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CITY

Chelan

Washington · 4,494 residents (2025 est.) · 6.703 sq mi
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The short version

Chelan has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $82,637. Population has grown 24% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $518,000. With a median age of 46.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 102%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,350
+24%since 2000
from 3,522 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
649 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 525 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.4
+13%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,494 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Chelan
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$82,637
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,047 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$44,453
+169%since 2000
from $16,511 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
50.9%
+31.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.4%
−12.5 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.451
+6%since 2010
from 0.424 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing6.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade2.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$518,000
+102%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $140,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,368
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $483 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 59.3% in 2000
43.6% rent
Vacancy rate
35.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 33.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
34.3%
+14.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.3
+25%since 2000
from 5.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
58
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chelan on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.3%(2,865)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino14.5%(509)
Asian0.5%(17)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.1%(1,164)
2024
White, non-Hispanic71.6%(3,114)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino22.9%(995)
Asian1.1%(48)
Other4.4%(193)
Diversity Score54.1%(2,355)
Diversity Score
54
+64%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.3%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 20.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.7%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 76.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
15.3%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.8 min
−7%since 2000
from 14.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
61.9%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.2%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
14.0%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.4%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.6%
−9.4 ptssince 2011
from 11.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.1%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 59.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.7%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 23.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.1%
−36.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
Female
47.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
Foreign born
19.6%
+17.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.0%
−47.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.1%
−4.1 ptssince 2012
from 16.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
20.8%
−58.2 ptssince 2013
from 79.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.1%
+33.8 ptssince 2017
from 62.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
77.9%
+16.0 ptssince 2016
from 61.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
20.7%
−16.7 ptssince 2016
from 37.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Chelan to nearby cities

CHELAN VS
Wenatchee
Income$73,040−12%
Home value$433,700−16%
Population35,547+691%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHELAN VS
East Wenatchee
Income$77,558−6%
Home value$429,200−17%
Population14,414+221%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHELAN VS
Quincy
Income$87,902+6%
Home value$336,800−35%
Population8,510+89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHELAN VS
Ephrata
Income$69,551−16%
Home value$252,000−51%
Population8,834+97%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chelan, Washington?

Chelan, Washington has about 4,350 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chelan, Washington?

The typical household in Chelan, Washington earns about $82,637 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chelan, Washington expensive?

In Chelan, Washington, the median home is worth about $518,000, and the typical rent is about $1,368 a month.

How educated are people in Chelan, Washington?

About 28.3% of adults age 25 and over in Chelan, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chelan, Washington?

About 8.4% of people in Chelan, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chelan, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Chelan, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,381 residents, a change of about 47 percent over that period.

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

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