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Centralia, WA


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Centralia, Washington

Introduction to Centralia, Washington

Centralia, Washington, in Lewis county, is 37 miles SW of Lakewood, Washington (center to center) and 68 miles SW of Seattle, Washington. There are an estimated 14,742 people in the city.

Centralia History

This region served as a halfway stopover point for stagecoaches that ran between Seattle and Columbia River. J.G. Cochran, from Missouri, filed for a donation land claim in this area in 1850. Two years later he sold his claim. The new owner of the land filed a plat for Centerville. He also built his home there. Eventually the area was incorporated in February 1886. However, another town named Centerville already existed in the state. This caused much confusion and ultimately led to the renaming of this town to Centralia in 1891.

Centralia and nearby Attractions

  • Centralia Elks Golf Course
  • Olympic Club
  • Centralia Rifle Club
  • Fort Borst Lake
  • Skookumchuck River
  • Riverside Park

Things To Do In Centralia

The city offers exciting shopping and dining opportunities, especially in its Historic District. There is a fully restored train depot and other historically representative murals that attract visitors and shoppers from neighboring areas and beyond. Special programs, cultural events, and entertainment activities regularly take place in the city and contribute to its vibrant atmosphere.

Centralia Transportation

Olympia Airport is the nearest major airport.

Centralia Higher Education

Centralia College, South Puget Sound Community College, and Evergreen State College offer facilities for higher education.

High Points

Centralia strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Washington):

CategoryTrophy
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)		Top 15%Centralia Walking and Biking to Work

Comparative Profile of Centralia, WA

Comparing Centralia to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Washington (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Senior Citizens99
Children Under 5 Years Old87
Female Share of the Population79
Age of the Population57
Racial Diversity56
Male Share of the Population42
Well-Paid Single Men44

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size44
Portion of People Married22

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Above Poverty23
College Educated Adults23
Median Family Income23
People in Middle Class or Better23

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work98
Working at Home75
Short Commute Times66
Public Transportation Use65

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals99
People Living Alone99
Affordability of Property Taxes67
Seasonal and Vacation Housing65
Affordability of Rents56
Housing Recently Built43

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime21
Low Property Crime11

Detailed pages on related topics: Centralia colleges • Centralia travel.

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Additional Details

Centralia CollegesCentralia Colleges
Centralia colleges and trade schools.
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