Ariel ZIP Codes — Cowlitz County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Ariel, Washington and it is 98603. Area code: 360/564.
1
ZIP codes
114.73
sq mi land
2.86
sq mi water
360/564
area code
Ariel, WA ZIP code map

About Ariel, WA

Ariel is a small city located in Washington State, nestled in the western part of the United States. This charming community is known for its picturesque landscapes and proximity to the Lewis River. With a ZIP code of 98603, Ariel offers a serene environment that appeals to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Location & geography

Ariel is situated in Cowlitz County, positioned strategically northeast of the Columbia River. Nearby cities include Woodland, WA, approximately 16 miles to the south; Longview, WA, around 24 miles to the southwest; and Chehalis, WA, located about 25 miles to the northwest. The city spans a land area of 114.73 square miles, complemented by 2.86 square miles of water, providing a mix of forested terrain and river access.

Community & economy

The community of Ariel is characterized by its tight-knit atmosphere and a strong connection to the surrounding natural beauty. The local economy is largely driven by industries such as tourism, forestry, and outdoor recreation, reflecting the area's abundant resources. Daily life in Ariel often revolves around outdoor activities, with residents and visitors enjoying hiking, fishing, and camping in the nearby wilderness.

Transportation

Transportation in Ariel is primarily facilitated by local roads, with State Route 503 serving as a key route for travel in the area. The nearest major airport is Portland International Airport, located about 50 miles to the south, providing convenient access for air travelers. Public transit options may be limited, so residents typically rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Ariel was established in the late 19th century, primarily as a logging and timber community, which played a significant role in its early development. As the timber industry evolved, so did the community, gradually embracing tourism and outdoor recreation as key components of its economy. Notable events in the city's history include the growth of local parks and recreational facilities, which have attracted visitors seeking outdoor adventures.

Did you know?

Ariel is often considered a hidden gem due to its stunning landscapes along the Lewis River and nearby Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A little-known fact is that Ariel also hosts various outdoor festivals that celebrate its rich natural heritage.

ZIP codes for Ariel, WA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
98603 Ariel Cowlitz View map

Demographics & statistics

1,192
Population
30.3
Median age
$76,481
Median household income
$30,264
Per capita income
$338,000
Median home value
$726
Median monthly rent
71.0%
Home ownership
15.8%
Poverty rate
0.0%
Unemployment
527
Housing units
14.9%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
47
Under 5
53
111
5–9
125
16
10–14
17
8
15–19
10
13
20–24
15
97
25–34
109
37
35–44
41
62
45–54
69
37
55–59
41
37
60–64
41
62
65–74
69
31
75–84
34
5
85+
5
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1836931.0%
18 and over82369.0%
65 and over20617.3%
Median age30.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 83.7%
Two or more races 7.5%
Hispanic or Latino 5.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2.9%
GroupCount%
White1,06083.7%
Two or more races957.5%
Hispanic or Latino755.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native372.9%

Household income

Under $10k 13.5%
$10k–$15k 7.5%
$15k–$25k 2.3%
$25k–$35k 8.2%
$35k–$50k 2.5%
$50k–$75k 12.3%
$75k–$100k 28.5%
$100k–$150k 10.3%
$150k–$200k 7.8%
$200k+ 7.1%
Range% of households
Under $10k13.5%
$10k–$15k7.5%
$15k–$25k2.3%
$25k–$35k8.2%
$35k–$50k2.5%
$50k–$75k12.3%
$75k–$100k28.5%
$100k–$150k10.3%
$150k–$200k7.8%
$200k+7.1%
Median income$76,481

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.5%
$50k–$100k 2.9%
$100k–$150k 8.7%
$150k–$200k 3.2%
$200k–$300k 17.4%
$300k–$500k 50.8%
$500k–$1M 13.5%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$338,000
Median rent / month$726
Owner occupied71.0%
Renter occupied29.0%
Vacant33.0%
Single-family detached79.2%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes19.1%
Median rooms6.0
Avg household size (owned)2.88

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–201911.0%
2000–200920.6%
1990–199924.8%
1980–198922.0%
1970–19793.8%
1960–19697.3%
1950–19594.9%
1940–19490.0%
1939 or earlier5.5%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)8.3%
1 bedroom11.3%
2 bedrooms13.0%
3 bedrooms33.6%
4 bedrooms13.0%
5+ bedrooms20.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.1%
1 vehicle15.1%
2 vehicles37.0%
3 or more43.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity70.5%
Propane / LP gas2.5%
Wood24.9%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family17840.6%
Cohabiting couple296.6%
Male householder, no spouse9321.2%
Female householder, no spouse13831.5%
Households with children under 1816838.4%
Households with seniors (65+)14432.9%
Average household size2.72

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married7.8%29.1%
Married62.7%41.3%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed0.0%2.9%
Divorced29.5%26.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 12.1%
HS graduate 26.5%
Some college, no degree 28.8%
Associate's degree 17.6%
Bachelor's degree 7.2%
Graduate / professional 7.7%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher87.9%
Bachelor's or higher14.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool123.6%
Kindergarten8325.2%
Elementary school10030.4%
High school00.0%
College / grad school13440.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Construction 23.2%
Transportation & utilities 16.5%
Education & healthcare 14.4%
Arts, food & hospitality 14.2%
Manufacturing 9.2%
Finance & real estate 6.9%
Agriculture & mining 5.0%
Public administration 4.0%
Professional & management 2.6%
Retail trade 2.4%
Other services 1.7%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts44.0%
Service10.9%
Sales & office2.4%
Natural resources & construction30.5%
Production & transportation12.3%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector62.6%
Government27.0%
Self-employed10.4%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone82.9%
Carpool0.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk0.0%
Other means2.8%
Avg commute (minutes)51.9

Poverty

All people 15.8%
Under 18 years 21.4%
18 and over 13.5%
Married-couple families 0.0%
Female-led households 52.7%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security37.0%
Retirement income39.7%
Supplemental Security7.5%
Cash public assistance27.4%
Food stamps / SNAP37.2%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure35.0%
High cholesterol34.4%
Heart disease6.9%
Stroke3.2%
Asthma12.0%
Arthritis28.9%
Kidney disease2.9%
Pulmonary disease7.6%
Cancer7.0%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.9%
No physical activity18.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep37.0%
Fair or poor health14.8%
Poor mental health15.4%
Poor physical health11.8%
No health insurance10.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)69.7%
Visited dentist65.5%
Cholesterol screening89.3%
Teeth loss12.0%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans10913.2%
Disability%
Any disability13.9%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years17.7%
65 and over27.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance74.1%
Public insurance56.1%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,09291.6%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,15697.0%
Born in same state1,15697.0%
Born in different state40934.3%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen363.0%
Not a US citizen36100.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian13111%
Arab796.6%
AncestryCount%
French736.1%
English494.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access36.7%
Internet access97.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Ariel, WA have?
Ariel, WA has one ZIP code: 98603. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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