Population114,885 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
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Cowlitz County, WashingtonExplore local resources and participating businesses in Cowlitz County, Washington.
Cowlitz County at a Glance
Population114,885 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatKelso
Largest City (2026)Longview (2026 OFM)
Established1854
ZIP Code Examples98603, 98611, 98625, 98626, 98632
Total Area, Including Water1,166.431 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-5, SR 4, SR 432
Local Area Codes360 / 564
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Discover Cowlitz County
Cowlitz County
Cowlitz County was formed in 1854 and takes its name from the Cowlitz people, whose regional history includes extensive trade with other Indigenous communities. Rivers and salmon were central to the area long before modern county boundaries. Kelso serves as the county seat, while Longview is another major community center. Later development connected these towns with a wider southwestern Washington region, but the county’s Indigenous and river histories remain essential parts of understanding the landscape.
Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock, Kalama, and Woodland provide different starting points for exploring Cowlitz County. Parts of Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument add mountain and volcanic landscapes beyond the river towns. Some communities and protected areas cross county lines, so exact destinations matter. A focused plan can connect a town visit with a particular landscape area while allowing realistic travel time between them.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Kelso and Longview anchor Cowlitz County in southwestern Washington, with Castle Rock, Kalama, and Woodland providing other community centers. Its history is closely connected with the Cowlitz people and regional river trade.
Community History
Cowlitz County was formed in 1854 and takes its name from the Cowlitz people, whose regional history includes extensive trade with other Indigenous communities.
Around the County
Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock, Kalama, and Woodland provide different starting points for exploring Cowlitz County. Parts of Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount St.
River communities connect with the mountain landscape beyond.
A Closer Look
Cowlitz County
Places and perspectives from Cowlitz County
Cowlitz County news · County notices
BROWN GUILTY OF FELONY STALKING WITH SEXUAL MOTIVATION
On October 14, 2026, after a two-day jury trial in Cowlitz County Superior Court, the jury found Ryan…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • Read at sourceAround Cowlitz County
Local coverage first, followed by Washington and national updates when needed.
Cowlitz County news · County notices
BROWN GUILTY OF FELONY STALKING WITH SEXUAL MOTIVATION
On October 14, 2026, after a two-day jury trial in Cowlitz County Superior Court, the jury found Ryan…
Oct 16, 2026 • Read at source
Washington State Standard · Washington
Washington 9th graders perform better with new program, but funding isn’t guaranteed
Across Washington state, schools rolled out a support system designed to help high school freshmen over the last…
Oct 27, 2026 • Read at source
Washington State Standard · Washington
Feds allege over 400 noncitizens vote in WA; Hobbs disputes data
The top federal prosecutor in Seattle claimed on Monday that more than 400 noncitizens have been voting in…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Washington State Standard · Washington
Rising prices squeeze more Americans ahead of pivotal midterm elections
Americans’ growing frustration over high prices has defined many political campaigns ahead of November’s midterm elections. Rising costs…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Washington State Standard · Washington
The percentage of people without health insurance is growing
The percentage of working-age adults without health insurance has increased in the past two years, largely because many…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Cowlitz County government — County offices and public services.
Departments and services — Find the office responsible for your request.
Washington state services — State agencies and programs.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Castle Rock Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 700 HUNTINGTON AVE S, CASTLE ROCK, WA 98611. 360-501-2910.
Cowlitz County Youth Services Center – High; grades 06-12. 1725 1st Ave., Longview, WA 98632. 360-577-3100.
Kalama Elem School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 548 China Garden Road, Kalama, WA 98625. 360-673-5207.
Barnes Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-05. 401 Barnes, Kelso, WA 98626. 360-501-1500.
Columbia Heights Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-05. 2820 Parkview Drive, Longview, WA 98632. 360-575-7461.
Toutle Lake Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-06. 5050 Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, WA 98649. 360-274-6142.
Yale Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-04. 11842 Lewis River Road, Ariel, WA 98603. 360-841-2950.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Peacehealth St John Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 1615 Delaware Street, Longview, WA 98632. 360-414-2000.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911. Use the department website for non-emergency contact information.
Cowlitz County sheriff — Law enforcement information and departmental contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for an immediate emergency.
Emergency management — Preparedness resources and local alerts.
National Weather Service — Forecasts and weather warnings; search by location.
Ready.gov — Household emergency planning.
State Parks
Seaquest State Park — Park information, maps and current notices.
Find Washington state parks — Search additional parks and activities.
Discover Pass — Parking pass information.
Trails
Cowlitz County parks and trails — Local recreation destinations and maps.
Seaquest State Park maps and visitor information — Review the park map and current trail notices before a visit.
Utilities
Cowlitz PUD — Service, billing and outage information. Confirm whether this provider serves your address.
County public works — County infrastructure and public works services.
Electricity, gas, water, sewer and waste services can have different providers. Check service boundaries for the specific property.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Castle Rock Public Library – 137 Cowlitz St W., Castle Rock, WA 98611. 360-274-6961.
Kalama Public Library – 312 N 1St, Kalama, WA 98625. 360-673-4568.
Kelso Public Library – 351 Three Rivers Drive, Suite 1263, Kelso, WA 98626. 360-423-8110.
Longview Public Library – 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview, WA 98632. 360-442-5300.
Yale Valley Library Express – 11842 Lewis River Road, Ariel, WA 98603. 360-906-5000.
Courts
Cowlitz County court services — Court information and local contacts.
Washington Courts directory — Choose Cowlitz County to find superior, district, municipal and juvenile courts.
DMV
Washington — Renew or replace a driver license
Washington — Find a driver licensing office
Washington — Renew or replace vehicle tabs
Transportation
RiverCities Transit — Routes, schedules, rider information and service-area details.
WSDOT maps — State highway maps and travel planning.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Cowlitz County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Cowlitz County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
114,885 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
1,166.431 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Washington resources: Renew or replace a driver license; Find a driver licensing office; Renew or replace vehicle tabs. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
For emergencies, call 911.
Cowlitz County sheriff — Use the official department page for non-emergency contacts and services.
Cowlitz County government — Find county departments, public meetings and services.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Cowlitz County was formed in 1854 and takes its name from the Cowlitz people, whose regional history includes extensive trade with other Indigenous communities. Rivers and salmon were central to the area long before modern county boundaries. Kelso serves as the county seat, while Longview is another major community center. Later development connected these towns with a wider southwestern Washington region, but the county’s Indigenous and river histories remain essential parts of understanding the landscape.
Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock, Kalama, and Woodland provide different starting points for exploring Cowlitz County. Parts of Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument add mountain and volcanic landscapes beyond the river towns. Some communities and protected areas cross county lines, so exact destinations matter. A focused plan can connect a town visit with a particular landscape area while allowing realistic travel time between them.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 1,141.159 square miles of land and 25.272 square miles of water in Cowlitz County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Cowlitz County had an estimated 111,014 residents on July 1, 2020, and 114,885 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 3,871 residents, or about 3.5%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Kelso is the county seat of Cowlitz County, Washington.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
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Parks and outdoor places
Seaquest State Park — Plan a visit using the official park information.
Cowlitz County parks and trails
Getting around
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