Welcome to the first edition of the blog for Northeast Washington Trends! The blog captures the most recent updates to the indicators on the Northeast Washington Trends website, and will be sent out on a quarterly basis. Northeast Washington Trends would like to thank the Tri-county Economic Development District, Providence Medical, and other contributors for their support of the project.
Recent Updates
In ECONOMIC VITALITY:
The number of Veterans & their share of the population here is declining but still high
Veterans hold a special place in American society and for good reason. Many have risked their lives to serve our country. In return, they are entitled to special benefits, not the least of which is subsidized health care.
As the graph clearly displays, the number of veterans in the three counties has declined substantially over the past dozen years. Census’s most current estimate (for the 5-year average of 2019-2023) puts the number at 6,130, down 2,200 from 2010.
Due to small populations (below 65,000) the results for each of the three counties are available only in rolling 5-year averages.
Proportionally, however, there are more in the three counties than in the state of Washington and in the U.S., as measured by the adult (18+) population. The most current vet share of the population is 11.5%, considerably above those of the benchmarks. Shares vary slightly among the three counties.
The average number of people per household nearly the same as in the state.
Household size is an important dimension of the housing market. Large households (families) need larger living spaces. Historically, larger households (families) are homeowners, not renters.
In the three counties, the average household size is currently lower than that of the U.S. and Washington. But not my much. In the 2019-2023 period, the average number of people in the three counties was 2.44, versus 2.54 for the U.S. and 2.51 for the state. Stevens County shows slightly higher average size numbers than in Ferry and Pend Oreille Counties.
Due to small populations (below 65,000) the results for each of the three counties are available only in rolling 5-year averages.
Share of Registered Voters Voting in November Elections
At 80%, the average turnout for the elections last November in the three counties was lower than in 2020, but at a par with 2016. In most presidential election years, the average turnout in the tri-counties is at or above the Washington average. (Last November, the state turn-out rate was 79%.)
The highest turnout for presidential elections in recent years took place in 2008.
To view only the presidential election years, click the legend elements “midterm” and “off-year.”
In ECONOMIC VITALITY:
Shares of employment by type of employer show an outsized number of government jobs
Census surveys annually in which sectors people work. The estimates of this indicator cover three overarching areas: the private sector, government (at all levels) and the self-employed. In the period 2019-2023, about 63% of the area workforce was employed in the private sector, 27% in government and about 10% self-employed.
Due to small populations (below 65,000) the results for each of the tri-counties are presented in rolling 5-year averages.
Compared to the state and the U.S., Northeast Washington’s workplaces show a much higher share in government and a lower share in the private sector. Government employment is dominated by local government entities (counties, cities, school districts and PUDs. Over the past 17 years, there has been a shift in the shares of the three counties, away from the private sector and toward more government jobs.
To simplify the graph, simply click on those items in the legend you would like to hide.
The total and share of the population living in poverty has declined but remains high.
Poverty often leads to ill health, disability, disadvantaged educational opportunities, and hunger. This measure tracks the official Census designation of poverty, based on thresholds which change year to year by the increases in the consumer price index and by family size. For example, the current (2025) poverty threshold for a family of two adults and two children is $32,150.
Due to small populations (below 65,000) the results for each of the three counties are available only in rolling 5-year averages.
After a decline in the 2016-2021 period, numbers and rates of those living at or below the poverty threshold in Northeast Washington have climbed a bit. As of the 2019-2023 period, an average of nearly 9,100 residents were deemed to live in poverty, for a rate of about 13%. This is slightly above the U.S. rate for the period and considerably higher than the Washington average. It bears pointing out, however, that these estimates are far below the peak era of 2010-2014.
In EDUCATION:
The premium of lifetime earnings that post-secondary education claims over a stopping with a high school diploma is quite clear. It has been large and continues to be large. Recent research from New York Federal Reserve Bank economists shows that even considering tuition costs and the “opportunity” costs of forgoing work to study, in their case, four years, post-secondary education is worth it for the average student.
This indicator measures the share of public high school seniors in the three counties who attend either a two- or four-year school within a year of graduation. (The year indicates graduation year.)
As the graph shows, a dramatic decline has recently occurred, largely paralleling the pandemic. The class of 2018 represented the peak of college-going, at 42%. Contrast this to the class of 2022, with nearly half that share, 22%. For all years, the share of graduates in the public schools of the three counties who go on to some form of post-secondary education has rested far below the state average.
In HEALTH:
Total residents with a disability & their share of the population now amounts to one fifth.
Disability can lead to leaving the workforce, dependence on government assistance and co-morbidities. The Census tracks several types of disability: hearing, vision, cognitive difficulty, ambulatory challenges, and self-care/independent-living ability. These are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Due to small populations (below 65,000) the results for each of the three counties are available only in rolling 5-year averages.
Over the past 15 years, the number of disabled residents in the three counties has risen by about 1,500, with the most current estimate at 13,400. That level yields a rate of nearly 20% of the total population. As the graph demonstrates, the rate here has been several percentage points higher than rates of disability in the state and U.S.
Without insurance, medical care is skipped or often administered in the most expensive of healthcare settings, a hospital’s emergency department. When they do receive care, patients without insurance usually present more healthcare issues than those with insurance.
Due to small populations (below 65,000) the results for each of the three counties are available only in rolling 5-year averages.
The rate for children (ages < 18) has always been lower than for the adult population and it has declined over time. The Affordable Care Act is most likely behind the drop seen between 2012-2018. After climbing a bit during the pandemic, the most recent estimate from Census is the lowest on record, both for the count and the rate. Note, however, the rate for the three counties combined is still a few percentage points above that of Washington.
In HOUSING:
The overall rental vacancy rate in the three counties is very low.
Apartment living is often adopted by young adults without enough savings to purchase a home and the elderly who may be living on fixed incomes only. The vacancy rate directly reflects the supply and demand forces for rental units, and indirectly, the supply and demand of the single-family market. Economists consider a vacancy rate of 5% as one “in balance,” between supply and demand.
This measure comes from the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census. The data represent an average over a 5-year period. Due to small populations (below 65,000) the results for each of the three counties are available only in rolling 5-year averages.
As the graph makes very clear, there has been a sharp reduction in the vacancy rate since its peak over the 2014-2018 interval. The most current (2019-2023) estimated rate is a mere 1.9%. That puts the three counties with a “tighter” rental market than the in the state and U.S.
In PUBLIC SAFETY:
The number of victims of child abuse and neglect has remained steady but high.
Abuse of any human being is revolting, but abuse of children even more so. This indicator is based on accepted referrals to Child Protective Services in the three counties.
The most recent value, 699, lies within the typical range over the past 15 years. The rate, however, has climbed a bit. Note that the rate here is considerably higher than for the state.
list updated 05.29.25
New Intern Features
Cameron Burns
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Major: Computer Science
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2027
Post-graduation plans: Start a career designing computer systems.
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
My favorite part of work is how the data we use reflects real people and communities. It's satisfying knowing the work we do goes to people who use it to make a difference.
Malina Weigel
Hometown: Okanogan, WA
Major: Economics Major w/ a minor in business administration
Expected Graduation Date: June 2026
Post-graduation plans: I’m hoping to go to graduate school for Economics or Data Science!
After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
In the time I’ve been working here my favorite thing is definitely being challenged to learn new topics I haven’t had experience with before.