RANK #907 / 996 · POP 79,076 · WA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.8%
Chelan County, Washington, is distinguished by its Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth, a popular tourist destination nestled in the Cascade Mountains. The county, located in north-central Washington, is approximately a two-hour drive from Spokane and Seattle, offering a mountain community feel with access to larger cities. Its landscape features snow-covered peaks, glacier-fed lakes, and expansive forests, with over 80% of the land publicly owned. This natural setting provides extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking in the Wenatchee National Forest, boating and swimming in Lake Chelan, and winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing.
Life in Chelan County is characterized by its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, attracting both families and retirees. The local economy is largely driven by agriculture, particularly tree fruit like apples, pears, and cherries, and a growing wine industry. Tourism also plays a significant role, drawing nearly 2.6 million overnight visitors in 2024. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers and the energy sector, leveraging the county's hydroelectric power resources. The Chelan County Public Utility District, a major power producer, provides electricity at rates below the national average.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Microsoft Data Center Campus Interconnection
Microsoft / Chelan County PUD
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Helion Fusion Energy Generation Project (Orion)
Helion Energy
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Rock Island Hydro Modernization (Turbine-Generator Units)
Chelan County PUD
|
$60M | Completed |
|
Chelan River Heights (Residential Development)
Chelan Valley Housing Trust
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Chelan County has a Boom Town Index score of 9/100, ranking #907 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.0% and a median household income of $71,876, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Chelan County is $412,300 with median rent at $1,142/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1743, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.0%. Home values changed +0.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.48% of Chelan County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.