Rochester, Washington

About Rochester

Originally formed around the timber industry, today Rochester is a bedroom community for both Olympia and Centralia. It is located just off Interstate 5 exit 88 and encompasses the surrounding area of Grand Mound and much of southern unincorporated Thurston County.

Gaily Fleming of Centralia moved north and platted the town in 1890. She named the new community after her home town, Rochester, Indiana. Later in 1904, a local businessman re-established the name to honor his home town of Rochester, England.

Rochester served as a railroad junction and trade center. At its height, the town boasted a hotel, three sawmills and a large store. Tracks and roads are still used to connect with Centralia and Portland to the south, Grays Harbor to the west, and Interstate 5 and the west coast main line tracks to the east.

Rochester is located near the Chehalis Indian Reservation and the Lucky Eagle Casino. Recently the Great Wolf Lodge, one of Washington’s largest indoor water park resorts, became one of Rochester’s leading tourist attractions.

Today Rochester is primarily a bedroom community for Olympia and Centralia and commercial center for rural residents of southwest Thurston County and northwest Lewis County. Its rural character and abundance of wide-open, affordable land offers those searching for homes the chance buy more home and land, yet still be an easy commute from work.

Rochester offers an affordable cost of living, and a mild, temperate climate conducive to year 'round enjoyment of the countless outdoor activities an area blessed with such uncommon natural beauty has to offer. Rochester is proud of its slower-pace and old fashioned, small town way of life.

Geography

Rochester is located in rural Thurston County about 20 miles south of Olympia and 7 miles north of Lewis County's largest city, Centralia. It is centrally located between the major metropolitan areas of Seattle, Washington to the north and Portland, Oregon to the south. It is also midway between the Cascade Mountain range and it's crown jewel, Mt. Rainier to the east, and the Pacific Ocean beaches of Washington's western coast.

With its central location, Rochester is close to major transportation modes. Interstate 5 is a short drive away. Amtrak's main north/south rail line for the western United States passes nearby with a passenger station close by in downtown Centralia. US Highway 12 is the main street through Rochester. It offers easy access east to Interstate 5 and west to Grays Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. A regional airport serving general aviation from light planes and helicopters up to corporate jets is nearby in Tumwater.

Rochester Real Estate

People searching for housing in Rochester will find a few newer subdivisions, homes on acreage, and large, open spaces of empty land ready for building.

Mean real estate prices in 2008:

All housing units $209,309
Detached houses $253,558
Mobile homes $72,475

Weather

Located a short distance inland, Rochester enjoys a slightly warmer and somewhat drier climate than its more coastal neighbors in western Washington State.

Jan April July Oct
Avg. Temp 40 50 64 52
Precip in inches 7 3.5 0.8 4

Population

Rochester population as of 2009 stands at 2,346, a nearly 20% increase from the 2000 census. An average of 2.8 persons occupy Rochester households. Median age is 32.5 years, significantly younger than the Washington state average of 35.3.

Employment

Many Rochester residents work for Washington State government and healthcare and educational employers in Olympia and Centralia. The two largest local employers are the Great Wolf Lodge Resort and the Lucky Eagle Casino / Eagles Landing Hotel complex, both providing hundreds of jobs to the community.

Average commute time for Rochester residents is 30+ minutes each way.

Income

Median household income in 2008 was $57,337 up from $43,090 in 2000. 7.7% of the residents are below the poverty line.

Cost of Living

The Cost of Living Index for Rochester is 98 as of December 2009. The average for all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas participating in the Cost of Living Index = 100.

Rochester Schools

Public education in Rochester is provided by the Rochester School District. Nearly 2,300 students from the city and surrounding Thurston County are served by  elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school and two alternative high schools.

77.8% of Rochester residents over age 25 have earned a high school diploma or higher level of education. Post-secondary education is available at two public colleges in Olympia: South Puget Sound Community College, a two-year community and technical school, and The Evergreen State College, a nationally ranked environmental and liberal arts college. Saint Martin's University in Lacey is a private, Benedictine institution offering four-year and graduate degrees. In addition, Centralia Community College offers courses from its campus in downtown Centralia.