Skip to main content
Population Review

Centralia, Washington Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

The population of Centralia, Washington is 18,457 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 78th-largest city in Washington. The median household income is $52,387, the median home value is $267,600, and the median age is 37.8.

The population has grown 14.2% since 2010 (16,692 → 19,061).

18,457

Population

2363

People / sq mi

$52,387

Median Income

$267,600

Median Home Value

Get Centralia's next ACS population data

Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Centralia covers 7.8 sq mi of land at 2363 people per square mile.

About Centralia, WA

The poverty rate is what most separates Centralia from the typical city: 16.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Centralia is a city in Washington with a population of 18,457.

The typical household earns $52,387, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 16.2%, above the national 12.4%. Median home value is $267,600, with typical rent around $1,003.

Degree attainment is on the lower side for US cities: 17.6% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national 35.0%. Just 5.4% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.

The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Centralia: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.

Centralia city Population History (2010-2024)

The city of Centralia city had a population of 16,692 in 2010 and 19,061 in 2024, a 14.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 19,061 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.96%.

2024 · 19K20102024
Centralia city population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

19,061

Population (2024)

16,692

Population (2010)

19,061

Peak (2024)

0.96%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201016,692
201116,839
201216,753
201316,647
201416,594
201516,672
201616,904
201717,280
201817,515
201917,745
202018,397
202118,807
202218,861
202318,990
202419,061

Race & Ethnicity

White79.8%
Black or African American1.2%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3.1%
Two or More Races0.1%

Economy & Income

$52,387

Median Household Income

$28,232

Per Capita Income

16.2%

Poverty Rate

2.7%

Unemployment Rate

Housing

$267,600

Median Home Value

$1,003

Median Rent

58.5%

Owner-Occupied

Education

86.6%

High School+

17.6%

Bachelor's+

Commute

1.5%

Drive Alone

70.4%

Public Transit

5.4%

Work From Home

26.3 min

Avg Commute

Community Profile

34.8%

Foreign Born

82.9%

Non-English at Home

7.7%

Veterans

21.2%

With Disability

89.1%

Health Insurance

93.1%

Internet Access

Employment by Industry

Professional, Scientific & Management19.6%
Education, Health Care & Social Services15.4%
Construction9.4%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate6.9%
Retail Trade6.4%
Public Administration6.4%
Manufacturing6.0%
Agriculture & Mining4.9%
Arts, Entertainment & Food Services3.7%
Information2.9%
Transportation & Warehousing2.4%

Largest cities in Washington

Largest counties in Washington

Part of Washington

Metro areas in Washington

City rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Centralia, Washington has a population of 18,457 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 78th-largest city in Washington.

The median household income in Centralia, Washington is $52,387, with 16.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.

The median home value in Centralia, Washington is $267,600, with median monthly rent at $1,003 and a homeownership rate of 58.5%.

The median age in Centralia, Washington is 37.8 years. The population is 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

The population has grown 14.2% since 2010 (16,692 → 19,061).

Where to stay in Centralia

Visiting or relocating to Centralia, WA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.