According to reporting by The Columbian, Clark County entered the 2026 real estate season with significantly more homes on the market than at the same time last year. Data drawn from the Regional Multiple Listing Service shows the number of new listings in January rising 18 percent compared with January 2025, marking a notable increase in inventory ahead of the spring buying season.

The report states that the median home price in Clark County reached $549,000. While the market remains competitive, added inventory may relieve some pressure for buyers who spent much of the past two years navigating constrained supply conditions.

For residents in Cowlitz County and the I‑5 corridor between Longview and Vancouver, the trends in neighboring Clark County can be an early signal of market direction. Local agents in Cowlitz County often track Clark County activity closely, as rising prices to the south have historically influenced demand and buyer migration into Kelso, Longview, and smaller communities where prices remain comparatively lower.

Spring typically represents the most active homebuying period in Southwest Washington, and regional observers note that higher inventory levels—if sustained—could moderate bidding pressures that have shaped recent years. At the same time, median prices continuing to climb suggest that affordability challenges remain a central issue for many households, particularly first‑time buyers.

While January data offers an early snapshot, market watchers in Cowlitz County will be looking closely at whether increased listings in Clark County ease competition or continue pushing interest northward along the corridor.

Sources

The Columbian: Number of new home listings in Clark County 18% higher than January 2025; median price rises to $549,000