County · Washington
Cowlitz County, Washington
Cowlitz County, Washington. Cowlitz County had 114,885 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.8% since 2020, in line with Washington (+3.8%). It holds 10 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 30 census tracts. GEOID 53015.
Cowlitz County is the county of the Longview-Kelso, WA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
114,885
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 110,730 · ACS 2020-2024: 112,360
Median household income
$76,531
±$3,128 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$397,500
±$10,389 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,206
±$39 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
How many people live in Cowlitz County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 110,730 residents in Cowlitz County. The Census Bureau estimates 114,885 for July 1, 2025, up 3.8% since 2020, in line with Washington (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 112,360 over 1,141 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cowlitz County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 112,360 | 7,816,116 | +5,582 |
| Households | 43,943±449 | 3,064,820 | +1,991 |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.03 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 46,422±96 | 3,306,620 | +1,711 |
Cowlitz County's population since 2000
From 92,948 in 2000 to 114,885 in 2025: up 23.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cowlitz County?
Cowlitz County holds 10 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Longview with 38,362 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Longview | 37,818 | $61,747 |
|---|---|---|
| Kelso | 12,720 | $66,751 |
| Woodland | 6,531 | $81,193 |
| Longview Heights | 4,033 | $74,570 |
| Lexington | 3,834 | $101,389 |
| Kalama | 2,959 | $102,026 |
| Castle Rock | 2,446 | $69,639 |
| Beacon HillGEOID 5304825 | 2,211 | $86,806 |
| RyderwoodGEOID 5360580 | 383 | $42,639 |
| CougarGEOID 5315010 | 118 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cowlitz County?
The median resident of Cowlitz County is 41.5 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.5%. 4.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cowlitz County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5±0.4 | 38.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.5% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8%±0.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.5% | 14.4% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.6%±0.6 pts | 63.1% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.3%±0.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.3%±0.5 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.9%±0.7 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.3%±0.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| With a disability | 20.2%±0.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2%±0.6 pts | 6.3% | +1.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.9%±0.9 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.6%±1.1 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7%±0.5 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cowlitz County earn?
Half of Cowlitz County's 43,943 households earn less than $76,531 a year (±$3,128), against $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $67,080 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,451 after inflation. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cowlitz County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,531±$3,128 | $98,141 | +$9,451 |
| Mean household income | $95,669±$2,898 | $134,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,105±$1,176 | $53,744 | +$2,567 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.2%±1.2 pts | 9.9% | −2.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.2%±3.0 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.7%±1.3 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.0%±1.0 pts | 93.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cowlitz County?
Owners occupy 68.0% of Cowlitz County's occupied homes and renters 32.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $397,500 by its owner (±$10,389). The median renter pays $1,206 a month including utilities, and 41.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cowlitz County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $397,500±$10,389 | $564,600 | +$127,609 |
| Median gross rent | $1,206±$39 | $1,760 | +$155 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.1%±3.5 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,949±$47 | $2,445 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.0%±1.6 pts | 63.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 46,422±96 | 3,306,620 | +1,711 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4%±1.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.4%±1.7 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.5%±0.8 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.7%±1.3 pts | 9.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cowlitz County building?
Builders took permits for 308 new housing units across Cowlitz County in 2025 (298 single-family), 2.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cowlitz County get to work?
81.5% of Cowlitz County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.9%.
| Measure | Cowlitz County | Washington | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.7%±1.2 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9%±1.1 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.5%±1.5 pts | 63.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±1.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±1.0 pts | 19.8% | +3.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.1 min±1.0 | 26.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Cowlitz County's census tracts?
Cowlitz County is divided into 30 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,373 (Tract 21) to $141,449 (Tract 16.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cowlitz County compare with Washington's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 12th of 39 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 24th of 39 |
| Residents per square mile | 12th of 39 |
| Median household income | 18th of 39 |
| Median home value | 22nd of 39 |
| Median gross rent | 19th of 39 |
| Poverty rate | 17th of 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37th of 39 |
| Median age | 21st of 39 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cowlitz County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.