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CITY

Kelso

Washington · 12,801 residents (2025 est.) · 8.135 sq mi
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The short version

Kelso has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $66,751. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $337,600. Households here earn about 32% less than the Washington median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 103%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,684
+7%since 2000
from 11,895 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,559 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 1,462 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.9
+21%since 2000
from 32.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:12,801 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
12K12K12K13K13K1990201020202024Kelso
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,751
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,722 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,246
+132%since 2000
from $15,162 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.6%
+26.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.0%
−7.7 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.381
−11%since 2010
from 0.427 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance5.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$337,600
+103%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,220
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $507 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.1%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 51.5% in 2000
43.9% rent
Vacancy rate
3.9%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.5%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.1
+65%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
69
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kelso on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.2%(10,374)
Black0.8%(97)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(824)
Asian0.9%(109)
Other0%
Diversity Score20.9%(2,485)
2024
White, non-Hispanic75.4%(9,564)
Black1.9%(246)
Hispanic / Latino10.3%(1,305)
Asian0.7%(89)
Other11.7%(1,480)
Diversity Score50.9%(6,450)
Diversity Score
51
+143%since 2000
from 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.2%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 79.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.8 min
+52%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.5%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 73.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.7%
−12.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.7%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.6%
−11.1 ptssince 2011
from 17.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.3%
+8.0 ptssince 2011
from 56.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.9%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
49.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
4.6%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.3%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2012
from 23.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.6%
−72.0 ptssince 2013
from 81.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.4%
+14.5 ptssince 2017
from 76.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.2%
+4.1 ptssince 2016
from 89.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.6%
−4.2 ptssince 2016
from 8.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Kelso to nearby cities

KELSO VS
Longview
Income$61,747−7%
Home value$361,600+7%
Population38,362+200%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KELSO VS
St. Helens
Income$82,865+24%
Home value$394,200+17%
Population14,450+13%
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KELSO VS
Ridgefield
Income$116,389+74%
Home value$613,500+82%
Population16,132+26%
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KELSO VS
Scappoose
Income$97,708+46%
Home value$455,700+35%
Population8,257−35%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Kelso, Washington?

Kelso, Washington has about 12,684 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Kelso, Washington?

The typical household in Kelso, Washington earns about $66,751 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kelso, Washington expensive?

In Kelso, Washington, the median home is worth about $337,600, and the typical rent is about $1,220 a month.

How educated are people in Kelso, Washington?

About 12.5% of adults age 25 and over in Kelso, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kelso, Washington?

About 12.0% of people in Kelso, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kelso, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Kelso, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 864 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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

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