Population88,062 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
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Lewis County, WashingtonExplore local resources and participating businesses in Lewis County, Washington.
Lewis County at a Glance
Population88,062 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatChehalis
Largest City (2026)Centralia (2026 OFM)
Year Organized1845 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code Examples98356, 98531, 98532, 98538, 98564
Total Area, Including Water2,436.346 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-5, US 12, SR 6
Local Area Codes360 / 564
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Discover Lewis County
Lewis County
Lewis County was created from Vancouver County in 1845 under Oregon's provisional government and named for Meriwether Lewis. Later divisions reduced its territory as additional counties formed, and Washington Territory took over jurisdiction in 1853. The Cowlitz Prairie region had earlier Indigenous, trading and agricultural histories. These layers should remain distinct: a county's creation describes government, not the first human use of its landscape. Following a particular community or river location helps connect that broad territorial account with local experience.
Choose a Cowlitz-area community or a specific public historical destination as the focus of a visit. The early county's large extent makes old maps especially helpful for research. Compare the date and place in a record before assuming it falls within today's boundary. A local collection can connect territorial changes with individual families or working histories, while current visitor information determines which physical destinations are accessible.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Its original jurisdiction was much larger than the present county, making local places and dated records essential for understanding the region's civic development.
The Local Story
Lewis County was created from Vancouver County in 1845 under Oregon's provisional government and named for Meriwether Lewis. Later divisions reduced its territory as additional counties formed, and Washington Territory took over jurisdiction in 1853.
Explore The County
Choose a Cowlitz-area community or a specific public historical destination as the focus of a visit. The early county's large extent makes old maps especially helpful for research.
Discover local river stories within a changing territorial landscape.
A Closer Look
Lewis County
Places and perspectives from Lewis County
LewisTalk · Local
Considering Elective Surgery? Year-End May Be the Right Time
Submitted by Providence-Swedish As the year winds down, many people are busy preparing for the holidays, wrapping up…
Read the Story Oct 22, 2026 • Read at sourceAround Lewis County
Local coverage first, followed by Washington and national updates when needed.
LewisTalk · Local
Considering Elective Surgery? Year-End May Be the Right Time
Submitted by Providence-Swedish As the year winds down, many people are busy preparing for the holidays, wrapping up…
Oct 22, 2026 • Read at source
LewisTalk · Local
Bundle Up & Bar Hop: A Fall Brew Crawl Across Lewis County
Flannel, foliage, and a whole lot of foam: fall has officially arrived in Lewis County, and it’s the…
Oct 21, 2026 • Read at source
LewisTalk · Local
Flared Skirts, Red Lipstick and Vintage Flair: Perfectly Pinup Boutique Brings Classy Retro Style to Centralia
Pinup style is pure old-fashioned glamour: a nipped waist, a flared skirt that swings when you walk, ruby-red…
Oct 13, 2026 • Read at source
LewisTalk · Local
6th Annual Cozy Kids Coat Drive Returns To Help Keep Local Children Warm This Winter
Submitted by United Way of Lewis County As temperatures begin to drop, Women United, an affinity group of…
Oct 13, 2026 • Read at source
LewisTalk · Local
Salish Cliffs Golf Club Celebrates 15 Years
For exceptional golfing in a memorable setting, experience the Salish Cliffs Golf Club. This fall marks its 15th…
Oct 12, 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
Lewis County government — County offices and public services.
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.
Adna Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 220 Dieckman Rd., Chehalis, WA 98532. 360-748-7029.
Boistfort Elem – Elementary; grades PK-08. 983 Boistfort Road, Curtis, WA 98538. 360-245-3343.
Edison Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-06. 607 H Street, Centralia, WA 98531. 360-330-7631.
Lewis County Juvenile Detention – High; grades 05-12. 1255 SW Pacific St, CHEHALIS, WA 98532. 360-748-0131.
Evaline Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 111 SCHOOLHOUSE RD, WINLOCK, WA 98596. 360-785-3460.
Morton Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-04. 400 W MAIN AVE, MORTON, WA 98356. 360-496-5143.
Mossyrock Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 445 WILLIAMS ST, MOSSYROCK, WA 98564. 360-983-3184.
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.
Providence Centralia Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 914 S Scheuber Road, Centralia, WA 98531. 360-330-8530.
Arbor Health Morton Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 521 Adams Street, Morton, WA 98356. 360-496-5112.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911. Use the department website for non-emergency contact information.
Lewis 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
Ike Kinswa State Park — Park information, maps and current notices.
Find Washington state parks — Search additional parks and activities.
Discover Pass — Parking pass information.
Trails
Lewis County parks and trails — Local recreation destinations and maps.
Ike Kinswa State Park maps and visitor information — Review the park map and current trail notices before a visit.
Utilities
Lewis County 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.
Centralia Timberland Library – 110 S Silver St, Centralia, WA 98531. 360-736-0183.
Chehalis (Vernetta Smith) Timberland Library – 400 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis, WA 98532. 360-748-3301.
Packwood Timberland Library – 109 W. Main St., Packwood, WA 98361. 360-494-5111.
Randle (Mountain View) Timberland Library – 1011 Us Highway 12, Randle, WA 98377. 360-497-2665.
Salkum Timberland Library – 2480 U.S. Hwy. 12, Salkum, WA 98582. 360-985-2148.
Winlock Timberland Library – 322 1St St., Winlock, WA 98596. 360-785-3461.
Courts
Lewis County court services — Court information and local contacts.
Washington Courts directory — Choose Lewis 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
Lewis County 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 Lewis County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Lewis County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
88,062 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,436.346 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Assessor, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
For emergencies, call 911.
Lewis County sheriff — Use the official department page for non-emergency contacts and services.
Lewis County government — Find county departments, public meetings and services.
Start with 911 Communications, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Human Resources, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Solid Waste Utility, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Map Library (GIS), linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
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.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
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
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Explore Lewis County
Featured local businesses
Always Available Anywhere Towing and Auto Repair
Parks and outdoor places
Ike Kinswa State Park — Plan a visit using the official park information.
Getting around
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below