Quick answer: Centralia is the largest city in Lewis County, with about 19,100 people, on I-5 where the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers meet, right next to Chehalis. The typical home value was about $386,900 in September 2026, roughly the same as a year earlier, according to Zillow. Here’s what to know about living, buying and selling in Centralia, with sources for every number.
Updated November 2026. Our nearest office is in Chehalis at 282 SW 13th Street.
Centralia at a glance
| Population | 19,130 (April 2026) |
| Population in 2020 | 18,183 (Census) |
| Typical home value | $386,885 (September 2026) |
| A year earlier | $387,769 (September 2025) |
| County | Lewis |
| School district | Centralia School District 401 |
| Bus service | Lewis County Transit (fare-free) |
“Typical home value” is Zillow’s estimate for a middle-priced home, not a sale price. For actual sales, see the Lewis County housing market page, which we update every month with official NWMLS numbers.
A town founded by George Washington
On January 8, 1875, George Washington and his wife, Mary Jane, filed the plat for the town of Centerville at the Lewis County courthouse in Chehalis, according to HistoryLink, Washington’s online encyclopedia of state history. The Northern Pacific Railroad had crossed their land in 1872. By 1883 the town was renamed Centralia, and it was incorporated in 1886.
A Washington State Senate resolution recognizes George Washington, an African American, as the founder of Centralia. The Washingtons set aside land for a public square, which is now George Washington Park.
Downtown and neighborhoods
Downtown Centralia’s Tower Avenue corridor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to Discover Lewis County. The red brick Amtrak depot was opened by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1912.
Older homes near downtown can be full of character, and they can also need more upkeep. If you’d like to compare two areas side by side, talk to one of our local agents and we’ll pull recent sales for both.
Schools and college
Centralia is served by Centralia School District 401:
- High schools: Centralia High School and Futurus High School
- Middle school: Centralia Middle School
- Elementary: Edison, Fords Prairie, Jefferson Lincoln, Oakview and Washington
- College: Centralia College, founded in 1925, calls itself the oldest two-year public college in Washington.
School boundaries can change, so always check a specific address with the district before you buy.
Parks and things to do
- Fort Borst Park: along the Chehalis River, with walking trails, sports fields, Borst Lake, and the historic Borst Home and schoolhouse. The Northwest Sports Hub indoor complex is nearby.
- Seminary Hill Natural Area: an 80-acre nature preserve with forest trails and views over the city, minutes from downtown.
- George Washington Park: the town’s original public square, set aside by its founders.
- Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum: a nonprofit that runs excursion train rides. Check its site for the current schedule.
Getting around
- I-5 runs through Centralia.
- Amtrak: Centralia station, at 210 Railroad Avenue, is on the Amtrak Cascades line.
- Lewis County Transit runs fare-free fixed-route buses in Lewis County communities.
Check the flood map before you buy
Centralia sits where the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers meet. Lewis County says the worst floods have historically been along the Chehalis River and its tributaries, including the Skookumchuck, with major flooding in 1990, 1996, 2007 and 2009. The Washington Department of Ecology says the 2007 and 2009 floods closed a 20-mile section of I-5 near Chehalis.
- Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, or call Lewis County Community Development at (360) 740-2696.
- Ask about flood insurance early. If a home is in a flood zone, your lender may require it, and it affects your monthly cost.
Buying a home in Centralia
- Know your payment first. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.24% on October 29, 2026, according to Freddie Mac. Get pre-approved so you know what fits before you tour.
- See new homes first. Set up new listing alerts, or search every home for sale.
- Check the address. Confirm the school, the flood zone, the commute and any HOA rules for the exact home, not just the city.
Selling a home in Centralia
- Start with a real number. A price based on recent sales near you matters more than a citywide average. Get a free home value.
- Watch the county trend. In October 2026, Lewis County had 13% more homes for sale than a year earlier, so pricing and preparation matter. See the latest county numbers.
Nearby
Looking at the next town over? See living in Chehalis and the Lewis County housing market. Looking north? See living in Tumwater, Olympia and Lacey.
Common questions
What is the average home price in Centralia, WA?
Zillow’s typical home value for Centralia was $386,885 in September 2026, about the same as $387,769 a year earlier. For actual sales across Lewis County, the median sale price was $438,725 in October 2026, according to NWMLS.
Is Centralia in a flood zone?
Some parts are. Centralia sits where the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers meet, so check the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center or call Lewis County Community Development at (360) 740-2696 before you buy.
What school district is Centralia in?
Centralia School District 401. Its main high school is Centralia High School, and its middle school is Centralia Middle School.
How many people live in Centralia?
About 19,130 people as of April 2026, according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management. That makes it the largest city in Lewis County.
Who founded Centralia?
George Washington and his wife, Mary Jane, who filed the plat for the town, then called Centerville, in 1875.
Talk to a local agent
Thinking about buying or selling in Centralia? Visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Northwest Home Team at 282 SW 13th Street in Chehalis, call (360) 345-1006, or find a local agent.
Sources
- Washington State Office of Financial Management, April 1, 2026 official population estimates
- Zillow Research, Zillow Home Value Index (Centralia city, all homes, September 2026)
- HistoryLink, George and Mary Jane Washington found Centerville (now Centralia); Washington State Senate, Resolution 8625
- Discover Lewis County, Centralia, Fort Borst Park and Seminary Hill Natural Area
- Centralia School District 401; Centralia College
- Amtrak, Centralia station; Lewis County Transit fares; Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum
- Lewis County, Our Flood Hazard; Washington Department of Ecology, Office of Chehalis Basin; FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- NWMLS monthly market recap, October 2026 (Lewis County median sale price and active listings)
- Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 29, 2026
All listings featuring the icon are provided courtesy of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. The database information herein is provided from and copyrighted by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). NWMLS data may not be reproduced or redistributed and is only for people viewing this site. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. The information contained in these listings has not been verified by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Northwest Home Team and should be verified by the buyer. All properties are subject to prior sale or withdrawal. All rights are reserved by copyright. Property locations as displayed on any map are best approximations only and exact locations should be independently verified. Listing information last updated on May 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM PST.
