Chehalis city, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Chehalis city, Washington has a total population of 7,536, the 154th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $68,021, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Chehalis city Quick Facts
How Chehalis city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chehalis city Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Cities Similar to Chehalis city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Shores city | 7,076 | $62,750 | $378,000 | 22.2% | 11.8% |
| Mead CDP | 7,184 | $76,010 | $379,600 | 26.8% | 5.8% |
| Quincy city | 7,922 | $79,973 | $283,900 | 17.7% | 13.1% |
| Ephrata city | 8,493 | $70,321 | $240,000 | 15.5% | 16.1% |
| Selah city | 8,301 | $74,757 | $366,100 | 23.7% | 11.9% |
Population Overview
Chehalis city is a small city located in Washington. The total population is 7,536. It ranks as the 154th most populous out of 631 cities and towns in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chehalis city is 34.1 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chehalis city is $68,021. This is 28% lower than the state median of $94,952. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 13% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $330,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $519,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 48.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 63.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chehalis city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.2%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 9.3%.
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chehalis city, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 631 Census-designated places in Washington. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chehalis city, Washington?
Chehalis city, Washington has a population of 7,536 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chehalis city, WA?
The median household income in Chehalis city is $68,021, which is 13% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Chehalis city, WA?
The poverty rate in Chehalis city is 15.9%. This means approximately 1,145 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chehalis city, Washington?
Chehalis city's population is 75.2% White, 1.3% Black, 15.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chehalis city, WA?
The median home value in Chehalis city is $330,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Chehalis city, Washington?
24.0% of adults (25+) in Chehalis city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.