Centralia, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Centralia, Washington had a total population of 18,830, the 78th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $56,219, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Centralia Quick Facts
How Centralia Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,457 | 18,830 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $52,387 | $56,219 | +7.3% |
| Median home value | $267,600 | $318,200 | +18.9% |
How Centralia Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Centralia Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Lewis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chehalis | 7,587 | $73,702 | 15.0% | $372,900 |
| Napavine | 2,158 | $104,148 | 6.0% | $419,100 |
| Winlock | 2,140 | $80,451 | 14.9% | $361,700 |
| Fords Prairie | 1,823 | $55,608 | 15.7% | $368,000 |
| Morton | 1,206 | $57,813 | 13.7% | $300,900 |
| Mossyrock | 875 | $53,333 | 25.3% | $280,400 |
| Onalaska | 848 | N/A | 11.9% | $423,700 |
| Vader | 745 | $64,688 | 18.8% | $317,200 |
| Toledo | 542 | $47,292 | 14.8% | $333,700 |
| Pe Ell | 538 | $62,679 | 11.9% | $321,800 |
Cities Similar to Centralia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellensburg | 20,874 | $55,438 | $404,100 | 41.4% | 22.4% |
| Port Angeles | 20,118 | $62,606 | $370,200 | 30.3% | 11.5% |
| Aberdeen | 17,088 | $52,195 | $237,300 | 15.2% | 23.8% |
| Sunnyside | 16,277 | $60,923 | $240,700 | 9.8% | 18.5% |
| Fort Lewis | 15,167 | $58,796 | N/A | 24.4% | 13.3% |
Population Overview
Centralia is a small city located in Washington, within Lewis County. The total population is 18,830. It ranks as the 78th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Centralia is 39.0 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Centralia is $56,219. This is 43% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 98% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $318,200. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 60.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Centralia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.7%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Centralia, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Centralia, Washington?
Centralia, Washington has a population of 18,830 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Centralia, WA?
The median household income in Centralia is $56,219, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Centralia, WA?
The poverty rate in Centralia is 19.6%. This means approximately 3,621 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Centralia, Washington?
Centralia's population is 72.4% White, 1.1% Black, 19.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Centralia, WA?
The median home value in Centralia is $318,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is Centralia, Washington?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Centralia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.