Centralia is a city in Lewis County, Washington, located along Interstate 5 near the midpoint between Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Its population was 18,183 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city in the county. Founded in 1875 as Centerville by George Washington, a free Black pioneer, the town grew at the crossroads of railroads, timber, and agriculture and later took the name Centralia. Its restored 1912 Union Depot, added to the National Register of Historic Places, still anchors the downtown and remains an active Amtrak stop served by the Cascades and Coast Starlight trains. Centralia is paired with neighboring Chehalis as the "twin cities" of Lewis County, together forming a retail and service hub for the surrounding farm and timber country. The historic downtown is known for its hand-painted murals depicting local history, antique shops, a farmers market, and outlet shopping, drawing visitors from across western Washington. Centralia School District 401 operates the city's public schools, and Centralia College, the local community college, extends education through two-year degrees and workforce training. The city's economy is anchored by retail, government, health care, and manufacturing, with Centralia functioning as one of the county's main commercial centers. Its downtown mixes century-old storefronts with modern uses, and the nearby outlet mall reinforces its role as a regional shopping destination. Housing runs the gamut from Craftsman bungalows and early-20th-century homes in older neighborhoods to mid-century ranches and newer subdivisions on the outskirts. Residents enjoy a small-town pace with quick freeway access to the amenities of both Seattle and Portland. Outdoor recreation is close at hand at Fort Borst Park and Seminary Hill Natural Area, and the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad's heritage steam excursions celebrate the region's rail past. The city's blend of history, a walkable downtown, and a central position on the I-5 corridor continues to draw families, commuters, and retirees.