Rochester, Washington

About Rochester

Rochester is about 15 miles south on I-5 from Olympia at exit 88.  Though it is now seen as a bedroom community for both Centralia and Olympia, it was originally formed around the timber industry.  It is named for the hometown of Gaily Fleming, who plotted the town in 1890, and who originally hailed from Rochester, Indiana.  It was later renamed Rochester again, after a local businessman's hometown of Rochester, England.

It serves as a commercial center for rural residents of southwest Thurston County and northwest Lewis County, and as a residence for many people who commute to Olympia or Centralia for work.  It offers country living with large tracts of open land.  It is located near the Lucky Eagle Casino and the Great Wolf Lodge, a large indoor water park resort.

Geography

Rochester is approximately 17 miles south of Olympia and 7 miles north of Centralia, just off of I-5.  I-5 offers easy access to Seattle, to the north, and Portland, Oregon, to the south.  Likewise, it offers similar access to both the Cascade Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean.  Access to Amtrak rails serving the western corridor can be had in Centralia.  Highway 12 offers an east-west route out to beaches or mountains.

Rochester Real Estate

The real estate market in Rochester offers newer developments, as well as open lots and plenty of open land waiting to be developed.

Mean real estate prices in 2008:

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

Weather

The weather in Rochester is characterized as a temperate climate.  It rarely experiences extreme temperatures.  Winters are rainy, although drier than localities situated on saltwater, with occasional snow, and summers are warm and dry.  The rainy months make Rochester an easy place to garden, and spring is vibrantly colorful.

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

Population

As of 2009, the population of Rochester was 2,346, up 20% from the 2000 census.  Rochester households were occupied by an average of 2.8 people, and the median age was 32.5, compared to the Washington state average of 35.3.

Employment

Rochester is mainly a bedroom community for Olympia and Centralia.  Washington state government is seated in Olympia, and this is a substantial employer.  Locally, the Great Wolf Lodge Resort and the Lucky Eagle Casino / Eagles Landing Hotel are the largest employers.  Rochester residents commute an average of 30+ minutes each way.

Income

In 2008, the median per household income was $57,337, compared to $43,090 in 2000.  7.7% of Rochester residents were living below the poverty line.

Cost of Living

As of December, 2009, the Cost of Living Index for Rochester is 98, compared to the national average of areas participating in the Cost of Living Index of 100.

Schools

Public schools are administered by the Rochester School District, which serves approximatey 2,300 students from the city and surrounding areas. There are (?) elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 2 alternative schools. 

Of Rochester residents over the age of 25, 77.8% have achieved at least a high school diploma.  The closest opportunity for post-secondary education is at Centralia Community College in downtown Centralia.  There are also two public colleges in Olympia – South Puget Sound Community College, a two year college and The Evergreen State College, a nationally ranked liberal arts college.  Nearby Olympia in Lacey is Saint Martin's University, a private institution offering both undergraduate and graduate programs.