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Lewis County, Washington facts for kids

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Lewis County
U.S. county
Lewis County Historic Courthouse
Lewis County Historic Courthouse
Map of Washington highlighting Lewis County
Location within the U.S. state of Washington
Map of the United States highlighting Washington
Washington's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Washington
Founded December 19, 1845
Named for Meriwether Lewis
Seat Chehalis
Largest city Centralia
Area
 • Total 2,436 sq mi (6,310 km2)
 • Land 2,403 sq mi (6,220 km2)
 • Water 33 sq mi (90 km2)  1.4%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 82,149
 • Estimate 
(2021)
 84,398 Increase
 • Density 32.5/sq mi (12.5/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
Congressional district 3rd

Lewis County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 82,149. The county seat is Chehalis, and its largest city is Centralia. Lewis County comprises the Centralia, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA Combined Statistical Area.

Geography and natural features

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,436 square miles (6,310 km2), of which 2,403 square miles (6,220 km2) is land and 33 square miles (85 km2) (1.4%) is water. One of the world's tallest Douglas fir trees ever recorded was in the town of Mineral within Lewis County, attaining a height of 120 metres (390 ft).

Geographic features

Major highways

  • I-5.svg Interstate 5
  • US 12.svg U.S. Route 12

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 558 —
1860 384 −31.2%
1870 888 131.3%
1880 2,600 192.8%
1890 11,499 342.3%
1900 15,157 31.8%
1910 32,127 112.0%
1920 36,840 14.7%
1930 40,034 8.7%
1940 41,393 3.4%
1950 43,755 5.7%
1960 41,858 −4.3%
1970 45,467 8.6%
1980 56,025 23.2%
1990 59,358 5.9%
2000 68,600 15.6%
2010 75,455 10.0%
2020 82,149 8.9%
2021 (est.) 84,398 11.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

2010 census

As of the 2010 Census, there were 75,455 people, 29,743 households, and 20,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 31.4 inhabitants per square mile (12.1/km2). There were 34,050 housing units at an average density of 14.2 per square mile (5.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county's population: 89.7% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 4.0% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 24.1% were German, 14.9% were Irish, 12.5% were English, 7.7% were American, and 5.1% were Norwegian.

Of the 29,743 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 41.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,874 and the median income for a family was $53,358. Males had a median income of $43,695 versus $31,720 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,695. About 10.3% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

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