HomeWashingtonCowlitz County
Cowlitz County, Washington: commercial real estate data.
Cowlitz County, Washington had an estimated 113,982 residents on July 1, 2024, up 2.9 percent since the 2020 census base of 110,736, across 1,140 square miles. County output reached $7.23 bn in 2024, 2,309 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 87 7(a) approvals worth $61.2 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Cowlitz County
How many people live in Cowlitz County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024112,360
- Households43,943
- Average household size2.56
- Median household income$76,531
- Median age41.5
- Median gross rent$1,206 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$397,500
- Home value to household income5.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher17.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree5.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over78,946
- Population under 1825,231
- Share under 1822.5 percent
- Population 65 and over22,230
- Share 65 and over19.8 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6464,899
- Civilian labor force51,053
- Unemployment rate5.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over58.6 percent
- Rank by population among Washington counties12th of 39
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included560th of 3,222
Cowlitz County is the 12th largest of 39 Washington counties by population. A median home costs 5.2 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.5 percent against 19.8 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Cowlitz County
Is Cowlitz County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024113,982
- Census 2020 base population110,736
- Population change since the 2020 census base2.93 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024942
- Births, 20241,248
- Deaths, 20241,290
- Natural change, 2024-42
- Net domestic migration, 2024796
- Net international migration, 2024192
- Total net migration, 2024988
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20243,080
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents891st of 3,144
The county has grown 2.93 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Cowlitz County
Where are people moving to Cowlitz County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving3,249
- People arriving, from those returns5,859
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,711
- Net household movement538
- Adjusted gross income arriving$217.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$48.0 m
- Average income of an arriving household$66,859
- Average income of a leaving household$62,426
- Largest single originClark County (1,120 households)
- Largest single destinationClark County (694 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County | 1,120 | 2,162 | $84.0 m |
| Multnomah County | 180 | 284 | $15.6 m |
| Lewis County | 129 | 244 | $6.8 m |
| Columbia County | 121 | 200 | $6.9 m |
| King County | 104 | 169 | $9.8 m |
| Washington County | 98 | 167 | $5.6 m |
| Clackamas County | 90 | 159 | $7.4 m |
| Pierce County | 73 | 128 | $4.2 m |
Households arriving report $4,433 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Clark County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Cowlitz County
What is the Cowlitz County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$7.23 bn
- County GDP, 2023$6.99 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20243.5 percent
- GDP change over five years29.0 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Washington areas BEA publishes13th of 39
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes569th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$64,353
Output grew 3.5 percent in the latest year and 29.0 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Cowlitz County
Employment by industry in Cowlitz County
- Covered employment, annual average41,235
- Establishments reporting2,712
- Average annual pay$67,600
- Average weekly wage$1,300
- Manufacturing, employment7,250
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$84,141
- Health care and social assistance, employment6,424
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$63,595
- Retail trade, employment4,987
- Retail trade, average annual pay$40,541
- Accommodation and food services, employment3,253
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$26,051
- Construction, employment3,235
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment1,546
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 7,250 | 139 | $84,141 |
| Health care and social assistance | 6,424 | 298 | $63,595 |
| Retail trade | 4,987 | 298 | $40,541 |
| Accommodation and food services | 3,253 | 232 | $26,051 |
| Construction | 3,235 | 400 | $86,145 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,546 | 154 | $48,842 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1,251 | 286 | $94,902 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,233 | 76 | $139,676 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 7,250 jobs, 17.6 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Cowlitz County
How many businesses are in Cowlitz County?
- Establishments, all industries2,309
- Employment at those establishments33,796
- Annual payroll$1.98 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents20.6
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Cowlitz County
Building permits in Cowlitz County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024353
- Declared construction value permitted$105.5 m
- Single family units authorized297
- Multifamily units authorized56
- Multifamily share of units15.9 percent
- Average declared value per unit$298,792
- Units authorized per 1,000 households8.0
Single-family homes are 84.1 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Cowlitz County
SBA loans in Cowlitz County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded87
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$61.2 m
- Average 7(a) approval$703,361
- Median 7(a) approval$189,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$2,151,000
- Largest single approval$4,881,800
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)917
- Jobs per approval10.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active30
- Distinct industries receiving approvals56
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer28.7 percent
- Loans on real estate terms25
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter62
- Franchise loans12
- Franchise share of approvals13.8 percent
- Leading industry by approval countGasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (6)
- Most active lenderColumbia Bank (25)
- 504 approvals recorded35
- 504 gross approval dollars$24.6 m
- Average 504 approval$703,714
- Median 504 approval$434,000
- Distinct CDCs active5
- 504 jobs per approval7.3
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved10.4
- Most active CDCEvergreen Business Capital (24)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$85.8 m
The average approval of $703,361 sits well above the median of $189,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 28.7 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cowlitz County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Cowlitz County
Do SBA loans in Cowlitz County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded13
- Paid in full13
- Charged off0
- Status: Paid in full13
- Status: Cancelled13
- Status: Exempt from disclosure59
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed2
Only 13 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cowlitz County
SBA lending by place in Cowlitz County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending9
- Longview, approvals33
- Woodland, approvals19
- Kelso, approvals16
- Castle Rock, approvals8
- Kalama, approvals6
- Ariel, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Longview | 33 | $23,988,100 |
| Woodland | 19 | $3,923,400 |
| Kelso | 16 | $23,357,700 |
| Castle Rock | 8 | $6,227,200 |
| Kalama | 6 | $1,761,000 |
| Ariel | 2 | $150,000 |
| Cougar | 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Olympia | 1 | $635,000 |
| 1 other borrower city | 1 | $150,000 |
Longview accounts for 33 approvals against 19 in Woodland. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cowlitz County
How large is Cowlitz County?
- Land area1,140 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Washington counties28th of 39
- Width, east to west46.9 mi
- Height, north to south37.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land99
- Establishments per square mile2.03
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Cowlitz County
Flood risk in Cowlitz County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Cowlitz County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 530032
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book6
- Of those, participating in the NFIP6
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Cowlitz County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Cowlitz County (community 530032), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Cowlitz County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Cowlitz County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Cowlitz County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024112,360
- Households43,943
- Average household size2.56
- Median household income$76,531
- Median age41.5
Common questions
Cowlitz County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Cowlitz County, Washington?
The Census Bureau estimates 113,982 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 112,360, in 43,943 households, ranking 12th of 39 Washington counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Cowlitz County's population growing?
The population has grown 2.93 percent since the 2020 census base of 110,736, to 113,982 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,248 births against 1,290 deaths, with net migration of 988. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Cowlitz County?
$76,531. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $397,500, which is 5.2 times income, and median gross rent is $1,206 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Cowlitz County?
2,309 establishments, employing 33,796 people with an annual payroll of $1.98 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Cowlitz County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 7,250 jobs, 17.6 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 41,235 jobs at an average annual pay of $67,600, or $1,300 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Cowlitz County?
87 7(a) approvals totaling $61.2 m since FY2020, across 30 lenders, with a median approval of $189,000, plus 35 504 approvals worth $24.6 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Cowlitz County?
353 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $105.5 m. Multifamily was 15.9 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Cowlitz County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Cowlitz County come from?
The largest single origin is Clark County, with 1,120 households. Arriving households report an average income of $66,859 against $62,426 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Cowlitz County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Cowlitz County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Cowlitz County
Cities and places in Cowlitz.
10 Census places lie wholly or partly in Cowlitz County. All 10 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | city | 38,069 | 33 | Wholly in this county |
| Kelso | city | 12,684 | 16 | Wholly in this county |
| Woodland | city | 6,487 | 19 | Wholly in this county |
| Lexington | CDP | 4,413 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Longview Heights | CDP | 4,357 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Kalama | city | 3,050 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Castle Rock | city | 2,217 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Beacon Hill | CDP | 1,804 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Ryderwood | CDP | 401 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Cougar | CDP | 151 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
A further 4 of the county's 87 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Cowlitz County, the largest being Ariel (2), Olympia (1), Battle Ground (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby