In a recent government meeting, officials reported a 3.1% year-over-year increase in population across four jurisdictions, attributed to recent annexations. However, the City of Yelm and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) were noted as excluded from this population count due to the terms of the interlocal agreement (ILA).

Additionally, the meeting highlighted a significant 20% increase in shelter intake for 2023, which officials linked to a rise in field cases, including large-scale incidents such as a boarding case and a cockfighting operation in unincorporated Thurston County. This surge in shelter intake reflects ongoing challenges in animal welfare within the region.

Officials emphasized the importance of these statistics in shaping future policies and resource allocation, as they continue to monitor trends and outcomes in both population dynamics and animal sheltering efforts.