Centralia ZIP Code List — Lewis County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Centralia, Washington and it is 98531. Area code: 360/564.

ZIP codes

129.16

sq mi land

1.48

sq mi water

360/564

area code

Centralia, WA ZIP code map

About Centralia, WA

Centralia, Washington, is a charming city located in Lewis County. Known for its rich history and vibrant community, Centralia offers a unique blend of small-town charm and access to modern amenities. Its proximity to major highways makes it an attractive destination for visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Centralia is situated in the western part of Washington State, approximately 8 miles south of Chehalis and 25 miles northeast of Olympia. The city spans a land area of 129.16 square miles, with an additional 1.48 square miles of water. The terrain is characterized by lush greenery and rolling hills, which contribute to its scenic beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Centralia is marked by a close-knit community that values tradition and family-oriented activities. Key industries in the area include healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, supporting a stable economy. Daily life in Centralia is enriched by local events, farmers' markets, and community festivals that celebrate the city's heritage.

Transportation

Centralia is accessible via several major highways, including Interstate 5, which runs directly through the city. The nearest airport is the Olympia Regional Airport, located about 27 miles to the southwest. Public transportation options are available, making it easy for residents to commute and travel.

History

Centralia was founded in the 1870s and quickly grew due to the nearby coal mining industry. Over the years, the city has been known for its vibrant logging and agriculture sectors, contributing significantly to the local economy. A notable event in Centralia's history is the Great Centralia Massacre of 1922, which left a lasting impact on the community.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Centralia is its unique underground coal fire that has been burning since the 1960s. This unusual phenomenon has led to the creation of a ghost town atmosphere in some areas, making it a point of interest for adventurers and urban explorers.

ZIP codes for Centralia, WA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
98531	Centralia	Lewis	View map

Demographics & statistics

26,931

Population

39.2

Median age

$57,961

Median household income

$29,894

Per capita income

$263,900

Median home value

$1,038

Median monthly rent

62.6%

Home ownership

18.1%

Poverty rate

5.5%

Unemployment

7,224

Housing units

19.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

815

Under 5

878

776

5–9

836

797

10–14

858

740

15–19

796

741

20–24

797

1,989

25–34

2,140

1,437

35–44

1,547

1,301

45–54

1,401

959

55–59

1,033

858

60–64

923

1,586

65–74

1,708

659

75–84

710

311

85+

335

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	5,903	21.9%
18 and over	21,028	78.1%
65 and over	5,309	19.7%
Median age	39.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 73.7%

Hispanic or Latino 9.4%

Two or more races 9.3%

Other race 5%

Asian 1.2%

Black or African American 0.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	21,920	73.7%
Hispanic or Latino	2,796	9.4%
Two or more races	2,774	9.3%
Other race	1,491	5%
Asian	348	1.2%
Black or African American	219	0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	121	0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	58	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.9%

$10k–$15k 5.9%

$15k–$25k 10.7%

$25k–$35k 10.5%

$35k–$50k 11.5%

$50k–$75k 17.1%

$75k–$100k 14.6%

$100k–$150k 15.5%

$150k–$200k 5.3%

$200k+ 4.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.9%
$10k–$15k	5.9%
$15k–$25k	10.7%
$25k–$35k	10.5%
$35k–$50k	11.5%
$50k–$75k	17.1%
$75k–$100k	14.6%
$100k–$150k	15.5%
$150k–$200k	5.3%
$200k+	4.0%
Median income	$57,961

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.6%

$50k–$100k 7.0%

$100k–$150k 6.2%

$150k–$200k 15.0%

$200k–$300k 26.9%

$300k–$500k 28.1%

$500k–$1M 9.9%

$1M+ 1.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$263,900
Median rent / month	$1,038
Owner occupied	62.6%
Renter occupied	37.4%
Vacant	5.3%
Single-family detached	59.1%
Large apartment buildings	8.9%
Mobile homes	14.0%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.50

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	4.7%
2000–2009	11.7%
1990–1999	17.1%
1980–1989	10.8%
1970–1979	18.1%
1960–1969	6.8%
1950–1959	5.1%
1940–1949	5.1%
1939 or earlier	20.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.4%
1 bedroom	10.5%
2 bedrooms	32.3%
3 bedrooms	42.2%
4 bedrooms	9.8%
5+ bedrooms	2.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.8%
1 vehicle	33.6%
2 vehicles	29.6%
3 or more	31.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	15.4%
Electricity	79.0%
Propane / LP gas	1.0%
Wood	4.4%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,965	37.4%
Cohabiting couple	1,203	11.4%
Male householder, no spouse	2,031	19.2%
Female householder, no spouse	3,389	32.0%
Households with children under 18	2,955	27.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,033	38.1%
Average household size	2.50

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.6%	25.1%
Married	41.5%	38.5%
Separated	1.5%	2.0%
Widowed	2.5%	12.1%
Divorced	17.9%	22.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.7%

Some HS, no diploma 8.4%

HS graduate 30.4%

Some college, no degree 25.5%

Associate's degree 11.1%

Bachelor's degree 13.0%

Graduate / professional 6.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.9%
Bachelor's or higher	19.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	445	7.5%
Kindergarten	313	5.3%
Elementary school	2,713	45.8%
High school	1,129	19.1%
College / grad school	1,322	22.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.6%

Retail trade 14.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.8%

Construction 9.7%

Manufacturing 7.1%

Professional & management 7.1%

Public administration 6.1%

Transportation & utilities 6.0%

Agriculture & mining 3.9%

Finance & real estate 3.9%

Other services 3.0%

Wholesale trade 1.8%

Information 1.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.6%
Service	21.5%
Sales & office	20.8%
Natural resources & construction	14.7%
Production & transportation	13.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.7%
Government	16.5%
Self-employed	7.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.7%
Carpool	15.1%
Public transit	1.4%
Walk	2.7%
Other means	2.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.5

Poverty

All people 18.1%

Under 18 years 21.0%

18 and over 17.3%

Married-couple families 6.2%

Female-led households 37.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	45.3%
Retirement income	27.5%
Supplemental Security	9.9%
Cash public assistance	7.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	24.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.0%
High cholesterol	34.1%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	11.1%
Arthritis	28.4%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	7.9%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.9%
No physical activity	22.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.1%
Fair or poor health	17.0%
Poor mental health	16.6%
Poor physical health	12.5%
No health insurance	14.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	66.9%
Visited dentist	58.5%
Cholesterol screening	85.4%
Teeth loss	15.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,650	7.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.0%
Under 18	4.8%
18–64 years	18.9%
65 and over	40.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.5%
Public insurance	51.5%
Uninsured under 19	1.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	25,238	93.7%
Spanish	1,288	5.1%
Other Indo-European	1,138	4.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	11	0.0%
Other languages	139	0.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	24,957	92.7%
Born in same state	24,730	91.8%
Born in different state	16,043	59.6%
Foreign born	227	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	1,974	7.3%
Not a US citizen	622	31.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	3,172	11.8%
French	2,801	10.4%
Arab	1,674	6.2%
Polish	929	3.4%
English	546	2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	196	0.7%
German	151	0.6%
Irish	55	0.2%
Norwegian	26	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.3%
Internet access	93.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Centralia, WA?

Centralia, WA has one ZIP code: 98531.

What is the main ZIP code for Centralia, WA?

The primary ZIP code for Centralia, WA is 98531. The city uses area code 360 or 564 for phone service.

What county is Centralia, WA in?

Centralia is located in Lewis County, Washington.

How many ZIP codes are in Centralia, WA?

Centralia, WA has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers downtown Centralia and the historic district along Tower Avenue?

Downtown Centralia, including the historic district along Tower Avenue where many of the city's main businesses and landmarks are located, is served by ZIP code 98531.

What is the ZIP code for the Centralia-Chehalis area near the Interstate 5 corridor?

The Centralia area near the Interstate 5 corridor, which runs through Lewis County and connects to nearby Chehalis, uses ZIP code 98531 for mail delivery.