Yelm, WA—98597
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Yelm, WA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Yelm, WA is $480,000, with a year-over-year change of -0.2%. This indicates that home prices in Yelm, WA are flat. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.4%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $480,000 | -0.2% |
| Single Family | $480,000 | -0.2% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $334,000 | -1.5% |
2 Bed | $394,000 | 0.3% |
3 Bed | $462,000 | -0.2% |
4 Bed | $546,000 | 0.0% |
| 5 Bed | $575,000 | 0.5% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Yelm, WA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Yelm, WA is $2,370, with a year-over-year rent change of 5.8%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Yelm, WA is 1-bedrooms: $1,250, 2-bedrooms: $1,690, 3-bedrooms: $2,520, 4-bedrooms: $2,900. The most common rental property sizes in Yelm, WA are 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom, accounting for 41.5% and 27.3% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,550 | $2,370 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 1 Bed Rent | $1,000 | $1,250 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $1,750 | $1,690 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $2,550 | $2,520 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,850 | $2,900 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Yelm, WA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Yelm, WA is 52. This is a decrease of -5.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market shorter than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 30.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $528,000 | -2.0% |
Listing Count | 179 | 18.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.8% | 18.0% |
Days on Market | 52 | -5.0% |
Demographics — Yelm, WA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Yelm, WA has a population of 26,400, which has increased by 10.3% over the past 5 years. Yelm, WA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 24.9% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 22.9% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 8.3% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 26,400 | 10.3% |
% Under 18 | 24.9% | -7.1% |
% Seniors | 12.5% | 5.0% |
% WFH | 8.3% | 118.4% |
% w/ College Degree | 22.9% | 15.7% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Yelm, WA is a predominantly white area, with 75.8% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 1.7% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Yelm, WA is hispanic, making up 10.2% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 6.7% of the population in Yelm, WA, and this percentage has increased by 24.1% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 75.8% | -1.7% |
% Black | 3.2% | 190.9% |
% Hispanic | 10.2% | 7.4% |
% Asian | 1.5% | -50.0% |
% Foreign Born | 6.7% | 24.1% |
Mortgage and Risk — Yelm, WA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 295 mortgage originations in Yelm, WA, of which 44.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 72.0%, with 52.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Yelm, WA. Investor activity is low, as 0.0% of loans were by investors. 12.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 295 |
% Conventional Loans | 44.0% |
% Government Loans | 56.0% |
% Investor Loans | 0.0% |
% Second Loans | 1.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 12.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Yelm, WA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Yelm, WA under the Section 8 program is 4.7%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Yelm, WA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 3-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 81 |
Total Units Section 8 | 81 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 4.7% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 81.4% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $600 | $1,000 | $1,600 |
| 2 Bedroom | $110 | $1,750 | $1,860 |
| 3 Bedroom | $0 | $2,550 | $2,550 |
| 4 Bedroom | $270 | $2,850 | $3,120 |
Affordability — Yelm, WA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 5 |
| Median Home Price | $480,000 |
| Median Household Income | $92,100 |