Kelso, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kelso, Washington had a total population of 12,684, the 110th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $66,751, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Kelso Quick Facts
How Kelso 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 | 12,697 | 12,684 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $59,462 | $66,751 | +12.3% |
| Median home value | $302,300 | $337,600 | +11.7% |
How Kelso 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+)
Kelso Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Cowlitz County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | 38,069 | $61,747 | 16.1% | $361,600 |
| Lexington | 4,413 | $101,389 | 3.5% | $359,900 |
| Longview Heights | 4,357 | $74,570 | 11.2% | $456,700 |
| Kalama | 3,050 | $102,026 | 13.4% | $471,500 |
| Castle Rock | 2,217 | $69,639 | 7.0% | $348,600 |
| Beacon Hill | 1,804 | $86,806 | 15.5% | $397,600 |
| Ryderwood | 401 | $42,639 | 11.7% | $229,900 |
| Cougar | 151 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Kelso
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedro-Woolley | 12,831 | $80,885 | $441,700 | 20.1% | 15.8% |
| Cheney | 12,804 | $54,503 | $395,900 | 38.0% | 31.3% |
| Airway Heights | 11,245 | $62,874 | $348,500 | 17.0% | 19.5% |
| Grandview | 11,187 | $61,106 | $265,300 | 7.3% | 17.9% |
| East Wenatchee | 14,199 | $77,558 | $429,200 | 19.8% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Kelso is a small city located in Washington, within Cowlitz County. The total population is 12,684. It ranks as the 110th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kelso is 39.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kelso is $66,751. This is 32% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $337,600. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 56.1% 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 Kelso is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.3%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 9.7%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kelso, 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 Kelso, Washington?
Kelso, Washington has a population of 12,684 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kelso, WA?
The median household income in Kelso is $66,751, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kelso, WA?
The poverty rate in Kelso is 12.0%. This means approximately 1,515 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kelso, Washington?
Kelso's population is 75.4% White, 1.9% Black, 10.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kelso, WA?
The median home value in Kelso is $337,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Kelso, Washington?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Kelso hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.