Lewis County, Washington

Lewis County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 82,149. The county seat is Chehalis, and its largest city is Centralia. Lewis County comprises the Centralia, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Seattle-Tacoma, WA Combined Statistical Area.

History
The county was created as Vancouver County on December 19, 1845, by the Provisional Government of Oregon, named for George Vancouver. In 1849, the county name was changed, to honor Meriwether Lewis. At the time, the county included all U.S. lands north of the Cowlitz River, including much of the Puget Sound region and British Columbia. The initial establishment of a county seat was Claquato in 1862, the honor being relinquished in 1874 in favor of Chehalis.

The first recognized court hearing in the Washington Territory was held in Lewis County at the John R. Jackson Courthouse, the oldest standing courthouse in Washington.

The county received official recognition as a "Purple Heart County" in November 2019.

Geography and natural features
Lewis County sits along the Interstate 5 corridor. Lewis shares a border with eight other counties. Clockwise from the top left, those are: Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, Yakima, Skamania, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and Pacific counties.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2436 sqmi, of which 2403 sqmi is land and 33 sqmi (1.4%) is water. One of the world's tallest Douglas fir trees was in the town of Mineral within Lewis County, attaining a height of 120 m.

Geographic features

 * Cascade Mountains
 * Chehalis River and three of its tributaries, the South Fork Chehalis River, Newaukum River, the Skookumchuck River, along with several major creeks including Centralia's China Creek.
 * Cowlitz River and its tributaries, including the Ohanapecosh River, Cispus River, and Tilton River.
 * Nisqually River
 * Lake Mayfield
 * Riffe Lake
 * Big Horn, the highest point in Lewis county
 * Boistfort Peak, the highest point in the Willapa Hills
 * Walupt Creek Falls

Major highways

 * I-5.svg Interstate 5
 * US 12.svg U.S. Route 12
 * WA-6.svg State Route 6
 * WA-7.svg State Route 7

Adjacent counties

 * Grays Harbor County – north/northwest
 * Thurston County – north
 * Pierce County – north/northeast
 * Yakima County – east
 * Skamania County – south/southeast
 * Cowlitz County – south
 * Wahkiakum County – south/southwest
 * Pacific County – west

National protected areas

 * Gifford Pinchot National Forest (part)
 * Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (part)
 * Mount Rainier National Park (part)
 * Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (part)
 * Goat Rocks Wilderness (part)

2010 census
As of the 2010 Census, there were 75,455 people, 29,743 households, and 20,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 31.4 /mi2. There were 34,050 housing units at an average density of 14.2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county's population: 89.7% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 4.0% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 24.1% were German, 14.9% were Irish, 12.5% were English, 7.7% were American, and 5.1% were Norwegian.

Of the 29,743 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 41.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,874 and the median income for a family was $53,358. Males had a median income of $43,695 versus $31,720 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,695. About 10.3% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As of the 2000 Census, there were 68,600 people, 26,306 households, and 18,572 families in the county. The population density was 28 /mi2. There were 29,585 housing units at an average density of 12 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 92.96% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 2.55% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. 5.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.7% were of German, 11.8% United States or American, 11.1% English, 8.7% Irish and 5.7% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 26,306 households, 31.60% of which had resident children under age 18, 55.90% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 24.00% of households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution of the county's population: 26.50% under age 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% at or over age 65. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,511, and the median income for a family was $41,105. Males had a median income of $35,714 versus $23,453 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,082. About 10.40% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Homelessness
Lewis County participates in the Point In Time Count (PTC), a census of the homeless population as required by law. Beginning in 2003 as mandated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the annual PTC, which tracks the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a specified date, is usually held in January.

Homeless residents in the county were listed as 309 in 2012, falling to 205 in 2013. A count in 2018 reported 132 homeless residents, and following counts reported 161 in 2019, 142 in 2020, 120 in 2022, and 153 in 2023. There was no census of homeless residents taken in 2021.

Students and children under the age of 18 who are described as, "in an overnight accommodation insecure situation", are not officially recorded as part of the PTC, however a count in 2018 reported 558 students who meet the qualifications to be listed as homeless.

National level
In modern times, Lewis County is the most conservative county in western Washington. It is significantly more Republican than adjacent counties. Unlike much of western Washington, it has a strong tinge of social conservatism. In 2000, George W. Bush received over 60% of the county's vote. In 2008 John McCain defeated Barack Obama by over eighteen percent — his only victory in a county west of the Cascades. McCain lost all the neighboring counties except Yakima. Since Washington's statehood in 1889 only three Democratic presidential candidates have carried the county – William Jennings Bryan in 1896, Franklin D. Roosevelt three times in 1932, 1936 and 1940, plus Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

All told, as of 2024, 18 of the last 19 Republican presidential tickets successfully carried Lewis County, the only exception being that of Barry Goldwater who lost to the aforementioned Johnson.

It is part of Washington's 3rd congressional district, which has been represented by Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez since 2023.

Gubernatorial races
In the 1970s, Democratic candidates for governor won the county, but this was something of an anomaly. The last Democratic candidate for Governor to win the county was Booth Gardner in 1984.

State representation
The county's government is the 20th district of the state. It is represented solely by Republicans.


 * Senator John Braun—Republican
 * Representative Peter Abbarno—Position 1, Republican
 * Representative Ed Orcutt—Position 2, Republican

County level
The county's government is solely Republican.


 * Lewis County Assessor: Dianne Dorey—R
 * Lewis County Auditor: Larry E. Grove—R
 * Lewis County Clerk: Scott Tinney—R
 * Coroner Warren Mcleod—R
 * Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney: Jonathan Meyer—R
 * Lewis County Sheriff: Rob Snaza—R
 * Lewis County Treasurer: Arny Davis—R

Commissioners
 * Sean D. Swope, District #1—R
 * Dr. Lindsey Pollock, District #2—R
 * Scott J. Brummer, District #3—R

Law enforcement
The Lewis County Sherriff's Department contains a Marine Patrol Unit. Patrolling several waterways in the county, including Riffe Lake and the Cowlitz River, the unit investigates boating accidents while providing water safety education, with an emphasis on the inspections of watercraft.

Economy
Lumber production is a staple of the economy in Lewis County. The county annually produces 600,000 ST of dried timber while hosting 10 pulpwood production plants. Due to the region's biomass production capabilities, the county was the first in the state to receive a Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone rating of AA by the BDO Zone Initiative.

A leading economic producer for the county is farming, with the region also holding large numbers for employment in mining, production, and warehousing.

Tourism is a large part of the Lewis County economy. In 2023, over 5.6 million people visited the county, an increase of 5.8% over the prior year. Over 45% of visitors came from outside the state and the most visited areas include Mt. Rainier and the shopping districts in the twin cities of Centralia and Chehalis. In collaboration with Discover Lewis County, a county-created tourism initiative, and the Economic Alliance of Lewis County, the county has focused on merchandise and online marketing, specifically promoting each town and city within its borders.

Reports from 2019-2020 list wages and incomes to be less than the state averages, with the median annual wages to be over $48,000 and a total household income of under $59,000. Unemployment is perennially moderately higher than the state average, though boom years in large Lewis County economic sectors can influence the employment levels. , women held 48.6% of jobs in the county primarily in finance, health care, and education, where men held majority employment in such industries as construction, manufacturing, and utility jobs.

Renewable energy
In late 2023, the county was announced as part of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub (PNW H2) initiative through the U.S. Department of Energy. Lewis County would be utilized for the production and storage of hydrogen fuels, including the potential manufacturing of related hydrogen fuel products, such as vehicles and fuel cells. The PNW H2 has provided grants to several economic and educational areas in the county, including funding to school districts, Centralia College, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), and various renewable energy companies. Lewis County Transit was awarded a grant from the program, becoming the only transit agency in the United States to receive funding from the hub program.

Lewis County is the location of the Skookumchuck Wind Farm which contains 38 wind turbines that can generate a maximum of 138.6 MWh. The 22,000 acre site became operational in late 2020 and the energy produced is used through PSE's Green Direct program.

Art
The county is home to the ARTrails of Southwest Washington initiative. The cooperative, begun in 2003, showcases local artists, art studios and galleries throughout the region, and holds an annual autumnal studio tour that incorporates events in smaller towns within Lewis County. The Lewis County Historical Museum hosts a permanent ARTrails gallery. and Centralia is home to the nexus of the event and an ARTrails-owned gallery.

Charitable organizations
The Lewis County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has been in existence since 1923. The organization has held an annual used book sale since 1979. The proceeds help to fund scholarships, day camps, film festivals, and career days for young women in middle and high school.

Education
The county is home to Centralia College, founded in 1925. Located in the middle of Centralia, it is the oldest continuously operating community college in the state.

Parks and recreation
, Lewis County directly oversees 164.0 acre of parks. Recreation areas and sites under the auspices of the Lewis County Parks and Recreation Department include Adna's Back Memorial Park and Rose Parks, Centralia's Schaefer County Park, Claquato Church, Cowlitz River Park (Packwood Park), South County Regional Park in Toledo, and St. Urban Church. The county honors the travels of pioneer Ezra Meeker on the Oregon Trail with several historical markers throughout the region.

The Lewis County Historic Bike Ride is an annual, mid-spring fundraising event that began as a county-held historic celebration in the early 1990s. The ride starts in Mary's Corner and through a variety of course options, participants can travel to several small towns and communities in the county and can bike through Centralia and Chehalis. The route is often used as a warm-up by riders of the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (STP).

In 2010, the county declared that all parks under its jurisdiction were to be "No Shooting Zones".

Cities

 * Centralia
 * Chehalis (county seat)
 * Morton
 * Mossyrock
 * Napavine
 * Toledo
 * Vader
 * Winlock

Town

 * Pe Ell

Census-designated places

 * Fords Prairie
 * Mineral
 * Onalaska
 * Packwood

Unincorporated communities

 * Adna
 * Alpha
 * Boistfort
 * Bunker
 * Ceres
 * Cinebar
 * Curtis
 * Doty
 * Dryad
 * Ethel
 * Evaline
 * Galvin
 * Glenoma
 * Harmony
 * Klaber
 * Lacamas
 * Littell
 * Mary's Corner
 * Newaukum
 * Randle
 * Saint Urban
 * Salkum
 * Silver Creek
 * Wildwood

Former communities

 * Kosmos (inundated)
 * Nesika (inundated)
 * Riffe (inundated)