Kelso ZIP Codes — Cowlitz County, WA

There is one unique ZIP code in Kelso, Washington and it is 98626. Area code: 360/564.

ZIP codes

134.61

sq mi land

0.78

sq mi water

360/564

area code

Kelso, WA ZIP code map

About Kelso, WA

Kelso is a charming city located in Cowlitz County, Washington. Known for its rich history and natural beauty, it offers a blend of small-town atmosphere with ample opportunities for outdoor and recreational activities. The city's vibrant community and accessibility make it a thriving place for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Kelso is situated in southwestern Washington, seamlessly blending into the surrounding landscapes of Cowlitz County. It lies approximately 18 miles north of Portland, Oregon, and is bordered by the cities of Longview to the south and Castle Rock to the north. The city's total area encompasses 134.61 square miles of land and 0.78 square miles of water, featuring lush forests and scenic riverbanks.

Community & economy

The character of Kelso is defined by its friendly residents and strong community spirit. Key industries in the area include timber, healthcare, and retail, which contribute to the local economy and provide essential services to citizens. Daily life in Kelso is enriched by various parks, events, and a close-knit environment that fosters a sense of belonging among its inhabitants.

Transportation

Kelso is accessible via several major highways, including Interstate 5, which connects it to neighboring cities and provides convenient travel routes. The nearest commercial airport is Portland International Airport, located about 36 miles to the south, offering a range of domestic and international flights. Local transit services are available, helping residents navigate the area with ease.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Kelso originally thrived due to the lumber industry and its strategic location along the Columbia River. Over the years, the city evolved, experiencing significant growth alongside the development of transportation routes. Notable events in its history include various community festivals that celebrate the rich cultural heritage and industrial background of the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Kelso is that it was once the largest railway center in the Pacific Northwest, influencing its growth and development. Additionally, the city hosts the annual Cowlitz County Fair, which draws visitors from all over the region, showcasing local talent and agricultural achievements.

ZIP codes for Kelso, WA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
98626	Kelso	Cowlitz	View map

Demographics & statistics

27,000

Population

40.1

Median age

$69,423

Median household income

$32,000

Per capita income

$310,500

Median home value

$1,079

Median monthly rent

69.6%

Home ownership

12.8%

Poverty rate

7.3%

Unemployment

7,616

Housing units

14.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

827

Under 5

770

962

5–9

895

963

10–14

896

922

15–19

858

775

20–24

722

1,810

25–34

1,685

1,796

35–44

1,673

1,816

45–54

1,690

1,046

55–59

974

933

60–64

868

1,261

65–74

1,174

575

75–84

536

297

85+

276

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6,403	23.7%
18 and over	20,597	76.3%
65 and over	4,119	15.3%
Median age	40.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84.6%

Two or more races 5.6%

Hispanic or Latino 3.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 2.5%

Other race 1.5%

Asian 1.4%

Black or African American 0.7%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	23,685	84.6%
Two or more races	1,571	5.6%
Hispanic or Latino	992	3.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	704	2.5%
Other race	422	1.5%
Asian	392	1.4%
Black or African American	191	0.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	35	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.6%

$10k–$15k 1.5%

$15k–$25k 7.1%

$25k–$35k 8.0%

$35k–$50k 13.7%

$50k–$75k 20.4%

$75k–$100k 15.9%

$100k–$150k 17.5%

$150k–$200k 6.5%

$200k+ 4.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.6%
$10k–$15k	1.5%
$15k–$25k	7.1%
$25k–$35k	8.0%
$35k–$50k	13.7%
$50k–$75k	20.4%
$75k–$100k	15.9%
$100k–$150k	17.5%
$150k–$200k	6.5%
$200k+	4.8%
Median income	$69,423

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.5%

$50k–$100k 4.1%

$100k–$150k 3.0%

$150k–$200k 9.6%

$200k–$300k 23.8%

$300k–$500k 41.8%

$500k–$1M 10.4%

$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$310,500
Median rent / month	$1,079
Owner occupied	69.6%
Renter occupied	30.4%
Vacant	3.9%
Single-family detached	72.6%
Large apartment buildings	4.1%
Mobile homes	9.1%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.67

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	4.7%
2000–2009	11.6%
1990–1999	14.4%
1980–1989	8.5%
1970–1979	14.8%
1960–1969	11.6%
1950–1959	9.6%
1940–1949	7.2%
1939 or earlier	17.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.8%
1 bedroom	7.8%
2 bedrooms	24.7%
3 bedrooms	48.0%
4 bedrooms	14.0%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.9%
1 vehicle	26.5%
2 vehicles	40.7%
3 or more	28.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.2%
Electricity	85.9%
Propane / LP gas	0.7%
Fuel oil	0.1%
Wood	7.4%
Solar	0.1%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,172	50.0%
Cohabiting couple	1,168	11.3%
Male householder, no spouse	1,772	17.1%
Female householder, no spouse	2,224	21.5%
Households with children under 18	3,355	32.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,024	29.3%
Average household size	2.61

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.0%	28.2%
Married	49.4%	49.6%
Separated	2.1%	1.7%
Widowed	3.2%	6.5%
Divorced	11.3%	14.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.0%

Some HS, no diploma 6.2%

HS graduate 31.7%

Some college, no degree 31.3%

Associate's degree 12.1%

Bachelor's degree 10.7%

Graduate / professional 3.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.8%
Bachelor's or higher	14.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	412	6.6%
Kindergarten	331	5.3%
Elementary school	2,948	47.4%
High school	1,284	20.6%
College / grad school	1,248	20.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.3%

Manufacturing 17.9%

Retail trade 14.8%

Professional & management 10.2%

Construction 8.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.1%

Transportation & utilities 6.9%

Other services 4.4%

Public administration 4.3%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Agriculture & mining 1.4%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Information 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	22.9%
Service	20.6%
Sales & office	23.7%
Natural resources & construction	11.5%
Production & transportation	21.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.9%
Government	13.1%
Self-employed	4.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.9%
Carpool	8.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.8%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.6

Poverty

All people 12.8%

Under 18 years 17.3%

18 and over 11.5%

Married-couple families 3.3%

Female-led households 28.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.3%
Retirement income	25.6%
Supplemental Security	7.7%
Cash public assistance	4.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.6%
High cholesterol	32.1%
Heart disease	6.7%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	12.7%
Arthritis	27.6%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	7.8%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.1%
No physical activity	20.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.8%
Fair or poor health	16.1%
Poor mental health	16.8%
Poor physical health	12.2%
No health insurance	12.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	69.1%
Visited dentist	61.8%
Cholesterol screening	86.4%
Teeth loss	13.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	2,102	10.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.3%
Under 18	7.0%
18–64 years	21.2%
65 and over	30.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.6%
Public insurance	42.2%
Uninsured under 19	4.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	25,403	94.1%
Spanish	653	2.6%
Other Indo-European	373	1.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	34	0.1%
Other languages	246	1.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	25,949	96.1%
Born in same state	25,651	95.0%
Born in different state	15,767	58.4%
Foreign born	298	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	1,051	3.9%
Not a US citizen	303	28.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	4,109	15.2%
French	3,184	11.8%
Polish	1,184	4.4%
Arab	848	3.1%
Dutch	419	1.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	284	1.1%
German	220	0.8%
Irish	119	0.4%
Norwegian	59	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.3%
Internet access	94.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Kelso, WA have?

Kelso, WA has one ZIP code: 98626. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.