The Town
The Town
About Chewelah
(chuh-wee-luh)
Derived from the Kalispel word, sč̓ewíle, meaning “watersnake,” Chewelah is tucked between the Selkirk and Huckleberry Mountains in northeast Washington. This once rugged mining town is now a thriving community with a diverse economy built around tourism and recreation; agriculture and manufacturing; and mining and logging.
“Chewelah has the small-town charm that people fall in love with. Just 45 minutes north of Spokane and 70 miles south of the Canadian border on Hwy 395, Chewelah is an easy getaway with a lot to offer.”
Chewelah Chamber of Commerce
Local attractions
Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and lakes, Chewelah offers access to national protected areas like the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge and the Colville National Forest. It boasts a strong local economy and high-quality tourism amenities that draw thousands of visitors each year.
Chewelah by the numbers
The second largest city in rural Stevens County, Chewelah encompasses 3 square miles and has a population of nearly 2,500 people.
† 2021 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau
‡ Market Analysis by Retail Strategies Projected 2022 – 2027
The region by the numbers
Chewelah is located just 45 minutes from Washington’s second largest city, Spokane. Its core customer trade area – those likely to shop and eat in town at least once a month in Chewelah – is over 35,000.
* 2022 Market Analysis by Retail Strategies
** 2022 – 2023 U.S. Census Bureau
† 2021 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau
‡ Market Analysis by Retail Strategies Projected 2022 – 2027
About the downtown
A charming mix of the past and the present, downtown Chewelah features a variety of historic brick buildings with shops, restaurants, and services. Local businesses receive strong support from the community, Chewelah Chamber of Commerce, and Chewelah Creative District. The city hosts events year-round – including a farmers’ market, art walks, Soar into Summer, Boo Fest, and Winterfest – which draw customers to the downtown core.
In addition to retail services and hospitality, residents of Chewelah also have access to robust health, education, and transportation services; local news outlets; and a dedicated arts community.
Quartzite Brewing Company
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Trails End Gallery
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Farmers Market at the Park
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Columbia Commercial Creamery
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Chewelah Center for the Arts
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Chewelah School District
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Providence St. Joseph's Hospital
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The Independent Newspaper
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Walt Goodman Historical Museum
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Chewelah Municipal Airport
Visit the siteIn their own words
“With Chewelah we see so much opportunity and potential. You have so much talent here, and there is a lot of heart within the community.”
Greg McCunn, Mayor
“The small town vibe of Chewelah enthralls us on many counts. But the Farmers Market and Columbia Community Creamery – a dairy co-op with a focus on local farmers offering food and rebuilding the local economy to benefit local people – keeps us visiting often.”
Roger H., Spokane
“As the hub of recreational activity, Chewelah has a walkable, eclectic downtown district with a growing variety of shops, services, and restaurants.”
Chewelah Chamber of Commerce
“From the traditional arts to culinary arts. From graphic design to landscape design. Writers and outdoor guides. Builders and believers. Creativity is all around us. And it is the foundation of a strong rural economy.”
Chewelah Creative District
