Chelan County, Washington

Chelan County is surrounded by the impressive Cascade Mountains in north-central Washington. With its breathtaking scenery, the county is a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Lake Chelan, carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, is one of the area’s biggest attractions and brings visitors from across the region. Wenatchee, the county seat and famous as the “Apple Capital of the World,” sits among valleys filled with productive orchards.

The climate changes noticeably from one side of the county to the other. Leavenworth adds a unique European touch with its Bavarian-style architecture and atmosphere. Agriculture and tourism are major parts of the local economy.

CategoryDetails
County NameChelan County
County SeatWenatchee
PopulationApproximately 80,000
Cities, Towns, and CommunitiesWenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan, Cashmere, Entiat
Interstates and HighwaysUS-2, US-97, WA-28
FIPS Code53-007
Total Area (Land and Water)2,994 sq mi (Land: 2,921 sq mi; Water: 73 sq mi)
Adjacent Counties (and Direction) Okanogan County (Northeast), Douglas County (East), Kittitas County (South), King County (Southwest), Snohomish County (West), Skagit County (Northwest)
Time ZonePacific Time Zone (PT)
StateWashington
Coordinates47.8225° N, 120.3964° W
Etymology Named after a Native American word meaning “deep water”, referring to Lake Chelan
Major LandmarksLake Chelan, Leavenworth, Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort
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