Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 47 min5:19 am – 9:06 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 8 h 37 min7:50 am – 4:27 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People26,892 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 41.510,342 householdsMedian household income $75,528Median home value $368,900Median rent $1,267 a month69% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $3,456 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting8.1% unemployment rate61% of adults are in the labour force, 12,028 employedMain industries: education and health care 23%, manufacturing 14%, retail 12%Average commute 23 minutes84% drive alone, 7% car-pool, 1% walk or cycle, 7% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages15% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher90% finished high school, 4% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 95%, Spanish 3%3% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 80°F, lows 53°FColdest month December: highs 47°F, lows 35°F48 in of rain a year, on about 116 dayswettest month November3 in of snow a year, on about 2 days10 days above 90°F, 41 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Longview station, 7 mi away; snow from Merwin Dam
Parks and public landsMonticello Convention Site State Park Heritage Sitestate park · 8.3 miMonticello Convention Sitestate park · 8.3 miSeaqueststate park · 8.3 mi · 505 acresTom Oshanter Parkpark · 5.9 miMount Saint Helens-Shillapoo Wildlife Area Complexstate conservation land · 6.7 mi · 10,476 acresRiverside County Parkpark · 6.2 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes1,256 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970332 of magnitude 4+, 15 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 5.7 on 18 May 198028 mi away, near Amboy, WashingtonMost recent: magnitude 3.8 on 5 Sep 20268 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively ModerateCowlitz County, WA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsVolcanic activity Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality90% of days had good air in 2025226 of 250 days measured24 moderate daysMedian index 22, worst day 72main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, Cowlitz County monitors, WA
Internet at home91% of households have a broadband subscription66% have cable, fibre or DSL14% rely on a mobile data plan alone7% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterCity of Kelsoserves 15,775 people from groundwater under influence of surface waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation290 ft88 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalSaint John Medical Center8.6 miPost officeKelso Post Office6.8 miTown hallKelso City Hall6.9 miPoliceKelso Police Department6.9 miFire stationCowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue Station 245.7 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeLower Columbia College8.1 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportPortland International Airport PDX41 miInterstateI-56.0 miUS highwayUS 309.2 miAmtrakKelso-Longview, WA KEL7.0 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 98626 ZIP area.
