Chelan, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chelan, Washington had a total population of 4,350, the 215th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $82,637, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Chelan Quick Facts
How Chelan 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 | 4,314 | 4,350 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $71,996 | $82,637 | +14.8% |
| Median home value | $428,200 | $518,000 | +21.0% |
How Chelan 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+)
Chelan Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Chelan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee | 35,484 | $73,040 | 10.4% | $433,700 |
| Sunnyslope | 3,706 | $135,769 | 4.1% | $714,200 |
| Cashmere | 3,304 | $64,053 | 7.4% | $442,900 |
| Leavenworth | 2,569 | $69,943 | 2.9% | $617,000 |
| Manson | 1,462 | $91,319 | 22.6% | $596,700 |
| Entiat | 1,284 | $76,111 | 4.9% | $364,500 |
| South Wenatchee | 1,226 | $63,929 | 8.8% | $249,100 |
| Chelan Falls | 233 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Chelan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel | 4,394 | $79,583 | $473,900 | 21.7% | 16.2% |
| Longview Heights | 4,357 | $74,570 | $456,700 | 21.1% | 11.2% |
| Boulevard Park | 4,575 | $78,954 | $456,100 | 18.5% | 28.0% |
| Belfair | 4,557 | $88,150 | $380,400 | 15.0% | 6.4% |
| Suquamish | 4,084 | $86,224 | $456,100 | 34.5% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Chelan is a small community located in Washington, within Chelan County. The total population is 4,350. It ranks as the 215th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chelan is 46.4 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chelan is $82,637. This is 16% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $518,000. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chelan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.9% vs 14.4%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
28.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 81.7%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chelan, 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 Chelan, Washington?
Chelan, Washington has a population of 4,350 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chelan, WA?
The median household income in Chelan is $82,637, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chelan, WA?
The poverty rate in Chelan is 8.4%. This means approximately 362 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chelan, Washington?
Chelan's population is 71.6% White, 0.0% Black, 22.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chelan, WA?
The median home value in Chelan is $518,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Chelan, Washington?
28.3% of adults (25+) in Chelan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.