County profile · Washington
Cowlitz County, WA market data
How Cowlitz County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 114,885
- +3.5% since 2020
- Households
- 43,943
- Median household income
- $76,531
- +40.4% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $397,500
- Jobs located here
- 40,531
- Highest market score
- 82
- Veterinarians, #65 of 1,485 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Cowlitz County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Cowlitz County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
Cowlitz County has an estimated 114,885 people and 43,943 households. Population estimates show Cowlitz County grew 3.5% from 2020 to 2025, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Cowlitz County is $76,531, 5% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 40.4%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Cowlitz County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 120, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on clothing, shoes and related services (84).
Of the business types scored in Cowlitz County, veterinarians (82), martial arts and dance studios (80) and optometrists and eye clinics (80) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For veterinarians, that ranks #65 of 1,485 scored counties.
Cowlitz County is part of the Longview-Kelso metro area. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for coffee shops and cafes (47% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for barbershops (49% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Cowlitz County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Cowlitz County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinarians | 82 | #65 of 1,485 | 11 | 2.5 | $3.7M | 137 | 8 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 80 | #42 of 1,334 | 14 | 3.2 | $3.1M | 154 | 7 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 80 | #50 of 1,302 | 9 | 2.0 | $6.1M | 193 | 5 |
| Gyms | 80 | #69 of 1,792 | 27 | 6.1 | $1.6M | 123 | 8 |
| Child care and preschools | 80 | #80 of 1,611 | 18 | 4.1 | $1.5M | 147 | 20 |
| Property management | 79 | #38 of 910 | 7 | 1.6 | Index only | 196 | 11 |
| Physical therapy | 79 | #74 of 1,422 | 14 | 3.2 | $3.9M | 162 | 7 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 78 | #90 of 2,088 | 43 | 9.8 | $1M | 152 | 15 |
| Tire shops | 78 | #125 of 1,530 | 12 | 2.7 | $4.2M | 168 | 7 |
| Car washes and detailing | 77 | #90 of 1,451 | 12 | 2.7 | $4.2M | 166 | 7 |
| Barbershops | 77 | #103 of 1,356 | 12 | 2.7 | $3.5M | 188 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | 77 | #130 of 2,090 | 23 | 5.2 | $7.2M | 142 | 68 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 74 | #140 of 1,327 | 11 | 2.5 | $4.6M | 148 | 12 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 74 | #180 of 1,656 | 24 | 5.5 | $2.3M | 127 | 19 |
| Auto repair shops | 71 | #310 of 2,378 | 84 | 19.1 | $599K | 135 | 47 |
| Auto repair and car care | 70 | #360 of 2,401 | 146 | 33.2 | $345K | 128 | 66 |
| Insurance agencies | 70 | #472 of 2,272 | 46 | 10.5 | $2M | 159 | 28 |
| Pet businesses | 69 | #331 of 2,200 | 54 | 12.3 | $760K | 87 | 18 |
| Hair salons | 69 | #336 of 2,339 | 89 | 20.3 | $478K | 111 | 13 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 69 | #403 of 2,405 | 172 | 39.1 | $965K | 145 | 73 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 67 | #465 of 2,087 | 37 | 8.4 | $2M | 161 | 13 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 66 | #493 of 2,210 | 57 | 13.0 | $1.3M | 151 | 13 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 66 | #529 of 2,222 | 54 | 12.3 | $3.1M | 101 | 68 |
| Pet stores | 65 | #240 of 974 | 10 | 2.3 | $4.1M | 91 | 3 |
| Grocery stores | 64 | #563 of 2,070 | 22 | 5.0 | $11.8M | 127 | 20 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 63 | #414 of 1,461 | 23 | 5.2 | $1.8M | 70 | 7 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 63 | #633 of 2,405 | 369 | 84.0 | $450K | 121 | 180 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 61 | #490 of 1,889 | 23 | 5.2 | $7.2M | 174 | 42 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 61 | #717 of 2,394 | 255 | 58.0 | $214K | 140 | 80 |
| Convenience stores | 61 | #725 of 2,261 | 38 | 8.6 | $6.8M | 87 | 13 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 60 | #247 of 887 | 14 | 3.2 | Index only | 139 | 9 |
| Chiropractors | 60 | #464 of 1,490 | 22 | 5.0 | $2.5M | 103 | 11 |
| Gas stations | 60 | #768 of 2,358 | 66 | 15.0 | $2M | 83 | 44 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 59 | #831 of 2,402 | 79 | 18.0 | $3.3M | 97 | 33 |
| Spas and skin care | 57 | #635 of 1,769 | 48 | 10.9 | $887K | 101 | 7 |
| Laundromats | 55 | #321 of 785 | 5 | 1.1 | $15.1M | 121 | Under 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 55 | #751 of 1,886 | 40 | 9.1 | $1.4M | 138 | 38 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 54 | #719 of 1,707 | 28 | 6.4 | $4.2M | 89 | 37 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 54 | #834 of 2,176 | 99 | 22.5 | Index only | 141 | 54 |
| Real estate | 54 | #873 of 2,229 | 121 | 27.5 | Index only | 145 | 82 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 54 | #948 of 2,385 | 177 | 40.3 | $241K | 113 | 39 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 53 | #638 of 1,493 | 23 | 5.2 | $2.4M | 82 | 38 |
| Electricians | 49 | #623 of 1,160 | 14 | 3.2 | $8.5M | 71 | 25 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 49 | #898 of 1,771 | 34 | 7.7 | $1.6M | 97 | 77 |
| House cleaning | 44 | #523 of 847 | 8 | 1.8 | $6.9M | 108 | 39 |
| Home repair trades | 44 | #1,333 of 2,057 | 65 | 14.8 | $1.8M | 75 | 76 |
| Nail salons | 41 | #931 of 1,328 | 28 | 6.4 | $1.5M | 91 | 19 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 34 | #1,631 of 2,063 | 71 | 16.2 | $2.3M | 63 | 39 |
| Roofing and gutters | 32 | #963 of 1,177 | 23 | 5.2 | $5.2M | 61 | 14 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $18.9M | 120 | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $1.7M | 249 | 5 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 0.9 | $12.6M | 92 | 4 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.7 | $18.4M | 180 | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.5 | $27.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.5 | $21.7M | Too few | 8 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.2 | Index only | Too few | 3 |
Household spending in Cowlitz County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $50.3M | $1,145 | 120 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $129.9M | $2,956 | 114 |
| Food away from home | $165.9M | $3,775 | 93 |
| Groceries | $260.2M | $5,922 | 94 |
| Personal care products and services | $42.6M | $969 | 96 |
| Child care and other personal services | $26.5M | $602 | 104 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $43.4M | $987 | 100 |
| Medical and dental services | $54.5M | $1,239 | 96 |
| Pets | $41M | $934 | 103 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $75.5M | $1,719 | 84 |
| Vehicle insurance | $91.9M | $2,090 | 107 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $118.7M | $2,702 | 90 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $55.2M | $1,257 | 89 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $761.8M | $17,336 | 104 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Cowlitz County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 114,885+3.5% since 2020
- Households
- 43,943
- Median age
- 42.1
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 68%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 1,141 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 98
- Median household income
- $76,531+40.4% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $95,669
- Median home value
- $397,500
- Jobs located here
- 40,531
- Daytime population
- 95,784Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Cowlitz County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Cowlitz County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
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Questions
How fast is Cowlitz County, WA growing?
Population estimates put Cowlitz County at 114,885 people in 2025, up 3.5% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 43,943 households. Median household income rose 40.4% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Cowlitz County, WA spend?
Households in Cowlitz County spend about $761.8M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $260.2M on groceries and $165.9M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Cowlitz County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 120, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on clothing, shoes and related services (84).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Cowlitz County, WA?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Cowlitz County are for veterinarians (82), martial arts and dance studios (80) and optometrists and eye clinics (80). Cowlitz County ranks #65 of 1,485 scored counties for veterinarians.
How does Cowlitz County, WA compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Cowlitz County is $76,531 a year, 5% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 3.5% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $397,500, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Cowlitz County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for coffee shops and cafes (47% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for barbershops (49% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 49 of the 56 business types have a score in Cowlitz County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Cowlitz County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Cowlitz County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Cowlitz County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.