Just southwest of Tacoma and Seattle lies the gorgeous city of Centralia, WA. Known for its public art, Centralia keeps its historic roots throughout the city. The history of Centralia begins with an African american couple in the 1850s who feared that they would be forced into slavery, so they fled to Centralia and bought land in the town. They named the streets in Centralia after biblical references and would donate some of the land for parks and a cemetery that are still used today. Ever since then, Centralia is known for its diversity and recreational outdoor activities. With parks, shops, and a mild nightlife, many families and retirees are attracted to Centralia for its slower pace of life!
Centralia, WA Population & Demographics
Centralia’s population is 16,932, and the city has a steady population growth of 0.96%. The racial demographics in Centralia are 75.6% White, 14.5% Hispanic, 3.83% mixed Non-Hispanic races, 1.91% mixed Hispanic races, and 1.61% other races. The median household income in Centralia is $40,815, which is a 3.79% growth from last year. The median age in Centralia is 37.5, with a lot of families and retirees living there. There are 95.9 males for every 100 females in Centralia.
The zip code in Centralia is 98531. Centralia’s area code is 360. People residing in Centralia will be located in Lewis County.
Centralia Cost of Living
One of the many advantages of residing in Centralia is the low cost of living. Centralia is very affordable. Centralia is 11% less expensive to live compared to the national average and 29% cheaper than the rest of Washington. You can thank the city’s housing market for making Centralia a more affordable place to live. Housing in Centralia is 70% cheaper compared to the rest of Washington. The housing market in Centralia is considered highly competitive. Homes in Centralia typically sold in 13 days and sell for 1% above the original listed price. Now is a great time to buy one of the many Centralia, WA homes for sale before prices rise! The average price of a home in Centralia is $268,000 or $197 per square foot. The homeownership rate in Centralia is 50.7%, so there are plenty of people who are looking to rent. The average rent in Centralia is $829. The rent trends have been steady with a 0% growth rate in the past year for one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, which makes it a perfect time to look for places to rent.
Other expenses are fairly inexpensive in Centralia compared to the national average and the rest of Washington. Healthcare in Centralia is 20% cheaper than the national average and 3% cheaper than the rest of Washington. The cost of utilities are fairly affordable in Centralia as well with it being 28% less expensive than the national average and 2% cheaper than the rest of Washington. Some other everyday expenses that are considered more affordable in Centralia are transportation and groceries.
Centralia, WA Neighborhoods
Those moving to Centralia have a ton of excellent neighborhoods in Centralia to choose from that will most likely fit anyone’s needs. The most popular neighborhoods in Centralia are Bitterlandia, West Centralia, Jefferson District, and North Centralia. Bitterlandia has a smaller population with mainly retirees residing there. There are various different places to live in Bitterlandia, from apartments to single family homes. West Centralia has more families living there due to the bigger lot sizes available in the neighborhood. Many people are attracted to West Centralia because the neighborhood is close to the freeway, so it’s a quicker commute to bigger nearby cities, like Seattle. Jefferson District has the youngest population with mostly middle aged adults with young kids. The elementary schools are located near, making it the best Centralia neighborhood for families with small children. There are also a lot of things to do like visit all the cool shops and parks in Jefferson District. North Centralia is one of the biggest neighborhoods in Centralia and most residents stay there for years. With larger homes available and convenient shops nearby, North Centralia attracts people of all ages to live here.
Centralia, WA Weather
Many people consider moving to Centralia for its pleasant and mild climate. The summers in Centralia are warm and dry with an average high temperature of 81°F and low temperature of 53°F. The winters in Centralia are cold and wet with highs of 45°F and lows of 35°F. Centralia’s climate allows a lot of rainy days with the city getting an average of 50 inches of rainfall each year. Due to that, there are only 136 days of sunshine a year, which is a lot less when you’re comparing it to the US average. The temperature never drops too low in Centralia, creating a comfortable atmosphere for residents year round.
Things to Do in Centralia, WA
Wondering what fun activities there are to do in Centralia? Whether you’re wanting to explore the outside or find a new place to shop, we’ve got you covered! Check out the most popular Centralia activities down below:
Fort Borst Park
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If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with the family in Centralia, Fort Borst Park is the place to go. With baseball fields, playgrounds, football fields, and a small lake, there are plenty of activities to choose from. Whether you want to play baseball, go fishing, or play on the playground, Fort Borst Park offers families a full day of fun!
Centralia, WA 98531, (360) 330-7688
Rotary Riverside Park
If you’re an outdoorsman, you’ll love Rotary Riverside Park. Filled with trails to hike, a park to play on, and a river to fish and float down on, this is a perfect place to visit with your family or with a significant other for a day date!
Lowe St, Centralia, WA 98531, (360) 330-7688
Centralia also provides nice shopping places, like Centralia Outlets, The Shady LAdy Antiques & Resale Boutique, and Centralia Square.
Additional Things To Do Near Centralia
- Seminary Hill Natural Area
- Shankz 3D Black Light Miniature Golf
- Wilbur Parkins Park
- Yard Birds Statue
Centralia Restaurants
Wondering where you can grab the best bite to eat in Centralia? We’ve found the most popular restaurants in Centralia that are reputable for their delectable service and food! Check them out below:
Country Cousin Restaurant
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Country Cousin serves the classic American cuisine with a comforting twist. With options of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this menu provides options of omelets, biscuits and gravy, salads, and hot beef and french dip sandwiches. With thousands of raving reviews online, this Centralia restaurant is a must-try!
1054 Harrison Ave, Centralia, WA 98531, (360) 736-2200
Berry Fields Cafe
Berry Fields Cafe has the most delicious menu that serves omelets, french toast, salads, turkey dinner, steak, and chili. There are also many desserts to choose from, including berry pies, cheesecake, and milkshakes. Whether you want something sweet or savory, there is something for everyone here!
201 S Pearl St, Centralia, WA 98531, (360) 736-1183
Jobs in Centralia, WA
The median household income in Centralia is $40,815, which is a 3.79% growth from last year, thanks to Centralia’s increasingly good economy. The city has 6,514 employees with most jobs found in retail, health care and social assistance, and food service. You can find Indeed jobs in Centralia here. Most residents have an average commute time of 21.7 minutes, however a lot of residents still have to travel to bigger cities like Tacoma for their job. If you’re planning to commute to Tacoma, you can click here for directions from Centralia, WA to Tacoma, WA, which is 54 miles.
Schools in Centralia, WA
Centralia has many good schools to choose from in the area. The most popular schools in Centralia are Edison Middle School, Oakview Elementary School, Centralia Middle School, and Centralia High School. These schools are most complimented on their diversity and their student’s test scores and progress. Some private schools to choose from in Centralia are Cedar Valley Academy, Evergreen Academy of Arts & Sciences, and Heart To Heart Child Care Center. One of the reasons people choose to relocate to Keystone is for its excellent school district.
Living in Centralia Pros & Cons
- Residents experience mild and pleasant climate year round
- Centralia is a fairly affordable place to live
- The schools are only considered average in the area
Ready to change your address and call Centralia your home? If that’s the case, have our best Centralia moving company get you settled in. Whether you’re moving out of state or locally, our team members will do all the hard work for you. Call us today for a free quote!
