Ethel ZIP Codes — Lewis County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Ethel, Washington and it is 98542. Area code: 360/564.
1
ZIP codes
10.91
sq mi land
0.00
sq mi water
360/564
area code
Ethel, WA ZIP code map

About Ethel, WA

Ethel is a charming city located in Lewis County, Washington, known for its serene landscapes and close-knit community atmosphere. With a ZIP code of 98542, Ethel is a small yet vibrant locality that offers the warmth of rural life. This quaint city invites residents and visitors alike to embrace its natural beauty and the simplicity of small-town living.

Location & geography

Ethel, WA, covers a land area of 10.91 square miles and is completely landlocked with no water area. It is conveniently situated near several other cities, including Chehalis approximately 17 miles to the northwest, Centralia about 19 miles away, and Morton which is roughly 22 miles to the east. The terrain is characterized by the lush greenery typical of rural Washington, providing a picturesque backdrop for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community of Ethel is characterized by its friendly residents and a peaceful lifestyle that emphasizes outdoor activities and local connections. Primarily an agricultural area, the region thrives on farming and related industries, which play a significant role in the local economy. Daily life in Ethel revolves around community events, local gatherings, and a strong sense of belonging among its inhabitants.

Transportation

Ethel is primarily accessed via State Route 12, which connects it to neighboring cities and regions. The nearest named airport is the Centralia-Chehalis Airport, located about 15 miles northwest, providing additional transportation options for residents and visitors. Public transit options are limited, encouraging residents to rely on personal vehicles for longer trips.

History

Ethel was founded as part of the broader development of Lewis County in the early 20th century, with agriculture being one of its cornerstone industries. Over the years, the community has maintained its agricultural roots while growing to serve the needs of its residents and nearby towns. Notable events in Ethel's history include local fairs and markets that highlight its farming heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ethel is that despite its small size, the community often hosts events that draw participants from surrounding areas, showcasing its vibrant local culture. Additionally, the peace and tranquility of Ethel make it an attractive destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life.

ZIP codes for Ethel, WA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
98542 Ethel Lewis View map

Demographics & statistics

708
Population
48.7
Median age
$80,875
Median household income
$25,589
Per capita income
$363,800
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
83.1%
Home ownership
10.9%
Poverty rate
0.0%
Unemployment
201
Housing units
12.4%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
16
10–14
14
32
15–19
27
69
20–24
60
7
25–34
7
30
35–44
26
101
45–54
88
9
55–59
8
11
60–64
9
38
65–74
33
49
75–84
42
17
85+
15
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 18567.9%
18 and over65292.1%
65 and over19427.4%
Median age48.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 100%
GroupCount%
White708100%

Household income

Under $10k 3.3%
$15k–$25k 28.1%
$25k–$35k 9.9%
$35k–$50k 3.3%
$50k–$75k 2.5%
$75k–$100k 24.8%
$100k–$150k 25.2%
$150k–$200k 2.9%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.3%
$15k–$25k28.1%
$25k–$35k9.9%
$35k–$50k3.3%
$50k–$75k2.5%
$75k–$100k24.8%
$100k–$150k25.2%
$150k–$200k2.9%
Median income$80,875

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.5%
$100k–$150k 3.0%
$200k–$300k 11.4%
$300k–$500k 68.2%
$500k–$1M 12.9%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$363,800
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied83.1%
Renter occupied16.9%
Vacant0.0%
Single-family detached81.0%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes19.0%
Median rooms4.5
Avg household size (owned)3.05

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–201926.0%
2000–200944.2%
1990–19990.0%
1980–19892.5%
1970–197912.8%
1960–19690.0%
1950–19597.4%
1940–19493.7%
1939 or earlier3.3%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom6.2%
2 bedrooms16.5%
3 bedrooms71.5%
4 bedrooms5.8%
5+ bedrooms0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle5.8%
1 vehicle21.5%
2 vehicles39.7%
3 or more33.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity90.5%
Propane / LP gas6.2%
No fuel used3.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family18978.1%
Cohabiting couple83.3%
Male householder, no spouse83.3%
Female householder, no spouse3715.3%
Households with children under 186024.8%
Households with seniors (65+)11045.5%
Average household size2.93

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married34.7%9.4%
Married55.3%74.8%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed2.6%13.4%
Divorced7.4%2.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.5%
Some HS, no diploma 5.9%
HS graduate 41.6%
Some college, no degree 28.2%
Associate's degree 5.3%
Bachelor's degree 12.4%
Graduate / professional 0.0%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher87.6%
Bachelor's or higher12.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool00.0%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school2017.9%
High school2623.2%
College / grad school6658.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.5%
Construction 17.4%
Manufacturing 12.9%
Retail trade 12.4%
Agriculture & mining 10.6%
Public administration 8.8%
Arts, food & hospitality 5.6%
Transportation & utilities 3.8%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts27.4%
Service10.9%
Sales & office16.8%
Natural resources & construction23.2%
Production & transportation21.8%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector82.4%
Government17.6%
Self-employed0.0%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone80.0%
Carpool0.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk13.5%
Other means1.9%
Avg commute (minutes)23.4

Poverty

All people 10.9%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 11.8%
Married-couple families 20.6%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security52.5%
Retirement income35.1%
Supplemental Security3.3%
Cash public assistance6.2%
Food stamps / SNAP9.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure33.7%
High cholesterol35.0%
Heart disease7.7%
Stroke3.6%
Asthma11.1%
Arthritis30.0%
Kidney disease3.3%
Pulmonary disease8.1%
Cancer7.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.8%
No physical activity21.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep32.0%
Fair or poor health16.3%
Poor mental health16.0%
Poor physical health12.6%
No health insurance11.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)67.7%
Visited dentist60.9%
Cholesterol screening87.9%
Teeth loss14.6%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans6510.0%
Disability%
Any disability34.0%
Under 1823.2%
18–64 years26.6%
65 and over54.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance69.6%
Public insurance39.8%
Uninsured under 1927.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only708100.0%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)708100.0%
Born in same state708100.0%
Born in different state39555.8%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Arab11516.2%
French9213%
AncestryCount%
Italian7510.6%
Polish60.8%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access34.2%
Internet access90.5%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Ethel, WA have?
Ethel, WA has one ZIP code: 98542. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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