RANK #723 / 996 NAT · #19 / 21 WA · POP 538,711
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Spokane County, located in eastern Washington, is distinguished by the Spokane River, which flows through its heart and features urban waterfalls. The county seat, Spokane, is about 280 miles east of Seattle and 20 miles west of the Idaho border. This proximity to natural landscapes provides residents with access to outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, and skiing, with notable areas like Riverfront Park and Mount Spokane. Commute options within the county include carpooling, public transit, and vanpooling. Several school districts serve the area, including Spokane Public Schools.
Life in Spokane County offers a blend of urban amenities and outdoor access. The economy, historically rooted in natural resources and a railroad hub, has seen recent growth in various sectors. Major investments are now flowing into areas like health care and social assistance, government, retail trade, and professional, scientific, and technical services. This economic evolution contributes to a changing demographic, attracting a mix of families and individuals seeking opportunities in a region with a growing population.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.7x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Two New Data Centers (Tax Exemption Legislation)
Undisclosed (potentially Microsoft, Avista)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Wheatland Wind Project
Cordelio Power
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
Spokane Valley 2026 Capital Expenditures (Infrastructure)
City of Spokane Valley
|
$48M | Planned |
|
Kaiser Aluminum Expansion
Kaiser Aluminum
|
$25M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 27/100, Spokane County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $70,394 combined with job growth of +0.7% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Spokane County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $331,600 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,123/month on average.
Spokane County's population is growing — up +1.4% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.7%). Home values shifted +0.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.95% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Spokane County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.