Kelso Flag

Kelso

County:
Cowlitz County
County Seat:
Yes
Area (mi²):
8.135
State:
Washington

Kelso is a city located in Cowlitz County, Washington. Kelso has a 2025 population of 12,592. It is also the county seat of Cowlitz County. Kelso is currently declining at a rate of -0.22% annually and its population has decreased by -1.09% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 12,731 in 2020.

The average household income in Kelso is $68,924 with a poverty rate of 19.46%.The median age in Kelso is 38.4 years: 35 years for males, and 40.8 years for females.

12.6K
Total Population
1,548
Density (mi²)
-28 -0.22%
Growth

Kelso Population

Kelso Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Demographics

The racial composition of Kelso includes 86.35% White, and smaller percentages for Black or African American, other race, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Native American and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population
Percentage (of total)
White10,96486.35%
Two or more races1,2379.74%
Black or African American2081.64%
Other race1361.07%
Asian1040.82%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander320.25%
Native American160.13%

Kelso Marital Status

OverallMalesFemales0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Kelso's average per capita income is $36,777. Household income levels show a median of $59,462. The poverty rate stands at 19.46%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median
Mean
Married Families$77,484-
Families$65,765$76,576
Households$59,462$68,924
Non Families$40,169$50,370

$36,777

Average Income

$59,462

Median Household Income

19.46%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)