98542 vs 98531 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 98542, Orange = ZIP 98531.
Quick verdict: ZIP 98542 is higher home values, more affordable rent, lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 98531 is wealthier, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated.
Quick Facts
ZIP 98542
WA
View full profile →- Population686
- Median Income$61,818
- Median Home Value$416k
- Median Rent$583
- Median Age47.5 yrs
- Poverty Rate18.5%
ZIP 98531
Centralia city, WA
View full profile →- Population27,356
- Median Income$61,963
- Median Home Value$286k
- Median Rent$932
- Median Age38.4 yrs
- Poverty Rate17.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
68627,356
Median Income
$61,818$61,963
Median Home Value
$416k$286k
Median Rent
$583$932
Median Age
47.5 yrs38.4 yrs
Poverty Rate
18.5%17.0%
Demographics
ZIP 98542
WA
View full profile →- White %100.0%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %0.0%
- Age 0–17 %9.6%
- Age 18–64 %69.0%
- Age 65+ %21.4%
- Bachelor's+ %5.2%
- Diversity Index0/100
ZIP 98531
Centralia city, WA
View full profile →- White %79.2%
- Black %0.9%
- Asian %1.2%
- Hispanic %19.3%
- Age 0–17 %22.4%
- Age 18–64 %58.7%
- Age 65+ %18.9%
- Bachelor's+ %21.1%
- Diversity Index33/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
100.0%79.2%
Black %
0.0%0.9%
Asian %
0.0%1.2%
Hispanic %
0.0%19.3%
Age 0–17 %
9.6%22.4%
Age 18–64 %
69.0%58.7%
Age 65+ %
21.4%18.9%
Bachelor's+ %
5.2%21.1%
Diversity Index
0/10033/100
Economy
ZIP 98542
WA
View full profile →- Median Income$61,818
- Unemployment %0.0%
- IRS Net Migration+37
- Work From Home %6.5%
ZIP 98531
Centralia city, WA
View full profile →- Median Income$61,963
- Unemployment %4.9%
- IRS Net Migration+1,469
- Work From Home %5.5%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$61,818$61,963
Unemployment %
0.0%4.9%
IRS Net Migration
+37+1,469
Work From Home %
6.5%5.5%
Housing
ZIP 98542
WA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$416k
- Median Rent$583
- Owner Occupied %67.9%
- Broadband %92.9%
- Vacant %0.0%
- Median Year Built2003
ZIP 98531
Centralia city, WA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$286k
- Median Rent$932
- Owner Occupied %64.9%
- Broadband %87.8%
- Vacant %4.4%
- Median Year Built1976
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$416k$286k
Median Rent
$583$932
Owner Occupied %
67.9%64.9%
Broadband %
92.9%87.8%
Vacant %
0.0%4.4%
Median Year Built
20031976
Climate & Location
ZIP 98542
WA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)379 ft
- Nearest Airport28.6 miles (46.0 km)
- Distance to Coast26.5 miles (42.7 km)
ZIP 98531
Centralia city, WA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)185 ft
- Nearest Airport16.5 miles (26.6 km)
- Distance to Coast21.3 miles (34.2 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
379 ft185 ft
Nearest Airport
28.6 miles (46.0 km)16.5 miles (26.6 km)
Distance to Coast
26.5 miles (42.7 km)21.3 miles (34.2 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 98531
Centralia city, WA
View full profile →- Work From Home %5.5%
- Walkability (0–100)38
- Broadband %87.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
6.5%5.5%
Walkability (0–100)
1738
Broadband %
92.9%87.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 98542 and 98531 compare?
ZIP 98542 is higher home values, more affordable rent, lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 98531 is wealthier, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (98542), orange the second (98531). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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