City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Chewelah, WA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chewelah - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,552
Residents
$55,516
Median income
$226,900
Median home
$1,131
Median rent (state)

Chewelah - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Chewelah places in the 28th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

28th
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chewelah, WA

Washington's Chewelah is a small town, with 2,552 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $55,516 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.9%. Chewelah's housing stock carries a median value of $226,900, and the median resident age is 48.4 years. About 21.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 48.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 8 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 60% from five years earlier. The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 46.3°F with 21.4 inches of precipitation per year.

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Washington scores 107.0 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,131 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Washington run around $188, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 60.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

2,552 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$55,516 /yr

Poverty 8.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Chewelah compare to other US cities?

Chewelah measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 28% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Chewelah against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Washington only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Washington-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Chewelah near the bottom of Washington's cities

Among the 599 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Chewelah ranks #552 - the 7th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chewelah only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#476 of 565
16th percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#552 of 599
7th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#471 of 565
17th percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#188 of 598
68th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#368 of 599
38th percentile in Washington

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Washington only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

28thIncome percentile

28th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Chewelah's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$226,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chewelah $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chewelah, WA Chewelah, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chewelah, WA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chewelah, WA median $55,516/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chewelah, WA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chewelah, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,552
Median Income
$55,516
Median Home Value
$226,900
Median Age
48.4
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Labor force participation
48.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.9%

Climate

Avg Temperature
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
21.4"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,400 residents2,500 residents2,600 residents2,700 residents2,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,473 residents 2,712 residents ▲ +9.7%
Chewelah's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 12
2021 19
2022 22
2023 12
2024 8

Permit volume increased 60% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.5%
Carpool
10.3%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
12.6%
Other
0.7%

Based on 1,067 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Washington - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Washington state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chewelah sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,131/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Carson
2,553 people
Navy Yard
2,542 people
Brush Prairie
2,563 people
Meadow Glade
2,534 people
White Salmon
2,533 people
Warden
2,531 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chewelah's 2,552 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Butler, AL
2,552 people
Thunderbolt, GA
2,552 people
Madison, ME
2,552 people
Lawson Heights, PA
2,552 people
Rockville, IN
2,551 people
Conrad, MT
2,553 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chewelah's $55,516 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bladenboro, NC
$55,517 median income
Seven Points, TX
$55,517 median income
Elsa, TX
$55,519 median income
Happy Valley, AK
$55,521 median income
Wasco, CA
$55,521 median income
Marble Falls, TX
$55,511 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chewelah, WA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chewelah, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.2% 6.7% 8.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.9% White 82.2% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 2.3% Some other race 6.7% Two or more races 8.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chewelah compares to nearby Washington cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chewelah (this city) 2,552 $55,516
Carson 2,553 $70,347
Navy Yard 2,542 $67,546
Brush Prairie 2,563 $115,511
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chewelah, WA?

What is the population of Chewelah, WA? +

The population of Chewelah, WA stands at 2,552 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chewelah, WA? +

In Chewelah, the typical household earns $55,516 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chewelah? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chewelah; the closest available measure is the Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Chewelah, WA? +

Chewelah's median home value sits at $226,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Chewelah? +

The average annual temperature in Chewelah runs 46.3°F, 21.4 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.