Population 47,003 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Whitman County
Household size in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.45 | 2.56 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.32 | 2.62 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.40 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.21 | 2.61 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.24 | +0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Whitman County are small: just 2.21 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 2.45 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.4 | 38.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.9 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.3 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.8 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 33.8, Whitman County is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 32.4 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only two of Washington's 39 counties are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.1% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 10.1% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.7% of households in Whitman County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Whitman County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Washington counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Whitman County
Renters in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.0% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.0% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.4% | 37.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 53.2% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Whitman County rent: 53.2% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. The renter share is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Whitman County has the highest share of renters of any Washington county.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.7% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 8.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.6% | 7.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Whitman County: 14.6% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.1 points, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1973 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +6 |
Housing in Whitman County leans older: the median home dates to 1973, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1969 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $676 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $727 | $1,127 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $834 | $1,390 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,119 | $1,875 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$442 | +$858 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Whitman County costs $1,119 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $442 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 34.3% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Whitman County
Bachelor's degrees in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.5% | 31.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 49.3% | 32.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 53.4% | 35.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 53.7% | 38.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +7.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Whitman County: 53.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has edged up 1.2 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Only one other Washington county has a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.8% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.1% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.0% | 91.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.6% | 91.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Whitman County: 96.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 0.8 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Whitman County has the highest share of high school graduates of any Washington county.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Whitman County
| Period | Whitman County | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.9% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Whitman County than nationally: unemployment was 6.7%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has edged up 0.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Whitman County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitman County | 2.21 | 33.8 | 7.7% | 53.2% | 14.6% | 1973 | $1,119 | 53.7% | 96.6% | 6.7% |
| Latah County | 2.34 | 36.3 | 8.1% | 41.3% | 9.3% | 1980 | $954 | 44.7% | 96.2% | 6.4% |
| Garfield County | 2.29 | 47.4 | 2.4% | 23.1% | 15.7% | 1961 | $810 | 31.1% | 94.1% | 5.9% |
| Asotin County | 2.40 | 46.4 | 10.4% | 26.8% | 9.1% | 1976 | $1,133 | 23.9% | 92.2% | 4.8% |
| Nez Perce County | 2.45 | 42.2 | 13.1% | 29.6% | 8.5% | 1971 | $1,070 | 26.8% | 93.3% | 2.7% |
| Benewah County | 2.56 | 45.5 | 9.6% | 26.8% | 14.0% | 1978 | $858 | 22.0% | 86.4% | 3.0% |
| Columbia County | 2.11 | 49.5 | 9.6% | 22.3% | 15.8% | 1956 | $1,020 | 23.9% | 89.1% | 4.2% |
| Clearwater County | 2.31 | 51.4 | 7.2% | 17.1% | 18.0% | 1977 | $897 | 17.1% | 91.5% | 4.4% |
| Lewis County | 2.30 | 48.4 | 7.5% | 23.6% | 14.0% | 1964 | $757 | 21.2% | 91.4% | 2.2% |
| Adams County | 3.34 | 29.5 | 13.0% | 30.7% | 8.6% | 1976 | $933 | 14.8% | 64.4% | 3.9% |
| Franklin County | 3.30 | 32.1 | 18.2% | 29.0% | 5.6% | 1991 | $1,562 | 21.7% | 77.4% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Aguada Municipio, PR · Shelby County, IN · Shawano County, WI · Sequoyah County, OK · Scott County, MO · Baldwin County, GA · Avoyelles Parish, LA · Auglaize County, OH · Ashland County, OH · Anderson County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Whitman County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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