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Rochester is a census-designated place (CDP) in Thurston County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,829 at the 2000 census.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 External links

Rochester, WA was first founded by Samuel James in 1852. A valley surrounded by Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. Ranier, and Mt. St. Helens, Rochester was accessible through difficult trails and the Chehalis River being navigated. One of the earliest business men was Mr. Robert Paton who opened the first Mercantile that still stands today across from the Rochester Community Center on Highway Twelve heading towards Oakville, WA. The Mercantile was built in 1889. In the early 1880s Mr. Paton had already started the first lumber mill. Rochester would be a lumber town for over 50 years after the opening of the mill. After the railroad came in the Northern Pacific with the help of a Robert Hunt pushed a railroad through to Grays Harbor by building on the prairies and forestland. Along the railroad tracks that still operate one can see Hunt's Grade a road to give credence to the railroad promoter. After the timber industry died down, Rochester became the largest producer of strawberries, but would eventually lose this industry as well turning into a small rural community where work was traveled to in either Olympia or Chehalis.

Rochester is located at 46°49′25″N, 123°5′0″W (46.823680, -123.083416)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.0 km² (2.3 mi²), all land.

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,829 people, 647 households, and 505 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 305.7/km² (790.2/mi²). There were 677 housing units at an average density of 113.2/km² (292.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.41% White, 0.16% African American, 1.69% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 5.52% from other races, and 3.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.39% of the population.

There were 647 households out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,090, and the median income for a family was $44,777. Males had a median income of $40,676 versus $26,518 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,912. About 6.2% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 46.82368° -123.083416°
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