City in Cowlitz County, Washington · 8.1 sq mi · 1,573 people per sq mi
12,795 people live in Kelso. The typical household earns $66,751, and the median resident is 39.9 years old.
2026 projection
From 12,720 in 2020
Poverty rate 12.04%
Men 37.5 · Women 40.9
1890–2026
12,795
2026 projection
0.6% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1890–2026
12,795
2026 projection
0.6% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 12,795 | -6 | 0.05% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12,801 | +97 | 0.76% |
| 2024 | 12,704 | +82 | 0.65% |
| 2023 | 12,622 | -31 | 0.25% |
| 2022 | 12,653 | -62 | 0.49% |
| 2021 | 12,715 | -5 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 12,720 | +66 | 0.52% |
| 2019 | 12,654 | +144 | 1.15% |
| 2018 | 12,510 | +179 | 1.45% |
| 2017 | 12,331 | +183 | 1.51% |
Showing 10 of 29 years.
The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.
Kelso is growing slower than Cowlitz County, Washington, and the U.S.
Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 127 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 8 residents
49% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 49% | 51% | 47% |
| Never married | 30% | 34% | 26% |
| Divorced | 14% | 11% | 17% |
| Widowed | 7% | 4% | 10% |
| Separated | 1% | 1% | <1% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
14 sources