Income and Poverty in Whitman County, Washington

Compared to other counties (and parishes) throughout the nation, Whitman County had a relatively low median income for all households of $33,443 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This figure is 60.1 percent lower than the household income median in State of Washington of $53,558 and the income level is 46.9 percent lower than the median household income level in the US of $49,133.

Contrasted against to other counties (or parishes) throughout the US, Whitman County, Washington may be understood as having a relatively high poverty rate amid the residents with a poverty rate of 25.6 percent of the individuals existing in families with incomes under the poverty level in 1999. The Asian race/ethnicity demographic category, owns the foremost rate of poverty with 51.1 percent of the 2000 residents living in poverty. People aged 18 to 64 years have the largest percent of population in poverty in Whitman County, accounting 31.2 percent of this demographic group living with incomes under poverty.

Black or African American headed households had median income levels that were 44.4 percent less than the overall reported level in 2000, with a reported median of $18,595. In Whitman County, Washington White headed households reported household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $35,777 according to the 2000 Dencennial Census, which was 7 percent greater than the median income in 2000. The Asian headed households reported median household incomes of $14,286. This household income level is 57.3 percent less than the reported median for all households in the area. Hispanic in Whitman County, Washington , according to the 2000 census, had a median household income of $26,234, this median is 21.6 percent less than the reported median household income for all households in the area. The American Indian and Alaska Native households in Whitman County had a median household income level of $30,713, which was 8.2 percent less than the median level for total households in the area.







Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census.

Higher Education in Whitman County, Washington

The 2000 Decennial Census reported that in Whitman County, Washington, many men in the area have reached the Bachelors Degree or Higher category, with 47.8 percent obtaining this level of education. The women in Whitman have attainment on average a lower level of higher education (Bachelors Degree or Higher) than the male population-- 47.8 percent (Men) versus 40.2 percent (Women). A high proportion of the female population in the area has reached the Bachelors Degree or Higher category, with 40.2 percent of the women population in the area achieving this level of education.

In Whitman County, Washington as reported in the 2000 Census, 42 percent of the White Alone, 58.2 percent of Black or African American, 74 percent of the Asian alone and 66.8 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population (over 25) has obtained a Bachelors Degree or Higher.

Whitman County, Washington is made up of a very highly-educated population, with 44 percent of the population (+25) having received a BA or higher, as reported the 2000 Decennial Census. Whitman was reported to have a higher percent of the population with at least a Bachelors than the State of Washington's proportion of 27.8 percent and a higher percent than the US proportion of 24.4 percent.





Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census.

Demographic Profile for Whitman County, Washington

Whitman County, Washington had a population that was estimated at 40,170 for the year 2005. The total population has decreased, from the population in the year 2000 of 40,664. The decline denotes a decrease of -1.2 percent. Whitman ranks 39 of 39 counties by growth in total population in Washington and the county ranks 2,748 of 3,141 counties when analyzing total county population change across the nation.

By measuring total land area, Whitman spans a total area of 2159 square miles. The land areas has a very low average population density of 19 persons per square mile, in 2005. Similar counties, in terms of density, in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Montmorency, MI (19 per sq. mile ), Hamilton, IL (19 per sq. mile ), Lee, AR (19 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Gallatin, IL (19 per sq. mile ), Perry, AR (19 per sq. mile ), Robertson, TX (19 per sq. mile ).

From 2000, a very high number of individual migrated to the Whitman from outside the country. The immigration into Whitman accounts for 1.1 percent of the total migration into the State of Washington. This percent of immigration can be considered very high when compared to international migration per 2005 population.

Whitman County, Washington has a population that is made of 84.2 percent White, 2 percent African American, 7.2 percent Asian, and 3.4 percent Hispanic. The population mix can be considered to have a modest amount of racial and ethnic diversity, with 12.6 percent minorities. This is less than the State of Washington percent of 18.3. Since 2000, Whitman has increased the level of diversity when 10.7 percent of the population were minorities.

In 2005, the Census Bureau estimated the median age in Whitman County, Washington to be 24.9 years old. The median in Whitman is less than the median age in Washington of 36.7. Since the year 2000, the area has seen an increase in this median, when at that time it was 24.6 years old. With 15.4 percent of the population in the year 2005 being made up of individuals less than 18 years old, Whitman can be understood as being made up of a relatively low proportion of youths. The working age population group (18-64) has a relatively high presence of the 2005 population base, with 75.2 percent of the population falling in this age category. The retirement (65 and over) group makes up 9.4 percent of the total population in the area. Compared to other counties in the US, this represents a relatively low proportion of the population.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Housing Report for Whitman County, Washington

Whitman County had an owner-occupied dwelling median in 2000 of $119,600, reported by the Decennial Census. This median is less than the overall Washington 2000 median home value of $168,300 median home value of $119,600 for the rest of the nation in that year.

In the State of Washington, Whitman County is positioned 20 of 39 by percentage growth in residential real estate. The county is positioned 927 of 3,141, in terms of residential real estate percentage change change in the United States.

In Whitman County, the census reported 17,734 housing units in the year 2005. This represents a growth in housing units, adding all together 783 homes since 2001, or 4.6 percent.

It can be understood that there is a large amount of housing that is affordable in Whitman County, Washington. In 2000, 52.9 percent of owner-occupied dwellings were valued under $125k.





Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Employment Report for Whitman County, Washington -- Annual 2005 Industry Summary

Whitman County ranks 26 of 40 total Counties compared to other Counties in State of Washington in terms of total 2005 employment. The County’s employment ranking has moved up during the time of 2001 and 2005. The County, in the year 2001, was ranked 24 of 40 Counties.

Arts, entertainment, and recreation is the industry that has seen the largest increase in jobs from the year 2001 to the present in Whitman County, increasing in size by 121.1 percent. This is greater than the industry employment change in the United States of 4.7 percent. The State of Washington experienced a sector employment shift of 12 percent, in the last 5 years.

In Whitman County, Accommodation and food services, Retail Trade, and the Health care and social assistance sectors are the largest industries, in terms of total number of jobs in 2005. The Accommodation and food services provides the most jobs and contributes 16.5 percent of total employment in the county, making up 1,308 individuals. The Retail Trade and Health care and social assistance sectors account for 15 and 14.3 percent of all employment.

Wholesale trade since the year 2001 lost the most jobs in Whitman County. The sector dealt with a loss of 153 total jobs during the period, accounting for 19.5 percent of employment in the sector. These losses made up 58.4 percent of the total loss in employment during the period.

In Whitman County, Accommodation and food services, Wholesale trade and Real estate and rental and leasing are the three industries with the highest location quotients. The Accommodation and food services industry has a US LQ in the county of 1.68. This means the percent of total employment in the Accommodation and food services sector is 1.68 times greater than the national average, signifying that Whitman specializes in Accommodation and food services.

Manufacturing has the largest employers in Whitman County. The industry averages 38 jobs per establishment, which is less than the industry's average at the national level of 39 and greater than the State of Washington average establishment size of 36 for the Manufacturing industry.





Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).