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CITY

Centralia

Washington · 19,375 residents (2025 est.) · 7.621 sq mi
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The short version

Centralia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,219. Population has grown 28% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $318,200. Households here earn about 43% less than the Washington median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 81%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,830
+28%since 2000
from 14,742 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,471 / sq mi
+28%since 2000
from 1,934 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.0
+7%since 2000
from 36.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:19,375 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
12K14K16K18K19K1990201020202024Centralia
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,219
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,078 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,407
+93%since 2000
from $16,305 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.6%
+25.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.439
+6%since 2010
from 0.414 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration1.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$318,200
+81%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $96,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,084
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $561 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
60.0%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 55.3% in 2000
40.0% rent
Vacancy rate
2.8%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.0%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 35.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.3%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.7
+76%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Centralia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.3%(12,577)
Black0.3%(50)
Hispanic / Latino10.2%(1,506)
Asian0.9%(137)
Other0%
Diversity Score26.5%(3,906)
2024
White, non-Hispanic72.4%(13,631)
Black1.1%(206)
Hispanic / Latino19.7%(3,702)
Asian1.6%(298)
Other5.3%(993)
Diversity Score54.3%(10,219)
Diversity Score
54
+105%since 2000
from 26 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.4%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.5%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.6 min
+65%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.3%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 76.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.3%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−8.8 ptssince 2011
from 14.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 56.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.0%
−26.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
51.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
9.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.7%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2012
from 22.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.4%
−75.9 ptssince 2013
from 85.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.3%
+16.0 ptssince 2017
from 73.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
83.1%
−3.1 ptssince 2016
from 86.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
14.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 12.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Centralia to nearby cities

CENTRALIA VS
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Income$95,212+69%
Home value$472,200+48%
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CENTRALIA VS
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CENTRALIA VS
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Income$81,302+45%
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CENTRALIA VS
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Home value$457,100+44%
Population58,833+204%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Centralia, Washington?

Centralia, Washington has about 18,830 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Centralia, Washington?

The typical household in Centralia, Washington earns about $56,219 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Centralia, Washington expensive?

In Centralia, Washington, the median home is worth about $318,200, and the typical rent is about $1,084 a month.

How educated are people in Centralia, Washington?

About 19.4% of adults age 25 and over in Centralia, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Centralia, Washington?

About 19.6% of people in Centralia, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Centralia, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Centralia, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,554 residents, a change of about 53 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →