The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 98626 sells for about $394,000, or $254 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 44 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,650 a month.
ZIP 98626 — Kelso
The housing market in 98626 remains stable with moderate price appreciation and consistent demand. While inventory levels are relatively tight, the area continues to attract buyers seeking affordability relative to the broader Pacific Northwest market.
This ZIP is well-suited for family buyers and commuters seeking more affordable housing options compared to the Portland-Vancouver metro core, while offering proximity to regional outdoor recreation.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 44 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.1% · poverty 13.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 8.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 98626, Cowlitz County WA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Kelso are generally consistent with regional averages for Cowlitz County, though property crime remains a primary focus for local law enforcement.
Schools in the Kelso School District are characterized by moderate performance ratings, with ongoing efforts to improve student outcomes and facility infrastructure.
The area faces moderate flood risks near the Cowlitz and Columbia River corridors, requiring standard flood insurance considerations for properties in low-lying zones.
Economic momentum is driven by regional manufacturing and logistics hubs, with steady infrastructure investment supporting local employment growth.
Property taxes are assessed by Cowlitz County based on local millage rates, which include levies for school districts, emergency services, and municipal operations.
Residents primarily commute via I-5, providing a direct corridor to employment centers in Longview and northward toward the Vancouver-Portland metro area.
The area features access to the Cowlitz River for fishing and boating, alongside local parks like Tam O'Shanter Park and proximity to regional hiking trails.
The rental market shows stable demand with moderate vacancy pressure, attracting long-term tenants and some interest from regional investors.
The local economy is anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics sectors, with significant employment ties to the broader Cowlitz County industrial base.
Development is focused on infill residential projects and the expansion of industrial infrastructure near the I-5 corridor.
Parcels are subject to standard Cowlitz County property tax levies, including school district and emergency service district assessments.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional wildfire and flood risk assessments, with standard coverage widely available.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Cinema of Horrors Haunted House4.55.8 mi
- Spirit Of Halloweentown3.719.9 mi
- Lewis River Golf Course4.215.9 mi
- Cowlitz County Event Center4.56.8 mi
- MiLL CiTY GRiLL4.27.4 mi
- The Empress Estate Wedding Venue4.215.1 mi
- WA Parks Mt Saint Helens Interpretive Center4.610.1 mi
- Seaquest State Park4.610.3 mi
- Three Rivers Crossing3.45.7 mi
- Lake Sacajawea Park4.78.2 mi
- Trojan Park4.59.6 mi
- HalloweenTown Every October4.219.9 mi
- Cedar Creek Grist Mill4.817.5 mi
- Columbia Theatre Association for the Performing Arts4.77.3 mi
- Cowlitz County Historical Museum4.76.1 mi
- North Fork Survivors (Mount St. Helens Museum)4.717.7 mi
- Seaquest State Park4.610.3 mi
- Lake Sacajawea Park4.78.2 mi
- Trojan Park4.59.6 mi
- Port of Kalama Marine Park4.710.6 mi
- Haydu Park4.78.1 mi
- St. Helens Marina4.419.6 mi
- Three Rivers Golf Course4.46.7 mi
- Mint Valley Golf Course4.49.6 mi
- Longview Country Club4.58.2 mi
- WinCo Foods4.37.3 mi
- Fred Meyer4.28.8 mi
- Safeway45.8 mi
- Three Rivers Crossing3.45.7 mi
- Safeway47.6 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A major community park featuring sports fields and picnic areas.
Provides significant recreational opportunities including fishing and boating.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.