Chehalis, WA

Full City Profile · Washington · Thurston County County

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 26.8% income on rent

52°F Avg Temperature 240 sunny days/yr

286 Violent Crime/100K 4,908 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

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

286 violent crimes/100K

C+

Education

2.9 / 5.0

24.0% bachelor's degree or higher

Chehalis experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 240 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 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 Average	51.5°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	40°F (5°C)
July Average	65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	240 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	279 ft (85 m)
Area	2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density	1,297/sq mi
Coordinates	46.6642°N, 122.9654°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Thurston County County
Nearest Airport	Olympia Regional (OLM) 21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.6"

9% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 8.39"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)	0.0364 ppm

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	19.5 / 100
Community Resilience	65.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Low
Tsunami	Very Low
Volcano	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

1,273 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.8. Most recent: M2.8 on Aug 10, 2025.

Feb 28, 2001	7 km SSE of Longbranch, Washington	M6.8	57 km
Jul 3, 1999	8 km N of Satsop, Washington	M5.8	59 km
May 3, 1996	8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington	M5.4	147 km
Jun 10, 2001	18 km N of Satsop, Washington	M5.0	69 km
Jan 29, 1995	3 km WSW of Des Moines, Washington	M5.0	92 km
Jun 23, 1997	2 km NE of Enetai, Washington	M4.9	108 km
Apr 25, 2003	26 km W of Brinnon, Washington	M4.8	114 km
Jan 30, 2009	6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington	M4.7	128 km
Jul 22, 2001	4 km WSW of DuPont, Washington	M4.3	52 km
Feb 14, 2011	31 km S of Morton, Washington	M4.3	72 km
May 20, 1995	15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington	M4.1	82 km
Feb 23, 2017	11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington	M4.1	91 km
Aug 16, 2004	16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington	M4.0	114 km
Jun 15, 1994	1 km WNW of Hoodsport, Washington	M4.0	84 km
Aug 8, 2023	9 km NNE of Snoqualmie, Washington	M3.9	138 km
Jun 25, 2004	17 km W of Packwood, Washington	M3.9	82 km
Oct 1, 2004	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.9	79 km
Apr 24, 2003	3 km NW of North Portland, Oregon	M3.9	116 km
Sep 10, 1994	2 km SE of Enumclaw, Washington	M3.9	96 km
Jun 27, 1997	3 km SW of Bainbridge Island, Washington	M3.9	109 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

40 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF2. Total: 2 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Dec 18, 2018	EF2	97 km	0
Nov 10, 1965	EF2	6 km	0
Oct 18, 2019	EF1	67 km	0
Jan 18, 2015	EF1	79 km	0
Oct 23, 2014	EF1	59 km	0
Sep 30, 2013	EF1	66 km	0
Sep 6, 2009	EF1	86 km	0
May 27, 2004	EF1	19 km	0
Jun 27, 2001	EF1	83 km	0
May 31, 1997	EF1	74 km	0
Jun 29, 1989	EF1	90 km	0
Mar 28, 1985	EF1	54 km	0
Oct 13, 1984	EF1	84 km	0
Aug 16, 1978	EF1	99 km	0
Jun 12, 1978	EF1	69 km	0
Dec 22, 1971	EF1	95 km	0
Oct 3, 1967	EF1	95 km	0
Oct 28, 2024	EF0	60 km	0
Oct 11, 2023	EF0	90 km	0
Mar 19, 2021	EF0	89 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 250.0 m (820 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1980	WASHINGTON	Explosion	250.0 m	61	79 km
1894	PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA	Meteorological	3.0 m	2	80 km
1949	PUGET SOUND, WA	Meteorological	2.4 m	—	78 km
1949	PUGET SOUND, WA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	8	62 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

6 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: St. Helens (79 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
St. Helens	Stratovolcano	2,549 m (8,363 ft)	2008	79 km
Rainier	Stratovolcano	4,392 m (14,409 ft)	1450	94 km
West Crater	Volcanic field	1,329 m (4,360 ft)	-5750	111 km
Indian Heaven	Shield(s)	1,806 m (5,925 ft)	-6250	120 km
Adams	Stratovolcano	3,742 m (12,277 ft)	950	124 km
Hood	Stratovolcano	3,426 m (11,240 ft)	1866	174 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BEAR GULCH II (1,037 ac, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres	Distance
2006	BEAR GULCH II	1,037	96 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (5°C)	8.4 in	Wettest
February	42°F (6°C)	6.0 in
March	45°F (7°C)	5.1 in
April	49°F (9°C)	3.5 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.4 in
June	59°F (15°C)	2.1 in
July	65°F (18°C)	0.9 in	Warmest, Driest
August	64°F (18°C)	1.3 in
September	59°F (15°C)	2.2 in
October	51°F (11°C)	4.7 in
November	44°F (6°C)	8.3 in
December	39°F (4°C)	8.2 in	Coldest

Chehalis has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 39°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (8.4") and July the driest (0.9").

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