Thurston County
Washington · Upcoming sale
County snapshot
Thurston County has grown 2.3% since 2020 and still shows positive net migration (3,236 people in 2024). Demand for housing usually means owners redeem rather than walk away — good for the interest, less good if you were hoping to take the deed.
By population, Thurston County is the 6th largest of Washington's 39 counties. It has grown more slowly than the state average (+3.6% across Washington) — often where the less contested certificates are, and also where the risk sits. Of the 2024 change, 3,236 came from people moving in and 150 from births outnumbering deaths.
Counties of similar size in Washington with a sale on our calendar: Kitsap County, Whatcom County, Franklin County. Useful if this county's sale has already closed and you want the next comparable one.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Census population estimates. Population figures are estimates, not a count.
Property & tax profile
The median homeowner in Thurston County pays $4,209 a year in property tax — below the Washington median of $4,556 (U.S.: $3,119). That is roughly what a typical home here owes for each year it goes unpaid — the debt that the opening bid at a deed sale is usually built from, plus interest and costs. Homes with a mortgage pay a median of $4,232; homes owned outright, $4,158.
On a home with a mortgage, the lender has its own reason to pay a delinquent tax bill: the tax lien outranks the mortgage, and a tax deed can wipe out the loan. On a home owned outright, nobody but the owner — or the heirs — has that reason. In Thurston County, 33.5% of owner-occupied homes are owned outright (Washington: 33.9%, U.S.: 39.4%). About the same as the state as a whole.
5.0% of all housing units in Thurston County are vacant. The figure that matters for a buyer at the tax sale is the Census “other vacant” category — not for rent, not for sale, not a holiday home, but a catch-all that includes foreclosures, homes held up by legal proceedings or family reasons, homes needing repairs, and abandoned ones. Here it is 1.6% of all units (Washington: 2.0%, U.S.: 3.6%). Close to the state rate.
Half of the homes in Thurston County were built in or before 1991 (Washington: in or before 1985). The typical tax bill is 4.4% of the median household income of $96,563 (Washington: 4.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25077, B25103, B25081, B25002, B25004, B25035, B19013) — see the figures on data.census.gov. Survey estimates with margins of error; anything too uncertain to state is left out.
The 2026 foreclosure sale; continues until sold or closed by the Treasurer. Final list with minimum bids posted the day before. Dates subject to change.
Quick answers
When is the Thurston County tax sale?+
The Thurston County, Washington tax sale is scheduled for January 11, 2027, hosted via Bid4Assets (online, Jan 11–12, 2027).
Is Thurston County a good county to buy tax deed properties in?+
Thurston County has grown 2.3% since 2020 and still shows positive net migration (3,236 people in 2024). Demand for housing usually means owners redeem rather than walk away — good for the interest, less good if you were hoping to take the deed. Population in 2024: 302,912. These are U.S. Census Bureau estimates, not a recommendation — the county's own delinquency and redemption history matters more, and only the Washington treasurer publishes that.
How much is the property tax in Thurston County?+
The median homeowner in Thurston County pays $4,209 a year, about 0.9% of the median home value of $480,300 (Washington: 0.8%). Homes with a mortgage pay a median of $4,232, homes owned outright $4,158. These are U.S. Census Bureau survey estimates (American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates); the exact bill for a parcel depends on its assessed value and local rates, and the county tax collector has it.
What type of sale is it?+
Thurston County holds a tax deed sale. Washington's statewide system: tax deed. What the buyer earns: none — deed sold at auction.
What's the redemption period in Thurston County?+
Thurston County follows Washington's statewide redemption period: None after the sale (exception: 3 years for minors and adjudicated incompetents).
Other Washington sales near this date
Every Washington page →- Nov 10, 2026Clallam CountyTax deed
Online (bidding Nov 10–12)
Official source: clallamcountywa.gov ↗checked Sep 3, 2026 - Dec 3, 2026Snohomish CountyTax deed
Online (Bid4Assets, tentative; confirmed by the Final Order of Sale in mid-November)
Official source: snohomishcountywa.gov ↗checked Sep 3, 2026 - Dec 7, 2026Spokane CountyTax deed
Online (re-offer sale Dec 16)
- Dec 9, 2026Jefferson CountyTax deed
Online (bidding Dec 9–10)
Official source: co.jefferson.wa.us ↗checked Sep 3, 2026
Our write-up of the Thurston County sale: Jan 11, 2027.
Want the full statutory picture for Washington, not just Thurston County? Read the Washington state page for the rate, redemption period, and every other county we've sourced.
See every other scheduled sale on the full auction calendar, the upcoming Washington sales, or sign up for deal alerts to hear about new Washington dates as soon as we add them.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice. Auction dates get postponed, cancelled, or rescheduled — always confirm against the official source above before showing up or bidding. Verified 2026-10-04.