Overview

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.

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.

Demographics

People

Total Population16,932
Male Share of the Population49%
Female Share of the Population51%
Senior Citizens19.6%
Employed Population 16+6,429
Age of the Population38

Families

% of people married40.8%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher11.2%
Median Earnings25+$28,015
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$23,493
Median Earnings With High School Degree$25,470

Wealth

Median Family Income$50,027
% Above Poverty Level78.6%
% Below Poverty Level21.4%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time23 minutes
% Working from Home3.9%
% Walking and Biking to Work3.3%
% Using Public Transportation0.3%

Housing

People Living Alone38.3%
Median Gross Rent$855
Median House Value$145,800

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)32.1%
Irish10.2%
English8.3%
French Except Basque3.8%
Swedish3.2%
Norwegian2.7%
Italian2.4%
Welsh2.1%
Scottish2.1%
Dutch2%
Finnish1.6%
Canadian1.4%
Polish1.2%
Danishn0.7%
Swiss0.5%
Portuguese0.5%
Belgian0.4%
Russian0.3%
Czech0.3%
Ukrainian0.1%
Hungarian0.1%
German0.1%
Australian0.1%
Arab0.1%
Greek0.1%
Iranian0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
Latvian0.1%
New Zealand0.1%
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Centralia Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyLewis County
Standard Zip Codes98531
Phone Area Codes360
Time ZoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Approximate Latitude46.74
Approximate Longitude-122.95

Centralia Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationCENTRALIA
Distance0.1 miles
Jan Temp35 to 47 F
Apr Temp41 to 62 F
Jul Temp54 to 79 F
Oct Temp44 to 64 F
Annual Precip47.4 inches
StationOAKVILLE
Distance15.5 miles
Jan Temp33 to 47 F
Apr Temp38 to 61 F
Jul Temp51 to 77 F
Oct Temp41 to 62 F
Annual Precip57.3 inches
StationGRAYS RIVER HATCHERY
Distance37.2 miles
Jan Temp34 to 48 F
Apr Temp38 to 58 F
Jul Temp50 to 73 F
Oct Temp41 to 63 F
Annual Precip109.4 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Bucoda689$40,833
Chehalis7,404$61,818
Napavine1,720$58,056
Oakville738$51,310
Tenino1,695$63,611
Winlock1,725$60,833

Centralia Hospitals

Providence Centralia Hospital
(Non-profit)
914 South Scheuber Road
(360) 736-2803

Centralia Public Schools

Centralia High School
813 Eshom Road
ZIP: 98531
(360) 330-7605
High
Total Enrollment 1088
Centralia Middle School
901 Johnson Road
ZIP: 98531
(360) 330-7619
Other
Total Enrollment 540
Edison Elementary
607 H Street
ZIP: 98531
(360) 330-7631
Primary
Total Enrollment 341
Fords Prairie Elementary
1620 Harrison Avenue
ZIP: 98531
(360) 330-7633
Primary
Total Enrollment 383
Futurus High School
906 Johnson Road
ZIP: 98531
(360) 725-6000
High
Total Enrollment 79
Jefferson Lincoln Elementary
400 West Summa
ZIP: 98531
(360) 330-7636
Primary
Total Enrollment 510
Oakview Elementary School
201 Oakview Avenue
ZIP: 98531
(360) 330-7638
Middle
Total Enrollment 383
Washington Elementary School
800 Field Street
ZIP: 98531
(360) 330-7641
Primary
Total Enrollment 373

Centralia Private Schools

Cedar Valley Academy
268 Big Hanaford Rd
ZIP: 98531
Secondary
Total Enrollment 4
Centralia Christian School
1315 S Tower Ave
ZIP: 98531
Elementary
Total Enrollment 153
Sources :
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