Living in Kelso, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Kelso · Census data 2020–2024
Kelso has 12,684 residents with a median age of 39.9. The median household income is $66,751 (32% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $337,600, the median rent is $1,220/month.
Kelso at a glance
- Population
- 12,684
- Median age
- 39.9State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $66,751State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $337,600State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,220/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 56.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12.5%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Kelso a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 40% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 12%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Kelso
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Kelso the median home value is $337,600, about the same as the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,220 per month, which is 29.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,782 a month in housing costs.
Kelso median household income
The median household income in Kelso is $66,751 and the income per person is $35,246. 12% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Kelso: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,656
- Owner-occupied
- 56.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.9%
- Vacant
- 3.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1963
- Average household size
- 2.32
Kelso demographics
- Population
- 12,684
- Median age
- 39.9
- Under 18
- 19.7%
- 65 and older
- 17.3%
- Households
- 5,435
- Foreign-born
- 4.6%
- Veterans
- 11.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Kelso ›
Education in Kelso
12.5% of adults 25 and older in Kelso have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Kelso
- Unemployment rate
- 6.6%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 5.6%
- Drive alone
- 84.5%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.4%
Kelso vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelso | 12,684 | $66,751 | $337,600 | $1,220 |
| Beacon Hill | 1,804 | $86,806 | $397,600 | $806 |
| Longview | 38,069 | $61,747 | $361,600 | $1,137 |
| Rainier | 2,130 | $66,989 | $344,700 | $942 |
| Lexington | 4,413 | $101,389 | $359,900 | $1,607 |
| Longview Heights | 4,357 | $74,570 | $456,700 | $1,346 |
| Kalama | 3,050 | $102,026 | $471,500 | — |
| Castle Rock | 2,217 | $69,639 | $348,600 | $1,222 |
| Woodland | 6,487 | $81,193 | $438,800 | $1,367 |
More for people moving to Kelso
Kelso ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Kelso: FAQ
What is the median household income in Kelso, WA?
The median household income in Kelso is $66,751, 32% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Kelso?
The median home value in Kelso is $337,600, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Kelso?
The median gross rent in Kelso is $1,220 per month, about 29.2% of household income.
Is Kelso, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 40% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 12%.
What is the median age in Kelso?
The median age in Kelso is 39.9 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Kelso?
The average commute to work in Kelso is 21 minutes; 5.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Kelso?
The unemployment rate in Kelso is 6.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Kelso?
12.5% of adults in Kelso have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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