valley Golf and Country Club

Golf course · 1.8 mi

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Yelm City Park

Park · 1.8 mi

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Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail - Yelm Center

Hiking and trails · 1.7 mi

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YHS Prairie

Park · 1.4 mi

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Restaurants and cafes25

Bertoglio's Pizza

Restaurant · Pizza · 1.3 mi

704 Yelm Avenue West, Yelm

Mo-Su 11:00-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-360-960-1001

Steele Barrel BBQ Company

Diner · American · 1.1 mi

1506 Yelm Avenue West, Yelm

We-Su 11:00-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 360-790-6040

The Local

Restaurant · Mexican · 1.8 mi

307 Yelm Avenue East, Yelm

Tu-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 09:00-21:00; Mo 16:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-360-960-1794

Ma and Pa's Family Diner

Diner · American · 1.6 mi

203 West Yelm Avenue, Yelm

Mo-Sa 07:30-19:00, Su 07:30-14:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-360-960-1946

Shiplap Shop & Coffee House

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.7 mi

112 Yelm Avenue East, Yelm

Mo-Fr 06:00-17:00, Sa 07:00-17:00, Su 07:00-15:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-360-200-0262

Northwest Grind Yelm x Bubbleology

Cafe · Coffee Shop, Bubble Tea · 1.1 mi

9241 Burnett Rd SE, Yelm

Mo-Fr 05:30-18:00, Sa 06:30-18:00, Su 07:00-18:00

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White Horse Tavern

Bar and pub · 1.7 mi

107 East Yelm Avenue;Yelm Avenue East, Yelm

Open in Google Maps · +1-360-458-4555

Jerk Juicy BBQ

Restaurant · 1.6 mi

202 West Yelm Avenue, Yelm

Tu-Th 11:00-17:00; Fr 11:00-18:00

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Uptown Lounge

Restaurant · 1.9 mi

We-Th,Su 12:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-360-400-3457

El Rey Burro

Restaurant · Mexican · 1.4 mi

604 Yelm Avenue, Yelm

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Farrelli's Pizza

Restaurant · Pizza, Italian · 1.3 mi

813 Yelm Avenue West, Yelm

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Ichiban Teriyaki

Restaurant · Japanese · 1.4 mi

506 West Yelm Avenue;Yelm Avenue West, Yelm

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13 more on the map.

Churches and places of worship5

Shopping3

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Gas and EV charging2

Schools, colleges and libraries12

Healthcare4

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Map of North Yelm

68 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

40°60°80°January: 7.8 in of rainFebruary: 5.1 in of rainMarch: 5.7 in of rainApril: 3.7 in of rainMay: 2.3 in of rainJune: 1.5 in of rainJuly: 0.5 in of rainAugust: 1.0 in of rainSeptember: 2.0 in of rainOctober: 5.1 in of rainNovember: 8.2 in of rainDecember: 7.8 in of rainJanuary: 46°FFebruary: 49°FMarch: 54°FApril: 59°FMay: 66°FJune: 71°FJuly: 78°FAugust: 78°FSeptember: 72°FOctober: 60°FNovember: 51°FDecember: 45°FJanuary: 33°FFebruary: 32°FMarch: 34°FApril: 38°FMay: 43°FJune: 47°FJuly: 51°FAugust: 50°FSeptember: 46°FOctober: 40°FNovember: 36°FDecember: 33°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan46°F33°F7.8 in2.0 in
Feb49°F32°F5.1 in0.6 in
Mar54°F34°F5.7 in0.1 in
Apr59°F38°F3.7 in0.0 in
May66°F43°F2.3 in0.0 in
Jun71°F47°F1.5 in0.0 in
Jul78°F51°F0.5 in0.0 in
Aug78°F50°F1.0 in0.0 in
Sep72°F46°F2.0 in0.0 in
Oct60°F40°F5.1 in0.0 in
Nov51°F36°F8.2 in0.0 in
Dec45°F33°F7.8 in1.2 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Olympia Ap Gsn 72792 (14 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$73,725median household income
$384,500median home value
$1,464median monthly rent
40.0median age
6.9%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
74.7%of homes are owner-occupied
35.1 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1820%18 to 3420%35 to 6446%65 and over13%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Thurston County has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2026-04-07: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2025-12-12: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2022-03-29: Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding (Flood)
  • 2020-09-09: Bordeaux Road Fire (Fire)
  • 2020-04-23: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2020-03-22: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Gray Army Airfield (GRF) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 8 miles away.

  • Yelm 2 mi southwest, about 3 min by car
  • Fort Lewis 9 mi north, about 15 min by car
  • Lacey 10 mi northwest, about 16 min by car
  • Spanaway 13 mi northeast, about 21 min by car
  • Elk Plain 13 mi northeast, about 21 min by car
  • McChord AFB 13 mi northeast, about 21 min by car
  • Lakewood 14 mi north, about 23 min by car
  • Olympia 14 mi west, about 23 min by car
  • Tumwater 14 mi west, about 23 min by car
  • Parkland 15 mi northeast, about 24 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.