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 donated some of the land for parks and a cemetery still in use today.
Centralia is known for its diversity and recreational outdoor activities. With parks, coffee shops, and a mild nightlife, many families and retirees are attracted to Centralia for its slower pace of life.
Older adults planning a relocation in the region can explore an Olympia senior moving company for help with organizing, packing, downsizing, and carefully settling into a new home.
Is living in Centralia, WA in your future? Here’s what you can look forward to!
Where Is Centralia?
Centralia is in Lewis County, Washington, along I-5. It’s about midway between Seattle and Portland, Oregon. It’s next to Chehalis to the south, Grand Mound and Rochester to the north and Tenino to the northeast.
It’s about 84 miles from Centralia to Seattle and 91 miles from Centralia to Portland. The city of Olympia is just 25 miles north of the community, and Tacoma is 54 miles away.
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Centralia, WA Population & Demographics
The Centralia Washington population is 16,932, and the city has a steady population growth of 0.96%. The racial demographics in Centralia are 81.9% white (74.7% non-Hispanic), 17.8% Hispanic, 1.3% Asian, 1.0% Black or African American, and 11% two or more 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.
Centralia Cost of Living & Real Estate Market
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 sell in 13 days and sell for 1% above the original listed price. The median home price in Centralia is $346,500 or $276 per square foot. You can explore houses for sale in Centralia, WA to see what you can get within your budget.
The homeownership rate in Centralia is 50.7%, so there are plenty of people who are looking to rent.
Before selling a home, ending a lease, or preparing for moving day, junk hauling near Centralia can help clear unwanted furniture, household items, and other clutter from the property.
There are limited rentals in Centralia, WA. You’ll pay around $1,400 in average monthly rent. 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.
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Centralia, WA Weather & Climate
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 classic American cuisine with a comforting twist. With options for 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, which includes 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.
Companies opening, relocating, or expanding in the region can use professional support for business moving near Centralia to coordinate furniture, equipment, records, and workplace setup.
You can explore jobs in Centralia on Indeed or check out City of Centralia jobs for other opportunities.
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 jobs. If you’re planning to commute to Tacoma, you can see directions from Centralia, WA to Tacoma, WA, which is 54 miles away.
Schools in Centralia, WA
Centralia has many good schools 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.
Centralia Statistics & Information
- County: Lewis
- Area: 7.8 square feet
- Centralia zip code: 98531
- Centralia area code: 360
- Centralia WA elevation: 187 feet
- Time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Centralia: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), 59 miles away
Living in Centralia Pros & Cons
- Pro: Residents experience mild and pleasant climate year-round
- Pro: Centralia is a fairly affordable place to live
- Con: 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 the best Centralia movers at All Ready Moving & Storage 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 at (360) 507-2447 for a free quote!
