Wenatchee
RANK #857 / 996 NAT · #20 / 21 WA · POP 79,076
1YR FORECAST: -0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
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 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Chelan County scores just 13/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #857 of 996 counties. Job growth at -1.0% and median household income of $71,876 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Chelan County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $412,300 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 $1,142/month on average.
Chelan County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -1.0%). Home values shifted +0.4% 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 4.48% 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.