RANK #929 / 1001 NAT · #18 / 21 WA · POP 101,799
1YR FORECAST: -1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
Grant County, Washington, is distinguished by the Grand Coulee Dam, one of the largest concrete structures globally and a major hydroelectric power producer. Located in central Washington's Columbia Basin, the county seat is Ephrata, with Moses Lake as its largest city. The community offers a relaxed, rural atmosphere with abundant sunshine and access to over 140 lakes and reservoirs. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, featuring opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and off-roading at places like Potholes State Park and the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Commute options within the county include public fixed-route transportation and Dial-A-Ride services provided by the Grant Transit Authority, which has been zero-fare since 2020.
Life in Grant County offers an affordable cost of living and a strong sense of community, appealing to families and those seeking a quieter lifestyle. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture and food processing, continues to rely on these sectors, with a diverse range of crops. Recent economic developments show growth in manufacturing, including advanced materials and aerospace, alongside an emerging clean energy sector. The presence of Grant County International Airport, capable of handling large aircraft, supports aerospace activities. Local public schools are spread across several districts, including Moses Lake, Ephrata, and Quincy.
Grant County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.1% runs above the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Dry Falls Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$900M | Proposed |
|
Appledale Energy Center
Hawthorne Renewable Energy (HWNRE)
|
$300M | Planned |
|
Royal Slope Energy Center (Solar & Battery Storage)
Clearway Energy Group (Royal Slope LLC)
|
$260M | Under Construction |
|
SR Quincy Valley Solar Project
Silicon Ranch
|
$130M | Under Construction |
|
Salcido Enterprises Data Centers (Wheeler, Broadway, Fortress)
Salcido Enterprises, LLC
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Grant County PUD Transmission Capacity Upgrades
Grant County Public Utility District (PUD)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Grant County scores just 6/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #929 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -1.9% and median household income of $73,267 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Grant County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $299,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,116/month on average.
Grant County is attracting residents (population +1.4% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -1.9%. Housing values changed +1.1% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.84% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Grant County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.