Chehalis, WA

Washington · Metropolitan Area

Chehalis is a small city in Washington with a population of 7,536. Residents earn $68,021 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,536 Population 1,297/sq mi density
$68,021 Median Income $29,453 per capita
$330,800 Home Value $468,469 Zillow
$1,055 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
151 Violent Crime/100K 7,633 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$68,021 median income, 4.2% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$330,800 home value, $1,055/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
151 violent crimes/100K (60% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,021
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $330,800
17% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 151/100K
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.0%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,055
9% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.0%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.3%
33% lower than US avg

How Chehalis Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population7,536
Median Age34.1 yrs
Density1,297/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

B+
Median Income$68,021
Per Capita$29,453
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty8.3%
County GDP$21,563M
Commute24 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$330,800
Rent$1,055
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$468,469

Crime

F
Violent151/100K
Property7,633/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault96/100K
Burglary880/100K

Health

Obesity39.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain41.6 in/yr
Elevation279 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.0%
High School+90.4%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 58%
Commute24 min
EV Stations9
Libraries7

Is Chehalis a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chehalis receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Chehalis has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chehalis is $68,021, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chehalis is $330,800, 17% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,055 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Chehalis is below the national average at 151 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 7,633 per 100,000, 289% above the national average.

Education

24.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Chehalis experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Chehalis has a population of 7,536 with a density of 1,297 people per square mile. The median age is 34.1 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.5%), with 4.1% Hispanic, 1.5% Black.

Population

7,536
Total Population
1,297
People / sq mi
34.1yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
5.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.3%
Female 46.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Chehalis vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.9%
16% above US avg
Spanish9.1%
32% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chehalis vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chehalis is $68,021, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Chehalis vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,021
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,453
Avg Weekly Wage$1,385
IRS Avg AGI$86,381

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.3%
33% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,476
County GDP$21,563M

Business (County)

Restaurants620
Healthcare986
Retail761
Manufacturing166

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,518
86% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.97%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.2 min
Work from Home8.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Chehalis is $330,800, 17% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,055 (9% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $468,469.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$330,800
17% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$468,469
Median List Price$385,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$385,000
$/Sq Ft$233
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio101.0%
Price Drops31.8%
Inventory22

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,055
9% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,515

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied48.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,518
86% above US avg
Effective Rate1.97%
In Chehalis, 39.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Chehalis vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.0%
21% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma11.6%
COPD6.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.6%
Checkup Rate64.9%
Premature Death7,249/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access75.7%
Healthcare Facilities986
Chehalis has a violent crime rate of 151 per 100,000 residents, 60% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 7,633 per 100,000 (289% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Chehalis vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent151.3/100K
60% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape13.8/100K
Robbery41.3/100K
Assault96.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property7,633.1/100K
289% above US avg
Burglary880.2/100K
Theft6,409.0/100K
Vehicle Theft343.8/100K
Arson13.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Chehalis has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average51.5°F
5% below US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.6 inches
9% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation279 ft (85 m)
Area5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²)
Population Density1,297/sq mi
Coordinates46.6642°N, 122.9654°W
County FIPS53067
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 24.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.1%
D 58.5%

Winner: Democrat by 20.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.0%
29% below US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score5.36
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,297/sq mi
Total Area5.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities986
Restaurants620
Retail Stores761

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.2 min
Work from Home8.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Chehalis with another city: