RANK #506 / 1001 NAT · #5 / 21 WA · POP 80,172
1YR FORECAST: -1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
Chelan County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -0.5% matches the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 14.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Chelan County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 1001 counties.
Chelan County scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#506). Median household income is $82,381 and job growth is running at -0.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Chelan County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $490,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.17 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,226/month on average.
Chelan County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.7%). Home values shifted -0.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.0% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Chelan County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.