Chehalis, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chehalis, Washington had a total population of 7,587, the 156th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $73,702, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Chehalis Quick Facts
How Chehalis 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 | 7,536 | 7,587 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $68,021 | $73,702 | +8.4% |
| Median home value | $330,800 | $372,900 | +12.7% |
How Chehalis 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chehalis Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Lewis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia | 18,830 | $56,219 | 19.6% | $318,200 |
| 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 Chehalis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selah | 8,437 | $74,783 | $414,600 | 25.5% | 13.9% |
| Mead | 6,893 | $77,045 | $408,200 | 28.9% | 7.4% |
| Quincy | 7,998 | $87,902 | $336,800 | 18.5% | 6.2% |
| Ephrata | 8,560 | $69,551 | $252,000 | 16.8% | 20.8% |
| Ocean Shores | 7,302 | $58,202 | $383,500 | 23.4% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Chehalis is a small city located in Washington, within Lewis County. The total population is 7,587. It ranks as the 156th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chehalis is 34.7 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.3 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, Chehalis has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chehalis is $73,702. This is 25% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 52% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $372,900. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chehalis is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.6%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.9%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
27.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chehalis, 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 Chehalis, Washington?
Chehalis, Washington has a population of 7,587 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chehalis, WA?
The median household income in Chehalis is $73,702, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chehalis, WA?
The poverty rate in Chehalis is 15.0%. This means approximately 1,093 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chehalis, Washington?
Chehalis's population is 76.6% White, 1.0% Black, 14.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chehalis, WA?
The median home value in Chehalis is $372,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Chehalis, Washington?
27.3% of adults (25+) in Chehalis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.